VIHC Announces New Cultural Diversity Initiative
Date: October 5, 2009 | Press Release: #09-001
The Virgin Islands Humanities Council invites the community to join its effort to increase understanding among the territory's people as part of a new cultural diversity initiative funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
"Building Community, Celebrating Diversity" is funded through a $62,710 federal "We the People" grant the Council received in September.
The goal of the initiative is to provide a forum for dialogue amongst our diverse population on how disciplines within the humanities and social sciences can help to unify and rebuild our society; foster extended inter-group engagement; and facilitate cultural exchange and common understanding among the people of our islands.
Project activities include keynote speakers, panel discussions, a call for papers, a call for grant proposals, a cultural showcase, and a cultural diversity website culminating in a two-day celebration on May 7 & 8, 2010.
"The Humanities Council is celebrating its 25th year of providing valuable programming that helps to transform the civic and cultural infrastructure of our community. This upcoming 'We the People' initiative will resonate with the interest of the people," VIHC Executive Director Mabel Maduro, said.
The territory has a long history of bringing diverse groups together, she said.
"The Virgin Islands has always been a multicultural community, from the time of colonial rule, chattel slavery to multinational tourism and industry driven economies," Maduro said. "As a people, increased understanding, tolerance and respect are important for collective advancement amidst our cultural diversity. Through the humanities we hope to address the issues in the most constructive and productive way by promoting and documenting the value of culture and heritage."
Scholarly papers are sought for online publication from a cross-section of the community with a variety of perspectives on the theme �Building Community, Celebrating Diversity.� Selected papers will be presented at a panel discussion in May 2010.
Topics may include finding home in a new place; disconnection and reconciliation in migration; cultural diversity and public space; respecting differences and embracing commonalities; in and out migration patterns in the U.S. Virgin Islands; issues of acceptance and rejection in Virgin Islands migration; cultural change and tolerance in V.I. society; culture, tradition, and identity; and other subjects not mentioned.
Abstracts of 250 words are due Dec. 15, 2009, and full-length papers are due Feb. 1, 2010.
Cultural groups are also sought to participate in a cultural showcase on May 8, 2010. Groups are invited to share culinary samplings, dance, music, and literary art or fashion.
"We have consulted with about ten cultural groups, and will make a public appeal to attract other interested cultural groups who would like to register with the Council for the cultural showcase event, which will be the culminating event of a two-day series of activities," Maduro stated.
Additionally, non-profit groups are invited to apply for a total of $18,000 in new cultural diversity grants from the V.I. Humanities Council starting in January. Mini-grants up to $3,500 and major grants up to $7,500 will be available to non-profit organizations that focus on the theme "Building Community, Celebrating Diversity." Deadlines to apply are Jan. 1 and March 1, 2010. Other "Building Community, Celebrating Diversity" initiative sponsors include the V.I. Department of Tourism, the West Indian Company Ltd., and the V.I. Lottery.
Over the past five years, the Council has presented several engaging �We the People� initiatives, which inspire a deeper appreciation for Virgin Islanders� unique heritage as Americans.
"All our previous �We the People� Initiatives have proven how through humanities programming, issues of importance are responded to quickly, while providing opportunities to reflect on timeless questions. Both enable the Humanities Council to play a key role for the greater benefit of the people of the Virgin Islands," Maduro said.
In 2005 and 2006, �Virgin Islanders: A People�s Quest for Self-Governance� focused on understanding the history and outcomes of previous V.I. Constitutional Conventions.
In 2007, the "Future of the Past: The Business of Cultural Heritage Tourism Conference" explored the economic benefits of cultural heritage tourism, which resulted in an increased awareness about the subject and the submission of a well documented action plan to public and private sector industry stakeholders for the purpose of further diversifying and developing the Virgin Islands tourism product.
In 2008 and 2009, "V.I. Voices: A Literary and Spoken Word Festival" emphasized the value of literary expression in the Virgin Islands in sustaining social cohesiveness through works by local artists, writers, and poets on St. Thomas and St. Croix and engaged them in learning opportunities.
The Virgin Islands Humanities Council is a private non-profit organization affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities, a federal agency. Its mission is to provide opportunities for the diverse population of the Virgin Islands to participate in humanities programs that promote a love of learning, encourage dialogue, enhance understanding, and broaden people�s judgment. Knowledge of the humanities enables Virgin Islanders to interpret their past and shape their future.
For more information, call 776-4044 or email to [email protected].