by Audry Wajwakana
PARAMARIBO — “Culture should not just be about folklore, beautiful clothes, food and dance. Culture should be functional and contribute to the development of society.” This is what Angelo Gaspar, coordinator of the new master’s program in Culture, Policy and Diversity at the Faculty of Humanities of the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, says. the True Time.
After eleven years of postponement, the master’s program will start in March 2027. It focuses not only on culture as part of social life, but especially on the way in which culture can be used for economic, social and societal development. The university wants to train students, among other things, to develop and monitor cultural policy.
“Culture also includes the way in which people shape their society and how cultural knowledge can be used for social issues“
The concept of ‘culture’
According to Gaspar, the fact that previous attempts to start the training failed is due to the lack of clear direction. “The training is a new study for Suriname and there was insufficient agreement on the course. In addition, the departure of people involved and a lack of sufficient framework played a role,” Gaspar explains the delay. During the current restart, we therefore first worked on a smaller and more clearly defined design. A team conducted a needs assessment and then further developed the training.
The direction revolves around the question of how culture can contribute to development in Suriname. Gaspar makes a distinction between material and immaterial development. “On the one hand, it is about the economic value of culture, but on the other hand, it is also about the way people feel and interact with each other.”
The ultimate goal, he says, is to strengthen the community. The program thus aims to get rid of a limited view of culture as folklore or relaxation. “Culture also includes the way in which people shape their society and how cultural knowledge can be used for social issues.”
Training to become professionals
An important reason for the new master is the lack of expertise in the field of cultural policy. Gaspar says that insufficient policy is being developed and monitored because there is a lack of expertise.
The course must therefore train professionals who can formulate and evaluate cultural policy. In addition, it must prepare people for cultural entrepreneurship and the professional use of cultural heritage.
Moreover, cultural policy is not just a matter for the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, which has culture in its portfolio. Other ministries also have to deal with it. He mentions, among other things, Public Works and Spatial Planning, which concerns buildings, Transport, Communication and Tourism, but also Public Health when it comes to the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle and prevention.
The master’s degree must therefore produce professionals who can think about the relationship between culture and other social sectors at a policy level. “Such experts are urgently needed in the short term,” Gaspar emphasizes.
He sees Suriname’s cultural and ethnic diversity as an important asset, but at the same time as a challenge. “Differences can lead to problems when there is insufficient knowledge and understanding of each other.”
The training is also in line with the growing attention for cultural heritage. Gaspar refers to Heritage Month, in which heritage is central. It is not only about recognizing and protecting heritage, but also about the question of how different groups within society can live together. “How do we move forward together in harmony? Culture must make that contribution,” argues Gaspar.
This requires experts who can provide direction to cultural policy at policy level. “This means that the government needs experts at a higher level to help manage this, also at the lower level. But that policy has to be made and that is what we will start with.”
‘Subject package’
The program covers project management, cultural entrepreneurship, cultural biodiversity, research methods for indigenous studies, heritage, media and culture and digital culture. There is also a practical orientation where students can gain national and international practical experience.
The program aims for approximately fifteen to thirty students at the start. Gaspar states that the organization can be adjusted if there is greater interest. The training must therefore train people to become professionals who view culture not only as heritage or identity carrier, but also as part of policy and development.
The course is open to candidates who meet the admission requirements for a bachelor’s degree in the social sciences or humanities or a MO-B diploma in history or geography. For candidates with insufficient connections to the humanities, there is a pre-master’s program between October 2026 and February 2027.
