“I am pleased that the leaders of the National Trust value, as I do, a close working relationship with my Ministry, the Department of Education and the various cultural agencies. I look forward to building upon our existing partnerships and to new initiatives.”

A series of meetings between the National Trust for the Cayman Islands and the Government culminated recently with handshakes laden with the promise of greater collaboration and financial support from Government as pledged by the Honourable Mr. McKeeva Bush, Minister for Tourism, Environment, Development & Commerce and the Honorable Mr. Roy Bodden, Minister for Education, Human Resources & Culture.

Discussions between the Ministers and Mr. Henry Propper, National Trust Chairman, and Mrs. Theresa Broderick, the Executive Director, generally covered the role of the National Trust in heritage preservation and it’s importance to the country in terms of its cultural identity and quality of life. “More specifically, we discussed how the work of the National Trust directly relates to the interests of the Environment, Tourism, Culture and Education and how, by working in tandem with the Ministries and with Government’s support, even greater strides in these areas can be made,” explained Mrs. Broderick. Mrs. Broderick adds that “through the collaboration of the National Trust and various levels of Government, there have been many accomplishments and foundations laid since the Trust’s inception in 1987 which are significant and strategic to ensuring the preservation of Cayman’s natural and historic heritage.” Mr. Propper, also a Founding and a Life Member of the National Trust and honoured Member of the British Empire, emphasized how effective the National Trust can be in championing the interests and resources of the private sector. “As a donor and volunteer to the National Trust and to many other non-profit local organizations, I know first-hand the greater good that can be accomplished when the public and private sectors pool resources.”

“I have long recognized the importance of the National Trust to cultural preservation and, more importantly, that its work in both historic and environmental preservation must be integrated with Education,” commented Mr. Bodden. “I am pleased that the leaders of the National Trust value, as I do, a close working relationship with my Ministry, the Department of Education and the various cultural agencies. I look forward to building upon our existing partnerships and to new initiatives.”

Mr. Bush stated that “the discussions were very enlightening and I am convinced that the present leadership of the National Trust do indeed take their responsibility very seriously and that they understand the importance of consulting, advising and even negotiating with Government when such protocol will best meet the mission of the National Trust. I expect that there will be issues on which we will disagree but ultimately we must each act in the best interests of the country as we are charged to do. Mr. Propper and Mrs. Broderick with both their respective past experience with the National Trust bring a clearer direction for the organization and, now with renewed confidence, I have pledged greater financial support to the National Trust as that responsibility continues to fall under my Ministry.”

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