THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WISH to congratulate the Gleaner Company for its outstanding leadership and vision in hosting the Forum on crime on Wednesday, June 29.
In response to your lead item 'No Ease Up (on Crime)', I respectfully submit that while the symptoms of the problem are being addressed, the longer term and effective solution is to adequately address the causal factors. A building without a solid foundation cannot stand for long. So too, a society built without the secure foundation of citizens with character cannot sustain itself for long. I therefore suggest, in its noble quest to make a positive impact in the community, that The Gleaner consider hosting a Forum of all stakeholders to discuss 'Innovative Approaches to integration of Human Values, in the home, school and the community'.
Professor Henry Fraser, head of the UWI Chronic Disease Research Centre in Barbados, delivered an outstanding keynote address in March 2000, at a similar stakerholder's conference in Barbados. An important point he made was "we saw it coming, we did nothing". This is our watch, so let us act now to make a positive difference for our country.
Furthermore, the Government of Barbados, also declared the Year 2000 as the Year of Human Values to give national focus on the need to restore the practice of traditional eternal values, which has sustained the development of our nations over the years.
Finally, we should remember, that purity leads to unity, which leads us to divinity. Thus, these noble aspirations will help us to become united, and realise our essential oneness.
I am, etc.,
LALU N. VASWANI
siewibb@promotech.net
Chairman, Sai Institute of Education WI - Barbados Branch
25 Clapham Close
St. Michael.
Barbados
Via Go-Jamaica
