Caymanians asked to discuss future of Commonwealth

| 05/08/2009

(CNS): Everyone in the Cayman Islands is being asked to participate in the largest global dialogue ever undertaken about the Commonwealth’s future role in the lives of people who live in member nations. A release from Government Information Services said that all are invited to take part, even the opinion of those who work in government and civil organisations as well as the public at large are being canvassed. Called the “Commonwealth Conversation”, this international discussion will be held online and through a series of events organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS).

GIS said that comments would be received from now until the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad in November 2009, where a set of recommendations based on the feedback and comments will be presented.

Governor Stuart Jack and  Justice Charles Quin, Cayman’s honorary RCS representative, said the conversation aims to provide an open and inclusive platform to discuss the role, structure and responsibilities of the Commonwealth in 2010 and beyond.

The governor noted that the Commonwealth’s 60th anniversary, commemorated this year, offers the perfect opportunity to reflect upon the past and to consider what the future may hold for the association.

“The association is only as relevant as it is to its citizens,” he said. “This is why we are encouraging everyone to take part in the discussions.”

Quin said that Cayman is involved in a number of Commonwealth activities, including the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Day; and associations for parliamentarians, magistrates, judges, and lawyers. 

“One noble example of this involvement is the prestigious annual RCS Essay Competition in which most, if not all, of the schools in the Cayman Islands participate, with many students receiving high commendations,” he added.

“With more than 100 nationalities represented here – many from Commonwealth countries – the Cayman Islands are a living example of the sort of democracy and diversity for which the Commonwealth stands.”

Her Majesty the Queen is Head of the Commonwealth – an association of 53 sovereign nations that support each other and work together towards international goals.

With a population of 2 billion, the Commonwealth represents more than 30% of the world’s population. It sees itself as a family of peoples, with a common heritage in language, culture, law, education and democratic traditions.  To find out more and how to feed in your views into the global conversation visit the website at: www.thecommonwealthconversation.org

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Category: Local News

About the Author ()

Comments (10)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Quincy Brown says:

    Happy that everyone can participate in these discussions.  I would like more civil servants to participate by calling the talk shows, writing to the papers and online forums.  In the future it would be good, I think, for the title Civil Servant or Public Servant to be changed to Government Worker or Government Employee.  Permanent Secretaries are now called Chief Officers and Leader of Government Business will soon be called Premier  and eventually Prime Minister.  As I understand it, Cayman is associated with both the Commonwealth and Caricom—what makes us special though is our Overseas British Crown Colony Status!  We have been an "official" crown colony from August 6th 1962.  On July 4th 1959 Cayman (when I say Cayman I mean Grand, Little and Brac) got its first constition and coat of arms from Her Majesty.  In 1962, with Jamaica becoming its own independent nation and no longer a British Crown Colony, the Cayman Islands Crown colony status came into effect with the majority of Caymanians wanting to remain under the crown.  Mr. Willie Farrington, along with others of the day saw to this.  Mr. Orman Panton had other ideas, perhaps? 

    Government workers or employees should be allowed to identify themselves when they participate in forums online or on talkshows and newspapers.

     

    God Bless Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, His Excellency the Governor Mr. Stuart Jack, the elected Government and the people of Las Turtugas.

    Quincy Brown

    —————————————-

    Worker of the "true" government – THE PEOPLE. 

    • Anonymous says:

      To Quincy:

      "Permanent Secretaries" are now called "Chief Officers’. Yes, except on the concrete blocks showing where they can park at the Glass House. The Chief Officer concerned with that responsibility. Mr Gomez, apparently refuses to use the term as he hates the whole reform process andsticks with the term PS. Good to know our humungously paid senior civil servants are so dead wood-er cutting edge.

    • Quincy Brown says:

      Why do I always say "God Save the Queen" at official functions when I speak?

      Because after Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is no longer Queen—- things will be different in the Cayman Islands.  I think H.M. is quietly doing more good for the Cayman Islands as a figure head than we realize or choose to admit.  The master/servant war we will have with  Britain’s Prime Minister and government will not be pleasant! What will the FCO say and which side will they take? England’s future King or Queen will never be able to fill the shoes of Regina E-2nd when it comes to the Cayman Islands and our crown colony status in my opinion.  If we were a poor dependent colony in the west indies it would be different.  London is not pleased with Cayman being a financial competitor. London will stop it by leaving us hanging high and dry! The office of His Excellency the Governor is by far the highest position in the land. Caymanians get your EU/British Passports….there will always be an England and a British education is by far the highest standard in the English speaking world! "God Save the Queen."  

      Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Grand Cayman twice.  In 1993 and 1994.  H.M. presented Cayman with its first constitution and coat-of-arms in July 1959.  Let us recognize the important role the Queen has played.  Her way of thinking is not "devide and conquer" as was previous monarchs. Edwardian, Victorian and Elizabethan times and ways were different.  Her Majesty Elizabeth II has never said OFF WITH HIS HEAD. I am however very cautious when it comes to Mr. Gordon Brown and any future Prime Minister from England.  "HEAD" today could be used as a metaphor. People living in the Cayman Islands originally from former Caribbean British colonies who can remember the 1950’s and 1960’s must be able to see and comprehend what’s now happening to Beloved Isle Cayman.  Matter of fact some of them could even be advising Cayman’s governement—or the adult children of these folk.

       

      "God Save The Queen"

      —PS. When I went to school I was taught to Sing God Save The Queen and Rule Britannia.  I have learned the three verses and chorus of Beloved Isle Cayman as a young adult.

      ——————————-

      Quincy Brown         

  2. Afraid to Strap on a Pair Also says:

    To Dry Wit-

    I thought that it was pretty funny, too…

  3. Anonymous says:

    Stoking?  Hardly.  I havesaid nothing negative about Cayman.  It is simply a response to the hateful posts that inevitably come.  If you come to my house, I welcome you.  If you come to my house, I am not hateful and rude without cause.  I never said I was friendly.  🙂  I do good deeds and yet I reap the hatred and racism that are directed towards all expats.  That is nonsense.

    • Anonymous says:

      "is simply a response to the hateful posts that inevitably come."

      How is it a "reponse" if no such posts have been posted?

      EPIC FAIL

       

  4. Frequent Flyer says:

    Hm. Well I thought the sarcasm was funny

    And I got what the poster meant.

     

  5. clearviewer says:

    Did you read the headlines, its people like you that is stokking this animosity crap, so stop it. If you cant be constructive  then dont be destructive, and I am just saying if I go to your house and I do not feel welcome Then I leave, I will not tear down your home I just leave and wish you the best hoping that you will see that you are not as friendly as you proclaim to be.   Its simple,  do good deeds,  not sow weeds of hate like you have started to do by this posting of rape and pillage.  Thats nonsense,  Its not so right.

  6. Anonymous says:

     Not everyone here is from a Commonwealth country.  As has been noted before, some of us are only here to rape and pillage.  I’m guessing Her Majesty doesn’t want to hear what we think.