INTEGRATING CULTURAL HERITAGE INTO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
IN SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
Philippe la Hausse de Lalouvière
Président, Société de l’Histoire de l’île Maurice; Chairperson, National Heritage Fund of Mauritius
Email: phillah@intnet.mu
Introduction
Culture and cultural heritage in small island developing states (SIDS) are positive but generally
underutilized factors for economic development. The 1992 Rio Earth Summit “Declaration on the
Environment & Development” clearly placed human beings at the centre of concerns for
sustainable development. However, when we peruse the actions decided in “Agenda 21” drawn
up the same year, we find little about culture and cultural heritage being harnessed for
development. Even in the 1994 Barbados “Programme of Action”, of the fourteen priority areas, it
is only the “Tourism” resource which briefly mentions the importance of culture in development
and then more as a constraint than an opportunity.
Ten years on, we ask ourselves “what concrete proposals can be made in order for cultural
heritage to contribute to the sustainable development of SIDS and to boost their economies?”
This paper suggests that our cultural heritage provides exciting opportunities for development.
Small island States which formulate an appropriate Vision for Cultural Heritage Development will
be investing in the protection of their heritage as well as the integration of cultural heritage into
the economic fabric of their country. Sectors developed may include science and education,
visual arts and handicrafts, leisure and tourism, architecture and town planning as well as music
and the performing arts, painting and sculpture, even cuisine and fashion. Components of this
vision are outlined here.
Objective - Nation-Building
Small island developing States have frequently been great crossroads of human interaction.
Some, like Mauritius and the Seychelles, were only populated a few hundred years ago while
others like the Solomon Islands or the Dominican Republic have been inhabited since pre-history.
Nearly all have been subject to invasions, de-population and periodic immigration or settlement
by peoples of varied cultural groups. Contemporary small island cultures are frequently products
of métissage which contribute to a rich cultural diversity.
Whether our islands were inhabited by peoples who have now disappeared or diminished in
number or proportion, or were part of a colonial empire, the past cultures are a source of
richness for present generations. All cultures leave traces, be they archaeological, historical,
sociological or ecological, which contribute to the diversity of contemporary culture. It is our
responsibility to discover, preserve and transmit this cultural heritage to future generations.
This is a nation-building exercise - taking ownership of cultural heritage then valorizing it for
development ends. The concept that all cultural heritage present in a country belongs to all
citizens indistinctively, is a powerful one in nation-building and economic development. The
process of discovery of past tangible culture is important to effect with the local population, as the
protection of unfamiliar vestiges will ultimately rest with local inhabitants. This is especially true
for cultural heritage associated with cultures no longer extant in society.
Vision
Putting the Past in the Future
The past leaves every country with a tangible cultural heritage – structures and sites. While
every generation passes on immaterial cultural heritage like language, cuisine, dress and so on,
we frequently neglect material heritage. Wooden buildings are demolished, coastal forts are
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replaced by hotels, traditional fishing vessels are replaced by fibreglass motorboats.
The
associated intangible skills might be lost – this is especially true for creating musical instruments,
wood and stone-working as well as for skills like navigation. Might not the remnants of the past
be mobilized effectively for development ends? In so doing, we might also preserve the
intangible heritage. In Mauritius, volcanic stone-cutting has had a new lease of life through the
use of stonework in hotels, in other countries traditional boat racing keeps alive boat-making
skills. Creative-thinking within a vision for development can “Put the Past in the Future.”
As a first step, it is necessary to research into the cultural heritage inherited from past inhabitants.
It must be stressed that all citizens should assume the responsibility for understanding the
material heritage sites which endow their island state to ensure sustainability. This means
capacity in historical research and publication, archaeological investigations and artifact
restoration and display. This might require national archival and library collections, a museum
and perhaps university research facilities. Certainly, an appropriate legal framework and
administrative infrastructure is necessary.
Local people should ideally be in control of managing such heritage, in appropriate ways. In Port
Louis, an unused public building was recently restored and now serves as the Prime Minister’s
Office, reflecting an recent trend to utilize old buildings as offices. A Waterfront which has its
architecture based on traditional créole architecture and which incorporates vestiges of centuriesold buildings is another example of putting the past in the future. The leisure and tourism
industries in SIDS provide numerous examples of the incorporation of traditional dance, music,
architecture and cuisine for the benefit of visitors. Heritage site restoration programmes and
museums probably exist in most SIDS, which attract huge and increasing numbers of tourists and
local visitors and contribute to the safeguarding of the heritage. An example from Mauritius is the
conversion of a small and derelict Martello Tower Fort into a paying museum by a nongovernmental organization. Despite allowing free access on certain days to ensure access by all,
moderate entrance fees cover the costs of employment of young, trained guides from the local
fishing community. Donated funds from private sector and foreign countries financed the
restoration. Zero cost to the taxpayer, the creation of jobs and the use of a remarkable museum
by schools and tourists alike, illustrates the efficacy of a local cultural heritage initiative whilst
maintaining government ownership.
The use of heritage sites for appropriate recreational and commercial use, provided the historical
authenticity is maintained, is to be encouraged. Cultural heritage knowledge can be used in
adjunct economic activities like model boat-building, visual arts and handicrafts, music and
dance, literature and cuisine; many aspects of cultural heritage can be used in a multitude of
ways for economic development.
Shared Heritage
No island is an island.1 The diasporas and great pathways of history responsible for the peopling
of many island States has created modern societies with cultural diversity. Over time, people and
cultures have moved through SIDS providing a wealth of heritage artifacts. However we
frequently do not recognize them as such, especially if they are linked to a painful past. Slavery
is such an example, where it is frequently difficult for countries to share the “mutual heritage”
associated with slavery. Seen from the 21st century, the shared slavery heritage might be a link
between contemporary nations, such as the island nations in the south-west Indian Ocean, the
Caribbean, some Pacific Ocean islands, the USA, Brazil and several European countries.
Should SIDS not increase efforts to recognize details and artifacts of those cultures which we
share with other countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, in order to provide us with
and strengthen international links? Such bonds of shared heritage potentially provide a web for
development opportunities. A case in point from 1998 was the 400 th anniversary of the first
recorded landing by people in Mauritius, celebrated jointly by the Mauritian nation and the Dutch
at the historic landing site. The Netherlands government has sponsored a successful
archaeological research project to unearth the first Dutch fort in the Indian Ocean, the Mauritian
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government has erected a museum and manages a heritage site of several acres on the east
coast, attracting school pupils and tourists, also being used by local inhabitants for leisure. The
programme continues with strengthening links between the museum and research institutions of
the two countries, joint publications and the integration of the heritage site into the tourist circuit.
An increase in Dutch visitors to Mauritius was observed after extensive press coverage of their
royal prince’s visit to Mauritius in 1998.
Further examples of shared heritage include shipwrecks – many vessels wrecked over the past
five centuries provide us with shared heritage between modern-day European nations, SIDS and
Asian countries like China and Indonesia. Architecture, boat construction, dance and music,
fortifications and language.. the study and discovery of such shared heritage in small island
States is of as much interest to the country of origin as to the SIDS. Collaborative programmes of
discovery and cultural promotion on a regional, bilateral or thematic basis would an excellent
developmental initiative.
Shifting Heritage
Increasing globalisation of the world’s economy has always exerted pressures on culture to
change, but it can also be extraordinarily creative. How to harness such productive forces
without endangering the stability which culture provides to societies, is a challenge I leave others
to address. Cultural métissage is a non-neglible force for many SIDS which has given rise to new
languages, new art-forms and novel traditions. Taking this cultural baggage on board for
economic development can certainly be worthwhile - reggae music in Jamaica, créole languages
in the Caribbean and Indian Ocean islands, literary traditions in Trinidad and Tobago, dance and
religious practices in Haiti.. all are new cultural traditions which exist within the economic fabric of
their societies. The important issue is to provide the flexibility to allow such creative and dynamic
cultural processes to exist.
Intangible Heritage
How many SIDS in the Pacific with their rich intangible heritage linked to ancient customs and
traditions are protecting these by adhering to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage Convention? 2
The languages in SIDS, some ancient and on the brink of extinction (certain in Papua New
Guinea) or the patois of European, South American, African or Asian derivation, is rich in the
small island developing nations, and they should be researched, taught and preserved. These
languages are frequently the first to be used by children so are important for the development of
intellectual capacity.
The rich maritime heritage of several SIDS is frequently present in intangible forms – R.E.
Johannes documented traditional fishing practices from several Pacific Ocean nations which
serve important conservation practices, allowing sustainability of resource use. There are
numerous examples of intangible heritage which could be better understood, preserved and used
productively – traditional music and dance forms being widespread examples. The heritage
associated with the slave route, but also the route of indentured labourers, the spice routes and
other maritime diasporas in many directions across the oceans need to be better understood and
to enrich the cultural identities of island inhabitants.
Underwater Heritage
The sea which surrounds all the SIDS is frequently littered with historic wrecks – how many of
these states have signed the Underwater Cultural Heritage International Convention? 3 This
UNESCO Convention provides excellent guidelines and methodologies on how to investigate and
valorize underwater heritage sites. The alignment of national legislation of SIDS to the
international convention would align underwater exploration practices. The dangers of “treasure
hunters” who prey on the maritime cultural resources of many small island states, would be better
countered though adherence to this Convention and collaboration with other countries facilitated.
Many SIDS are in the position of controlling historic shipwreck sites without the capacity to
monitor the site let alone research the site. This requires trained historians, archivists, divers and
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archaeologists – there is nothing new in the suggestion in calling for collaborative training
programmes to build capacity, and disinterested international institutions providing the initial skills
for States to put order in the underwater cultural heritage domain. The shared heritage nature of
most underwater heritage sites provides an incentive for bilateral agreements between
governments. This SIDS Conference could facilitate such contacts.
Cultural Tourism
The importance of tourism industry in the economies of many SIDS is well known, being an
important source of revenue and sustaining the development of national economies 4. Cultural
tourism forms an increasingly important part of the sector. How many SIDS have a coherent
cultural tourism strategy? As a guide, ICOMOS has developed an International Cultural Tourism
Charter5 which provides principles for the management of the delicate relationship between
tourism and heritage sites. The six principles are (1) to encourage public awareness of the
heritage, (2) manage the relationship between the resource and its use, (3) insist on a worthwhile
visitor experience, (4) involve indigenous communities who should (5) benefit from its use and
finally, (6) to promote the heritage site in a responsible fashion.
The main reason for protecting and managing heritage sites, is surely to make people aware of
their significance. Access to heritage sites is a privilege, indeed it is a the right of all people, for
at the widest level, all heritage belongs to all people who have a right and responsibility to
understand, conserve and to appreciate it. Without such awareness, citizens or tourists will not
support conservation initiatives and cultural heritage will be lost. The integration of cultural
tourism into development is now commonplace and is now an essential adjunct to the sand, sea,
sun formula of small island states’ tourism strategies, and likely to become increasingly important
in coming years.
World Heritage
The World Heritage Convention6 has been one of the main success stories of UNESCO
conventions, with 788 declared world heritage sites in 134 countries. In addition, several other
countries have ratified the convention but not yet had sites inscribed on the list. Although SIDS
form some 25% of the nations having signed the Convention, only 2% of World Heritage Sites are
found in small island developing States. Natural heritage sites far outnumber cultural sites in
SIDS, while the reverse is true of the other nations, indicating the accent on the remarkable
natural heritage of SIDS. Significantly, most SIDS have no listed world heritage sites whereas
the majority of continental countries do possess world heritage sites.
These differences certainly indicate that small island States need to “catch-up” the rest of the
world in the protection and management of its heritage. The economic benefits of having world
heritage sites is undisputed – the capacity required to research, develop and manage heritage is
an asset to the State, the benefits to the educational, leisure and tourism sectors are tangible.
The application of the World Heritage Convention in SIDS should be adopted as a priority action
– the implications and spin-offs for development are considerable.
Collaboration
The reinforcement of links between SIDS in the cultural heritage field on a regional or thematic
basis, might facilitate funding from international donor sources. It would give credence to the
concept of a SIDS identity, their need for capacity-building and resources for developing their
cultural heritage industries. Their geographical isolation, small population size, limited human
resource skills, are limiting factors when it comes to developing cultural heritage. The SIDS
University Consortium initiative is an example of the kind of institutional sharing which might
assist to build capacity.
International Conventions and Charters are more than simple tools for the protection of heritage,
they are mechanisms for the sustainable management of cultural heritage. They can create the
enabling environment needed for partnerships between countries allowing all to operate on an
equal footing and talking the same language. It is thus to be strongly recommended that any
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strategy for sustainable development of cultural heritage, includes the adherence to such
principles.
“Mutual Heritage” agreements between States might facilitate cross-frontier initiatives in cultural
heritage, as all parties can evaluate their costs and benefits. There are numerous examples of
this in Mauritius – India, France and The Netherlands are but some of the countries which fund
mutual heritage projects. This is reflected in the strengthening of relations between the peoples
of the countries. Are the countries involved mature enough to take advantage of such
programmes? Sharing after all, is an excellent development pathway forward.
Proposals
To summarize the Vision for cultural heritage development, the following proposals are made:
1. Empower Citizens to Own the Heritage of their State and encourage all citizens to
assume responsibility for the cultural heritage of their State
2. Seek Shared Heritage agreements with other countries for building development links
3. Put the Past in the Future for valorizing heritage and its integration into economic
activities
4. Manage Cultural Heritage Sites through internationally-accepted Conventions and
Charters, whilst ensuring historical authenticity of the heritage, accessibility of the
heritage to all and maintained at least-cost to the State, to ensure sustainable
development and management to the highest international standards
5. Integrate Cultural Heritage into the education, leisure, tourism and scientific
development fabric of the national economy
6. Encourage evaluation of cultural places for World Heritage Site status
7. Establish regional thematic programmes on Maritime Heritage, Underwater Heritage,
Fortifications, Intangible Heritage and other heritage common to SIDS.
Conclusion
I believe that the Barbados Programme of Action underestimates the value of cultural heritage as
a force for economic development and that few small island developing states are mobilizing
anything like the cultural resources they could be, for economic development. A quantum leap in
development could be made in every small island developing State with the formulation and
adoption a Vision for cultural heritage.
Most importantly, the heritage should be identified, researched and understood. The local
communities and all the obvious stakeholders should be involved as far as possible, especially in
the planning stages. Information dissemination to the public, through the popular media and
education system should be encouraged - television, books, and other media are generators of
livelihoods. Partnerships between public and private stakeholders, and foreign countries
especially those which share the heritage, should be sought. Dance, music, visual arts and
handicraft are easy targets for commercial entrepreneurs and this necessitates links between the
traditional practitioners who conserve the skills, to newer users. There is no reason why cultural
heritage projects, if done to international standards, with clear objectives and according to bestpractice, should not contribute significantly to the national economy.
References
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H.E. Carlston Boucher. (1999). No island is an island. Our Planet, 10.1
UNESCO (2003). Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage. Paris.
UNESCO (2001). Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. Paris.
Francesco Frangialli. 2000. Preserving paradise. Our Planet, 11.2
ICOMOS (2002). International Cultural Tourism Charter. Principles and guidelines for Managing
Tourism at Places of Cultural and Heritage Significance. Paris.
UNESCO (1972). Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural
Heritage. Paris.
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