The Community Independence Celebrations Secretariat (CICS) was established in August 1995 within the office of the Prime Minister to formulate “a community approach to independence”.
This new approach was intended to deepen and broaden people-participation in our independence celebrations. The programme of community activities is geared towards generating and reinforcing self-help and parochial resourcefulness and stimulating greater pride in the community and nation.
In a break with tradition, the entire month of November and not just Independence Day, November 30, is now designated for celebrating the Spirit of Independence through community activities organised by community-based organisations and the Parish Independence Committees (PICs).
Parish Independence Committees
The Parish Independence Committees, comprising of a 10-member body of volunteers, are the driving force of the celebratory activities, thereby ensuring community and grass roots participation, unlocking the vast, untapped resources of organisational, cultural, and artistic talents and skills that were once dormant in our communities.
The Parish Independence Committees work with a male and female Parish Ambassador along with their Attendant to achieve the objectives as set out by the Secretariat. Each parish is assigned a parish colour and month as follows:
- St. George - January - Red
- St. Thomas - February - Cardinal
- St. Peter - March - Lime Green
- Christ Church - April - Orange
- St. James - May - Electric Blue
- St. John - June - Gold
- St. Lucy - July - Jade
- St. Michael - August - White
- St. Andrew - September - Forest Green
- St. Joseph - October - Teal
- St. Philip - December - Purple