The Internet, Projectization, and Science and Technology: Strategic Tools to Develop Caribbean Cultural and Creative Industries By Ian W. Walcott 9th Annual Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social & Economic Studies (SALISES) Conference Reinventing the Political Economy Tradition of the Caribbean  A Conference in Honour of Norman Girvan UWI, Mona Jamaica, March , 2008

Presentation Overview Caribbean in Post Cold War Global Context Caribbean Focus on Cultural & Creative Industries What is Global Insertion? A Model of Projectization Regional & National Strategies for Science & Technology Internet & Digitization Policies Conclusion

The Caribbean in Post Cold War Global Context Galloping Globalization/Regionalism FTAA Asian Meltdown Pacific vs. Atlantic Clash of Civilizations 1990s Caribbean Recession & Implementation Deficit The Hope of Culture

Caribbean Focus on Cultural & Creative Industries – Festival Tourism UNESCO Categories Link to Festival Tourism Need for product differentiation Economic Impact of Festival The Impact in Barbados

Update: Latest EIA 2005-2007Conducted by SALISES Cave Hill Economic Impact of Crop Over 2001: A Summary Table $ Total Injections (spending) during Crop Over 2001, of which: 8,806,642 NCF Sponsored Events 4,446,042 Other Spending 4,360,600 Less: Tourist Spending at Crop Over (1,860,000) Total Local Spending 6,946,642 Net Spending by Tourists 22,216,593 Total Injections Arising from Festival (Direct Impact) 29,163,245 of which Personal Income 5,368,320 Indirect Plus Induced Impact* 24,438,791 VAT Receipts 1,311,231 Total Economic Impact 54,913,257 Estimated Employment Generated 2,297 Update: Latest EIA 2005-2007Conducted by SALISES Cave Hill shows impact at $75M

Caribbean Focus on Cultural & Creative Industries – The ‘Disconnects’ Regional cultural policy developed in 1994 Only Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad have cultural policies Curriculum reform remains critical National cultural agencies forced to go to private sector to finance programming Barbados’ aging plant and infrastructure to support the arts Yet new buildings & infrastructure are going up everyday

Caribbean Focus on Cultural & Creative Industries – The ‘Disconnects’ CARIFESTA now CARIFIASCO - runs the risk of becoming an elitist platform Signs of mismanagement, disorganization and chaos Region failed to implement the new CARIFESTA strategy Lack of funding plagues the arts in the region Governments benefit from arts festivals yet unwilling to give incentives to arts

What is Global Insertion? The Reinaldo Goncalves Model Commercial openness = coefficient of exports over GNP; Financial openness = ratio of foreign debt to GNP; Third level of openness “real production” the amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) the portion of capital stock detained by multinational corporations (MNCs)

What is Global Insertion? Two New Factors to Consider Presence on Internet as global trading platform: What percentage trade over Internet? How many private and public sector companies conduct business on Net? What percentage of local entities has presence on Internet? What’s the measurement of online transactions using credit cards?

What is Global Insertion? Two New Factors to Consider Managing the brand, image and international public opinion of country Impact on FDI Caribbean viewed as exotica Caribbean Fight against OECD Exotica factor impacting our cultural industries

Strategic Projectization Cycle Model

Challenges with Caribbean Projectization No common national project management standards in public sector No common regional standard Few cases of loosely defined project management structure exist in Barbados, Trinidad and Jamaica

Challenges with Caribbean Projectization Indigenous Caribbean lagging their MNC counterparts or rivals in : Technology Mindset HR Skills Business Systems Constantly re-inventing the wheel Remain family-owned businesses with relatively small business structures

Regional and National Strategies for Science & Technology – The Regional Commitment or Rhetoric? Environmental protection Develop skilled human resources Focus on Caribbean agriculture and industry to enable rapid adjustment to technological changes Enable environment for development, exchange and effective use of technology Ensure most cost-effective methods of acquiring and using technology developed and available within and outside the region Preserve and enrich the cultural heritage of regions’ peoples

Regional Challenges to Technological Development There is no enabling environment; No national portfolio planning for research and development Low levels of private and public sector investment in R&D Low levels of venture capital; School curricula bent on rote learning and weak in critical thinking;

Regional Challenges to Technological Development An environment that stifles creativity Limited information regarding patents, trademarks and copyright opportunities General popular resistance to technological change Net importers of science and technology leading to dependency

E-government readiness ranking in the Caribbean Source: UN Global E-Government Readiness Report 2005

Conclusion Caribbean must address the implementation deficit Cultural activists, policy makers, and researchers must now advocate and pressure Caribbean to implement Cultural and creative industries as next frontier of development remains elusive Bridging gaps and ‘disconnects’ between rhetoric and action supported by financing Projectization model linked to strategic plans Creative economy must be on national agendas Shift and redirect national investment digital economy

Thank you!