New DFC events director addresses ‘nationality concern’

DFC Events Director Natalie Clarke

Newly appointed Trinidadian-born Events Director of the Dominica Festival Committee, Natalie Clarke,  has addressed concerns by some locals that her position should have been given to a Dominican national.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Clarke cited the benefits of employing foreign nationals noting that they usually bring a fresh and neutral perspective to the table, having no ties or affiliation to the destination.

She pointed to united societies like the European Union and the United States of America, both of which firmly underline, through its operation, the benefits of looking beyond the borderline and embracing the concept of unity.

“Europe figured this out very quickly and formed the European Union. The US is an organized system of states that compete with one another within a grounded area,” she said.

The events director pointed out that the Caribbean, unlike the two unions cited, is separated by water therefore “we set up these barriers of competition which are totally unnecessary”.

The economic dilemma of the world today as it relates to the Caribbean, according to her “means that we have to use all our resources –from the Bahamas to Guyana and whomever you can get to do the best job at the time that the job demands it, that’s the person you go for”.

“It is about getting the job done,” she stressed.

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24 Comments

  1. rot
    September 4, 2010

    I agree with FAIRPLAY. One from ten is zero, check this out, they coming to D/a, run them out. That’s why D/a has a FRENCH PM.

  2. prissy
    September 4, 2010

    @hope: Because it all boils down to politics. Dominicans inject politcs into every aspect of daily life in the country. Someone with no political agenda, is best suited for the job.

    MANY FIND FAULT BUT FEW CAN DO BETTER!!

  3. Queen Natty
    September 4, 2010

    well to tell you the truth,we need people to make this festival what it once was,but again we Dominicans are never satisfied,we put those who was eating the funds and then saying the festival did not make,we had those who mad bad bad bad judgment in the planing and the selection in the performers, we need a change for the better.I am from DA and I live in BELIZE and I hold a major position in one of the biggest company, and it was given to me because of my ability to do the job and my experience. so it really should not matter if she’s from timboc 2,as long as she can make our festival rain again.

    And remember Dominicans we must not talk so,what about all those student that went to study got scholarships and never went back home,
    a job is their to do so somebody has to do it..I pray we can get back on our feet with all that lost fund year after year,lets see what was really the problem.and one more thing to all the organizers do you guys think that we should rename the festival to world music festival? it sure sound like that should be it’s name.

  4. Touched!!
    September 3, 2010

    Very interesting comment, but as this lady clearly stated her point about not having ties, its about fresh ideas, a neutral thinking individual. It pays not to have ties expecially political ties. For Dominica this is about someone who has contacts internationally to help carry this festival to the next level, we have been stagnant for way too long, we need to get off this robot machine and be independent thinking enough to get the job done using new and innovative ideas. We need to get a strong woman who will read through the office politics that dampens the staff morals at present, We need a strong woman in the position who will read through and stop the undermining that is being done to the immediate staff who work deligently in seeing the festivals through year after year. We need a serious and independant thinking woman, another Mamo who will say No when staff from other offices affliliated to the festival thinks its ok to meddle with the festival affairs and create problems for the immediate festival staff.
    We just need a level headed woman not another man who will fall prey to the ills that presently exist but one who will lead her office head on and take care of the festival. I recommend that we all give the lady a chance to prove herself.

  5. BossLa
    September 3, 2010

    @hope:

    What’s wrong? Nothings wrong! The question that is begged to be asked is:

    Where have all the Dominican’s gone that could have easily filled this position?

    Answer: Off to develop someone else’s country..

    I am convinced that most of Dominica’s problems are because of its people own undoing..

  6. hope
    September 3, 2010

    while the argument carries merit on either side, i tend to ask like some; “Isn’t there anybody on island who was as qualified to do the job?” If not, the question begged to be asked is, “What the heck is wrong with of our education system, that more than a decade into a festival we cannot produce a director?” Come on!

  7. Knowledge
    September 3, 2010

    @Fairplay: Dominicans hold high positions all over the world…are you insane. check yourself before u make a fool of yourself..

    Stop di small island mentality.

  8. 4saken 1
    September 3, 2010

    ok mam u have said ypur piece, now follow it up with some action

  9. sounds
    September 3, 2010

    cool, but she is right into the action…new breaking yesterday that former ub40 lead singer ali campbell who was bookd for the sunday 31oct of the WCMF. looks likely he will not appear due to being diagnosed with the epstein-barr virus which his doctors told him to take 8 week break or till the year’s end…

    so from the music biz..once ali’s claims he is ill DFC cant get back those % of funds paid to him

    guess a replacement or press conf from the DFC should soon follow to clear the air and clarify issues that has come about his illness..

    so she is being tested right away! and ali’s isnt a small fish in the music biz,so we looking on to see what pans out……keep the vibes rolling..

  10. Homeboy
    September 3, 2010

    Maybe she has ties regionally and internationally and so will add value to the festival. Behold knows now Trinis might be coming.. Word of mouth is a good marketing tool

  11. September 3, 2010

    @Fairplay: Dominican Judge Volney served as a judge in Trinidad and was recently elected and later appointed Justice Minister in the Kamla Bissessar government.Talent is talent wherever it comes from. Trinidadians do not believe the world owes them anything. They invent their way to success.

  12. Fairplay
    September 3, 2010

    Trinidad will never employ a Dominican to such a position even with a Phd.Something is very wrong with us Dominicans.Caribbean unity my ….

  13. watcher
    September 3, 2010

    The only unfortunate thing is that since because she is not local she does not know how in dominica politics always show its ugly head, the persons in charge are not really in charge, they get pushed around by the so called big shots who have authority in high places, she will soon see this some to pass and get frustrated like the locals themselves, grumbling in their offices but putting on a brave face in public.

    She will soon see how the rich get richer in dominica because they have their hands in everything, they don’t want someone else to make a dollar. they hold on to power.

  14. homeland secretary
    September 3, 2010

    what is she wearing on her head? did she just walk out of the bath room for this interview?

  15. UNDERCOVER
    September 3, 2010

    Natalie Clarke

    I think it is to ealy to blow your trumpet, and I agree with you it is about who can do it best so you have not done it you must have said you can do it best. so lets wait and see but in the mean time best of luck since if the festival does welll we all do well as a counry.

  16. de caribbean change
    September 3, 2010

    Well said, Natalie. We are the united islands of the caribbean, just like the united states of america and the united kingdom. The only one difference is that we are separated by water, but we are caribbean nationals, and we ought to embrace this concept in this day and age. We look for the best and appoint the best – regardless of the island, we are still caribbean. We need to foster a good relationship among the islands people in order to make our economies stronger and more competitive, hence, CARIFTA, the OECS, WICB, the CFA, UWI, CXC, CTA, CDC, and so forth.

  17. T. Winston
    September 3, 2010

    I personally have no problem with it I just hope she helps to improve the event as those in charge in recent years have only let the event slip into constant decline. The argument over nationality is pointless as the only reason dominica has such a small population is because of the amount of emigration we have. Most people emigrate to the states and other Caribbean countries to find better jobs so it’s wrong to say that a Dominican should be given a job because he is a Dominican when we enjoy getting jobs all over the world regardless of out actual nationality.

  18. September 3, 2010

    you are so true, is this the kind of Caribbean unity and free movement of people that we are talking about? once you can do the job thats what matters.

  19. --
    September 3, 2010

    stps…i find some dcans r soooooo small minded… so what if she from trini or any other cbean island??.. stppps… we need to stop that small island mentalty, that every Caribbean island suffers from; and start embracing others from different islands..look at the EU as an example, we need to pull together, all islands, and stop the bickering over things that are not important.. thats the only way the Caribbean would move forward, if we all unite and pull together..

  20. Patat
    September 3, 2010

    Mam, I totally agree with you!!!!

  21. Gregory Georges
    September 3, 2010

    Well said Natalie Clarke. I think Dominica is fortunate to obtain the services of such a well qualified and experienced events director. I have no doubt that her performance will speak volumes.

  22. yout
    September 3, 2010

    BOY !! DOMINICANS JUST CAN’T UNDERSTAND THE IDEOLOGY OF MARKETABILITY!!

    THAT FESTIVAL NEEDED FRESH BLOOD AND DIRECTION ,NO MATTER IF IT IS ARAB,CHINESE,JAPANESE,INDIAN,AFRICAN OR ELSE.THE TREND WHICH THE FEST HAS TAKEN FROM INCEPTION IS ONE OF AN AVALANCHE,DOWN ….DOWN….DOWN!!

    FOR THOSE THAT DON’T KNOW IT THIS FESTIVAL WAS MORE VIBRANT IN THE DAYS OF TOULON(REST IN PEACE BRO) BUT NOW ALAS.SO WE WELCOME HER EVEN IF SHE WAS FROM THE ARCTIC CIRCLE!! PERIOD!!

  23. Dominican
    September 3, 2010

    Thats right missy! Damn Straight!

  24. Jepter
    September 3, 2010

    I fully agree with you madam. All about who can do it best. we are all one people in this beautiful Caribbean.

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