The Editor, Sir:

During my recent travels to Europe, I came to realise how important it was for us in the Caribbean to become more integrated. I was so frustrated by the barriers to getting a job in Europe. I was even more jealous of my European counterparts who had easy access to travel in and outside of Europe. Then it dawned on me: instead of being angry, why not advocate for these measures to be implemented in the Caribbean? Some people might say that the Caribbean is in no way competent to implement the same types of integration patterns as Europe, but I say they are wrong.

How is it that a group of countries that speak so many different languages and with different histories can integrate, and we in the Caribbean, who have not more than five official languages and almost the same history, cannot?

The answer is ambition and intuition. That is, these European countries by joining the European Union and working towards its success are thinking about the good of their respective country continues. Each country knows that it has to give and take if it wants to benefit and push ahead in today's competitive and globalised society. After all, unity is strength!

Why is it that we cannot have this sort of integration in the Caribbean? So what if Trinidad and Barbados have to fund most of the activities, or use their currency in stabilising the Caribbean currency if that were to come into existence? Why can't Jamaicans be less selfish? Do we really think that every one is going to flock our country for jobs? What jobs? And what about this Caribbean Skills Certificate? Isn't it enough for Caribbean citizens to send copies of their degree or other qualifications when applying for a job? Why this rigmarole of getting this certificate? It would be better if we looked at this thing holistically.

Tackle the issues

It's time for us to look beyond the issue of who will have to give the most and which country will benefit the most. Let us tackle issues such as the impediments to trade in the region and travel restrictions that are placed upon our people. I was so shocked to find out that the only place that I could possibly travel to without a visa on the other side of the world is Hong Kong. Furthermore, after completing a course, I had to turn down many job offers because of visa restrictions. Why not try to have more relaxed travelling agreements with Africa and other places with which you are currently doing business?

It's time for Caribbean governments to unite and stop rambling about whose debt is bigger than whose, and whose people are brighter than whose. We need to start extending ourselves in the international community so that ambitious Caribbean citizens can have it easier out there.

I am, etc.,

SHAWNEE HARDWARE

shawnee.hardware@gmail.com

St. Catherine