Former Jamaican President Percival J Patterson will deliver the keynote address at the Rotary Club of Georgetown World Understanding dinner billed for later this month at the Guyana Pegasus, the club said in a statement on Monday.
The Rotary Club said each year it features the observance of World Understanding in Guyana with a special dinner at which a distinguished speaker addresses the general theme of understanding and goodwill as essential for world peace. This year, PJ Patterson’s presentation will be entitled “Cri de coeur – Lest we wither on the vine” with reference to Caricom.
Patterson, former prime minister of Jamaica from 1992 to 2006, served for an unprecedented four terms as head of government. His diverse portfolio responsibilities during his career in public service have spanned the areas of commerce, trade, industry, tourism, foreign affairs, and urban development.
Patterson has garnered widespread praise for his accomplishments on the political, economic and social fronts in Jamaica, and six full-length works on his life and policies have been published. The massive expenditure in infrastructure development under his tenure continues to pay dividends in attracting investment to the country.
A widely acknowledged figure on the international stage, with a track record as an articulate champion of the cause of developing countries, he is a director of the Carter Centre, and a member of the Global Leadership Foundation, the Madrid Club and the Interaction Council. Patterson is the recipient of the Order of the Caribbean Community, the Order of the Nation of Jamaica, and the Order of Excellence of Guyana.
Throughout his career, he has been extremely active and vocal in the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement, Summits of the Americas, CARIFORUM and the Association of Caribbean States. Patterson served as president of the ACP/EU Ministerial Council and chairman of the ACP/EEC Ministerial Conference. He played a pivotal role in the adoption of the Lomé Convention, which created a new relationship for trade and development between the countries of the European Union and 53 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Patterson played a central role in the founding of CARIFTA and its evolution into Caricom, an organisation he previously served as chairman.
There are approximately 1.2 million Rotary club members belonging to 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. Tickets for the World Understanding Dinner can be obtained from Lisa Foster, 623-1494, or members of Rotary Club of Georgetown.