Representatives of Faith Based Organizations across the Caribbean Community. I think it is appropriate that I commence with a few words from the Good Book which guides our beliefs.
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133). “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and fortress” (Psalm 91).
I boldly also declare that The Almighty is my shield and buckler, the God in whom I trust. Thou the earth be removed, thou the waters roar, I shall not fear, for God is with me.
FRIENDS
I wish to acknowledge all faiths in the Region among which are Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Rastafarianism. We occupy one space in the Caribbean Community and my remarks, grounded in the Christian doctrine, are without prejudice to any other faith. We are all one people.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
God has ordained this day. He ordained that you, men and women of God, Inter faith leaders from across CARICOM should be gathered here, to collectively consider the myriad of challenges confronting the Caribbean Community. Gathered, determined to become more visibly active in the wake of an upsurge of anti-social behavior in our societies while lending your collective voices to Nation building. I congratulate the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for recently convening a national week of prayer in the wake of an upsurge of crime and violence.
Therefore, I warmly greet you and wish you successful deliberations. LET GOD ARISE BECAUSE THIS IS A TIME OF CLEANSING AND RENEWAL. A time for ploughing and working together for the harvest is sure as the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. It is a time when we are witnessing the awesome hand and presence of His Majesty, Almighty God.
Who would have guessed that Antigua and Barbuda would have been hosting the first CARICOM Inter Faith Conference, notwithstanding the packed regional agenda? This only demonstrates that much can be accomplished if we work in unison with one goal and purpose. Therefore, I congratulate the CARICOM Secretariat, the hard work of Apostle Stephen Andrews and Ambassador Dr. Clarence Henry for a job well done. The Community can only be richer from today’s deliberations.
We are a country of firsts. Recall in 1965, Dickenson Bay was the venue that ushered in the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA); the harbinger of the Caribbean Common Market which led in 1973 to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. In 2008 the Declaration of Dickenson Bay was signed. Three years ago, we championed the convening of a Caribbean Financial Services Conference, held twice at Dickenson Bay and now an annual event. God has ordained that Antigua and Barbuda should be a beacon; a light of the Caribbean Community to unite his Sheppard for greater tasks at this time.
DISTINGUISH LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
Today, whether Faith Based Organization or State, we are called for a purpose and given authority to take charge of “the flock”. I am ever mindful as Prime Minister, the declaration of scripture to “rulers of the earth” that we are given authority by the hands of the Almighty. Accordingly, my fervent desire is that at the end of today’s Conference, there will be a reigniting of Inter Faith spirit throughout CARICOM.
There can be no doubt that the evolving world and all that dwells therein have been created by an unseen power, the creator. Some call him Almighty father, God, the prince of peace; the omnipotent that saves us from sin with the promise of eternal life through repentance. Others know him by a different name.
Today, I declare he is my God who has watched over me and this Nation from birth and, now that I am mature in years, he continues to be the center of my life.
“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever” (Psalm 125).
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
I give thanks to the Almighty for each new day. How many of us take for granted the beauty that surrounds us. The air we breathe; the water we drink; the food we eat. There is always someone in a worst position, who cannot afford or enjoy the things we take for granted. Sadly, impoliteness, arrogance, haughtiness, crude and vulgar attitudes pervades societies exacerbated by an era of consumerism, made worst by the invasive mass media, advances in technology and cultural penetration. Some refers to it as the Madison Avenue lifestyle that attracts, distorts and corrupts impressionable minds.
The pervasiveness of the cultural and technology penetration is as such that simple minds are influenced by the global mass media (satellite television and radio) and communication technology that create addictive yearning and greed; a must have mentality.
Little thought is given to the difference between the socio economic structures. Between the developing and the developed; between the poor and the metropolitan; one’s history is of slavery, struggle and conquest, while the other the export of colonialism, the creation of capitalism ushering in globalization and trade liberalization. Some extol the emergence of a New World Order at different times in history; engage in countless wars; killing through the use of state-of-art weaponry; while the international rules based trading system is manipulated by the more powerful.
DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
The Caribbean Community’s imbalanced development and unequal resource endowment are characteristics of CARICOM which the founding fathers understood and intended through the harmonization of policies to ameliorate.
Perhaps the structural legacy of our colonial past has not allowed our economies to break free more quickly from the systemic weaknesses. We need Inter Faith organizations to partner with Governments to surmount the challenges.
It was based on that principle, why I called at the start of the year for the convening of this most important gathering of Inter Faith Organizations, which should become an annual event traversing the Caribbean. Clearly, the Charter of Civil Society must be operationalized and not languish on the shelves gathering dust. Through the consultative process, the Community could collectively deal with challenges. That is why Antigua and Barbuda is actively engaged in the elaboration of a Regional Strategic Plan. We are cognizant of its importance and the fact that ever so often policies must be tweaked to reflect existing realities faced by individual Member States or the collective Community.
I am adamant that the views of Inter Faith Organizations must be adequately reflected in the 5 year Strategic Plan. Hence, I am happy that the Region has positively responded to the need for this meeting.
However, there must be a change to peoples’ mind set. New and different approaches often bring elements of resistance. I am also mindful that impressionable vulnerable minds are no force to contend with the subtle and highly subliminal messages via the mass media and communication technology which have caused changes to our norms and values. For instance, the implications of deviant behavior associated with drug and alcohol use cannot be underestimated. Therefore, Faith Based Organizations must actively play their part in changing deviant tendencies.
The building of a modern Caribbean civilization requires that the perpetrators of crime and violence cease their destructive behavior which is causing real harm to our children, our communities and ultimately the Region’s image as a tranquil peaceful environment.
The spate of killings in some countries and larceny region-wide are unacceptable. Those who target residents and visitors must be captured and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Region must not be held hostage by banditry or hooliganism.
As governments, we will do what is required to eradicate the criminals from among us through further outside technical assistance to our law enforcement authorities. Civil society must also play its part. Together I believe we can accomplish much for our societies.
FRIENDS
My Administration continues to implement a robust Pro-Social Agenda with particular emphasis on the less fortunate, single mothers and the elderly and the creation of jobs. For example:
1. Grants targeting children, elderly, lepers and mentally challenged as well as blind persons;
2. A Peoples Benefits Programme which offers Utility Subsidies and LPG subsidy to elderly;
3. An over 80 Utility Programme which targets elderly 80 years and living alone;
4. School Uniform and Schools’ Meals Programmes;
5. Scholarship Programmes for youths through diplomatic channels;
6. A Student Loan facility;
7. Affordable Homes Programme for Civil Servants;
8. A National Rehabilitation Centre for the disabled catering to physically challenged individual in skills development and the provision of a stipend; and
9. Free Eye-care programme with affordable prescription and glasses to name a few.
Today, I call on Faith Based Organizations to partner with Governments in addressing issues of the less fortunate. In this gathering, we are recommending the establishment of a regional mechanism operated by Faith Based Organizations aimed at addressing these issues.
The time has come for such an organization.
This suggestion is based on the fact that the largest social organizations besides political parties are Inter Faith Based Organizations and as such you have a duty of care and policy formulation. You must assist communities to find solutions to societal problems.
As I wish you every success in your deliberations, it is my intention to provide a Report on your deliberations at the next Inter-Sessional Conference of CARICOM Heads.
I wish also to remind you that “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who builds it” (Psalm 127).
It now gives me great pleasure to declare the first CARICOM inter-Faith Conference duly open.
May God bless each and every one of us and our nations.
Thank you very much.
