PM Harris among Regional, international leaders at UWI Forum
Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris was among Regional and international leaders who were in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago for the Forum on the Future of the Caribbean.
The Forum on the Future of the Caribbean, held from 5-7 May, brought together political leaders, academia, private sector leaders, young shapers, civil society and policymakers to engage in a vigorous debate and discussion under the theme ‘Disruptive Thinking…Bold Action…Practical Outcomes’.
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government participated in the Forum that also featured presentations by CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies (UWI) Professor Sir Hilary Beckles and Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) His Excellency Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi.
According to a press release from the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service (SKNIS) organisers of the Forum recognised that in order to chart a new course for the Region, there was pressing need to increase knowledge, skills, attitudes and capabilities of the population, especially the youth, in order to “stimulate innovation, invention, ideas and entrepreneurship”. They are also well aware of the need for political leaders, “with proper vision and the political will to take hard decisions”, to play a critical role in shaping the development path. According to them, one objective of this historic, auspicious milestone was to “amplify the voices of dynamic young leaders willing to challenge the status quo and champion new solutions” through “disruptive thought and research to identify actions needed to build and transform a sustainable future for the Caribbean”. Another objective was to “get the reaction of political leaders on adopting disruptive and innovative ideas and ways to avoiding implementation deficit.”
Commenting on the significance of the forum PM Harris said, “the conference has been stimulating and instructive. Many ideas are emerging about how we can better shape policies to advance the Region in good governance, trade, health care, education, entrepreneurship, inter alia. While some ideas have not been new, their implementation can certainly advance the cause for betterment of our Caribbean civilization. I thank the organizers for inviting me and the government of Trinidad and Tobago for its great hospitality”.
Whilst in Trinidad and Tobago Dr. Harris held discussions with a number of Japanese and Canadian diplomats, Vice-Chancellor of UWI Hilary Beckles, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Dr. C James Hospedales, Amb. LaRocque, the Secretary-General of UNCTAD, and other high-level dignitaries, business and leaders of academia.
The Hon. Shawn Richards has been acting in the absence of Prime Minister Harris. (Aapted from SKNIS Press Release)