A competition is being launched to secure the full participation of CARICOM nationals in composing and selecting a song which would promote regional unity and values, and inspire Community identity and pride. The Guyana leg of the preliminary round (Round 1) will be coordinated by the Director of Culture, Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, who will be responsible for convening  a selection panel with the purpose of reviewing and selecting six songs that will proceed to the semi-finals (Round 2) of the competition.
The semi-final round will involve technical and effective judging by a regional panel of five independent experts who will select ten songs. The final round will select the winning song as well as the second and third place winners.
US$10,000 Award
The competition, according to sources at the Ministry of Culture,  will be open to CARICOM nationals of Member States and Associate Members and the winners of the competition will receive a cash award of US$10,000, the first runner-up US$5,000 and the second runner-up US$2,500.
 
Original Song
The objective of the competition is to develop an original song to be used at ceremonial and official functions, including meetings of the Conference of Heads of Government and international events at which the Region is jointly represented.
The lyrics, in particular, should invoke a blessing and or evoke/celebrate the history, traditions and struggles of Caribbean peoples, while sounding a call to build the Community and to uphold Community values.
The CARICOM song should reflect a strong Caribbean cultural identity; meet technical specifications; have versatility and lend itself to be played by various instruments (stringed, steel pan, keyboard, percussion, wood wind) and be sung.
It should also have a strong Caribbean cultural flavour and rhythm; and inspire a sense of regional pride and unity. Entrants may submit more than one song.
Applicants are urged to uplift entry forms from the Culture Ministry and fill in their particulars with their signature. They are also required to submit one CD with their original piece which should not be more than four minutes in duration.
A typed copy of their lyrics and a music sheet must also be submitted.
The CD should contain only the entry song and should not have any part of the recording or label which can identify the artist(s), applicant(s), producer(s) or the songwriter (s).
Like an Anthem
The song should have the characteristics of an anthem; incorporate a blessing or a prayer which invokes a blessing; have a clarion call to build Community or Caribbean unity; be one that inspires unity and regional pride; be one that evokes and or celebrates the history, traditions and struggles of Caribbean peoples; and the music must be of Caribbean rhythms and flavour. In addition, the song should be one that is memorable with popular and emotional appeal.
All entries submitted must be original songs and shall not infringe on any copyrights or any other rights of a third party. The entrant warrants that the entry is an original song and entrants shall by entering, indemnify and hold the CARICOM Secretariat harmless against any claims inconsistent with the foregoing.
All entries must be submitted during the period set for the competition, between April 15, 2013 and June 28, 2013.
Interested persons are urged to contact the Director of Culture, at 94 Carmichael Street or the Special Projects Officer, Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, 91 Middle Street, South Cummingsburg.