Barbados Prime Minister wins Democracy Prize for 2004

Owen Arthur 

Tuesday, November 9, 2004

BROOKLYN, USA: Owen Arthur, Prime Minister of Barbados, has won the Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy's (CGID) prestigious "Democracy Prize" for 2004. The Prize was established last year by CGID, in recognition of the vitality and importance of democracy to the well-being of the people of the Caribbean region. 

The Democracy Prize is awarded each year to outstanding Caribbean or other personalities or organizations for their remarkable or incomparable contribution to the promotion and practice of good governance, democratic values, human freedoms as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, social justice and national development in the Caribbean region. 

"The Prize rewards and celebrates a person or organization most deserving of its prestige, and symbolizes the extraordinary contribution of the winner to the promotion and practice of democratic ideals," said CGID President, Rickford Burke.

Commenting on Prime Minister Arthur's selection as the 2004 Winner, the CGID President said, "The conferment of the prize on Mr. Arthur was both foreseeable and well-deserved. The Barbados Prime Minister brings to the region's agenda a comprehensive vision that; inspires deeper political Caribbean integration far beyond its original concepts, and represents a pragmatic strategy for the realization of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. He envisions the nations of the Caribbean Community emerging as a viable, single economic unit, equipped to compete in the global economy, employing commonality of purpose and intra-regional economic cooperation as catalysts for development. 

“He is a passionate advocate for the removal of barriers to the free movement of skills, goods and services among CARICOM countries. He has led the discourse on the enormous benefit to the region as well as the important gains individual countries may derive from such an arrangement. Prime Minister Arthur has, in spite of challenges, courageously stimulated a national dialogue in Barbados on this matter. His leadership has impacted the psyche of the people of the region and has elevated the level of consciousness and debate on the need for liberalized movement and commerce in the region.

“Since his accession to office in 1994, Prime Minister Arthur has observed the principles of good governance and has fostered a democratic and free society in Barbados. He has implemented policies aimed at expanding the economy; which has spurred robust economic growth and stimulated an economic renaissance in Barbados. This has led to enhanced social development and a higher standard of living for the people of Barbados."

Mr. Burke said "The Democracy Prize has gained recognition internationally, because of the work of the Institute in promoting democracy and human rights, as well as its aggressive agenda to empower Caribbean-Americans." 

He said Caribbean-Americans and the people of the Caribbean Diaspora worldwide should be proud of the accomplishments of the Institute, as it is an organization of Caribbean people working to uplift and develop the Caribbean region. 

The Institute's President emphasized that the governments and people of the Diaspora must honor Prime Minister Arthur's invaluable contribution to the enhancement of democracy in the region, as well as his leadership on the execution of the CSME. 

"Prime Minister Arthur has been charged by CARICOM Heads to spearhead the implementation of the CSME and is the Region's spokesperson on the subject. He has performed expertly, and has provided superior leadership by enacting the relevant CSME enabling legislation,” he said.

Last year the Democracy Prize was awarded to the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning. "Today," Mr. Burke added, "the people of the region, as well as the international community, appreciate the distinction conferred on Mr. Manning for his commitment to the democratic ideals as well as his Vision 20/20 program, which is designed to propel Trinidad and Tobago towards developed nation status by the year 2020. The philosophy and execution of the Vision 20/20 program has taken hold in the twin-island Republic. The country's economy has registered rapid, unprecedented growth. Today Trinidad and Tobago is the center of economic activity in the Region."

The Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization and think-tank. Its mission includes the promotion of educational and cultural development in the Caribbean region; the advancement of humanitarian causes, social progress, human rights, national development; and the enhancement of the well-being of the Caribbean Diaspora in America and elsewhere in the world.

The primary goals of the Institute are to: promote a more favorable United States foreign policy towards the Caribbean region; promote the strengthening and institutionalization of democratic values in the Caribbean Region. A cardinal tenet of CGID's philosophy is that freedom, peace, and prosperity cannot be attained without democracy. Consequently, the Institute promotes democratic governance, social justice and national development, and fosters a harmonious, open society in which there are equal rights for all, where the rule of law is supreme and the immutable human rights of all citizens are fully respected; where free speech, freedom of the press and freedom of association flourish as a facet of national life.

Prime Minister Arthur will be accepting The Democracy Prize on Friday, November 12, 2004, at 8:30 P.M., at CGID's Fourth Anniversary and Awards Dinner at Brooklyn's Grand Prospect Hall. 

  Back...

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version