The Transcultura Programme proposes to contribute to deepening the integration in the Caribbean region and strengthening people-to-people cooperation and exchanges in the Caribbean. The UNESCO Regional Office for Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean, the UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean and the Delegation of the European Union to Cuba are the sponsors of the programme while the Open Campus is the executing agency.
The aim of the Programme will be achieved by:
- Strengthening the professionalization of the culture sector and creative industries in the region through the capacity building of culture professionals and young women and men;
- Enhancing the socio-economic development and cultural cooperation in the Caribbean and between the region and the European Union through the empowerment and engagement of artists, culture professionals and operators, civil society and local authorities.
This will be achieved through the establishment of a regional Cultural Training Hub in Cuba linked to relevant Caribbean institutions, and supported by scholarships to facilitate mobility. The Programme will create opportunities for entrepreneurship, socio-economic projects and collaboration in the cultural and creative sectors, heritage, and tourism within the Caribbean region and with the EU.
Impact: To deepen cultural integration in the Caribbean and strengthen people-to-people cooperation and exchanges in the Caribbean and with the European Union.
Outcome: To strengthen professionalization of the cultural heritage and creative industries sector in the region. To increase opportunities for socio-economic development and cultural cooperation within the Caribbean and the region of the EU.
Target Countries
The project targets the following 17 Caribbean countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Training modality
Due to the nature of this project, a regional approach will be taken whereby a blended approach will utilize both synchronous and asynchronous delivery. For the blended learning, the UWIOC, through its Academic Programming and Delivery Unit, has provided an online space ‘The Learning Exchange (LE)’ for all continuing and education programmes and courses via the Learning Management System.
The Open Campus’ online and blended programmes and courses are designed to enhance learning effectiveness. The material is accessible in different formats, including PDF for download and printing, web versions and audio/video summaries, and is accessible via different devices, such as PCs, smartphones, iPads and android devices.
The blended option uses The UWIOC’s technology platform, or Moodle Learning Management System (LMS), which will be utilised for the delivery of the courses. This robust technology platform has serviced over the past decade, more than 5000 students at any given time across 17 countries in the English-speaking Caribbean.
Access and translation
UNESCO has agreed to arrange for the translation of the courses, this includes the
provision of translator services for live sessions, student support and conversion of course materials to French and Spanish languages to accommodate non-English speaking participants.
UNESCO is committed to ensuring access to participants from UNESCO jurisdictions and is making provisions for participants from non-English speaking countries to visit UNESOC’s site for training, which will ensure that the necessary technology is accessible i.e. internet, devices etc.
