FORMER Prime Minister PJ Patterson, who celebrates his 88th birthday today, has been listed as the keynote speaker at the State of the Black World Conference V to be held in Baltimore, Maryland, from April 19 to 23.

According to convenor of the conference Dr Ron Daniels, Patterson’s address will be focused on, ‘the mission to transform post-colonial societies in the Caribbean and Africa and to enhance democracy and development in those parts of the black world’.

Daniels expressed delight at having Patterson, Jamaica’s longest-serving prime minister, at the conference.

“Former Prime Minister Patterson will bring an unprecedented depth of experience, wisdom and guidance to this historic gathering that will help the global pan-African movement set a course for the rest of the 21st century,” said Daniels who is also the president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century.

For his part Patterson is quoted as saying: “From our history, we gain an insight and we define a challenge. The insight is an understanding that the modern pursuit of democracy and development reflects nothing more than the yearning of our ancestors for freedom and agency.

“The challenge is for us to build inclusive societies, encompassing social, economic and environmental progress, fully cognisant that this is nothing less than a sacred trust from the past,” added Patterson.

Patterson is expected to be joined at the conference by Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley and prime minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell.