No “For Sale” sign at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Introduction

SINCEthis ULP administration came to office in March of 2001, our government has crafted a domestic policy and a complimentary foreign policy that has put SVG on a development trajectory and improved our reputation globally.

We say complimentary, because a casual observation will reveal that our development agenda has the support of many of our diplomatic allies and this allows for the implementation of a number of very important projects for this country. As a developing country with limited resources, facing many challenges, many of which are outside of our control, it is important to craft a foreign policy that supports our domestic development agenda. Challenges notwithstanding, our government is very mindful that our foreign policy with its importance to our development, must be grounded in principles that guide international relations. The principles as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, guide our decisions so that even when ideological and other differences exist, SVG can still engage other nations on issues of mutual interests in the quest to achieve both national and global objectives.

Over the past 22 years, many instances exist of the working of our foreign policy to achieve our domestic goals where our diplomatic allies worked with us on very important projects. Some examples of this include Taiwan’s support for the education revolution through scholarships and bursaries, Cuba’s support for our healthcare system through the Vision Now program, and assistance with the Modern Medical Diagnostic Centre in Georgetown, among other, and Venezuela with subsidized fuel and millions of dollars of debt forgiveness. Those examples listed are just a few of the many available as throughout this country, projects from the transformational Argyle International Airport, the Rabacca Bridge, Learning Resource Centres, smart hospitals and clinics, assistance with coastguard vessels, road repair and our modern port under construction have received assistance from other countries including the USA, the UK, and Kuwait to name a few. There is no doubt that our foreign policy is working and is producing many benefits to our country.

Our Foreign Policy not transactional

With SVG realizing so many benefits as a result of our foreign policy, many often ask, what do those countries get from SVG in return, and this is a fair question. For example, our most recent major international accomplishment of securing the support of the United Nations General Assembly by a vote of 185-6 to serve for 2 years as a nonpermanent member of the United Nations Security Council is remarkable in every respect. It is well-known that such campaigns can be very costly because of the extensive lobbying that aspiring countries undertake meeting representatives from various countries to seek their support. How then could a small country like SVG, without the kind of funding required to undertake such extensive lobbying defeat El Salvador to become the smallest country ever to sit on the UNSC? It’s because of our international reputation that has been significantly improved since the ULP came into office. Regardless to the forum, be it the United Nations, the Organization of American States, The

Commonwealth, or in regional organisations, SVG has become known for its principled position on matters of international law, and countries have grown to respect us for this.

Our country’s UNSC campaign used the theme “friends of all, we strive for a better world” and this guides of engagements with countries of various or opposing ideologies allowing us to work together. The construction of the AIA is a prime example, as SVG was able to secure contributions from Canada, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Georgia, all democratic countries, as well as Cuba, Venezuela that are socialist and Iran that is an Islamic Republic. We can speak on behalf of Taiwan, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, countries that assist us financially or with technical assistance (or both) while at the same time we defend the right to self-determination of the State of Palestine and the people of West Papua or Bonaire, who are unable to offer us any tangible benefits. This speaks to the foundational principles of our foreign policy, the respect for sovereignty and independence, and the right to selfdetermination, and the respect for the principles of the Charter of the UN.

Never will our ULP government put a “for sale” sign in the metaphoric window at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to sell our dignity and patrimony to the highest bidder. The parliamentary opposition NDP offers a pipe dream or streets made of gold to Vincentians, to be financed by the selling of Vincentian passports and citizenship for foreigners, many of whom are of questionable repute. Their transactional understanding of foreign policy leads them down a path where they would break ties with our longstanding friend Taiwan, and establish relations with the Republic of China, to satisfy their financiers who would be asking for their pound of flesh. The blatant hypocrisy of their position is exposed when one considers their constant criticism of SVG relationship with socialist countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, with their plan to establish diplomatic relations with a communist country at the expense of Taiwan, a beacon of democracy in Asia. If that position confuses you the reader, you aren’t alone, it’s a most confusing, hypocritical, and backward position, based solely on the hope of transactions that include the selling of our passports. We are more principled than that; we are better than that.

Conclusion

After many years of witnessing a progressive foreign policy at work that has both improved our country’s global reputation as a principled practitioner of international law, and brought this country many developmental benefits, we cannot allow a visionless NDP to threaten those gains. Our government continues to act in the best interest of our country and its citizens through our foreign policy promoting the principles of international law, which we as a small state depend on as we seek to guide and protect our existence in a world dealing with constant challenges. You can be sure that the next elections will be a referendum on where this country goes regarding its foreign policy, do we remain principled with the ULP, or become transactional with the NDP, putting up a “for sale sign”? The choice is ours, and we must choose to keep on the principled path with the ULP.

AT THE RECENTLYheld Hope Rally in Georgetown by the New Democratic Party (NDP), President of the NDP, Honourable Dr. Godwin Friday, unveiled four (4) pillars of economic development that his party will implement to revive the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They are agriculture, the blue economy, tourism and the new economy.

Since the rally, Dr. Friday and his team visited stakeholders in the agriculture industry and held discussions with them. From discussions and observations, it is obvious that the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government is only paying lip service to the agricultural sector. Moreover, the ill-advised policies of the government have forced many established farmers out of agriculture, and vast areas of formerly highly productive land are now abandoned. The decline in agriculture has created severe hardship for thousands of Vincentians.

There is also a significant decrease to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from agriculture. It would appear that the government does not have a strategic plan to develop this vital industry. For instance, the government has failed to effectively implement the Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM) program. The European Union donated $37 million to assist in the diversification of agriculture. What does the country have to show from that program? Where is the abattoir? Where are the green houses? Part of the BAM funding was to install green houses to increase production. Surprisingly in a recent online publication, the Minister of Agriculture stated that the government would receive funding from the World Bank to establish green houses. But, there should have been functioning green houses in the country.

As agricultural production declined, our food imports have skyrocketed, worsening our balance of trade position. After twenty-two (22) years in power, the ULP government is now thinking about a strategy to reduce our food import bill. The Minister of Agriculture is quoted in an online source that St. Vincent and the Grenadines has pledged to decrease its food import bill by 25% by 2025. Is there any evidence in the programs and policies of the government in that direction?

The NDP has an exciting and impressive plan for the development of agriculture as an important pillar of economic development. The NDP will reverse the deteriorating situation in agriculture by revitalizing the sector, making it efficient, technologically prepared and internationally competitive. This will guarantee the food and nutrition security of our people and at the same time provide employment, income and sustainable livelihoods, while preserving the environment for present and future generations.

The overall goal of the NDP’s National Agricultural Policy will be to optimize and maximize our capacity to provide for our food needs. This will be done through increasing production of a range of crops and livestock species. This will ensure a sustainable and efficient food security system that is technologically driven.

Livestock is a key part of farming in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A substantive amount of root crop, vegetable and tree crop farmers own livestock. The NDP will support efforts to improve the health and productivity of livestock, particularly chickens, goats, sheep, pigs and cattle by improving animal genetics and veterinary care.

While it was commonplace to use chemicals indiscriminately for food production, it is now time for a new approach to farming with less chemical dependency. Sustainable organic farming will be considered. The NDP will encourage farmers to ensure that their methods of cultivation are not harmful to the environment. Also, research has shown that the premium price for processed organic products ranges from 22 percent to 54 percent higher than produce of traditional farming practices. We want to see our famers get the best possible prices, and this is just one way we plan to do so. Tax and Custom Duty concessions will be made available to organic farmers. We will also reintroduce the credit system, making it available to all stakeholders in the agro sector. Proper guidelines will be instituted to ensure the system is run effectively to the benefit of all stakeholders.

We all are cognizant of the importance of food security. We will concentrate on the following: focus on ecological conservation and the use of bio-diversity; increase production to satisfy domestic consumption; place emphasis on relevant infrastructure development; conduct appropriate research and development program; encourage household/kitchen gardening; provide subsidies for local agro-producers, processors and marketers; ensure effective land distribution and utilization which will reduce dependency on imports.

Feeder roads are essential to improve farmers’ productivity and to access markets. We will upgrade existing roads across our farming communities and build new feeder roads to access more lands. The multiplier effects of feeder roads can never be overstated as access to and from the farm is of paramount importance. We cannot support our farmers if we cannot reach them, or they cannot get their goods easily to market. And, establish a marketing agency to assist in the marketing of farm produce.

We will establish a state-operated agro lab that will encourage agro processing. The agro lab will also assist small business enterprises especially those cottage industries that produce such items as pepper sauce, jams and jellies etc. And, the construction a factory to utilize our fruits is critical to the development of the sector.

Our zero-tolerance approach to combat praedial larceny will include a system where special hearings will be held to deal swiftly with crimes of praedial larceny. We will also ensure that a system is in place to compensate farmers for their losses, within a reasonable time.

The NDP is committed to resuscitate the agricultural sector as an important pillar of economic development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Agriculture is a key pillar, which will build the economy and create more and better-paid jobs for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Wisdom in Proverbs is not simply one who possesses a masterful mind. It’s also a matter of the heart; it’s a moral quality. Wise persons are those who fear the Lord and subsequently make choices that honor God, oneself, and others.” - Arthur Jackson, writer for Our Daily Bread Devotional.

THE SEARCH FOR WISDOMis often intensified during the years of adolescence and early adulthood. However, the quest is not confined to those critical years as individuals seek to understand and pursue their purpose and passion in life. Individuals in their postyouth can (and do) also discover an addiction for the pursuit of wisdom.

Wisdom is difficult to define. This is especially so because it encompasses so many aspects of good decision making. Philosophers and psychologists have attempted to explain it for a relatively long time. Many surmise that wisdom involves the integration of knowledge, experience, tolerance for the “mysteries” of life, and a quest to understand life’s varied intricacies.

It should be noted that knowledge is not synonymous with wisdom. While the two are linked, they are significantly different. MerriamWebster notes that, “Knowledge usually refers to information or awareness that someone has about a subject, whether from education or experience, as in, ‘she has a lot of firsthand knowledge about the video game industry as both a player and a designer.’ Wisdom refers instead to someone’s good sense, judgment, or insight (‘he demonstrated wisdom by not responding to the taunts of his political opponent’) –in other words, to their ability to process, apply, or otherwise act on knowledge.” Based on the forgoing, it is logical to conclude that it is possible to have a lot of knowledge but not necessarily possess much wisdom. Some may hasten to note that it is possible to be “an educated fool”. It is conceivable that an individual can accumulate a tremendous amount of education, power, wealth, and fame and still entertain thoughts that are considered foolish. Too many foibles are committed by individuals who should know better; people who succumbed to the temptations that took them along the “broad road to destruction”. Such decisions are unwise — foolish.

The ancient Greek philosophers Plato (died 347 BC) and Socrates (died 399 BC) sought to enlighten their followers in relation to the elusive descriptions and explanations for wisdom. Their discussions with other philosophers, politicians, poets, and craftsmen sought to unravel the mysteries surrounding this word. Both advanced humility theories of wisdom that provide us with some valuable character traits that are ascribed to wise people. They postulated that wise people possess epistemic selfconfidence but lack arrogance. Additionally, such individuals tend to be reflective, introspective, tolerant of uncertainty, and readily acknowledge their weaknesses and shortcomings. The Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy reckons that while these traits are not in themselves definitive of wisdom, any acceptable theory of wisdom will ensure that such traits are enshrined in their considerations.

David Brooks, an opinion columnist for the New York Times, writing in a column titled “Wisdom Isn’t What You Think It Is” on 15th April 2021, noted that “Wisdom has an embodied moral element; out of your own moments of suffering comes a compassionate regard for the frailty of others.” He notes that wisdom is more about listening than talking and a truly wise person will not tell people what to do. He proceeds to describe such an individual as using anecdotes, rationalizations and episodes to impart insights that help other to better analyse their situations and proactively seek to navigate life’s intricacies.

The educated, aged, powerful, rich, or famous do not have a monopoly on wisdom. It is not confined to any nationality or geographic space. True wisdom is available to citizens of all nations, ethnicities, and gender. Many of the passages in the Old Testament book of Proverbs point to the source of wisdom. King Solomon (931 BC), considered to be the wisest man who ever lived, noted that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”

(Proverbs 1:7) and “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”

(Proverbs 9:10). Having reverence and respect for our sovereign God is foundational to the acquisition and growth of wisdom. Solomon, the son and successor of King David, ruled Israel with tact and decorum. He was human just as we are. He disciplined himself to pursue peace and justice. Many marvelled at his discernment and fairness. We, too, can create and sustain a similar legacy as we focus our thoughts on doing and saying what is right — what is fair.

True wisdom beckons us to avoid the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These will continue to lure the weak and foolish. Many lives have been wrecked by situations that have enticed the unsuspecting to engage in activities that lulled them to compromise principles in pursuit of wealth, power, influence, position, and so on. Selfcontrol is a critical component in the lives of those who pursue valuable but elusive wisdom. Some may argue that this is foolishness. They may even seek to rationalise the pursuit of personal gain at all cost (including dishonest means) and conclude that there is “wisdom” in cheating the system to get ahead. However, we are reminded of the powerful words of the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the saints at Corinth when he reminded them that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” We are beckoned to pursue true, pure, unadulterated wisdom … having reverence for a holy God and committed to the pursuit of a holy life. The path to true wisdom begins with the thoughts that we entertain; focused on living right with God and our fellow man. It does not require wealth or power. It does not involve an abundance of education or knowledge. These are fragile and transient. True wisdom is evident when, in true humility, individuals recognize their fallibility, their humanness, and commit to the pursuit of choices that honour God, oneself, and others.