Laboratorios de innovación y medios de comunicación para fomentar la creatividad digital en Barbados
Find out more about this innovative practice
El MMIL (sigla en inglés de “laboratorios de innovación y medios de comunicación sobre la imagen espejo”) es uno de los programas ejecutados en el marco de la Estrategia de promoción social, integrada y de renovación de la identidad (SIRIUS) de Barbados, cuyo objetivo es mejorar las competencias de los jóvenes en materia de innovación, creatividad y emprendimiento para ayudarles a poner en marcha sus propias empresas.
El programa MMIL, diseñado para estudiar el concepto de “imagen espejo” (mirror image), ofrece formación en animación, producción cinematográfica, diseño de aplicaciones, codificación, robótica, inteligencia artificial y diseño asistido por computadora. El programa alienta y apoya a artistas jóvenes para que produzcan contenidos a la vez innovadores y locales arraigados en la historia y la cultura de Barbados. Así, por ejemplo, se ha creado un canal de televisión por Internet que emite contenidos de entretenimiento, educativos y de reflexión visualmente llamativos, destinados a la juventud de Barbados.
Entre otros componentes, SIRIUS ofrece cursos de formación sobre la redacción de solicitudes de financiación, destinados a mejorar el acceso a los recursos disponibles, y cursos de sensibilización sobre los derechos de propiedad intelectual y las cuestiones relacionadas con los derechos de autor, las patentes y las marcas comerciales.
Esta iniciativa ilustra el compromiso de Barbados de aplicar el objetivo 1 de la Convención y el ODS 4. Al alentar activamente a los jóvenes a desarrollar sus competencias de creatividad digital, medios de comunicación e innovación, los laboratorios MMIL contribuyen a dotar a los jóvenes de las competencias digitales necesarias para el empleo y el emprendimiento (meta 4.4 de los ODS).
The Mirror Image Media and Innovation Labs (MMIL) is a broad programme in media, images, innovation and identity designed to explore the Rt. Excellent Errol Walton Barrow’s notion of mirror image to build identity and national confidence. It challenges young artists to use this concept to produce innovative but indigenous music and accompanying videos firmly rooted in Barbadian history, culture, aesthetics, geography and tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
From these labs Identity TV was developed as an entirely web-based TV channel which delivers visually engaging video programming that entertains, educates and provokes meaningful discussion amongst Barbadian youth. The channel consists of a combination of breaking news with live video coverage, entertainment- drama, comedy, reality shows, lifestyle features, profiles, mini-documentaries, festivals, events and educational content.
The Social Identity-Renewal and Integrated Upliftment Strategy (SIRIUS) is a leadership and innovation crucible. It is the first of three planned innovation centres. The SIRIUS promotes and develops several “centres of innovation” by encouraging existing entities to refocus themselves into creative spaces of originality.
One of the components of the SIRIUS programme is the Mirror Image Media Lab (MIML) which provides training in animation, film-making, app design, coding, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Computer Aided Design (CAD). The Mirror Image Media Lab is aimed at empowering young participants to develop critical life skills and to start up their own businesses.
Other components of the SIRUS programme include:
- writing project proposals to access grant funding;
- sensitization to the importance of Intellectual Property Rights - this will be managed by a volunteer who is an Attorney and who will guide participants in issues related to copyright, patents, trademarks and negotiating strategies.
- Africa Trade Centre - to explore opportunities for the development of trade with Africa;
- Projects in specific areas such as Cell phone manufacture, Computer Programming, Drum Manufacture, Alternative Energy, Health and Wellness, Agriculture, Fashion/Design, etc.
The expected outcomes from the implementation of the SIRUS programme are:
- The development of key leadership skills, innovative approaches to problems, self-confidence and a strong sense of identity among youth partners and clients.
- The creation of an inter-agency approach to the building of stronger communities.
- The beneficiaries would be using their skills and innovation to build successful businesses in high quality products and services which are export ready.
- The beneficiaries routinely trade with the African Continent and Diaspora and generate foreign exchange.
- More specifically, the SIRIUS is working to achieve the following strategies/ objectives stated in the National Youth Policy
Strategy 1: Employment
Encourage and support young people to become more entrepreneurial in their approach to employment. The talents and energy of young people will be channelled towards the potential growth areas of ICT’s, Sports, the Cultural Industries and Agriculture.
Strategy 2: Education
Explore and develop other learning methodologies, such as “experiential learning”.
US$ 40, 000