Grange Urges Broad Engagement on National Culture Policy Green Paper

Kingston, Jamaica – So, Olivia Grange, our Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, is putting out a big call. She wants everyone—and I mean everyone—to have their say on this new Green Paper for a National Policy on Culture, Entertainment and Sport. She’s really leaning on the academics to step up, but she’s not leaving out the cultural workers, the industry folks, or just everyday Jamaicans. The message is clear: if we’re going to build a policy for the whole country, we need to hear from the whole country.

This thing is a big deal. It’s basically Jamaica trying to get serious about how we handle our culture and creative sectors. The whole idea is to create a solid plan to protect our rich heritage, give artists room to breathe and create, and push the entertainment and creative industries forward in a smart way. End goal? Use all that energy to grow the economy, create jobs, and keep flying the Jamaican flag high across the world.

Now, if you’re in academia—especially if you’re deep into cultural studies, economics, or social sciences—the Ministry wants you to really dig into this Green Paper. They haven’t dropped the official submission deadlines or guidelines just yet, but the message is already out: bring your well-researched, practical ideas. This isn’t about just ticking a box. It’s about making sure the final policy is built on real expertise and actual insights that reflect what Jamaicans want and need.

Remember, the Green Paper stage is just the start. It comes after some initial talks and research, and it’s the moment where the public gets to tear into it, ask tough questions, and have real conversations before the thing gets finalized and sent to Parliament for approval. Minister Grange is making it clear: the government is serious about doing this right. A policy this important can’t be written in a back room. It has to be built together, through real engagement and consensus.

If we get this right—a well-written, widely backed National Policy on Culture, Entertainment and Sport—it could open up doors for artists, cultural entrepreneurs, and creative pros all over the island. It’d bring stability, proper support, and a clear direction for an industry that’s already a huge part of Brand Jamaica. So, HowJamaica is saying: get involved. Read the paper, share your thoughts, and make sure this policy truly serves the best interests of our nation’s cultural future.