Yes, the tragedies of wasted young lives caught in the spiral of drug abuse and a culture of violence can spell disaster for a whole generation, for values we cherish and for the very fabric of our society.

Today, messages to youth from both regional and international (U.S.) media and music in particular, are too often expressions of rage or alienation – anti-women, pro-drugs, pro-violence and materialism – that influence the decisions that youth make.

In 2003 our Prime Minister made the somewhat cryptic but powerful statement: “We will fight culture with culture”.

In August of that same year the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) was born and became law.

Since then, the Museum of Belize built by this PUP Government by converting the old prison of horror into a veritable showcase of wonderful Belizean art and culture has been visited by 150,000 Belizeans and tourists.

Since then, 12,500 performers have taken to the stage at the new Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts. 82,000 persons have attended performances at the new Bliss.

NICH has upgraded our archaeological sites which have attracted over 1 million visitors.

They have produced and published over 100 brochures, magazines, books, CDs and DVDs, making a substantial collection to our nation’s cultural printed and recorded inventory.

Over 200 art exhibitions, festivals, outdoor concerts and community activities were organized.

Over 150 lectures and presentations were delivered in the area of art, anthropology, poetry and literature were delivered.

The African and Maya history project was successfully implemented in the primary education system and is now moving into the high school curriculum.

The Festival of Arts has been revived at pre-school, primary and secondary school levels.

Truly we have witnessed a renaissance of Belizean culture bringing out the best, the positive, and the creativity of the Belizean artists.

Frankie Reneau’s production of the “We Are Belize” musical extravaganza to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Independence was hailed as an outstanding composition that brought out the extraordinary talent of Belizean musicians and singers.

This year the World Tour of Andy Palacio and the Garifuna Collective received international acclaim with their “Watina” C.D. moving to No. 1 on the World Music Chart.

This cultural renewal has given us as a people a sense of pride and national patriotism, forging a national unity and identity like never before in our history. This cultural awakening has transcended party political lines, ethnic and religious division, giving us a greater sense of belonging to a country we love.

When our school children can with passion recite the pledge “I am the hope of Belize”, when we all can say “I believe in Belize” (Creo en Belize) and feel the vibration, that is when the culture of freedom, justice and equality will overcome the culture of hate, crime and violence.