The Jamaican Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture is currently in the process of finalising a new National Cultural Policy, a draft copy is now available online. The policy recognises that cultural expression is an act of liberation and empowerment and, as such, is focused on providing opportunities for the independent nation to express its own culture, removed from its history of colonialism and enslavement. The challenges that the nation is currently facing in terms of crime and violence, and the need to develop itself as a cohesive social entity have been noted as key reasons to develop the cultural policy. According to the draft, the Ministry is focused on actively pursuing, within its cultural policy, not only the promotion of cultural diversity as an important element of its national identity, but also of the use of that diversity as the basis for all its programs and activities concerned with the development of its cultural industries. With these factors in mind the policy aims to articulate a clear vision of the important role that culture plays in national life, and will highlight the importance of cultural expression and diversity as essential factors of cultural development. The policy will also give an indication as to what plans, programs and strategies will be implemented to achieve such goals, and what provisions will be put in place to ensure community participation in such initiatives. Establishing links between cultural policy and policies related to education, science and technology, industrial development, environmental protection, tourism product enhancement and entertainment, also form an important part of the policy draft. A full copy of the current draft policy is available online at:www.moec.gov.jm/culture/TOWARD%20JAMAICA%20THE%20CULTURAL%20SUPERSTATE.doc