As the country prepares to celebrate its 39th anniversary of Independence, Dominicans are being encouraged to join hands to build a brighter future together.
The government of Dominica and the Independence Committee in collaboration with a number of partners, including private sector institutions, has presented the programme of activities for this year’s Independence Celebrations.
The official media launch of Independence Celebrations 2017 took place at the Government Information Service (GIS) office in Bath Estate on Wednesday morning.
“Every year a theme is chosen to echo a call to our nation on our contribution to making Dominica the best place to live, to visit or vacation,” Culture Minister Justina Charles said while addressing the launching ceremony. “This year’s theme: ‘Building a Brighter Future Together’ is again calling on us all to set aside our differences, place the development of Dominica at the center of our focus with a view of passing on island that our present and future generation can safely enjoy.”
According to Charles, the word togetherness implies that it cannot be a concern or the business of a few.
“As small as your contribution may be, we can all do something to realize the Dominica that we are aspiring to build,” she remarked.
“It is again a further call for all hands to be on deck,” Charles added.
She stated that the theme captures the goal of all the country’s development projects.
“As we attempt to bring this theme to life, let us each ask ourselves, what can I do to attract people to our shores that can boast our economy?” she stated. “What can I do to improve the quality of service that I deliver in my field of work or to make my department more effective and efficient?”
She continued, “What can I do to maximize the use of resources at my disposal to improve my environment…?”
In fact, Charles said, the Independence celebrations tend to bring out the best in all Dominicans both local and out of state.
“It is one of the periods when we normally put aside many of our differences and celebrate our culture, celebrate our achievements as a nation in the spirit of togetherness,” she noted.
Charles said the contributions made by Dominicans will definitely impact the country’s present and its future.
“Therefore, you are doing it not just for others, but for yourself and your future generation,” she stated.
She called on all Dominicans to come together to help build a brighter future, “for ourselves and for our children.”
Charles also encouraged the senior cultural icons to continue to train and mentor young Dominicans.
Meantime, Chief Cultural Officer Raymond Lawrence call on all Dominicans to recommit their efforts to help build a brighter future for themselves and to carry out those efforts in a spirit of togetherness and purpose.
He said with this theme, “we are entering in another Independence season and we are also entering into a new commitment to cooperation and building, and striving for what is best for Dominica and for us as a people.”
Lawrence stated further that persons are aware that the country cannot be rebuilt without the help of the Almighty Father, “and so we give him all the thanks and praise.”
He encouraged Dominicans to continue to celebrate the country’s culture.
“Let us together be truly responsible for the further development of our country…,” he stated.
Lawrence revealed that next year Dominica will be celebrating 40 years of Independence as a nation and the government has decided that the country will be celebrating a reunion year from January to December 2018.
He mentioned that very soon the reunion committee will be holding a media launch of the reunion year activities and what is being planned for the occasion.
“That is something to look forward to,” he stated.
The celebrations will begin with a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving on Saturday, September 16th and Sunday, September 17th.
Lawrence encouraged all Dominicans to join together in prayer for the nation and to dress in national wear when they attend church services on that weekend.
He stated that the celebrations will open with an exciting ceremony on the playing field in Dublanc, on Saturday 23rd September from 5:00 p.m.
He said Dominica History Week will be held from October 2nd to October 6th with the theme: 50 years of Self Government from Associated Statehood to present”.
Lawrence went on to say that this year Heritage Day will be held in the village of Scotts head on Sunday 22nd, October from 10:00 a.m.
“The church service will be held at the Soufriere Catholic Church, while the rest of the day’s activities will be centered at Scotts Head,” he revealed.
The ‘National Emblems Week’ and ‘Shop Dominica’ two new activities which were added to the calendar of events last year will also held this year.
The celebration ends on on November 4th which is the National Day of Community Service.
See full programme of activities below.
A brighter future for Dominica begins with a brighter Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. It matters not which political party we vote to govern over us. What matters is that we must demand high standards from our Government to achieve high standards for the Commonwealth of Dominica. The blind cannot lead the blind! We need to do better with our governance. Only brighter leadership can provide the light to lead the Commonwealth of Dominica to a brighter future. But not only for the future, we desperately need a brighter Government to lead a brighter present for the Commonwealth of Dominica. Remember the future starts now!
Skerrit is on a secret mission probably cutting deals, so he will attract foreigners to our shores. But by the way when it is time to bring in voters to vote don’t you all know who to turn to? Why not turn to them this time?
“As we attempt to bring this theme to life, let us each ask ourselves, what can I do to attract people to our shores that can boast our economy?”
Ma Charles, when your late husband was PM there was a lot I could do to attract people to DOMINICA. But from the moment a junior minister in his cabinet went to establish relationship in secret, followed by his sudden passing hell knows I will do nothing to help this carbal. Furthermore, how can I attract people to DOMINICA when you all dealt our passports to known crooks and Criminals to the point that Madueke was allegedly on her way to hide from the law here, while wanted fugitive Aliereza Monfared was able to hide here for 6 months, with assistance and protection from our government? We can attract Criminals but I don’t think we want to attract non-criminals.
Congratulations to the government and my good people of the Commonwealth of Dominica on the anniversary of your independence. Thirty nine years strong! A resilient people who despite differences all wish for and work to build a better Dominica for the future generations to come.
Happy to receive the news that Heritage Day will be in the parish of St. Mark this year, more specifically the village of Scotts Head. The people are warm, the fish is savoury, the rum is well aged and the vibes always nice. Hiking, diving, sulphur baths, snorkeling, breezes from the Caribbean Sea, cool chills from the mid Atlantic. And a cultural extravaganza to blow your mind. We will take you back to the good ole days of bele and jingping, mazouk and quadrille.
Come one, come all! Hoping to see people by the thousands in our twin communities.
My favourite time of year. I agree. Let us unite as one people and celebrate the country’s developmental strides! We have come far as a nation since independence, let us be grateful. Happy celebrations to all.
Dominica is probably the richest country on earth in terms of natural beauty. The natural beauty of the island and the narcissistic attitude of many citizens, especially those in very responsible positions, is a glaring anomaly. For Dominica to grow, strive and prosper and become a model nation for others to emulate, certain things must change. There must be fairness to all not just a selected few getting more than their fair share of the country’s resources. That is, nepotism and cronyism must be brought to an end. Cohesion (working together) should replace partisan political division. Educate the people about their rich cultural heritage so that they can be proud of self and country, and would be unlikely to gravitate towards other peoples’ way of life. Lastly, the greatest threat to Dominica’s ascension to unparalleled achievements is political tribalism. This has to STOP! God bless Dominica!
Our once beloved country will never get back to the good old days,until the regime thats in power now is removed,Justina you are one to go, your a complete sellout.
When will the Month to Month 2018 Independence Schedule be available to the public, and how will Dominicans abroad know about it? It should be made available to the public now in case folks from overseas need to plan in case they would like to be back in Dominica for the events in January.