Guest Writer

Response to C4C

We wholeheartedly agree with the C4C suggestion that anational sustainable development and infrastructure plan should be developed. This is essential along with other ‘green’ policies aimed at addressing waste management, the Dump, renewable energy, climate change preparedness and the many other environmental issues the Islands currently face. In fact, Sustainable Cayman has been established as a long-term advocacy group for these very issues. 

However, while these issues are related to the National Conservation Bill, they belong in new and separate legislation and policies. To be clear: "Conservation" is the protection of animals, plants, and natural resources. Waste management and recycling are environmental issues, however they should not be included in a Conservation law.  The National Conservation Bill is the beginning of an improved environmental legislative framework, not an all-encompassing fix for every issue.

The mechanisms which the law introduces are flexible, foundational and should be compatible with other sustainable development policies that will hopefully be developed in the future. The National Conservation Bill is aimed at protecting Cayman’s unique biodiversity. It is also an important tool to make continued physical development in the Cayman Islands more sustainable. But it is only the first step.

Based on current public discussions, there is no reason to delay the passage of the Bill. All concerns that we, at Sustainable Cayman, have heard about the Bill over the last month stem from misinformation and misunderstanding about the actual content of the Law and can, and indeed have been, addressed and satisfied repeatedly by Government officials.  In cases where there is some ambiguity, the Government has pledged to amend wording to accommodate those concerns.

There are few pieces of legislation where the drafting process has been so transparent and collaborative. The National Conservation Bill has been developed over the last 10 years with numerous rounds of intensive public consultation throughout this period of time. Residents of all districts, developers, landowners, quarry operators, related government departments, the tourism sector and industry and professional groups have all had the opportunity to give input on the Bill on numerous occasions. 

The Government has amended the Bill three times to address valid concerns raised throughout these consultation processes.  Consequently, the National Conservation Bill 2013 is a carefully designed piece of legislation which is uniquely tailored to the particular intricacies of Cayman’s economy and culture, balancing conservation and need for continued physical development of the islands.  

As one signature to our Statement of Support for the NCB wrote: No other law has been more reviewed and fine tuned than this one. It's time to get on with it now!

Addressing the 5 points raised in C4C’s letter:

1. We would like to clarify that there IS a representative of the Minister for the Environment in the form of the Chief Officer of the Ministry of the Environment on the Council. This representative is joined by other relevant civil servants (Planning, Environment, Agriculture), along with 7 individuals nominated by Cabinet and one representative of the National Trust.

The Council is largely an advisory body to Cabinet. All significant actions under the NCL require both public consultation and Cabinet approval. For example, every recommendation for a Protected Area designation must go out for public consultation and then gain Cabinet approval (only Crown land can be considered for Protected Area designation and not private land). The same process must be followed for every species management plan.  Further, it is Cabinet that is charged with the power to make Regulations under the Law.

In terms of the Councils participation in the planning approval process, their role is only advisory (their input must be taken in toconsideration). The only exception being the rare planning decisions that will impact Crown owned Protected Areas or areas that have been designated Critical Habitats, where the Council has the power to direct the originating agency to approve or refuse.

2. The appropriate fine for a particular offence under the NCL will be determined by the Courts and will depend on the severity of the crime. To take an example from the current Marine Conservation Law which has the same maximum penalty of $500,000, a conch poacher who took 40 conchs and 10 lobsters out of season was recently fined $2,400. On the other hand, a visiting mega yacht that deliberately flouted local requirements and destroyed a large section of reef in the West Bay Marine Park was charged CI$150k.

3. a) Regarding the perception of increased bureaucracy, decision-making authority over planning matters will remain as it currently is with the Central Planning Authority, Development and Control Board in the Sister Islands and with Cabinet for Coastal Works applications. For planning applications that will negatively impact the natural environment, the Council will simply have an advisory role. Their recommendations to these decision-making bodies must be taken in to consideration but is not binding (except for Protected Areas and Critical Habitats). 

Many of the requirements of the NCL already take place under a ‘gentleman’s’ agreement’ between respective Government agencies and the Department of Environment. The NCL simply makes that process legally binding and creates a level playing field for all those engaging in the Planning Approval process.  The NCL will not significantly impact Government’s budget. An Environmental Protection Fund was established years ago for conservation purposes. The Fund currently generates around CI$5 million per year.

3. b) With regards to discouraging development, we would like to quote CASE (The Society of Cayman Architects, Surveyors and Engineers): The NCL “will eliminate the current practice of addressing the environmental concerns of a proposed major development on an ad-hoc basis without clear requirements or guidelines, which is a welcome relief to investors who will now know upfront what the requirements are for an environmental impact assessment. Many international investors are accustomed to considering environmental aspects of a major development prior to the planning application process.”

Far from being a deterrent to potential investors, the level playing field created by the NCL will appeal to international developers and investors who have a long-term interest in the Cayman Islands.

For smaller developments, such as a dock or single family home, the NCL will have little to no impact.

4. This point, which states that properties adjacent to protected areas are at risk of compulsory acquisition, seems to miss the point that the concept of buffer zones has been completely removed in the 2013 version of the Bill. Consequently, there is nothing in the current bill which will limit activity on private land surrounding protected areas. Further, there is NO compulsory land acquisition in the National Conservation Bill.

In the case of environmentally important land, those who wish to retain ownership of their land or develop it, still have that option. However, the option to sell or lease private environmentally significant land to the Government for conservation purposes introduced by the Bill, opens new economic opportunities for people who do wish to sell or lease their land. There is nothing in the National Conservation Bill which will force a landowner to sell their land to the Government. Participation by private landowners is encouraged, but purely voluntary.

5. We have already addressed this point above. Waste management and recycling are critical environmental issues, however they should not be included in a "Conservation" law.

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International Human Rights Day 2013

10 December is the anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations (UN) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR sets out a certain set of rights that are the basic and minimum set of human rights for all citizens. Setting aside a day to commemorate, educate, and reflect on the principles that form the UDHR means celebrating the rights we exercise every day in the Cayman Islands, and acknowledging that enjoying those rights carries with it the responsibility of promoting these rights for all people.

Rights and freedoms that many of us take for granted – such as the right to an education, the freedom to practice our chosen religion, or the freedom of expression – are not equally available to persons in other countries as they are in the Cayman Islands.

As the celebration today is truly international in scope, many individuals and communities across the globe will be commemorating 10 December, and pledging a commitment to observe and improve human rights wherever possible. This year the Human Rights Commission joins the UDHR in encouraging the Government, civil society, communities, families and individuals to share your voice and celebrate the freedom of expression!

Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democratic rights and freedoms. In its very first session in 1946, before any human rights declarations or treaties had been adopted, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 59(I) stating “Freedom of information is a fundamental human right and … the touchstone of all the freedoms to which the United Nations is consecrated.”

At an individual level, freedom of expression is a key to the development, dignity and fulfilment of every person.  At a national level, freedom of expression is a necessary instrument for effective, efficient, and democratic governance as well socio-economic progress. Through this fundamental freedom people have the opportunity to gain an understanding of their surroundings and the wider world by exchanging ideas and information freely with others.

Freedom of expression is essential to the protection of democracy by ensuring public participation in decision-making. Individuals cannot exercise their right to vote effectively or take part in public decision-making if they do not have free access to information and ideas as well as given the ability to express their views freely. Freedom of expression is thus not only important for individual dignity but also to participation, accountability and democracy.

On this day, the Human Rights Commission implores each person to reflect on the value of our freedom of expression as enshrined in the Bill of Rights, Freedoms, and Responsibilities and share your voice in the strive to promote, protect, and preserve human rights. 

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Conservation Bill critique

Conservation is an important and emotive subject. It tends to be polarizing and can cause people to passionately disagree without being willing to acknowledge and accept the sensible aspects of the other's view. One of the Coalition for Cayman's 10 founding principles reads: A belief that the natural environment and resources of the Cayman Islands should be used responsibly ensuring that future generations inherit an environment that is clean and safe. 

We are therefore strong supporters of laws and regulations which protect Cayman's natural environment and resources for future generations.

Given the very limited space available in Cayman, we are also aware that this protection must be designed together with a national development and infrastructure plan so that we have a cohesive fit and balance for Caymanians to be able to own homes and have the opportunity to own a business as well as provide for the type of infrastructure that is needed to support a modern and expanding population. 

This was the general thrust of the paper we prepared entitled "Sustainable Development" and delivered to the new government shortly after they were elected.

The main concerns passed on to us about the draft Bill relate to a lack of the appropriate balance with the country's needs and the concentration of power in such a small group of unelected individuals. Here, briefly, are some of those specific concerns:

1. Policy should be made by our elected representatives and then implemented by the non-elected Government employees. The Bill allows policy on all matters related to the environment to be made by a council which includes Members of the Department of Environment, the National Trust and other political appointees without any reference to the Minister in charge of policy making on behalf of the elected Government.

2. Out of proportion penalties of CI$500,000 apply to any and all offenses, whether intentional or accidental, covering a broad range of habitats of 225 species – plus more "which may be threatened".

3. A new government bureaucracy will be created at significant unnecessary expense, while the increased costs and lost time created by the new requirements will discourage development, thereby further reducing revenue (both to government and the private sector) and employment during difficult economic times.

4. The Compulsory Acquisition Law is already on the books. This new Bill, working in tandem with that, would allow compulsory acquisition of private properties which might be deemed "protected" because they were adjacent to protected Crown property. Land is also a financial resource in Cayman as it is passed down from generation to generation providing collateral for our children’s education, our first home, our own business, etc. For Caymanian landowners to potentially lose the use of their property or the property itself, and without proper compensation, is unthinkable.

5. A comprehensive Conservation Bill should include provisions for Waste Management and Recycling.

We urge our Government to put the current Bill on hold and prepare a national development and infrastructure plan, which includes our conservation aims (what are we trying to protect) and the needs of a growing population (what areas are approved for future businesses, residential properties etc) including the related infrastructure requirements (location of future roads, airport, port, garbage disposal, sewerage treatment etc). The Bill can then be revised in light of these requirements.

This Bill may have been under discussion for 10 years, but it has been the wrong discussion. It should not have been about limiting development. It should be about permitting sustainable development whilst implementing green policies (recycling, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, taking emergency steps to stop the Dump leeching into the North Sound etc) that will make our Islands safe and clean in the future.

There is no resistance to a conservation law but there is real resistance to the drafts that have been put forward in isolation with serious inherent flaws and without any direction from the elected Government on its environmental and sustainable development policy. Based on all the feedback we have received from many concerned citizens, business owners, and residents, that appears to be the case once again.

Preparing a national development and infrastructure plan should not take long. We suspect much of this work has been done and is sitting on physical or electronic shelves within Government. There is no reason why a 12-month timeline would not be realistic for both the plan and a revised Bill to be brought to the LA. Our Government must first, and at the very least, agree on a Conservation and Sustainable Development Policy. To create a proper Bill you must have a policy in place that deals with 2 such important and intertwined issues.

The worst option in our view would be to try to ram through a Conservation Law (or any Law) which may result in unintended consequences that create more problems than solutions. This is one instance where getting it done right is more important than just getting it done.

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Roots

There has been a great deal of debate recently regarding the proposed National Conservation Bill. Those arguing against the Bill have painted a rather disturbing picture — one in which nature is depicted as the non-human “other” standing in the way of progress. As an environmental policy masters student, this is a depiction of nature that I have become used to reading about.

Environmental issues are often framed as dichotomies: Evil governments versus poor locals, destructive locals versus wise governments, conservation versus development, humans versus nature, etc. All the messy grey areas in between are conveniently eliminated.

I can understand, therefore, why those in opposition of the Bill are keen to present the issue as Caymanians versus “bugs, slugs and scorpions”.

What I cannot understand is why we, given our heritage as Caymanians, are buying into this rhetoric.

I have always maintained that the Cayman Islands occupy a unique niche socially, ecologically, and historically. Our country developed slowly throughout most of its history until very recently. The  Cayman Islands’ transition to a tourist and tax haven occurred over mere decades. We have elders within our community who remember what it was like to have to rely on the land and sea for food, shelter, and clothing. The short temporal scale of change has had a distinct impact on the construction of the Caymanian cultural identity. Our collective identity is anchored firmly in the years that Caymanians spent relying on our islands’ natural resources for subsistence, and the hopeful resilience with which previous generations faced the future despite their materially bare existence.

Our identity as Caymanians is inherently tied to our islands – and to the plants and animals that also call this country home.

The silver thatch trees we bulldoze to make way for a new subdivision used to provide our not-too-distant ancestors with roofs, rope, baskets and hats. And the soil those trees grow in is aerated and packed with nutrients by all the creepy-crawlies the editor of the Compass happily dismisses.

I am not saying that our ancestors were always in harmony with nature, or that our environment will collapse ifsomeone treads on a slug. What I am saying is that our natural resources used to be viewed as assets and that should not change simply because we no longer need to build our walls from wattle and daub.

The Caymanian cultural identity is rooted in the interconnectedness with the environment that shaped the lives of generations past and these roots must be sustained if we are to maintain our identity in the face of increased globalisation and modernisation.

We need to stop framing environmental issues in terms of a dichotomy that does not exist. We may not have to rely physically on the land anymore, but that does not mean that our environment has become irrelevant or an obstacle to our development. The natural beauty of our islands is a vital component of our tourism product, for example, and it must be sustained if we are to continue to be a favourite destination for divers and bird-watchers.

I wonder if the reason we are so willing to accept the picture of Caymanian versus nature that has been presented to us is because we have forgotten about our roots.

As our catboats were replaced by jetskis, and our wattle and daub by concrete, we forgot to take care of the natural world that had taken care of us for so long. We stopped teaching our children about the plants and animals that shared our islands — to the point where many can’t tell the difference between a green iguana and a blue iguana, let alone between a bull thatch and a silver thatch. And, as we lost touch with the natural world that shaped us, we lost touch with who we were as a people.

We need to remember our roots and the ground in which they are firmly anchored.

Vote in CNS poll: Should the Legislative Assembly pass the National Conservation Law?

Read the National Conservation Law

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16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence

As the Minister responsible for Gender Affairs, it is fitting to take the opportunity to reaffirm the Government’s and the country’s firm stance against gender violence during the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Campaign (November 25-December 10).  For the past twenty-two years, the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL), which is dedicated to advocacy and coordination of work in support of ending violence against women at all levels, has led this global campaign.

The dates November 25 (International Day against Violence against Women) and December 10 (Human Rights Day) are chosen to emphasise the links between ending violence against women and human rights values and highlight that violence against women is an international human rights violation. The 16 Days Campaign is used as an organising strategy to call for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence by individuals and groups throughout the world.

Gender-based violence is a problem of significant proportions that affects not only the Cayman Islands but all societies.  The World Health Organisation estimates that at least one of every three women globally will be beaten, raped, or otherwise abused during her lifetime, and in most cases, the abuser is a member of her own family. Violence against women is viewed by many as the most pervasive yet least recognised human rights abuse in the world; a public health crisis; and an obstacle to gender equality, sustainable social and economic development, security, and peace.  

According to the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership, forms of gender-based violence include, but are not limited to: domestic violence, sexual abuse, rape, sexual harassment, trafficking in women, forced prostitution, and harmful practices. These forms of violence can result in physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health and other health problems. Across the Caribbean, the rates of these crimes are increasing and studies also reveal an alarming escalation of sexual abuse of children and social tolerance of this violence, as many adults fail to take action or deny orminimise the abuse. 

Carrying on from 2012, this year the international theme is “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women!”  In the Cayman Islands, we are fortunate enough to not live in a country torn apart by war or violent civil unrest. However, this does not mean that there are not victims of gender-based violence living among us who have experienced the ravages of their own psychological battle scars or feel as though their homes are in fact not a sanctuary but a war zone.  It is therefore appropriate for our local participation in this global campaign to focus on the message of creating peace in our homes so that we can contribute to peace in our country and indeed the world.

Domestic violence is a grave concern to me because attitudes of acceptance toward gender inequalities are considered risk factors for perpetrating and experiencing domestic violence. Successfully addressing gender-based violence requires that we all challenge the way that gender roles and power relations are expressed and accepted in our society. Yet changing people’s attitudes on issues such as gender-based violence, gender equality or domestic violence is neither an easy nor quick task.  To address these root risk factors, the Gender Affairs Unit within the Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs carries out public education and awareness activities to promote gender equality.

While we recognise that females are disproportionately affected by gender-based violence and domestic violence, it is Government’s responsibility to ensure the safety and security of all women and men, and girls and boys. States are the main duty bearers for addressing violence in all its forms, including gender-based violence in its various manifestations, and it doesn’t matter whether this violence takes place within the privacy of homes or in public spaces.

Just this month, the Government demonstrated that it will not tolerate such violence. The Members of the Legislative Assembly unanimously supported a Private Members Motion brought by Hon. Anthony Eden, OBE, JP, MLA and Mr. Alva Suckoo, MLA to introduce a mandatory minimum sentence for sex offences categorised as indecent assault on women and girls and to increase the maximum sentence available for such offences.  The Government’s responsibility to protect persons from non-violence and sex crimes must be met with standards of non-discrimination; this is why I proposed during the debate on the Motion that the Penal Code should be reviewed and amended to ensure that boys and young men are also protected against such crimes, and the Government wholeheartedly supported this suggestion.

Every one of us has a role to play in eliminating gender violence and domestic violence, yet we often consider it a private matter.  In addition, if we aren’t perpetrators, we don’t see ourselves as part of the problem. Sadly, many perpetrators also do not consciously accept the harm that they cause as they seek to justify their actions anddeny the negative effects they have on their victims and on society.  During this 16 Days Campaign, I encourage you to think about how we all can be a part of the solution.  If you know sexual abuse, coerced prostitution of children, or sexual harassment is occurring, speak out and report it.  If you witness or suspect domestic violence, act.  Do not sit back and think that it’s not your place to get involved in reporting gender-based crimes.  If you are a victim, please seek help from the many organisations and individuals that are able to assist you.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the government and non-government organisations – such as the Department of Counseling Services’ Family Resource Centre, Department of Children and Family Services,  Department of Community Rehabilitation, Business and Professional Women’s Club Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands Crisis Centre, Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation and many others – that work on a daily basis with these issues and help to raise the public’s level of awareness about gender-based violence.  Throughout the next 16 days, I encourage the public to support the efforts of the Business and Professional Women’s Club’s awareness raising campaign and to visit the District Health Clinics in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac where the Family Resource Centre’s Clothesline Project will display the stories of victims, survivors, and those who love them.

We all play a crucial part in developing peaceful understandings and collective safety.  Let us unite and support these efforts in building peaceful and safe homes, schools, communities in our country- today, tomorrow and forever.

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International Men’s Day

Too often we think of the males in our societies as the protectors, the providers; those who would provide safety and security. How often do we step back and truly look at the needs of boys and men when it comes to their safety and wellbeing? I would think it’s not something that we do automatically or even daily. I believe that this is the time that we must begin to look with our boys at ways of keeping them safe so that they will grow up to become role models for our future generations. 

And so I want to begin by congratulating the hard workers in my Ministry of Community Affairs for embracing this year’s International Men’s Day theme, ‘Keeping Men and Boys Safe’. I also commend the efforts of the Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs which works to promote gender equality and gender mainstreaming throughout government, and also provide this message jointly on behalf of the Hon. Minister responsible for Gender Affairs, Tara Rivers.

We need to ensure that our boys are encouraged to stay in school and continue their education into college and beyond. The gender gap between boys’ and girls’ performance and attendance in schools is also an issue that the Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs is working to address. We need to instil in them that they all deserve the opportunity to grow up to be healthy, happy, productive and successful in whatever future endeavours they choose. And we also need to teach them how to be fathers to their future children.

It is through the work and actions of active fathers and male role models that our boys will make the positive transition from boyhood to manhood.

But if we don’t also insist that men take care of their health, that transition may be for naught.

Research shows that men are least likely to seek help when it comes to their health issues. Many often only get medical attention after their health deteriorates to the point that it demands it or after significant prompting from the females in their lives. We need to develop a culture where our boys are taught that asking for help is a sign of strength and empowerment; not a sign of weakness.

One of the objectives this year is to address male suicides. Worldwide, more men kill themselves than do women. The World Health Organisation estimates that nearly 1 million people take their lives every year and that most of them are males. In developed countries, it is estimated that men are generally three to four times more likely to take their own lives.

Suicidal feelings and thoughts are often a result of people experiencing significant unhappiness and distress in their lives; but suicide is preventable. Prevention of suicide is not the exclusive responsibility of any one sector of our society. By paying attention to certain signs that might include evidence of deliberate self-harm, or the person in question expressing their thoughts to relatives, partners, or peers, we can potentially have the opportunity to intervene and save lives by offering appropriate and timely help and emotional support. We need to work with our boys and men to show them that there are other options when life seems to become too overwhelming. 

With International Men’s Day in mind, we also must address violence against men and boys. Unfortunately we see this in our own community. Whileour prison is filled with men and boys who got there by means of violence, and we all know of needless deaths that resulted from violence, we should not accept this as an inevitable fact of life. As a society, we can instead challenge the rigid masculine norms that promote and excuse aggression and have the potential to damage and limit both young men and women. The best way to prevent violent assaults on men is to change the behaviour of other men.  We can begin to shift this trend by teaching our boys and young men skills that they can use to resolve conflict more productively and manage their emotions in a healthier manner.

Today, International Men’s Day, a special dinner and a film screening will be held at 6.30pm at Grand Old House. The 20-minute local short film Boys’ Voice: International Men’s Day Celebration of Boyhood will feature interviews with 12 boys about their experiences and challenges. Providing our young men with opportunities such as this to express their feelings and dialogue on issues of importance to them is an important start to redefining what we determine as acceptable in our culture.

And be sure to tune in to Radio Cayman’s Talk Today shortly after noon for a roundtable discussion about International Men’s Day and more information on this year’s theme.

Please take some time out today and think about ways you can empower the boys and men in your life. Let’s also remember that gender equality is not  only about ensuring that women are equal to men,  but rather how we can work together to enhance opportunities, ensure access and practice fairness for all boys, girls, men and women. 

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World Diabetes Day

Diabetes is one of the world’s most preventable epidemics. This year as we observe World Diabetes Day, around the globe 371 million people and their families are living with diabetes. Another 280 million are at high risk of developing the disease. If this is not alarming enough, half a billion people are expected to be living with diabetes by 2030, according to the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization.

The local perspective is also a cause for concern. The Health Services Authority (HSA) is currently treating approximately 2,000 diabetic patients. Health officials estimate that an equal number is receiving care through private practitioners. 

This is corroborated by the Chronic Disease Risk Factor Survey completed in 2012, in which 10 % of adults aged 25-64 years, reported having been diagnosed with diabetes. This amounts to 3,500 people.

There may be many others unaware that they have the disease.  I urge every adult to get diabetes checks done, as recommended by their health practitioners.

The Chronic Disease Risk Factor Survey showed that our adult population consumes an average 2.8 servings of fruits vegetables a day. This is below the minimum daily recommendation of five servings of fruit and vegetables.

Furthermore, slightly less than half of our adult population (47.9 %) engages in high levels of physical activity such as running, fast cycling and participating in competitive sports. Inactivity and improper diet are two major risk factors for the onset of diabetes.

Given the close connection between unhealthy lifestyles and type 2 diabetes, these statistics illustrate why the fight against this disease is central to the well-being of our small community.

Accordingly it is fitting that annually, every 14 November, we join the international community in raising awareness about diabetes-related issues. 

The theme of this year’s international event, “Diabetes: protect our future”, suggests how important it is that we turn the tide of diabetes to protect our future, our people and our country. 

Government realises the challenge that the community faces in motivating as many Caymanians and residents as possible to incorporate physical activity and healthy eating habits into their daily routines.

As such we are committed to supporting the primary health care initiatives underway within the Public Health Department and the Cayman Islands Diabetes Association. 

Their capacity building strategies will help our people to achieve their health goals. I particularly encourage diabetics and their families to take advantageof the upcoming diabetes education course on 27 and 28 November. 

Additionally, we will continue to work with other ministries, agencies and departments to create an environment that supports the healthy lifestyle choices. My ministry is also committed to supporting the development of workplace wellness programmes in our Islands.

It is easier than we think to get moving and the rewards are limitless.  Much of the solution to the dilemma of diabetes is within our grasp; we all have a role to play and must recognise that the time is now. 

On this World Diabetes Day, let us all “take a step for diabetes”, and help to protect the future of the Cayman Islands and the world.

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Rags to rags in three generations

Meaning: The first generation in a family makes money (goes from rags to riches); the second generation holds or keeps the money; and the third generation squanders or loses the money (and so goes back to rags). Although this expression as defined above is not a rule per se, it is a generally accepted principle that may occur if due care and attention is not taken to ensure the wealth and entitlement is not taken for granted in future generations. 

And although this expression as defined relates strictly to a family situation, given our history from ‘rags to riches’ here in Cayman can be said to have started approximately 40-50 years ago, it could be said that we are indeed now in the 3rd generation and therefore heading back to ‘rags’.

Although perhaps a little dramatic, I think it’s fairly obvious to anyone who’s been paying attention that we’re now squandering (or perhaps I’m a putting too positive a spin on this and in fact it’s all already been squandered!) the vast wealth we amassed here in Cayman – and I’m not just speaking to the vast financial wealth that we have previously been blessed to have enjoyed but I’m also suggesting that wealth as pertains to our reputation is also now suffering alongside our finances or lack thereof.

Although none of this is able to be ‘fixed’ overnight, it is a crying shame that we took the hard work of those who came before us seemingly for granted. What I find the most upsetting about being in the situation we now find ourselves in is that there really is no good reason to be in this situation and the only reason I can see is that we got greedy and we got lazy and we assumed that our ‘product’ (whether financial or tourism related) was so desirable that we needn’t bother maintaining it. We assumed it was a license to print money, which we seem to have freely done.  We didn’t think we’d have a rainy day so there didn’t seem any good reason to put anything aside for the mythical rainy day which is now upon us.

I am ashamed to have been a part of this as, despite my utter disappointment that we do find ourselves in this mess, I cannot sit here and say that I haven’t benefitted from the excesses of our past. We are leaving nothing for the next generation except a string of excellent examples of what not to do, and so perhaps we’re leaving them with something quite valuable after all.

I do live in hope that we will stop nurturing the sense of entitlement that has taken root in our society, an attitude perfectly summed up after a near miss with a hurricane some years ago that went on to devastate some of our neighbours when someone was overheard saying that ‘we had been spared because we had been set apart because we were special’. This is an outrageous thing to say given, if you look at it from the angle of our neighbours, we are essentially saying we were better than them, hence more deserving of being spared. We cannot continue to think ourselves so special anymore; we’ve proved that we really are no better than anyone else and perhaps less deserving given the blessings and opportunities we’ve taken for granted and squandered.

We need to pause – take a moment to reflect on what’s gone before and think sensibly about where we’d like to be and be realistic about the work it will take to get there so that we can break this cycle and not end up back in rags for the sake of the next and subsequent generations.

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