VIRTUAL EDUCA CARIBBEAN 2014

April 19, 2014 - Port of Spain - Trinidad and Tobago

Mr. Jose Maria Anton, Secretary General of Virtual Educa,
Mr. Reynold Cooper, Head of Pubkic Service, in representation of the Honorable Prime Minister,
Prof. Clem Sankat, Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies and Principal of the St. Augustine Campus,
Distinguished Representatives of the Corps Diplomatique,
Distinguished experts and speakers,
Principals, teachers and students,
Members of the organizing committee,
My colleagues of the OAS,
Sponsor, Exhibitors and business leaders,
Representatives of civil society organizations,
Members of the media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,


Today we celebrate the hard work, sacrifices, vision and persistence of educators across the hemisphere, who continue to pursue and embrace new approaches to education.

I'll be very honest with you Ladies and Gentlemen. I've been on a hectic travel schedule, but I have rearranged everything to be here for the Trinidad and Tobago Edition of Virtual Educa Caribbean ... because I like being in the company of those who are potentially smarter than me.

I have a heartfelt appreciation for the worlds teachers and educators, because they shoulder the heavy responsibility of nurturing the minds of future leaders.

No mind is alike, no child is alike, they each have different strengths. I salute you for your dedication and commitment in carrying out your profession, and bringing out the best in each student.

And so, this morning the Organization of American States has indeed been privileged to work with the government of Trinidad and Tobago on this second edition of Virtual Educa Caribbean.

Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister, the Honorable Kamla Persad Bissessar has consistently prioritized the facilitation of a more up to date education system. I thank her for her vision and leadership in the region on this issue.

Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh, must, in turn, be recognized for his demonstrated commitment and ability to execute the modernization of the education system of this country. He has been a driving force, who keeps the end goal in mind.

I thank the Secretary General of Virtual Educa, Dr. Jose Maria Anton, for the support and collaboration. Since the signing of the agreement with the OAS in 2003, the partnership has grown in strength and I want to reassure you of the strong commitment at the highest levels of the OAS for this project.

Ladies and gentlemen, I firmly believe that the education of a nation should not be politicized in a negative sense. It is in the interest of ALL stakeholders to support a modern education system. An education system that will deliver smart, creative and responsible citizens. An education system that will foster a peaceful society, sustainable development and form a solid foundation for enhancing our countries competitiveness in the global and regional economy.

Sometimes, it is easy to overlook the gains and progress made in your own country, but today, I feel it is important for you to know that, inspite of some challenges, Trinidad and Tobago is indeed rising to be among the leaders in education in the Americas.

Today, as we talk about virtual education, your state and the international private sector are already working together to roll out virtual classrooms in some schools in this country. This is still a dream for many.

Today, new technology designed to improve the access to information is available to many of your students. While many countries have made progress in this area as well, ICT in education is still a dream for many in this hemisphere.

This is why I urge stakeholders to continue to work together to ensure that education remains a priority. It is our duty to produce a generation of students who can compete with counterparts from Japan, Singapore, United States of America, Brazil, Germany, and other parts of the world.

It is therefore also our duty to continue working together to facilitate an environment that supports creativity and growth; one that produces citizens who can respond to the challenges and opportunities presented in this modern, and increasingly virtual age.

I have worked in the international community and with countries around the world for the last 20 years, and there is no doubt in my mind that prosperity, stability and democracy are supported by the fundamental pillar of education.

The world, and our individual countries are going through a period of change. Knowledge is more than power, knowledge has become the key to survival and growth. Information and communication technology is driving progress. ICT is connecting people, creating network of ideas. It has become a resource in its own right. Research and development, through the use of technology is changing the world. Let us make the decision to be part of this transformation process.

We cannot use the same old education models and produce creative results. This reform process must be integral, systemic and comprehensive. We must be willing to adapt to the changes in our environment or risk becoming stagnant, stale, and obsolete. In this regard, I believe that the greatest threat to knowledge is not passive ignorance, rather, it is resistance to change.

There is an urgent need for our youth to be educated in a manner that stimulates and supports creative potential and effectively taps into the human imagination. As I have often said, gone are the days when students must only be seen, and not heard.

We must produce students who don't simply learn by rote, but are creative, critical and analytical thinkers. We must always remember that the next generation, will be knowledge creators and solution providers, themselves.

I also believe that our students must be educated and tested in more effective and practical ways. Coping mechanisms have become critical in today's high pressure environment. We must continue to strive to find the correct balance in education.

That is why I believe that from a strategic and structural point of view, education must be priority number one, number two and number three for any government in our Hemisphere. Not just through expressions of political will, but through innovative policy making, concrete actions, and budgetary allocations.

I also believe there is an urgent need for the Government and the private sector of the Caribbean to work together to better equip a new generation of leaders, who are willing to pursue new thoughts, concepts and ideas. A partnership of Government, educational institutions and the business community is of critical importance and will be to the benefit of all.

Perhaps we should consider capitalizing our own gains in Caribbean education, by establishing our own, specific, Caribbean Development Goals and collectively working towards them.

Perhaps we should also restructure our mechanism for Inter-American cooperation and coordination on education to make the most effective use of the resources allocated nationally, sub-regionally and at the hemispheric level, through the creation of a hemispheric specialized agency for education and lifelong learning, an Inter-American Institute for Education.

Such an institution will mobilize financial and technical resources from Governments, international and financial institutions, multilateral organizations and the private sector to develop country and sub-region targeted programs and contribute to the modernization of the education sector.
The Organization of American States has supported member states through capacity building programs and financial assistance to improve the education system. The OAS remains committed to the needs of our countries in the Americas.

Ladies and gentlemen I believe we must do whatever is required to tap into the potential of our students from an early age. The time has come to take teaching and learning into the new world of technology.

I thank you for your presence and support to this initiative, make good use of the opportunities at the impressive Trinidad and Tobago exhibition, just outside.

Congratulations once again to Trinidad and Tobago for the execution and hosting of this prestigious, ground breaking and initiative.