From April 29–30, 2025, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hosted a regional workshop titled “Strengthening Sub-regional Practices: Enhancing Disaster Resilience of Caribbean Documentary Heritage.” The event, organized by the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean in partnership with the National Commission for UNESCO in St. Vincent, aimed to safeguard the region’s documentary heritage against natural disasters.
The workshop brought together archivists, librarians, media professionals, and disaster management experts to share knowledge and strategies for preserving both analog and digital historical records. It is part of UNESCO’s broader Memory of the World programme and was financially supported by Japan.
Minister of Education and National Reconciliation, Hon. Curtis King, emphasized the importance of education and community engagement in preserving the Caribbean’s historical identity. Dr. Paul Hector from UNESCO underscored the role of documentary heritage in governance, education, and resilience, especially in a disaster-prone region.
The initiative supports the use of modern preservation techniques such as digitization and cloud storage alongside traditional methods, ensuring that the region’s cultural memory is protected for future generations.