First, let me congratulate Prime Minister Douglas, not only on his recent victory at the polls , but for having been the initiator of this high-level meeting to discuss the issue of stigma and discrimination as it relates to the situation in the Caribbean. As the person with the responsibility for the Health portfolio in CARICOM, he has been an indefatigable champion of the need for the Region as whole to seek solutions to our major health problems and not be party to a simple repetition of the litany of them which we know so well.
Speeches
Honourable Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis, Dr Denzil Douglas, Sir George Alleyne, Dr the Honourable Douglas Slater, the Honourable Garth Thomas, Dr Peter Piot, Distinguished Guests_
Welcome
It is with profound pleasure that, on behalf of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis, I welcome all of you to this first-ever High Level Forum on Reducing HIV/AIDS-related Stigma and Discrimination in the Caribbean.
Honourable Governor General of St Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister, Sir George Alleyne, fellow Ministers and Parliamentarians, Ladies and Gentlemen……
On an official visit to Calcutta last year, I visited an AIDS clinic in the city's largest brothel.
I met there a stunningly beautiful woman who was HIV positive; She'd been working in the music industry on the fringes of Bollywood.
When her HIV status became known she lost her job, couldn't' find other work and had to go home to her parents and family in Calcutta.
"Leadership Confronting HIV/AIDS Stigma and Discrimination in The Caribbean"
The year is 1982. The first case of HIV/AIDS was diagnosed in the Region.
As we meet today, two decades later_
I welcome you to this meeting in my capacity as Chair of the Planning Committee and wish to let you know that it was my privilege to work with such a dedicated Team. On behalf of the Team I wish to acknowledge the role played by the Honourable Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St.
Mr. ChairmanÂ
Mr. Gyandat Marray, President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development AssociationÂ
Mr. Muntaz Ali, President of the Regional Chambers of CommerceÂ
Mr. Kumkarran Ramdass, Regional Chairman of Region 8Â
Executive Members of Chambers of CommerceÂ
Ms. Hyacinth James, Deputy Mayor of New AmsterdamÂ
Other Executive Members of BCCDAÂ
Representatives of the Diplomatic CorpsÂ
Representative of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and CommerceÂ
Other Members of the BCCDAÂ
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It is a pleasure and an honour for me to be present at this Fourth Anniversary Awards Ceremony of the Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy. The Secretary-General, His Excellency Edwin Carrington, unfortunately, has been unable to attend and has asked me to convey warmest congratulations and his very best wishes to you. I speak to you on his behalf. |
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Chairman of the Conference, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada; |
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Mr. Chairman, Dr. the Honourable Keith Mitchell, Colleague Heads of Government, Honourable Ministers, Secretary General Mr. Edwin Carrington, Delegates, Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, I wish to extend a warm welcome to all of you to Port of Spain. |