This week, from Monday November 12 to Wednesday November 14, I had the pleasure of attending the 3rd Biennial National Development Conference. Timothy Hodge, Director of Social Security, asked me to chronicle the conference and at the end provide a summary. Below is a copy of my initial address:

Jason Allen

“When Mr. Hodge asked me to do a summary on this conference, I of course felt honoured because as we all know, I am a visitor here. He asked me because I am a writer, but more importantly because of my work with the youth. When I replied yes, I thought it would be quite an easy task as I would have to report on this intellectual endeavour nevertheless for the newspaper. However, I was unaware that this task on which I was about to embark would be so daunting. Over the past two days, I have had the privilege to attend a professional conference of which I have participated many times while I was a PhD candidate, yet never have I felt part of such an important, societal advancing endeavour. I was not prepared for the level of deep, intellectual thought and introspection for which I was charged to make coherent. I assumed that I would take a few notes, do a quick summary, and do a modest press release in The Anguillian. Yet, a small task turned into 20 pages of computer typed notes, 400 megabytes of presentations and commentary recorded digitally, and an even more sound understanding of a small island nation, that I have truly come to love.

Thanks to all the presenters, I feel like I was alive in 1967 and have grown with all of you who experienced the revolution. Through your insight and guidance you are truly responsible for the preservation and perseverance of a nation that certainly stands a cut above the rest in this region of the world and I am sure everyone will join me in showing our sincere appreciation for your intellectual and reflective prowess.”

Sitting through the entire conference made me very aware of how much Anguillians love their children. I was proud to sit and listen to Dame Dr. Bernice Lake speak about how children were brought up after the initial separation from St. Kitts began in the 1950’s. I immensely enjoyed listening to Pastor Elliot Harrigan’s statements such as, “thug life in Anguilla does not exist” and “in Anguilla we don’t have racism or unemployment…so what is this thing that drives us coming from a culture where we loved each other and now we see each other as enemies? One of the things I believe is that it is a borrowed thing from internet and movies as they create a scenario here that does not exist. Now, there is a combative attitude that places one village against another. Crime and violence is symptomatic of a sick society.”

Dr. Vanus James gave an impressive presentation in which he stressed that educating the youth is paramount in terms of achieving good governance.
Finally, I was extremely impressed and wowed by Ms. Tara Carter, an attorney-at-law, who truly is an example of what will power and motivation can do when combined with proper education. All I have to say this week is that we are saying the right things, now it is time to do the right things.

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