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An old saying takes on a new meaning

Yvonne Chin looks back at her visit to Guyana accompanying the Commonwealth Secretary-General

It’s Friday July 3-the last day of our mission in the Caribbean nation of Guyana and let me confess that I didn’t want to be here. (That’s the plain politically incorrect truth –bloggers style.)

It’s not that I dislike Guyana, my colleagues I was working with on the mission, or the mission we are on.

Simon Gimson, Juliet Solomon and I have been in Guyana as SG’support team as he spoke to leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), met with senior officials of the Government of Guyana and paid a visit to the Commonwealth Caribbean Youth Centre.

The far from juicy truth is that - I am tired. I had just come back from a three week mission in Malaysia – editing videos for the recent Education Good Practice Awards and you know how it is when I got back all I could see was a pile of incomplete things to do. Add to that a mission to Guyana in a matter of a week and you'll understand why my prayer was

“ Help –Lord . Do something. Please Lord – I don’t want to go.”

I suppose God knew something I didn’t because one week later here I am, singing a different tune.

The reason I'm so satisfied is that I’ve learnt so much (big and small things)on this trip and have come to understand the value of our work, especially in political affairs so much better. The renewed faith I feel about the importance of our work is priceless. I couldn’t have learnt them from reading a report or even hearing second hand from colleagues here - so I'm glad I came.

I’ve also re-learnt that no matter how tired you are – if you believe in what you’re doing the physical energy can sometimes come from some place inside that you don’t even realise exists and you get the job done.

Here’s one thought about our work that has really resonated with me on this mission that I want to share with you.

The time and attention that we give to our member countries matter - especially to small and vulnerable states

The Commonwealth Secretariat made me proud because we showed up for this Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting – and we didn't just show up, our Secretary-General came. He sat in a session with the Heads of CARICOM and told them that the Commonwealth Secretariat wanted to hear what they had to say.

Twelve CARICOM member states are Commonwealth countries and our message to them was that we wanted to know what were the concerns of the Caribbean region that resonated across the Commonwealth. What did they want on the agenda of the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which is due to be held in Trinidad &Tobago in November this year.

It sounds like just a meeting. Right? No big deal – right? Wrong.

It’s a big deal for small countries to be heard in the din of global politics. In a passionate speech at the opening ceremony of the 30th regular Caribbean Community Meeting, (CARICOM) Chair, President Bharat Jagdeo of Guyana put his speech aside and spoke from his heart about the difficulties the region had getting high level representatives of a number of international organisations to come to the meeting.

CARICOM wasn’t inviting these international organisations for the fanfare or political show but because these small states wanted to be heard by decision makers in international organisations.

He had told them don’t bother to come if you can’t send us a high level representative – and he meant it.

The simple truth is that the region has been grappling with real issues as it feels the effects of global financial crisis, climate change, rising crime and poverty. The international community needs to understand the special circumstances and vulnerabilities of this region if it is to design projects and programmes that meet the needs of the Caribbean.

But it’s hard for organisations like ours to make a difference if we don’t show up and listen.

I’ve heard our SG say – “The Commonwealth is different from other international organisations. It operates like a family- as in a family everybody has a place around the table. Everybody has equal time to be heard no matter if they are big or small.”

As a Communications Officer – I think it’s a good soundbite. As a Jamaican/Caribbean woman – that quote took on a new meaning for me after hearing President Bharat Jagdeo’s speech about the snobbery our region faces in the international community.

I walked away from the opening ceremony feeling that though some of the international organisations treated the people of my region like we don't matter, when it comes to ComSec, the organisation I invest my time and energy into_ At least I know that my people matter because ComSec will show up and listen. We will be heard.

So tired or not, this Communications Officer is glad that she’s been on this mission and figures that though SG, Juliet and Simon must all be tired – they too are probably glad the Commonwealth Secretariat turned up and listened to the governments of the Caribbean to.

Posted by Yvonne Chin at Jul 6 2009 12:58PM

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