The following is an address made by Delano Franklyn at the Harvard Caribbean Law Association Inaugural Conference:

I have been invited to speak on the topic “Bridging the Divide: Forging Solidarity in Uncertain Times”, which by implication is meant to be viewed within the context of our global reality.

The topic assumes certain things:

* The first assumption is that there is a divide or divisions within the international community of nations and among the people of the world. If this division did not exist, there would be nothing to be bridged.

* The second assumption is that solidarity can be forged, and in this instance solidarity, to me, means the coming together of nations and our people for a common and greater good.

* The third assumption is that we are living in uncertain times, which seems to suggest that prior to this we have experienced ‘certain’ times. I differ on this point because for all of human existence we have lived in uncertain times. Perhaps the only certainty about any time is its uncertainty.

Despite this observation, however, it is difficult to recall any other period when the world has experienced such rapid and catalytic changes as we have in the last decade.

These changes include the shift from a world that was once perceived within the context of left and right ideological orthodoxy to one that is now largely driven by market forces; the rapid and tumultuous growth in the use of information technology which has transformed the different markets of the world into a single market, and the ascendency of multilateralism as the preferred choice of addressing disagreements at the global level, thus pushing the theories of ‘pre-emptive strike’ and ‘solution by destruction’ to the periphery of international discourse.

Having made the three assumptions about what the topic, “Bridging the Divide – Forging Solidarity in Uncertain Times”, is suggesting, I will focus on two issues which are creating great divisions in the world, and on two issues which are of specific interest to the Caribbean region.

Global Inequality

The first issue is not new, but remains one of the most challenging problems faced historically and contemporaneously by all generations, and that is global inequality, particularly the great divide which exists between the developed and developing countries.

More than 100 years ago the global poverty gap, measured as the ratio of the average income of the richest country in the world to that of the poorest, was nine to one.

Now 10 years into the 21st Century the global poverty gap has widened. That ratio has risen to 70 to one.

The world is now far more unequal than it was 100 years ago, yet today, the world is far more interlocked and interdependent.

More than one billon human beings, almost one-sixth of the world’s population, are currently condemned to abject poverty. The despair and frustration which form their daily experience, breed tension and trigger instability which has led to violent clashes from time to time.

What possible explanation can we offer as to why one billion people suffer from chronic hunger and malnutrition? It is unacceptable ethically, morally, economically and politically.

As citizens of the world, those from the lower socio-economic stratum of societies must also be accorded their social, economic and cultural rights.

Poverty creates instability not just for those who are in poverty, but also for those who are out of poverty. Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. The battle, therefore, to eliminate poverty from the face of the Earth must be increased, not decreased.

As a people, particularly those of us who have been afforded the opportunity of developing our cerebral skills, we must do everything in our power to ensure that those in authority act with greater urgency to address this poverty gap.

The bridging of the poverty gap in today’s world requires that the developing countries of the world play a genuine part in any attempt to resolve this matter.

We need to take a look again at the architecture of international economic institutions, and developing countries must insist on being part of the design team.

Peace and Security

The second issue I wish to raise is that of peace and security.

The reality of life is that there are some countries that are geographically larger than others; some countries are more economically endowed than others, and some countries have a greater military might and power than others.

The other reality of life is that some countries in the furtherance of their domestic and international interest have sought to bring their economic and military might to bear, sometimes recklessly and dangerously so, when international differences arise.

This type of gunboat diplomacy is driven by the notion that might is right. What it fails to do, however, is to recognise that the exercise of might, invariably and almost inevitably leads to disunity, which negates the forging of solidarity.

The forging of solidarity will be best brought about within the context of multilateralism. It is evident from all the forces at work that the imperatives of interdependence and the inter-linkage in global problems require the strengthening of multilateralism.

Due to the recent evolution of a more enlightened leadership in some of our developed countries, an enlightened leadership which believes in the equality of nations despite the size and wealth of a country, an enlightened leadership which also understands that no nation can be secure if it forces others to feel insecure, we now have the opportunity to establish a lasting framework for international co-operation and build genuine partnerships that will guarantee a secure future for all.

In uncertain times when the forging of solidarity between and among nations is required, isolationism and unilateralism cannot be viable options. It requires the application of multilateralism by way of the existing multilateral institutions.

Caribbean — Small Developing States

I now turn to two issues in the Caribbean region.

The Caribbean of which I speak is not confined to the English-speaking islands. It stretches beyond all the countries which are a part of the Caribbean Sea, to those nations whose waters touch the Caribbean shores.

For centuries a battleground of the colonial powers, it embraces English-, Spanish-, French- and Dutch-speaking people.

Jamaican Reggae has become world renowned, so too soca out of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Caribbean produced John Brown Russworm who was a co-editor of the first black newspaper in the world. It has also produced Harry Belafonte, Bob Marley, and now Usain Bolt.

The Caribbean consists of small island states renowned for their natural beauty, but is also vulnerable to a range of frequent natural disasters. To the physical limitations in resources and economic scale have been added the hazards of nature.

Herein lies the first issue in relation to the Caribbean. Current developments in the world economy have not shown the capacity or willingness to take into account the genuine interests or practical possibilities of small states.

The global economic architecture which currently exists does not show the capacity or willingness to take into account the genuine interests or practical possibilities of small states, such as those in the Caribbean.

Let me confess that the economic recession which is now affecting the global economy is also affecting the small developing states of the world, but far more so, because of the institutionalised inequality which exists between the developed and the developing world.

Smaller economies operate under severe resource constraints, and if the developed world does not understand this peculiarity, then Caribbean States will always be at a disadvantage. It is this vulnerability to the ravages caused at times by the dynamics of the global economy, why Caribbean states have forged themselves into an umbrella grouped called the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

An important aspect of this development is the creation of a Caribbean Single Market and Economy. This, as its name implies, will create a single economic space in which, subject to agreed expectations, there will be free movement of goods, services and certain categories of labour.

This approach by the region begins with the pragmatic recognition that it has to shore up its regional base if it is to have any impact in influencing global trade and financial institutions to take account of the region’s domestic interest.

The Caribbean states are not opposed to the removal of barriers to trade, but the region has strong reservations about the manner in which it is being done. It cannot be done in a dictatorial fashion; it must be done with the full and open participation of the Caribbean states.

The involvement of the Caribbean states must be accompanied by a variety of compensation measures which will allow the region’s producers and workers time and opportunity to re-equip themselves for more efficient production to move into new areas where they can be more competitive, and to permit the region as a whole to achieve greater dynamics and faster rates of growth.

Haiti

I also wish to discuss the challenges with which the people of Haiti are currently faced.

Haiti and the Caribbean region have a special historical relationship. That is why in 1998 Haiti was admitted as a full member of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Haiti, the first black country to free itself from colonisation, was able to inspire slaves worldwide to resist the inhumane and degrading oppression caused by slavery and imperial rule.

In fact, as a result of that 1804 victory, all slave-based nations in the Americas, including other countries in the Caribbean, as well as the USA, began to fear that Haiti would serve as the springboard for similar uprisings. Some countries were eventually forced by those who believed in the inalienable right of a people to live as free human beings, to accept that democracy was inconsistent with slavery.

Regrettably, however, over the years, Haiti has not been able to realise its economic, social, and political potential, the seeds of which were sown in that momentous feat of 1804.

This has been compounded by the unmitigated natural disasters which have ravaged that country from time to time.

The most devastating of such natural disasters, in the form of an earthquake, took place on January 12 this year.

It destroyed the entire capital of Port-Au-Prince. Over 250,000 people were killed and 310,000 persons have been seriously injured. The country’s infrastructure is almost obliterated. Over 250,000 houses collapsed and some 1.2 million persons are now homeless.

Although thousands have been killed, the spirit of the people remains alive. The bravery and heroism displayed by the Haitians in dealing with this latest catastrophe is beyond human imagination. They have been through many disasters before, they will also overcome this one. But they need help, lots of help.

Already the Caribbean Community and the International Community have rallied to their cause. This must be commended. However, whatever help is given or offered, one must always be cognisant of the fact that the Haitians have a view of how they would wish to be helped and how they would wish to see their country develop. It must be help which will foster and engender the growth of the country’s further independence rather than one which seeks to increase dependence.

In conclusion, I wish to point out that the role of students in bridging the poverty gap; achieving peace and stability; forging greater linkages with Caribbean states; and assisting Haiti to overcome its most immediate challenges, cannot be overestimated.

Students of universities both within and outside of the United States of America and the Caribbean will have to play an increasing role in the process by focusing on the challenges confronting the world and the region and in helping to devise solutions to these problems.

It is within this context that I found the theme of the conference so thought-provoking.

I wish you well in your studies and the pursuit of your respective careers. As you study hard to pass your exams and become successful lawyers, you must all make sure that whatever you do will be influenced by the fact that you can always do more to help in the building of your country and by extension the advancement of the human race.

Delano Franklyn is an attorney-at-law and a founding partner of the law firm Wilson Franklyn Barnes.