Jan 04
One of the journalists posing questions to the two panels of young politicians in the first debate of the Jamaican election pursued all six young leaders for radical solutions, in vain. I still hope that this emergent generation of politicians represented by both panelists has some radical ideas, but that we did not get them …
I find the Michael Witter article, ‘Radical Solutions,’ quite interesting and in particular, especially relevant not only for Jamaica but for all countries of the Caribbean region. The parting thought of fostering collaboration among the youth, even though healthy competition is good, is a good one and should not be understated or overlooked. The well-networked society must be more conducive to development than adversarial and partisan politics. Common interests have achieved many gains over the last year. Just look at the Middle East.
I would wish to add to Mr. Witter’s listing however a strong focus on foreign policy, both within and outside of the region. No longer can the basis of diplomacy be simply maintaining amicable relations; if it ever was. Our relations much be substantive, strategic and focused, including with ourselves. The matter of regional integration must attract particular attention, since it appears countries of the region can make the impossible happen to interact and exchange with Third parties while Community relations border on the status quo and acrimony in some instances. We need to get our house in order first and exercise the commitment needed to make this a valuable undertaking.
I am not sure if young people alone will get the job done. Leaders of yesteryear were quite able to form bonds of useful and lasting friendships and the youth should take guidance from this. A survey across the region does not show a lack of ideas or vision per se but a lack of implementation. What is the point of dreaming if all action stops there? I sincerely hope that the expectation is not that someone else will come and implement for us. Perhaps it is a matter of confidence. If it is, I am not sure why, since there are obvious examples across the region and the world that we are able contenders.
“I would wish to add to Mr. Witter”™s listing however a strong focus on foreign policy, both within and outside of the region. No longer can the basis of diplomacy be simply maintaining amicable relations; if it ever was. Our relations much be substantive, strategic and focused, including with ourselves”
And
” A survey across the region does not show a lack of ideas or vision per se but a lack of implementation”
And
“What is the point of dreaming if all action stops there?”
So – i) A political process that sets a foreign policy template that aggressively identifies and promotes the steps that are needed to attain material and psychological advancement of the people ( a vision if you will);ii) through the local political processes promote the vision ( call it mobilisation if you will);iii) continue with action while the objectives are implemented ( a dream transformed into tangible reality).
At each step, each stage, we find leadership and people faltering – but leadership with a vision, if not people in and of themselves, has to be the catalyst.