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The Opening of the Animation Boot camp for Belizean Women moved to Orange Walk Technical high school today.
Over 30 young women and girls are taking part in a course which develops animation skills which - it is envisioned - will be brought into harness in Belize's much talked about Orange Economy. Here are the highlights from today's launch.
Prime Minister, John Briceno
"We need to see how we can translate the Orange economy into economic terms how we can then start to make as money out of the Orange economy and that's what we are talking about when ex President Duke came to Belize from Colombia and he spoke about the Orange economy and what he did in Colombia and making the point that there are so many great opportunities. We decided to see from the ministry of investment and Beltraide how can we find ways to get the Orange economy going and having this now programme with economic empowerment for women through the government of Twain we are finding ways how to harness the power of our women we have almost 40% of women that do not work and they dont work why most instances they have to take care of their families and by using technologies we believe that these women can then work from home and then you take it that the next step whereby now what are the opportunities and here we are looking at the issue of animation."
H.E Lily Wen Hsu, Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize
"This Collaborative initiative is between the Taiwan ICDF the Office of the prime minister and ministry of investment as well as the ministry of foreign affairs, foreign trade and the national women's commission. And it is part of our ongoing bi lateral Taiwan Belize Women's empowerment project that has been running for more than two and a half years. If my memory serves me right this is probably the first initiative that aims to empower women and girls with digital skills and technology under our bilateral project so I'm very very excited."
Thea Garcia Ramirez, President, National Women's Commission
"The unique perspectives and talents that women bring to technology drive creativity, enhance problem solving and ensure that the projects and services we create are inclusive and representative of all. The animation industry is another area that is disproportionately male dominated especially in Belize where it is just starting to develop as an important art form and business. There seems little room for women's voices to be heard except that's what we are changing today. In 2023 women in animation WIA published their first annual impact report on the 18th of March 2024. The President of YIA Marge Dean said that the percentage of women in animation had risen from 20 to 35% and this 14% increase only needed about 30 years to happen."
"So women have been innovators and leaders in the computer science field which is part of what this course will teach from it's inception and your contributions have been foundational and yet often overlooked and appreciated. In today's landscape diversity is not just a buzzword but a necessity we would have missed out a lot if it were not for these women right."
