Reasons for joining the program:
Apart from the adoption and implementation of the Science Technology and Innovation Policy for Saint Lucia, it is my belief that all countries need to create safe environments for ideation with the requisite support systems for driving the seeds of passionate ideas to sustainable solutions. Innovation Hubs provide such opportunities. ACE 14 proposes the exploration: from foundation to the productive spaces that exist today in the many stellar Innovation Hubs. This will present the opportunity for attaining insight in the development process and establishing relationship for future collaboration and support. Moreover, these institutions will help me to define the benchmarks of excellence.     

The New Orleans Bio Medical Center is an additional experience of interest. From the labs and other facilities to the technical support for the developed technology this initiate is in keeping with futuristic plans for Biotech in Saint Lucia through proposed collaborations with Dr. Cato T. Laurencin. For me this location is a must see. I am particularly intrigues by the centre’s assessments of community impact, as with many initiatives the measurement of the reach and tentacles are proposed in conceptualization but seldom available for analysis. 

Mardi Gras World and National World War Museum are another must experience as they are artifacts of how the art of Storytelling can be used to generate economic activity. In the community of Mon Repos, there once lived a National Icon by the name of Sesenne Descarte (our Queen of Culture-Folk Music). Over two decades ago, the government of Saint Lucia constructed a dwelling home for her with the view to immortalizing her after passing in the form of a museum, today, despite assistance with cataloging from UNESCO, the establishment of a museum is still unaccomplished. The ACE 14 will open my eyes to the future, allowing me to gain perspective on the belief systems, traditions and values of the co-creators behind these spaces that take the culture and traditions of the people and create an economic system around it.

I have a particular affinity and curiosity for  this ACE 14 offering as both the location and culture are very similar to the Saint Lucia context of four hundred (400) years ago, but presents a snapshot of where Saint Lucia can be in the future.

https://slunatrust.org/programmes-projects/pp-the-walcott-place-project”

Offer:
To this ACE, I bring my technical experiences gained working within government. The work of the Innovation Division cut across many different Ministries and quasi- government organizations. As a result, I can function as conduit to the relevant bureaus. This work extends to the network that I can afford to other non-governmental, academic and producer/service association which may be of interest to the cohort and the technical personal who intend on sharing their knowledge. I do believe my recent training and experience through the start-up process has its merit in contribution empathetically to the innovator experience.