PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson has warned Jamaicans that they will have to confront serious challenges, flowing from globalisation, but insists that this was not a basis to cower in fear.
"Globalisation is something which is here to stay, but it doesn't mean we must roll over and die. It means we must make our contribution to shaping the mould of globalisation. We must make sure that the interests of small developing countries are not forgotten," he said.
Mr. Patterson was speaking during the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade's 40th anniversary grand gala and long-service awards, on Friday night at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.
He said there was "undoubtedly the need for a new economic architecture, especially in the realm of finance and trade" as the country prepared to compete in an intensely competitive global environment.
Suggesting that the countries of the developing world must continue working together in building alliances, he reiterated the Government's long-held view that initiatives such as CARICOM and the Group of 77 each still had great importance in the world today, and would make a difference to the quality of life of the participating nations.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS EMPLOYEES AWARDED
Forty-nine employees of the ministry were honoured at the ceremony for service spanning at least half its existence.
Among those rewarded were 14 ambassadors, four of whom were recognised for 30 to 35 years of service. They are Ambassadors Peter Black, Maxine Roberts, Raymond Wolfe and Douglas Saunders, now Permanent Secretary in the Foreign Ministry.
"If we look at the world today and we look at the impact of globalisation on all of us, then we recognise how prescient we were in bringing together foreign affairs and foreign trade and I would like to commend the ministry for the way in which they have discharged their responsibilities since then," the Prime Minister said in congratulating the recipients.
Also honoured during the ceremony, for 30 to 35 years service, were ministry employees Vivia Betton and Iris Phillips. In addition, there were 24 recipients of awards for 25 to 29 years' service and 19 awardees for 20 to 24 years' service.
