KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, says that Jamaica “intends to present a candidate for election to the executive board of UNESCO for the period 2017-2021.”

The minister’s announcement was made during her address at the Consultative Meeting of the National Commissions for UNESCO in the Caribbean, held at the Pegasus Hotel on Monday.

Grange said “the region was ably represented on the outgoing executive board by St Kitts/Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago and Belize. Jamaica intends to ensure that region’s voice and priorities are reflected in the decisions of the next executive board.”

Grange added that as UNESCO looks to elect its new Director General, it is “unfortunate that there isn’t even a single candidate from the Caribbean being put forward for the role.”

She said the region needs to start looking around for a candidate to put forward for the next election cycle.

“Us in the Caribbean must actively participate in deciding the future of UNESCO, its budget and its priorities. We must ensure that our national priorities become UNESCO priorities. UNESCO must strengthen action that will address the vulnerable globally and in particular, Small Island Developing States in their country,” Grange said.

The Caribbean has had several outstanding leaders within the UNESCO. The Session of the General Conference which elected the first woman Director General was presided over by a member of the region.