As a young boy growing up, there are several things that I have hoped and dreamed for; not only for myself but also, for the people of Nevis. While I can speak for days unending about my aspirations for this our island paradise, there is one thing that is paramount and very dear to my heart.
That is, to see our young people stand up and be counted!
As I scale the social landscape, I note the needs of Nevis and the wider Caribbean region. Moreover, I can already pinpoint prominent and progressive young Nevisians whose talents can help us soar to even higher heights.
Within the region, there is a pressing need for a Caribbean News Network to deliver news to our people in real time, as it happens on the ground. It troubles me that a Nevisian living in Cotton Ground can turn on her television and see what is happening on an hourly basis in New York, Washington, London or even Libya but not know what is happening in Roseau, Dominica or Georgetown, Guyana. If we are serious about Caribbean integration, then we must improve the means of communication and broadcasting so that our people can be made privy to the various social and political issues unfolding in other parts of the region.
I have a dream that 5 years down the road, a young enterprising Nevisian, such as Ms. Jaedee Caines, who holds a degree in Communications, would have laid the ground work for this initiative so that we can have a real time news network that can serve as the CNN of the Caribbean!
Every morning when I wake up and I read newspapers from various Caribbean islands, I am reminded of the plethora of challenges which confront small states like St. Kitts and Nevis. Challenges such as climate change, economic diversification and drug trafficking. All these pressing issues and more, warrant increased attention and lobbying from trained diplomats.
To my chagrin, I have not seen enough Nevisians, minus Eustace Theo Wallace of Hamilton, venturing into International Relations to provide small states with a voice in the global arena.
I can call the names of several young people whom I believe the government should identify and offer full scholarships to pursue a degree in International Relations. However, none stand out as much as the dynamic Ms. Opal Parris – an intellectual prodigy, the President of the successful Nevis Literary and Debating Society and an orator par excellence!
I am hopeful that Premier Parry is presently reading this piece and will shortly contact Ms. Parris to offer her the stated assistance so that she can become the youngest diplomat from St. Kitts and Nevis!
As I elucidate my dream for our youth, I must make mention of the program implemented by the NIA about three years ago, whereby they send young men to Trinidad to receive technical training in areas such as masonry and electrical engineering. This initiative is commendable, especially in light of new developments such as the CSME and the OECS Economic Union, which will create increased competition for jobs and the need for more of our island’s youth to become trained and certified.
I have a dream that once the government has made this tremendous financial investment, these newly empowered young men would return to Nevis, not to resume loitering on the street corners but to assume their rightful place in our society. I have a dream that having been the beneficiaries of the NIA’s thrust to enhance the social capital of this country, some of these budding entrepreneurs would seek to be independent and innovative and try to establish their own businesses. I have a dream that citizens in the community will not stand by and allow these young men to be nothing but shall encourage them to use their skills in order to become something!
For many years, I have listened to top tier agricultural officials bemoan the need for more young people to become involved in agriculture. I vividly recall listening to a speech by the Hon. Robelto Hector, where he noted his drive to secure more agriculture scholarships for our youth in countries such as Trinidad, Cuba, Venezuela and Australia.
I was quite amazed, when after an agricultural workshop I attended, Hon. Hector near went down on his knees in trying to persuade a young man to change his major to Agriculture; being careful to outline the assistance that he was willing to provide.
I found his behaviour to be somewhat strange, until I stopped to think and realised for myself that the likes of Mr. Augustine Merchant, Dr. Kelvin Daley and Mr. Keithly Amory will soon call it a day.
This is why I’m proud of Mr. Randy Elliot, who at the age of 31 has a Masters degree in Crop Protection and Plant Pathology; and also serves as the Supervisor of Agriculture. More young people must be encouraged to follow Randy’s path and develop his inexorable zest and zeal!
I have a dream, that at this rate, I will turn on the television 10 years from today and learn that Mr. Elliot has done so well for himself and the island of Nevis in advancing agriculture, that he has been nominated for the post of Secretary General of the Food and Agricultural Organization!
Clearly, my dreams are many and they are lofty! Some may call me a fanatic because of the length of time that it will take for some of these dreams to become reality. But I shall hold fast to these dreams because they are a function of my entrenched belief in the intellectual and creative capacity of our young people!
It is my fervent hope that our nation’s youth, whether they come from Brown Hill, Bath, Butlers or Barnes Ghaut, will seek to dream big and demonstrate to the rest of the world, that by dint of dedication, ordinary Nevisians can achieve extraordinary things! Let this be the “Nevisian Dream”!
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