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L.A. Joseph: Reflections on the Americas Summit
Written by Hon. Lawrence A. Joseph, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Grenada
Friday, May 2, 2008
Address at the closing session of the Americas Summit, April 28 to May 2, 2008, Washington, DC
I have participated in this week’s conference imbued with a Caribbean perspective. This perspective, I must say, may be somewhat different from that held by someone coming from a purely Latin American background. My colleague, the Deputy Prime Minister of St. Lucia, the Hon. Peter Montoute, hinted at that distinction during his presentation at the session in Texas.
It is most important that the Caribbean region be recognized for what it is worth. The individual states, from Belize in Central America through Jamaica in the north to Suriname in the south may be small individually, but collectively we have significant and influential capabilities. As independent states within the United Nations we control over thirteen votes. These votes together, with those from the purebred Latin American countries, can influence many major policies in the United Nations. It is imperative, therefore, that both the Latin American and the Caribbean region work more cooperatively together, especially toward building a new paradigm of leadership and good governance for development and peace in the region. It must not be an afterthought.
My colleague, the Hon. Peter Montoute, put it well when he said that the Caribbean with its experiences in the areas of human rights, adherence to the rule of law, and smooth transfer of governments can be a positive influence in any closer ties which may be established within our region.
Notwithstanding all this, what has been clearly revealed by the conference is that the Latin American and the Caribbean regions face similar challenges: high unemployment; the scourge of poverty; the continuous rise in the cost of living, especially by way of rising gas and food prices; crime and violence; the peculiar challenges faced by our youth, who often engage in drug abuse and sexual promiscuity; the deep concern over the phenomenon of climate change; and the negative influences of globalization and trade imbalances.
With all of this, as I reflect, I see that the conference has indeed sought to provide the appropriate vision and leadership at a time of global crisis. We examined what will be needed to establish a new era of cooperation, development, and peace in the Americas, and indeed the world.
We learned from Ambassador Cris Arcos when he reflected on his experiences in Honduras that when the rule of law is in place, then snakes will not only be able to bite those feet without shoes but also those feet which have on military boots.
We learned from Dr. Michael Jenkins that the actions of certain high profile leaders may not be readily acceptable by many, but that the solution to that issue should not be violence or the execution of those leaders. Indeed, violence breeds violence. Rather, when normal diplomatic channels fail, then Track 2 diplomacy should be engaged by the utilization of NGOs and other independent bodies and individuals.
We also learned that walking through Jerusalem in the midst of warring factions can do a lot towards the solution for resolving conflicts. The Universal Peace Federation has to be fully complimented for taking this bold initiative and other similar initiatives all over the world.
This morning we heard from our Mother Moon, who implored us to live our lives for the sake of others, so that we may be able together with other initiatives like an “Abel UN” to create a new God-centered civilization. She reminded us that where there is a will, there is always a way, especially if that will is the will of God!
Ambassador Charles Shapiro gave us insights into the transformation which is presently taking place in Latin America. However, his presentation gave rise to a Caribbean response encapsulated in the very pertinent questions being asked about the demise of the Caribbean banana industry and the gaming institution in Antigua coming from our colleague from Dominica, Mayor Cecil Joseph.
We have had other questions being asked and relevant comments being made by some participants in the conference. The eagerness which emanated from participants when they made their contributions highlighted the possibility that the conference may have been too tightly packed with presentations, and perhaps there was a greater need to have more time for dialogue and consultations.
The conference further underscores the point that despite the multiplicity of religions, their various differences in origins, and their differences in religious emphases, they all seem to have a common purpose—the pursuit of the common good. This common purpose fits in perfectly with the never-ending theme of Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon: “One Family Under God."