The vision of the leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) articulated forty one (41) years ago has translated in today’s mandate of achieving regional integration through engaging, promoting and providing opportunities to Caribbean Member States to collectively direct the way forward. Indeed, within CARICOM, a considerable percentage of our population is between the ages of 18-30. As noted in the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development Report, “this sector of the population is best positioned by virtue of their creative potential to play the leading role in responding to the challenges of globalisation and, therefore, to the demands of regional integration and the CSME.”
Whether they know it or not, youth have benefitted in one way or another from the institutions of CARICOM. Illustratively, there are many persons throughout the region who benefit from the standardisation of education through the Caribbean Examination Council and are afforded opportunities to sit the various examinations under its canopy: Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA), Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC), Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and also the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). This is testament to the fact that more and more our tools for advancement are becoming home-grown.
Often, we also have heard about parents who would have connected at educational institutions throughout the Caribbean such as the University of the West Indies. Similarly, many of our young people today strive to become graduates at regional institutions and enjoy long lasting memories, friendships and experiences that help to nurture an appreciation for regional integration. Students, YOU ARE CARICOM!
Importantly, university graduates as well as media workers, sports persons, artistes and musicians, workers in the hospitality industry, artisans, domestics, teachers and nurses, managerial and supervisory staff of businesses, self-employed persons, spouses and immediate dependents of the above are able to acquire the CARICOM Skills Certificate. It is anticipated that more categories of persons would soon be eligible for this certificate. The CARICOM Skills Certificate is an instrument that facilitates the free movement of labour in CARICOM, an instrument that highlights that people are central to the success of CARICOM, simply put YOU ARE CARICOM!
In sports, we have witnessed the prowess and finesse of our “CARICOM Team” whether in athletics, basketball, cricket, football, javelin, netball, tennis or any other field of endeavour. There are names that make us all proud to belong to the CARICOM; – names such as Kinneke Alexander, Usain Bolt, Kim Collins, Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, Kirani James, Darren Sammy, Dwight Tiendalli, Keshorn Walcott, Ramon ‘Big Mon’ Harewood and the like. Also, our regional teams continue to benefit from regional competitions and also perform well on the international stage. Our young men and woman are continually inspired to strive for excellence in sports. To our young athletes – YOU ARE CARICOM!
In 2013, the call was made for entries in the CARICOM Song Competition. This competition reinforced the creativity, diversity and energy that our Caribbean artistes, young and old possess. It is true, that we love rhythm and we love gyration at the sound of our CARICOM Music; whether it is a bottle and spoon, the drum or steel pan, whether it is dancehall, reggae, soca, tuk or zouk – we love our music. Throughout CARICOM, there are many carnivals and music festivals that showcase the best of our music year after year, our artistes and artisans compete tirelessly in efforts to add more creativity and flair each year. To our music lovers, musicians, artists, artistes, artisans and cultural enthusiasts – YOU ARE CARICOM!
There are many ways that we all can relate to the Caribbean Community, herein, are just a few examples proffered to bring home the case for CARICOM even more. We must realise that whether we are born in or naturalised in any of the fifteen (15) CARICOM Member States, we are CARICOM. We must realise that our progress as CARICOM citizens and the progress of the next generation is hinged tightly on our ability to advance the institutions and mechanisms that exist to propel our people to higher heights. WE ARE CARICOM.
The late great visionary and regional integration pioneer, Sir Rex Nettleford alluded to the notion that regional integration is not a sprint but more like long distance running. It is not a case of CARI-COME and CARI-GONE, – CARICOM is here to stay. We must continue to run the race. Through those of us strategically positioned, we must ensure that the merit of CARICOM never goes away but that together all generations alike can resound “I AM CARICOM, YOU ARE CARICOM, and WE ARE CARICOM”!
In order to achieve the vision the requirement is for greater dedication, understanding and a pragmatic approach to the vision. The past forty one (41) years are gone in history, now our work must be grounded in ensuring that in the next forty one (41) years the content of our Treaties are made manifest in the everyday life of our CARICOM brothers and sisters.
Contact Information:
Cindy Morquette, Haiti – Dean
Email: cindyferla@gmail.com
Kishore Shallow, St. Vincent & the Grenadines – Vice Dean Information & Communication;
Email: kishshallow@gmail.com.
Tamira Browne, St. Vincent & the Grenadines – Vice Dean, Regional Initiatives;
Email: tamira_browne@hotmail.com.
