by Last year (2016) I received the honour and privilege of submitting a contribution to an edited book entitled “Fathering a Nation: Barbados and the Legacy of Errol Walton Barrow” in honour of my country Barbados’ first prime minister, national hero and “Father of Independence”, the late Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow. The fact that the book was released in time for my beloved nation’s 50th anniversary of independence made its significance even more poignant.
The book is edited by His Excellency Guy A.K. Hewitt, Barbados’ High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. The book’s foreword was authored by current Prime Minister of Barbados, the Right Excellent Freundel Stuart and features an introduction by our country’s sole living national hero and the man regarded as “the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen”, the Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers.
Without giving too much away, the book features not only speeches by the late Mr. Barrow but also contributions and reflections on Mr. Barrow’s life and legacy by a distinguished cast of contributors, including current and former statesmen, former heads of international organisations, academics, social activists, journalists and other prominent persons. The pan-Caribbean nature of Mr. Barrow’s legacy is no more evident than in the diversity of the book’s contributors.
My contribution entitled “Statesman and Caribbean Visionary”was based on an article I had authored a couple of years ago while I was a law student. As a millennial, I am truly appreciative of the opportunity to share, on behalf of many like-minded young Barbadians, my gratitude to our Father of Independence for the far-sighted policies he pioneered and for turning Barbados into the model small island developing state which was once described by former United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, as “punching above its weight”.
Lest one think this book is only aimed at Barbadians, the insightful speeches by Mr. Barrow and the reflections by the contributors make it required reading not just for Barbadian and Caribbean persons both at home and in the diaspora but also persons from other small states.
I would like to publicly extend a hearty congratulations to High Commissioner Hewitt, Hansib Publications and all fellow contributors on a job well done!
The book may be purchased at Hansib Publications here.
Alicia Nicholls, B.Sc., M.Sc., LL.B., is a trade and development consultant with a keen interest in sustainable development, international law and trade. You can also read more of her commentaries and follow her on Twitter @LicyLaw.
