Glenda Anderson, Staff Reporter 
RUDOLPH BROWN, Chief Photographer -
Hetty Sarjeant, United Nations Population Fund representative to Jamaica.
HETTY SARJEANT, the United Nation's Population Fund (UNFPA) representative in Jamaica, demits office this week after two and a half years on the job.
The 63-year-old Sarjeant, who has the distinction of being the first Caribbean person to be representative in Jamaica and the first female representative in Jamaica for the UNFPA, took up duties in May 2002.
At month's end, however, she returns to her home in the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago.
STERLING HIGHLIGHTS
Among the sterling highlights of her tenure, she says, are late initiatives to heighten awareness of UNFPA's work in the region, and increased involvement of youth in the U.N.'s programme planning.
Following on year-long negotiations, the organisation recently signed an agreement with CARICOM members to allow them easier access to international funding for nation states. In return CARICOM leaders reiterated their support for the programmes of the institution.
"It's mutually beneficial. We now have a formal document in place to form the basis of the types of progammes on which we will work together," Sarjeant said.
In addition, a consensus meeting between parliamentary leaders of eight Caribbean countries led to the signing of the Port-of-Spain declaration, confirming the support of government leaders in recognising HIV/AIDS as a 'regional emergency requiring strong bipartisan leadership at all levels'.
Advocacy, a key feature of the organisation's work, has also been strengthened during her tenure, through extension of the Caribbean Media Awards to include journalists in the diaspora.
Sarjeant says her tour of duty has been 'exciting yet challenging'.
"I am passionate about my work so challenges do not faze me. I have no regrets. I think I have done the best that I could have done. I have also received strong support from my staff, from government and I have had a good, healthy relationship with all our partners."
AREAS OF INTEREST
UNFPA's local office initially oversaw 21 Dutch and English-speaking Caribbean countries with three main areas of interest Sexual and Reproductive Health, Population and Development Strategies, and Mainstreaming of Gender Issues.
A retired registered nurse and licensed midwife, Sarjeant previously served as Population and Reproductive Health Adviser in Mexico, executive director of the Trinidad and Tobago Family Planning Association, and was consultant to several regional and international agencies over a 25-year
period.
Sarjeant will now be involved in private consultancy assignments.
