We have gathered again, as we do so frequently, this time in the beautiful islands of Antigua and Barbuda, and we must thank the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda for receiving us as splendidly as they have done.
We have come together as leaders of the 15 member countries and 5 associate countries that make up this Community. And let me say this, in case there be any doubt that still lingers_ JAMAICA REMAINS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO CARICOM!
Chairpersons of the Opening Ceremony
Her Excellency Dame Louise Lake-Tack, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda
The Honourable Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community
Colleague Heads of Government
Premiers, Chief Ministers and Leader of Government Business of the Associate Members of the Community
Secretary General of the Caribbean Community
Secretary General of the Organisation of American States
Your Excellency Dame Louise Lake-Tack, Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda
The Honourable Winston Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community
Your Excellencies, Presidents of Guyana, Haiti and Suriname
Other Distinguished Heads of Government
Honourable Ministers
Secretaries-General of the Organisation of American States and of the Commonwealth [and of the Association of Caribbean States]
Your Excellency, Dame Louise Lake-Tack Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda
Distinguished Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community
Distinguished Secretary General of the Organisation of American States
Distinguished Secretary General of CARICOM
Distinguished Secretary General of the Commonwealth
Ministers of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda
Ministers of other CARICOM Governments
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Madame Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives
Honourable Members of the Judiciary
Chairpersons of the Opening Ceremony
Her Excellency Dame Louise Lake-Tack, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda
The Honourable Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community
Colleague Heads of Government
Premiers, Chief Ministers and Leader of Government Business of the Associate Members of the Community
Secretary General of the Caribbean Community
Secretary General of the Organisation of American States
Your Excellency Dame Louise Lake-Tack, Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda
The Honourable Winston Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community
Your Excellencies, Presidents of Guyana, Haiti and Suriname
Other Distinguished Heads of Government
Honourable Ministers
Secretaries-General of the Organisation of American States and of the Commonwealth [and of the Association of Caribbean States]
I am honoured to be here at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, an institution which stands as testament to the strong historical ties between the Caribbean and the African-American community. Named after a Black Caribbean man, the Schomburg Center has been the home of Caribbean and African-American culture and history, and of all peoples of the African Diaspora, since Arturo Alphonso Schomburg, a Black man from Puerto Rico, first became associated with it in the early part of the 20th Century.
It is my pleasure to participate in this symposium on education and to share this panel with such distinguished speakers. This discussion could not be timelier. We in CARICOM Community are currently re-examining the scope and effectiveness of our overarching philosophy "education for all". In New York, it is clear that you are grappling with the reality of the principle of "no child left behind" especially its implications for poor black and Latino children, among whom I am sure are some descendants from the Caribbean.
President of the Brooklyn Borough
Colleague Heads of State and Government
Congressman Rangel
Congresswoman Clarke
CARICOM Diplomatic and Consular Representatives
Distinguished Representatives of Regional Institutions
Specially Invited Guests
Distinguished Representatives of the Caribbean Diaspora
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media
President of the Brooklyn Borough
Colleague Heads of State and Government
Congressman Rangel
Congresswoman Clarke
CARICOM Diplomatic and Consular Representatives
Distinguished Representatives of Regional Institutions
Specially Invited Guests
Distinguished Representatives of the Caribbean Diaspora
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media