This month the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed four prominent Kenyans would face trial over their role in the 2007 election violence, which left 800 dead and 600,000 more displaced as Internally Displaced People (IDPs) – refugees within their own country.

During the violence, politicians and influential media members were accused of whipping up tribal hatred and dividing Kenya along ethnic lines for their own personal benefit. Given that two of the ICC suspects are popular candidates for the upcoming Presidential race, the news has strongly divided Kenya.

The court case can be seen as a step in the right direction for those displaced in Kenya’s worst election violence. However Kenya’s IDPs still face a bleak future no matter what outcome is reached at the Hague, and justice is not likely to have any substantial impact on their lives.

The government promised each IDP would receive 10,000 Kenyan shillings (about US$100) to help resettle in the aftermath (returning to their original land was not even discussed), as well as taking measures to protect Kenyans in future elections.

There have been some positive stories. Recently I visited a former IDP ‘camp’ which has transformed itself into a blossoming community. Each IDP had received their compensation, and had combined together to purchase enough land for homes and farmland. International donors have helped build schools, hospitals and nurseries and people are beginning to shape a secure community.

However, this is a rare example. One camp I visited has not changed since the day IDPs settled there. People still live in UN tents, still lack any form of hospital or school, and the land they live on is too dusty to farm and too isolated from public service. Only a handful have received compensation, and the government’s refusal to sell them the unused land has forced some to relocate again, faced with this insecurity.

In another camp, residents have received some compensation and live in a fertile and safe area of Kenya. However, they are technically squatters on land owned by a local MP, who (despite not using it and owning vast acres), has agreed to sell the land for an extortionate fee, one which the IDPs will never be able to afford even when combining all of their assets. They remain at risk of being thrown off the land, and are unlikely ever to escape from such insecurity.

Overall, those displaced in the violence remain in an equally perilous and uncertain state as they did in 2007. Families will continue to struggle against this sudden poverty trap for generations, not to mention the psychological trauma and insecurity that has been left as a result of being violently removed from their homes.

The recent ruling from the ICC therefore, whilst beginning to bring justice to those displaced, is unlikely to change significantly change the lives of Kenya’s political IDPs.

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?

To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/

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Every so often, the Falkland Islands become the subject of dispute between the Argentinean and British governments.

It is at these times Buenos Aires voices its disquiet over UK control of Las Malvinas, while Downing Street reiterates that it is determined to “defend the sovereignty” of the islands.

Earlier this month Argentinian President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner said she would appeal to the United Nations over the issue. But why? The issue is complicated, but relate to the high stakes involved.

I’m not talking about Britain sending search and rescue pilot, Prince William, as part of a team to conduct “routine exercises” on the islands. Rather, on Saturday (11/02/2012), a study concluded the Falkland Islands authorities stand to benefit from an enormous $176bn (£111.7bn) tax windfall from oil and gas exploration. This is from drilling in waters within the 200-mile exclusion zone set up during the 1980s Falklands War to mark the boundaries of British territory.

That changes everything. Now for Argentina the stakes are that much higher in the long battle for Las Malvinas. The numbers are mind-blowing. The report was produced by oil and gas analysts at Edison Investment Research, and co-authored by Ian McLelland.

According to the Daily Telegraph, a group of UK-listed companies is involved in exploring four major prospects this year, with the largest, Loligo, potentially involving more than 4.7bn barrels of oil. By comparison Catcher, the biggest discovery in the North Sea of the past 11 years, is believed to hold only 300m barrels.

According to the report, if all four prospects are drilled, the potential tax riches are likely to reach just below $180bn. Compare that to the current economic state of the Falkland Islands. At present, its main industry is fishing, which generates $23m a year. Beyond that, the islands receive only $16m in tax receipts a year from other business sectors. The potential for the islands and Great Britain is mind-boggling.

It’s enough evidence for David Cameron to call an impromptu party at Number 10 Downing Street. Only Kirchner is ready to spoil it.

Co-author of the report, Ian McLelland, spoke of the obvious transformation the oil and gas sector will provide for the islands, but he more importantly warned about the danger the political turmoil between Buenos Aires and London poses to the project. He stated, “The proverbial spanner in the works that remains is the ongoing political dispute between Britain and Argentina regarding sovereignty of the Falklands.”

So why now is the Argentine President kicking up a fuss?

She won a landslide election last October to regain a four year term and currently sits on 70% support in the latest polls. I highly doubt it is her way of marking the 30th anniversary of the conflict. Perhaps now, with only four years to go, she feels it is her time to mark her name in history, and what an achievement it would be if she can gain control of Las Malvinas.

But is Cristina Fernández de Kirchner really thinking that far? It means military action, loss of life, Argentina at war, a recovering Argentine economy to pump money into military equipment and putting up with polls that may not favour Argentina going to war.

Instead, the Falkland Islands present de Kirchner with the ideal deflection tool as trouble looms for her government. As it stands, her government is attempting to untangle expensive state subsidies which will hurt the blue-collar base. Analysts in Argentina say the inflation rate is more than double the official figure. The government is so desperate to hide the numbers it has prohibited economic consultancy firms publishing private inflation estimates.

If that wasn’t enough, a constitutional ban on a third term means Fernández could soon be engaged in a political power effort to change the constitution so she can run again. Her landslide 2011 election victory and 70% support polls didn’t come at the price of being a female leader nor the sympathy of turning a widow during her Presidency.

In her first term she lodged wage improvements and social subsidies, notably universal child allowance, pension increases and unemployment benefits. But these gifts seem to have come back to haunt her.

The evidence above that suggests de Kirchner has more on her plate than she can handle may all count for nothing. Her persistence with the Falkland Islands may not at all be deceptive, but rather the result of a score she wants to settle with Britain.

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was a young crusading lawyer when she watched anxious military conscripts tramp through the cold and wind of her adopted home town, Rio Gallegos, on their way to invade the Falkland Islands. She was from La Plata, a city near Buenos Aires, and had moved to this Patagonian outpost because it was the home of her husband, Nestor, a fellow lawyer.

Perhaps remembering the scenes on that day still makes her tremble. Maybe she feels it is one way she can repay her late husband for stepping aside and letting his wife run for President in 2007, or maybe the Falklands 30th year conflict came at a time when she needed international recognition the most.

Either way, whatever the reason, and whatever the outcome of this conflict, you can’t fault either Argentina or Britain for wanting control of the Falkland Islands.

Follow Ryan Bachoo on Twitter here.

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About me:

“Hi, I am Ryan Bachoo, a journalist and public relations officer from Princes Town in Trinidad and Tobago. I currently work with the West Indies Cricket Board.

“I am currently working as a broadcast journalist for Cable News Channel 3. I also write on various talking points and current problems facing the world including international politics and the issues of a depleting economy.”

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?

To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/

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“That sky was bluest when I could beat my mates at examination time, or beat them at a foot-race, or even beat their stringy heads. Alas, with the years all this fine contempt began to fade; for the worlds I longed for, and all their dazzling opportunities, were theirs, not mine”. (W.E.B Du Bois)

Last year the powerful actions of political will – the many protests that led to the downfall of dictators in the Middle East or rallies against capitalism in the US – came not from decision-makers, but from the grassroots.

COP 17, the United Nations’ climate change conference, concluded with only the ‘promise’ of agreeing a universal legal document on Climate Change by 2015. The World Trade Organization’s ministerial meeting produced few concrete results except for preferential treatment for least developed countries.

This raises questions about the nature and position of politics in addressing issues as a philosophy and, secondly, as a course of action. In truth, the future of many global institutions is in doubt.

Young people have continually cried for politics to address the relationship between society’s haves and ‘have nots’. These disparities illustrate the need of the poor and the desire of the rich for more. (W.E.B Du Bois expressed the discomfort of a poor existence in a ‘land of dollars’ as the very bottom of hardships)

This discussion is important for two reasons which are relevant to Commonwealth countries. Trinidad & Tobago’s history is played out as a by-product of external forces – or the interaction between colonial powers – and not because of the self-determination movement. It achieved ‘developed country’ status not on its own, but by being awarded it by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Then there are policies disconnected from the desires of the population. Sections two and three of the recent CHOGM 2011 communiqué recognises this, noting that the Commonwealth as an organisation needs to reprioritize towards the needs of its members. It says: “Revitalising the Commonwealth’s development priorities to ensure it effectively articulates and meets the development needs of member states today and in the future.”

Institutions vested with respect and authority must be questioned. There is much need to understand the increase of people living below the poverty line within the Commonwealth. The economic success of my nation is worthless if the suffering of the unprivileged is not alleviated.

This issue is prevalent throughout the Commonwealth, and as such demands further investigation. As Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma advised, speaking to the African delegation recently, a lack of efficiency in governance, politics and the economy indicate the need to cease doings things in a “business as usual” fashion.

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About me:

In life my goal is to inspire and motivate. My passion lies in youth mobilization with particular focus on politics. I am a spontaneous person and yearn for new experiences. My articles reflect my academic orientation as well as experiences that define my life. The goal is honesty, to applaud where needed and scold where required. I recently graduated.

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?

To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/

The Commonwealth Youth Programme Asia Centre, Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India organized a two-day Regional Consultation on Financial inclusion of Youth in New Delhi on February 8 – 9, with the objective to address the critical need for national financial inclusion policies having a ’youth’ focus along with other vulnerable sections of the society. The meeting deliberated on some of the most critical issues, concerns and challenges faced both by aspiring young entrepreneurs as well as financial institutions and came up with a slew of recommendations to facilitate the access of youth to appropriate financial services and products.

The Consultation was inaugurated by Mr. R. Gopalan, Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.  While underpinning the need for a significant revamping of the existing structures  and delivery of financial services appropriate for young people, he  stressed the importance of innovative initiatives such as credit guarantee schemes and credit ratings which would help reduce the risk of lending institutions and at the same time meet the needs of aspiring young entrepreneurs.

In his welcome and introductory address, Mr. Raj K Mishra, Regional Director of the CYP Asia Centre, referred to the mandates of the Commonwealth Heads of Government in their meetings in 2009, and again in 2011, to member governments to put in place policies and mechanisms to foster youth enterprise development as a means to mitigate the problem of unemployment among young people in the Commonwealth. Financial inclusion of young people under the ambit of national policies, he added, would go a long way in fulfilling this mandate.

Underscoring the importance of the consultation, Mr. Sushil Munhot, Chairman& Managing Director of the Small Industries Development Bank of India who attended the consultation as a Guest of Honour, spoke about the need to create an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs by bridging the information gap, simplifying legal and regulatory frameworks and processes, and providing incentives to banks and financial institutions through credit guarantee schemes and priority sector lending mechanisms.

Mr. S Sridhar, former Chairman and Managing Director of the Central Bank of India, shared his views on the key building blocks in developing and sustaining a suitable youth friendly financial framework through appropriate risk mitigating mechanisms to enable lenders to move beyond ‘scratching the surface’ to meet the genuine needs of young entrepreneurs.

Dr. Rahul Mirchandani, President of the recently formed Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs (CAAYE) made a passionate appeal to policy makers and regulators to create a favourable eco-system for promoting youth enterprise development in the region.

Mr. Rajkumar Bidla, Programme Officer in the Youth Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat dwelt on the work initiated by the CYP in fulfillment of the CHOGM mandates and shared some good practices across the Commonwealth to promote greater financial inclusion of youth. He informed that the Asia Regional Consultation will be followed by similar ones in the other three CYP regions. Mr. Aminul Islam Khan, Programme Manager, CYP Asia Centre while proposing a vote of thanks expressed the hope that the consultation, the first of its kind, will be a path-breaking exercise in changing perceptions and mindsets about young people’s bankability

The consultation brought together over 40 representatives -a wide mix of experts and practitioners representing Ministries of Youth, Finance and SMEs;  the Central Banks/other financial institutions; the  Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs (CAAYE), besides  youth entrepreneurship  support organizations from eight Commonwealth  countries i.e Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Maldives, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Kenya. Recognizing that youth are a unique market segment that require additional support via financial inclusion in starting and growing businesses, participants brainstormed on what could be the strategies, mode of implementation and monitoring of youth friendly financial services and product  and inter alia agreed on the following:

• Create a database on youth unemployment, youth engagement in micro, small and medium enterprises and success rate thereof
• Provide youth with appropriate access to financial services i.e. financial literacy and education, credit and insurance, as well as, non financial services such as entrepreneurship training, mentorship and marketing linkages
• Introduce credit rating mechanisms to rate aspiring young entrepreneurs’ credit worthiness / reliability
• Replicate initiatives such as the Kenya Youth Enterprise Development Fund or similar such funds
• Develop schemes of reward / recognition to organizations promoting youth enterprise and also successful youth entrepreneurs. SHGs of youth may be tried out as an experiment.

The closing function of the event was graced by Mr. Rakesh Mohan, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports who lauded the initiative of the CYP in organizing the event and stressed the critical role of young people in promoting inclusive growth in their respective countries. This is best achieved, if youth themselves are part of the financial inclusion policies, he added.

• Do you want your voice to be heard?
• Are you that person who cares about the Caribbean?
• Do you want to contribute to decision making in your country and region and shape the future?
• Do you dream about an even better tomorrow?
• Do you see the strengths around you and the possibilities for change?
• Would you want to connect with other youth and engage in conversations about key issues in our region?

Then this is the opportunity for you! UNDP and Constellation invites you to join the Youth Think Tank for the Caribbean. The Youth Think Tank will support the implementation of a UNDP Project in Youth-IN

Interested?

Here is how you can apply:

Step 1: Download the application form from here

Step 2: Send an email to cariyouththink@gmail.com indicating in the subject line your name and “Caribbean Youth Think Tank”. The email should include:

(a) The completed application form

(b) Your creative representation (i.e. a drawing, a song, a picture, a video) of your vision and/or dream for Youth in the Caribbean. Please use only original materials to avoid copyright issues in your email submission kindly mention: “I understand and agree that this material may and can be used by UNDP and the Constellation for promotion of the Youth Think Tank”. Watch out! Your last chance for submission is on 1st March 2012.

Step 3: A selected group will be invited for a 30 minute Skype conversation in the week of 5th – 9th March 2012.

Step 4: The final selection will be announced by 12th March 2012.

Please do circulate this invitation to any person that might be interested. We do look forward to getting to know you and work with you towards an even better tomorrow!

‘Trashy’ British television shows are often far removed from reality, but they can still teach young people important life lessons, according to Denise Juvane, 19, a student from Mozambique now living in England.

With TV programmes such as “The Only Way Is Essex” and “Skins”, is the British media portraying stories which are far from reality?

It cannot be dismissed that these series undoubtedly add a pinch of salt to their drama, however, is their motto of presenting reality far from the truth?

Shows such as “The Only Way Is Essex”, which portray 19 to 25 year olds living what they call ‘ordinary lives’, often seem to steer teenagers in terms of how they perceive life and of how they think life should be lived.

Fair enough such shows are highly entertaining and provide us with barrels of laughter. However, how far is too far? I personally cannot deny that I find them highly amusing, because I do, but does everyone have a clear filter of what to take in and what to dismiss, as I and people around me do?

These programmes depict teenage life as being all about spending, drinking, partying and holidaying. What about all the other things that real-life teenagers do? The reading, the sleeping and waking up looking far from perfect, the challenges of life and the pursuing of higher education? These factors seem to be blurred in these as well as other shows which seek to entertain the people of our generation.

With series such as ‘Skins’ depicting teenagers as rowdy and selfish, I have before witnessed people asking whether that is the way that teenagers live in Britain. Are they therefore, taking it too far, and shaping foreigners’ own ideas of British teenagers through what they see on TV?

We cannot dismiss, nonetheless, that such programmes continue to raise important issues. From learning to tackle insecurities through being happy with the person that you are, to raising awareness on faulty French silicone implants. In this respect they cannot be faulted entirely.

‘Skins’ for example can be applauded for its targeting of reckless teenage behaviour, which often leads to death as a way of filtering important information into one’s brain. The depiction of alcohol and drugs leading to the death of one of its characters has, in my eyes, been incredible.

So, yes, these series often depict events which are far from reality, but we cannot dismiss the fact that, without noticing, they also insert important life lessons into today’s young society.

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?

To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/

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The dream of suburban living in Australia, still heralded by many, has become a nightmare for the environment and many ordinary working families, reports Grant Duthie, 18, a Commonwealth Correspondent from the Gold Coast.

The great Australian tradition of the quarter acre suburban home is still a reality. The ingrained preference towards this satellite life continues to see families migrate away from the inner city.

Dizzying urban prices fuel this reality as many apartment developments cater to the rich and childless, while four-bedroom apartments are driven to extinction.

The situation is aided by the NIMBY (Not in my back yard)  urban dwellers whom have continued to win case and case against developers to block construction out of privacy or density concerns.

The idea is that families pushed to the edges experience breezy morning and afternoon commutes, zipping down highways and parking within a block of work. However it’s clear that suburbia developers who market this lifestyle have mislead us for too long.

Satellite communities have sprung up across Australia and place a gloomy cloud over the future of green spaces and wildlife corridors. This ultimately translates into worsened air quality and threats to already threatened biodiversity.

Arterial roads are being clogged by the car commute, adding hours on to daily journey times and placing strains and tensions on families and relationships. Such low-density living also creates a nightmare for transport infrastructure with small passenger catchments and low take-up.

The construction of wide-reaching communities places enormous strain on budgets for public services. Hospitals, fire stations and schools are often far away and cause a service nightmare, particularly in the case of an emergency.

It’s clear that something needs to be done.

Melbourne, soon to be Australia’s largest city, first established the concept of ‘Green Wedges’ in the 1960s under Premier Sir Rupert Hamer. It identified twelve key zones that were designed, implemented and endorses by all regional councils.

Created as the future ‘lungs of the city’, these recreational and agricultural spaces would constrict urban sprawl allowing for greater use of existing infrastructure and well planned public transit zones. They would improve liveability and environmental health and the wider credentials of the city.

However in this case study, what was a seamless and perfect solution to phase out urban sprawl became subject to changing government priorities and the oh-another-one-won’t-hurt pseudo-axiom.

Currently under assail again, the current Victorian Government is seeking to review ‘logical inclusions’ of development land for high growth areas and seeking to rectify ‘anomalies’. Despite the vision, perhaps the underlying fault was that a Green Wedge doesn’t carry authority like the status of a National Park.

But while this solution does work well in stamping out encroaching development and short-sighted mentalities, unfortunately it prohibits the capacity for existing agriculture and some recreational pursuits. Another major hurdle is the requirement that national parks must have some sort of conservation value attached and in many circumstances that is unattainable from historic deforestation and agriculture.

For the fortunate cities that have the capacity to zone wildlife corridors, I would urge you to do so. Future generations will thank you for giving them greater access to urban environments, allowing more time with shorter commutes to live and play.

The NIMBY phenomenon only exists because there is an option for developers to construct elsewhere, limiting this would halt this altogether socially and environmentally unsustainable choice for developers.

Simply, the only option left is vast regeneration projects on agricultural land. It is the fork in the road for this growing problem. This could later lend itself to national park zoning, and enable stronger more vibrant urban communities.

The forward planning of Sir Rupert Hamer makes him a master of conservation and sustainable cities. The leadership shown resonates with visionaries and his concept will undoubtedly be included in the perfect master plan for the future city.

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About me:

“My name’s Grant Duthie and I’m a high-school student on the Gold Coast of Australia. My favourite subject is geography, because it is so relevant and the focus is on conservation and sustainability, which are global issues affecting us all.

“Through my concern for the environment I have been lucky enough to have been given a number of opportunities to work with a number of organisations, such as Polar Bears International, and UN Youth Australia. In the future, I hope to work for the United Nations and make a thorough contribution to these causes.”

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?

To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/

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A  small local initiative  in southern Australia is showing how communities can have a meaningful impact on climate change globally. Sean O’Rourke, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Melbourne, reports.

An innovative new group based in Victoria, Australia, is looking at ways of addressing the inequitable impacts of climate change on developing nations in South East Asia.

Journeys for Climate Justice (JCJ) formed in 2010 with the aim of raising carbon offset donations to fund projects that would address some of these impacts.

Carbon offsetting is a mechanism through which activities that produce a pronounced contribution of CO2 into the atmosphere can be counterbalanced by funding activities that reduce CO2 pollution. A secondary aim of JCJ is to develop partnerships between people in Australia and the Asia Pacific Region to tackle climate change.

There are good reasons for doing this.

For every one metre of climate change-related sea level rise, close to 100 million people may be displaced. Coastal communities in developing nations will be particularly vulnerable. Indeed, if the worst predicted outcomes attributed to climate change become reality, low lying and dense cities in South East Asia will be particularly badly affected.

In 2011, JCJ used the money raised from carbon offsetting and fundraising to support a Sri Lankan organisation, ECO-V to run a 12 day journey along the Kelani River in Sri Lanka. The River Journey, as it became known, provided 20 young Sri Lankan volunteers with the opportunity to raise awareness of climate change adaptation and conservation in the communities along the Kelani River.

Not only was the River Journey successful in raising awareness, but has encouraged the 20 volunteers to continue their own climate change and conservation initiatives, which JCJ will support.

The success of the River Journey has shown that local groups like JCJ can have an influence on how climate change impacts upon different communities across the globe. In the year ahead JCJ will be supporting the Sri Lankan volunteers in their projects and scoping out new projects.

For more information on JCJ, please check the link below. http://www.journeysforclimatejustice.org.au/

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About me:

“I live and work in Melbourne, Australia. I am working at VicHealth full time at the moment, on a project that looks at the impact of bottle shops on alcohol-related harm more generally.

“I am studying part time, completing my Masters in Policy and Human Service at RMIT. I also recently completed training by the Climate Project in Indonesia, with training provided by former US vice president Al Gore.”

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?

To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/

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Caribbean cultural industries have struggled for pride of place at home despite their popularity abroad, according to Leigh-Ann Worrell, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados currently studying in Beijing, China.

Barbadian, Belgian, Brazilian and British students sat on a couch in a dimly lit bar in Beijing, China.

Other than the fact that they are all foreign scholarship students in China and attended the same university, there seemed to be little point of reference or similarity on which they can engage in real conversation – save for the odd mention of a favourite artist or movie.

Loosely bonded by a small group of mutual acquaintances, they found themselves in the scenic Hohai district eagerly looking for a mid-week break from papers and course reading materials.

Within a few minutes, Bob Marley classic ‘Redemption Song’ booms through the speaker system at the bar and these four students connect through the lyrics and melody of the late, great musical icon.

As the night wore on, between the jokes and sing-alongs, guilty thoughts of morning classes forced the reggae party to come to an abrupt end, and these students and their friends made the short trip back to their university.

This small, somewhat inconsequential experience can translate into a bigger meaning, especially for those of us from the Caribbean: the power of music and culture to wrap around nations and show the world that with which we are capable.

It is almost ironic that people in the Caribbean are constantly bombarded with sounds of music that do not reflect who we are, while those actively and intricately involved in the music industry fight hard for quota systems on local radio stations in an effort to allow home-grown talent to prosper and bloom.

It is no secret that Bob Marley had to struggle for recognition in his own homeland of Jamaica while audiences in the US and the UK marvelled at the talent of the bold Rastafarian.

Artistes following in his footsteps may have it easier, but the battle for talent recognition (and compensation) remains. Recently, veteran artiste and producer Freddie McGregor refused to play at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival, citing that he did not want to play what he called the “underdog role.”

On my island’s sunny shores, artistes were justifiably upset that a Jamaican singer was brought in to headline a show being held on the holiday to commemorate the birth of our ‘Father of Independence’ Errol Barrow on January 21, asserting that local vocals were more than capable of maintaining a high standard concert.

They are yet to be given a space that is solely and uniquely theirs after years of being promised one, and adequate governmental support to give them a shot at being discovered by a wider audience.

As these internal fights rage on, people from across the globe find value and worth in beats and lyrics fashioned from our part of the world: cue Hal Linton, Rihanna, Sean Paul, Shaggy… the list really does go on.

It also drives home the point that more emphasis needs to be placed on Caribbean cultural industries which have constantly struggled for pride of place. It is time our governments realise what people in other parts of the globe have for decades: there is high value to our “Positive Vibrations”.

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About me:

“I am a reporter for www.barbadostoday.bb. I am passionate about women’s rights issues, theatre arts and cats. I like hanging out with my friends, live for the beach and (sorta) enjoy cooking. I eventually to work in the gender and development field in any part of the world.”

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?

To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/

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