The Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Information and Broadcasting, Culture and Creative Industries staged the Goodwill Ambassador Investiture ceremony at the Government House.

The Goodwill Ambassadors Investiture ceremony forms part of the calendar of events for Saint Lucia’s 41st Anniversary of Independence. It detailed the official presentation and awarding of the Saint Lucia Medal of Merit Gold to the Goodwill Ambassadors appointees and featured performances by the RSLPF Band.

Saint Lucia recently completed its destination branding “Let Her Inspire You” under the framework of authenticity, uniqueness and inclusiveness. Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Information and Broadcasting, Culture and Creative Industries, Donalyn Vittet, noted that the Goodwill Ambassadors program will assist in sustaining that effort and image internationally.

“The Government of Saint Lucia through our Department of Culture and Creative Industries sought to focus its attention on the creative sector and through this, the CDF ambassadorial program was born. The ambassadorial program signals to Saint Lucians the need to delve into the economics of their passion, and to motivate others and to give back,” Ms. Vittet said.

Minister with responsibility for Culture and Creative Industries, Hon . Fortuna Belrose, expressed gratitude to the ambassadors for declaring their support for the initiative.

“It is anticipated that what we are creating will enable us to actively meet the requirements for young people who are looking to contribute to the nation in a different way,” she said.

The Goodwill Ambassadors will serve for a period three years in the first instance and will also be issued with a diplomatic passport as a decorated red “laissez-passer” signed by the Governor General. The appointed ambassadors are His Excellency, Ronald Boo Hinkson, His Excellency Gordon Commissioner Williams, His Excellency Taj Weekes, His Excellency Jermain Defoe, His Excellency Darren Sammy, His Excellency Sir Leslie Ferdinand,  His Excellency Jallim Eudovic, His Excellency, Joseph Marcel, His Excellency Dr. David Williams, and His Excellency Ken Chitole.

Minister Belrose said: “We are surrounded by the core of Saint Lucia’s best. We have Grammy award winners in music and film, we have Olympians, we have world champions in sport, we have professors, and as a society we must embrace and celebrate them.”

The objective of the Goodwill Ambassadors program is to serve as a catalyst for socioeconomic transformation in all sectors related to the creative arts and the industries that they support.

The Goodwill Ambassadors Investiture Ceremony took place on Feb. 27, 2020.