Hilary Robertson-Hickling, Contributor
AT LEAST three crises now converge to create a historic opportunity for Jamaica to change direction, perhaps even provide leadership for other countries having the same experience. One is the epidemic of crime and violence, another is the AIDS pandemic, and the last is the situation with the European Union which will see Jamaica and other African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries jettisoned from centuries-old protected historical relationships for primary products.
These convergences in the first decade of the 21st century require a kind of vision and strategy which transforms all aspects of national life - the social and the economic at every level. How can we conceive of employment opportunities for the thousands of workers who will lose their jobs as well as prepare for the new economic activities that the new century will bring? How do we change our national and personal sexual behaviour to prevent the spread of AIDS through the next generation? A nation that has a popular culture that promotes the wickedest slam should also be encouraging those who are sexually active to be tested, to practise safe sex and realise that it is a matter of life and death.
The response of the European Union is a replay of the offer made at the end of slavery when 40 acres and a mule were promised to every ex-slave, but never delivered. All planters received compensation for the loss of the slave labour, but most slaves received a freedom which was bereft of material resources. Today the offer is 40 million euros for 18 countries by way of compensation for the broken contracts. While I am not suggesting that the ACP countries should be dependent and mendicant in their efforts, a wrong has nonetheless been committed. I hope that the matter will not have to go to the law courts for resolution.
CRIME AND VIOLENCE
In relation to the crime and violence, we have seen the polls that identify unemployment and the fear of crime as the biggest problems in Jamaica. There is also a connection with those push factors and migration. We are losing too many Jamaicans in the 'brain drain' and not compensating in the 'brain gain' and remittances sent back. We are also witnessing an unfortunate trend for returning residents who have sweated, and bled in the U.K. and other difficult metropolitan environments to be robbed by other Jamaicans who are so bad-minded and grudgeful. After all that pressure and pain, others would subject them to crime; that is disgraceful.
The new language and action that is required must come from Jamaica and its diaspora as well as other African Caribbean and Pacific countries which are battling with these problems. We now have four universities in Jamaica and others are on their way throughout the region. These institutions must produce the human resources, the research and strategies as well as the collaboration with governments, business and civil society to find solutions. We must also find more creative ways of working with our people abroad as is demonstrated by the mighty countries of India and China. The solutions that we create could develop into goods and services which we provide for others. I look forward to the transition.
Hilary Robertson-Hickling is a lecturer in the Department of Management Studies at the University of the West Indies.
