From His Excellency The Governor,Mr. Peter J. Smith, CBE
Up Front
Christmas Message 2000
From His Excellency The Governor,Mr. Peter J. Smith, CBE
Christmas is always a time for reflection as our thoughtsgo back to the events surrounding the birth of Christ and invariablyas the New Year approaches that reflection leads to a stock-takingof the events of the past 12 months. As I think back now on theyear 2000 I am reminded of how the people of the Cayman Islandshave always persevered through the difficult times by facing upto their challenges peaceably, and knowing they could count upontheir strong community spirit.
Along with the birth of Christ, we havemuch to celebrate here in Cayman this Christmas.
The year 2000 began much better than manyhad expected in the face of the supposed Y2K menace. The worldmay never know what might have happened had we not prepared sovery effectively for the Y2K menu of disasters but there was nocolossal computer crisis, there were no alarms and no failuresand even Cayman's rumored gas shortage did not materialize. Thefew prison-related disturbances that we experienced this yearwere minor compared to 1999 and were sensibly resolved, much tothe credit of both officers and inmates.
Internationally we have been charting newwaters with the OECD and FATF initiatives, but Cayman is poisedto continue its standing as one of the world's strongest offshorefinancial markets. We end this year in generally better shapethan last and the registered growth in all aspects of this importantindustry here bears that out. On the educational and culturalfronts, we have a new school in the works, and an increasing focuson local values within cultural studies.
The Art Exhibition in the grounds of GovernmentHouse last January was so successful in the amount of artistictalent it unearthed and in the number of you who came by to look,that we are going to repeat the event next month. The new emphasison local talent is further evidenced by the Native Sons exhibitionpresently on show at the National Museum.
Medical care has further improved with newfacilities and services available; after an initial dip, landsales have increased and our farmers continue to persevere inovercoming obstacles to providing better quality home-grown meatsand produce for our enjoyment this festive season. On the socialside those responsible have continued to wrestle with a broadrange of concerns such as domestic violence and abuse; disaffectedyouth, immigration and its stamp on culture; the interface betweendevelopment and the environment.
These contentious issues will not easilygo away but we must face up to them and lessen their negativeimpact upon our society and our lives. I firmly believe that wehave made significant progress on all fronts and will continueto do so. Our track record over the past 30 years shows clearlythat we have coped well before and will do so again.
As for facing up to challenges in a peacefulmanner, the people of Cayman may be naturally non-confrontationalbut that does not mean that you will forfeit your democratic rights.You demonstrated that clearly on 8 November. I have lived in manycountries during my career and I have observed at first hand wheregovernment security forces had been brought in to quell election-relateddisturbances. Indeed, violent elections occur in some of our neighbouringcountries too.
Happily, that is not the case here and Iwas pleased that so many people exercised their right to voteon this occasion. The transition from one government to anothertook place very smoothly indeed, facilitated by the commendablynon-partisan professionalism of the public service at all levels.I now see the coming year as a time of rejuvenation, and an opportunityto achieve. We must not let that opportunity evade us.
There have also been peaceful but successfulchallenges to mindsets as well, brought on by your gentle butinsistent pressure. It was the call of the people that resultedin the establishment of the Department of Substance Abuse Servicesand the opening of Caribbean Haven Residential Centre, to helpus tackle more effectively the twin threats of drug and alcoholabuse.
The Women's Resource Centre is another responseto your appeals and has been valuable in helping women, and byextension men and children, to realize their full worth and potential.Your voices led also to the implementation of community serviceorders which will not only assist in lowering the prison populationbut, more importantly, will enable the perpetrators through theirservice to give back, in kind, what they have essentially stolenfrom the community - a sense of security and pride.
Indeed the year was very much about celebratingcommunity. Even the most important visitors to these shores in2000 - HRH The Duke of York and Foreign Office Minister BaronessScotland - had serious community-level elements in their programmes.John White, the Head of the Overseas Territories Department ofthe FCO, gained much insight during his recent visit from attendingtwo "community based" events - a reception for the 16Day Campaign against Gender Violence and a Christmas lunch forthe members of the Special Olympics programme and the SunriseCentres. Amongst ourselves, there were occasions when some ofour less fortunate neighbours cried out for help. The responsewas remarkable.
People always seemed to rally round.
In addition to Project Prepare's assistancewith building and repairing homes, community donations were generousand consistent. Money was given to help some receive criticalmedical care. Government and the private sector alike helped Caymanto celebrate our culture by sponsoring and organising festivals,plays, musicals, and the like. There were parties for all ages- and the party that Suzanne and I hosted at Government Housefor the senior citizens of Cayman to mark UN Week of the OlderPerson was a delightful and rather humbling occasion.
This is perhaps the best celebration ofthe community spirit - that remarkable willingness of people inCayman to get involved personally or donate to help someone lesswell off or assist some worthy cause. It is something at whichI never cease to marvel. It is mirrored and magnified by the simple,everyday goodwill shown by the people of Cayman each time theystop to let someone safely cross the road, let someone join thetraffic flow, or greet customers with a smile. By encouraginga stressed parent, pacifying a child, checking on an elderly neighbouror in any situation choosing resolution over conflict, peace overstrife, you are demonstrating the very substance of our characters.It is a special gift.
And really, isn't that precisely the spiritof Christmas? Isn't that the manifestation of Christ's teaching,and what we should continue to display throughout the year? Thinkof others first; help the less fortunate; be tolerant of othersof different views or opinions; reject thoughts of reprisal andrevenge and move on together in harmony. That way we are greaterthan the sum of our parts.
My Welsh grandmother, of beloved memory,used to chide me whenever I complained about anything as a childwith the reminder that "there is always someone much worseoff than you, so be grateful!" She never had a bad word tosay about anyone and if I marry her philosophy with my father'srelentless belief that "the best is yet to come" youcan see why I remain an optimist.
So, as the millennium comes to an end withthe dawn of a new era, I would encourage all of us to continueand increase these acts of kindness that unite us as people, andthat say so much about our community. I ask you to continue toface your challenges peaceably, for the good of Cayman, and Ioffer my wholehearted support as we strive to become a strongerand more united country.
May God continue to bless us all, and mayyou all have a safe and wonderful holiday.