In observance of World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, observed on Oct. 27, 2022, the Saint Lucia National Commission for UNESCO launched an innovative project titled “Training Community-based Journalists to Increase Reporting in the Kwéyòl Language."

The main objective of the project is to train community correspondents who will form the core of a Kwéyòl News Network that will produce programmes for distribution to local radio and TV stations who have indicated an interest in broadcasting productions in Kwéyòl.

The project acknowledges the importance of audio-visual documents and the need to take urgent measures to preserve them, especially those of historical and cultural value. Audio-visual archives tell us stories about people’s lives and cultures from all over the world. They represent a priceless heritage which is an affirmation of our collective memory and a valuable source of knowledge since they reflect the cultural, social and linguistic diversity of our communities. They help us to comprehend the world we all share.

Conserving this heritage and ensuring it remains accessible to the public and future generations is a vital goal for all memory institutions as well as the public at large.

Funding for the Kwéyòl language training project for journalists was secured under the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC). The IPDC fund provides support for media projects, while seeking to secure a healthy environment for the growth of free and pluralistic press.

The project will be implemented through Calabash TV in collaboration with the Monsignor Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre (FRC) with support from the Saint Lucia National Commission for UNESCO.