Out for the Women's Leadership Initiative fund-raising dinner at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel last Thursday are (from left) Pat Ramsey, Information Minister Olivia 'Babsie' Grange, former U.S. Ambassador Sue Cobb and GraceKennedy's head Douglas Orane. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/ Staff Photographer

Former United States Ambassador to Jamaica Sue Cobb recently addressed the Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) gala dinner. She spoke on the topic 'Reaching Ne In An Era Of Change' in which she impressed upon the audience the importance of education to society, citing a study from the World Bank.

According to Ambassador Cobb, the study noted that intangible capital (human and social capital which includes components such as education) is "the dramatically decisive element in the wealth of nations". She pointed out that in Jamaica, intangible accounts for 72 per cent of the wealth of every individual.

Biggest bang

Further making the link, she stated that the study finds that investment in primary education produces the biggest bang for the buck. "One dollar spent on primary school provides a higher return than one dollar spent on higher education," she pointed out.

She urged the gathering that "reaching for those ne starts with every person maximising his/her potential, especially through access to education". She applauded the WLI for its work in that area.

"There is no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others," she said. She concluded by daring everyone to go out and fight the odds to help Jamaica reach ne in the era of change.

Mignonette Reynolds and Tamara Hill are in the spirit of the season at the Women's Leadership Initiative fund-raising dinner at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel last Thursday.