Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter

Dr. Arnold Ventura (left), Government Adviser on Science, in discussion with Dr. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, who was guest speaker at the opening ceremony of the '20th Annual National Conference on Science and Technology', organised by the Scientific Research Council, at the Hilton Kingston hotel, New Kingston, on Monday night. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

The Caribbean must collectively harness science and technology or risk falling further behind the developed world, says Grenadian Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, who holds the portfolio within CARICOM.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 20th Annual Conference on Science and Technology, organised by the Scientific Research Council (SRC) and held at the Hilton Kingston hotel, New Kingston, on Monday night, Mr. Mitchell echoed the thoughts of the local science and technology community, which wants its sector recognised as key to development.

Merline Bardowell, executive director of the National Commission on Science and Technology, has recommended that Government increase funding for the sector from 0.3 per cent to two per cent of gross domestic product.

November is the SRC-organised National Science and Technology Month, the theme of which is the CSM and development.

"I am now absolutely convinced that the future prosperity of our region will depend on our ability to leverage these (science and technological) developments for the good of our societies and the growth of our economies," said Mr. Mitchell.

Critical mass

He contended that the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) provided the necessary critical mass to bring about an information society and ensure that CARICOM would not be left on the wrong side of the 'Digital Divide' between the world's richest and poorest countries.

"Within the CARICOM single market space, technologies provide the opportunity for our people, across national borders, to work collaboratively through partnerships and alliances," Dr. Mitchell said.

It was, he contended, a recognition that had been made by CARICOM leaders in 2004 with their decision to establish the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network, designed to enhance the competitiveness of Caribbean countries.

- ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com