I am afraid that I cannot agree with the argument advanced by Lloyd Best in his essay Independent Thought and Caribbean Freedom…Lloyd claimed: “If the opportunity was missed then, it was largely for lack of political experience.” If, indeed, there was an opportunity missed then (the existence of which I am not at all convinced), it would not have been due to a lack of political experience but rather to a lack of political maturity. They are not the same, and the one does not necessarily lead to the other. At the time, we were not sufficiently mature politically (in the sense of emancipation from the colonial mentality which made us identify imperial interests as our very own. Even 50 years later, as we approach the end of the first decade of the 21st century, we still do not appear to have attained that maturity, as the EPA issue has revealed….

Read Mervyn’s Commentary

Presentation at Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Retreat, Barbados, December 15, 2008

All of the matters on which I address you today concerning the Caribbean’s relationship with Canada – some of which are complex and will be difficult to resolve – would be only of moot significance had the proposal, made in the 19th century, to constitute Canada and the Caribbean as a political and economic union, been put into effect…

More

Statement to the Commitee on International Trade of the European Parliament on the CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement, Brussels, December 4, 2008

It is much to be regretted that the process of conception of the Agreement (and the corresponding template for negotiations designed by and handed to the ACP States) – one that purports to represent an Economic Partnership between a group of some of the largest and most wealthy States in the world and a group of poor micro-States, had not been more transparent, more democratic and more pro-development.  A good opportunity to craft a best- practice model of international development cooperation has been missed..

Full Statement

Rector of the University of Havana, Ruben Zardoya, presents the Title of Doctor of Economic Sciences Honoris Causa of the University to Professor Girvan

Citation: University of Havana

Elogio: Dr Antonio Romero

Acceptance Speech: The Debt is Unpayable

‘The Cuban Revolution has been a source of inspiration on the ability of a small Caribbean country to chart its own course of social justice, economic transformation, and national independence by relying on the mobilisation of the entire population, on the will and energy of its people; and for its numerous actions of international solidarity…The debt to Cuba is unpayable…’

‘La Deuda es Impagable’ (Espanol)

Global Cooperation - A Look at the Future PowerPoint Presentation, Government of Cuba

Cuba marks Centennial of Independent Party of Color

Caricom Confers Highest Honour on Former Cuban President

Walter Rodney - Selected Quotes Nigel Westmaas

Jamaican Intellectual Bestowed Honoris Causa Degree in Havana Radio Rebelde

[youtube oWHF_OpC9f8]

YESCuba Bulletin No. 5 Bulletin of The Jamaican Youth and Elders in Solidarity With Cuba, January 2009