Towards better life in Caribbean

THE EDITOR: We have celebrated the joy of attaining the 50th anniversary of our regional integration from Carifta to Caricom – and this after a colonial influence and failed federation. It is the result of the resolve and commitment of our leaders as well as the economic persuasion of the value of such an approach.

We have seen the European Union (EU), Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA) all coming into being as the benefits are real. We would have also joined the "global village" concept.

There is continuous need for our pursuit of "a better life in the region," to quote from the late Black Stalin's immortal calypso The Caribbean Man, which was relevantly performed during the celebrations.

It is therefore quite in order to query, "What next, Caricom?

We have seen some encouraging signs within recent times in our regional pursuit of improvement of life here.

More specifically, we noted in July the "25 by 25" call in Guyana, followed by another in TT, which is reportedly in train and likely to be achieved. The region is seeing removal/decrease of bias, insularity, prejudice and insulting references to our neighbours being replaced by a sense of achievement of any kind in the various states.

Today the question of air transport within the Caribbean is on the front burner as it is vital to our integration. The prohibitive cost has seen us opting to go to the US before travelling within the region. In 1958 we got a donation of two ships – The Federal Palm and The Federal Maple – from Canada.

Today we note the call by Prime Minister Rowley for consideration of two ferries to reintroduce economic travel. Further, he mentioned the cost factor of "fast ferries" and the experience within our two islands. We do not need fast ferries (maybe ferries fast) and it is of course unwise to burden the region with excessive costs.

The logistics of dividing the region into two and co-ordinating the operation of two ferries is not rocket science. As we proceed we can imagine such a facility promoting regional tourism, interaction of our people equivalent to bringing us closer together and understanding and appreciating our part of the planet.

At the same time we lament the reported pollution of our cherished Caribbean Sea, the cradle of our heritage, where reports suggest it now has "more plastic than fish," perhaps the number one concern to be addressed at the regional level.

How much of our collaboration will we pursue towards achieving desirable outcomes? In all of this we should seek to continuously put people first. We are blessed with personnel of tremendous capacity, exemplified by our leaders showing renewed zeal, zest and commitment.

Towards "the people first and foremost" idea, maybe we can look at our education systems as discussed at the Caricom Summit on Crime held recently in TT.

It may well be an opportunity to be embraced for further action as we seek to develop our most valuable asset ­– our human resource. To this end, we may want to consider the available retiree population in an organised and official Caribbean association of retired educators with known competency to be drawn upon to our benefit. Our universities – University of the West Indies, University of TT, University of Guyana, University of Southern Caribbean – can be mandated to assist here with input from the Caribbean Union of Teachers.

Of course, there are other areas of endeavour to be likewise pursued, all intended to be of mutual benefit and motivational towards achievement. At the same time we will want to develop "regional loyalty" in our people to include the local content for development. We may consider a Caricom song contest akin to the Eurovision Song Contest, even to a patriotic nature and becoming an anticipated event.

In closing, the question is also: Are we on the springboard ready to dive into the deep? Let us not lose the opportunity to bring our unique region together for the common good and exemplify "the common intention for a better life in the region for we women (people) and we children."

Peace, love, blessings and progress to all.

LENNOX SIRJUESINGH

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