Imagine this: You’ve got what you think is a great idea. Maybe it’s a smarter way to fish, a fresh take on easing traffic congestion, or just a wild “what if” that keeps you up at night. But instead of sharing it, you hold back. What if it flops? What if people laugh? What if… it’s just not “ready” yet?
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. According to the government’s Director of Innovation Lennel Malzaire, that hesitance is exactly what the country needs to unlearn.
“In Saint Lucia, we do not have a tolerance for things that are half done,” she says. “We consider something a failure if it doesn’t work on the first try. But what if it just needs another iteration? What if it works later, or works somewhere else?”
This mindset, she believes, is one of the biggest barriers to innovation. It’s why the Innovation Division, part of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development, is pushing for a cultural shift that allows Saint Lucians to feel confident to test, explore, and share their ideas. The department wants to foster a culture where experimentation is celebrated, collaboration is routine and even “half-baked” ideas are worth sharing.
Innovation, Malzaire insists, isn’t limited to high-tech labs or coding skills. “Fishermen can be innovators,” she says. “Teachers can be innovators. It’s about finding new ways to solve problems, express creativity, or even bring joy to people’s lives.”
This inclusive understanding of innovation lies at the core of the Division’s approach to World Creativity and Innovation Day, celebrated every April 21. Established by the United Nations, the day falls on the 111th day of the year, a nod to Leonardo da Vinci’s legacy. Yet for Saint Lucia, the occasion transcends symbolism. Instead, it serves as a launchpad for a year-long public dialogue, with this year’s theme focusing on Innovation in the Blue Economy.
Why the Blue Economy? Saint Lucia’s 158-kilometre coastline offers an answer. “We are an island. We’re surrounded by water, arguably our greatest asset,” Malzaire says. “But it’s underutilised. [For example], we don’t harvest tidal energy.”
She says there’s room for us to dream differently about what’s possible.
To that end, the Division isn’t simply observing World Creativity and Innovation Day, they’re actively building a year-round ecosystem to support thinkers, tinkerers and entrepreneurs. Their strategy includes:
- Workshops in schools for students and teachers, introducing design thinking and nurturing a habit of experimentation from early.
- Public messaging and outreach around what innovation means in the local context.
- Guidance for individuals with innovative ideas, including referrals to resources or potential partners – even when they don’t have cash to offer.
- Collaboration with projects like the OECS Skills and Innovation Project, focusing on skills-building, networking and knowledge exchange.
Eight Innovation and Career Development Centres have been established across rural Saint Lucia, equipping individuals, particularly those without formal business training, with the soft and technical skills needed to sustain innovation-driven ventures. Malzaire observes that many innovators struggle when faced with challenges or the absence of direct oversight. These centres aim to foster resilience by helping participants build strong support systems.
One of the Division’s boldest goals is to reshape national attitudes towards failure and ownership. “We’ve been taught to do things on our own. We’ve been taught not to share. And all of that stems from lack of trust generally in our society,” says Malzaire. “So, we want people to cluster more, to discuss their ideas more.”
They may find that they share common goals but possess complementary skills that form a foundation for innovation and new ventures.
That philosophy aligns with the United Nations’ vision for World Creativity and Innovation Day, which supports Sustainable Development Goal 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure). However, the Division emphasises that lasting transformation starts locally through how communities engage with ideas and support one another’s efforts.
Malzaire also stresses the importance of measurement and documentation in driving cultural change. In other words, do research and record it, as without data, claims may lack credibility and progress can’t be properly assessed.
So, if you have an idea, even an unfinished one, consider this your invitation. Whether you aim to improve your community, launch a venture, or simply explore a creative concept, the Innovation Division is ready to listen, support, and connect you with the tools to succeed.
