There were times in the past year when Jamaica as a nation seemed on the edge of a precipice.

The appallingly bad governance reflected in the handling of the Christopher Coke extradition, the bungling of related lobbying efforts and also, the related uprising in West Kingston, cast a long, gloomy shadow.

Continuing economic fallout from the global recession and other setbacks including an extended drought followed by severe flooding joined the mix of negatives to ensure a most difficult 2010.

It is testament to our strength and resolve that despite all that, the Jamaican nation is entering 2011 with hope.

Jamaicans can take heart from what seems to be a gradual pulling together at the leadership level to deal with the monster of crime. Additionally, the police have shown a certain will and zeal not seen before, to deal with corruption within their ranks.

We sense a growing recognition at the highest level that public sector corruption, which has served down the years to hinder good governance, should no longer be easily tolerated. Though, as was pointed out in this space yesterday, the “snail’s pace” of the process towards implementation of anti-corruption legislation is cause for concern.

On the economic front, conditions have so improved over recent months that there is even talk of “growth” in the near future.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding in his New Year’s message reminds us that the Ewarton alumina plant in St Catherine was reopened in 2010 and that discussions are ongoing for the possible reopening of Kirkvine in Manchester and Alpart in St Elizabeth. He speaks of new investments in the tourism sector, including the new Port of Falmouth and the Montego Bay Convention Centre, amongst a range of other initiatives that will assist economic revival and provide jobs for ordinary people.

A factor likely to complicate the issues for all of us in 2011 is approaching parliamentary elections. Though not constitutionally due until late 2012, the elections will not be far from the minds of our politicians this year. Jamaicans know from long, sometimes bitter, experience that politicians are inclined to allow looming elections to colour and even cloud national agendas.

Responsible Jamaicans must make it their business to insist that whatever happens, our leaders place the national interest first.

At another level ordinary people must also take their fair share of responsibility. For example, all parents must take the job of raising children seriously. All the high-sounding talk about fighting crime will be of no use if so many of our children continue to grow up without guidance or material and emotional support.

And as individuals and groups we must look out for each other. Now, more than ever before, we need to be our brother’s keeper.

As we enter 2011, this newspaper sees it fit to echo a line from the New Year’s message of Opposition Leader Mrs Portia Simpson Miller:

“… let us all step forth bravely as one people and become that agent of change for a better year and a better Jamaica.”