In a recent meeting with key Barbados government ministers, Colombia’s Ambassador to Barbados, Dr Rafael Gomez, discussed the development of closer cultural ties between the two countries, including a teacher exchange to enable each country's language to be taught in the other's schools. Barbados Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Rudolph Greenidge stated that 'he hoped that teachers from Colombia would be able to assist Barbados in developing a Spanish program for the youth.' Other areas for exchange that were mooted include an invitation for Barbados to participate in Colombia's national Book Fair, 9-15 May this year. The fair is organised by the Vice President of Columbia in association with the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and considered a key cultural event. Minister Greenidge also suggested that, due to Colombia's success in football and Barbados recent decline in achievement in the sport, an exchange in this area could also be arranged.