Walking Story-tellers

The story of a people is the story of the communities where they revel, rest and recreate; it’s the story of their struggles, their triumphs and their ambitions. Sharing their stories is how communities of people draw strength from the historical wells of their ancestors and nourish a future of possibilities for generations to come.

As part of its new policy thrust, the Ministry of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information is increasing efforts to build the capacity of its stakeholders by implementing targeted initiatives, including training and technical assistance. Through the Taiwan International Cooperation Development Fund (ICDF), the community-based story-telling workshop engaged participants with the main objective of creating a pool of trainers who can deliver training to tourism service providers in various communities using story-telling skills and techniques.

Phase 1 of the workshop took place in Castries at the ICT Centre, Bourbon Street and Soufriere Regional Development Foundation, Soufriere Waterfront from Wednesday 25th January to Wednesday February 1st. At each venue, participants went through three intensive sessions on exploring the community, collective memory and mastering the narrative of the community. Additionally, key aspects of information gathering by means of interviews were explored.

Courtesy Call Taiwanese Mission Capacity Building Community Story Telling Workshop

Following the first phase of the training, Taiwanese ambassador, Peter Chen, experts from the National Taiwan University and a representative of ICDF, presented their observations and findings to the Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information, Hon. Ernest Hilaire, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Hon. Guibion Ferdinand and other ministry officials. For successful outcome of the second segment of the training which is expected to resume in May, 2023, participants will be supported and engaged in putting their new knowledge and skills to use in practical exercises.