Bermuda shares a distinctive colonial history of almost four centuries with the Caribbean, and even though it’s more than 1000 miles north of the Caribbean, it’s historical linkages, behaviour, recreational exploits and cultural expression define Bermuda as an integral part of the Caribbean Diaspora.

The resistance by some Bermudians in identifying with the Caribbean can be categorised for the most part by the following:

[bul] The divide and rule principle exploited by early status quo-protecting members of the establishment in citing the economic disparity between Bermuda and the Caribbean as proof to Bermudians, especially those of colour, that they were better off than their neighbours to the South.

[bul] Caribbean settlers not passing on the rich history of the region to upcoming generations in an effort to insulate and isolate them from the perceived insults that the society meted out to them.

[bul] A general lack of knowledge and understanding of the Caribbean region’s history and its social, political and economic evolution and environment.

[bul] Self interest and status quo protection by the middle class.

(Basically those of social and economic status, who are adversaries to Caribbean integration, usually have some agenda of self interest protection, and those members of society who have not evolved as independent thinkers tend to follow this lead. (As they used to say in Jamaica “Busha (slave-master) know best”.)

“Factual Education” must be utilised to catalyse change to the mind-set that now exists in sections of the community. Plus, in this increasingly liberalised and globalised international environment, Bermuda cannot afford to stand alone no matter how affluent the society appears to be. Bermuda needs to introduce more balance to its existence, and this balance can only be logically found by looking south.

Without historical connectivity and ancestral identity a people will have no secure personal or collective future — “Bermudians of Colour”, the majority of the population, are not US/Canadian/or UK identifiable. They are Caribbean identifiable and by definition should be part of any Caribbean integration process. Bermuda must take the moral initiative to secure and preserve an important part of its future through any Caribbean integration process. To those Bermudians who are preoccupied with materialism and the bottom line, you cannot attach a price tag to the enormous moral, cultural and emotional benefit that this identity will bring.

Caricom is aware of Bermuda’s unique position, and just like the Bahamas, a full member since 1983, the Turks & Caicos Islands and the British Virgin Islands, both Associate Members since 1991; and the Cayman Islands, an Associate Member since January 2002, would only be expected to participate functionally in the Caribbean Community (and not the CSME). Remember, and it must be stressed, that Caricom is a voluntary association of sovereign states and “no one is required to adopt a policy that it does not want — Caricom cannot create law.” The equality of states obtains in Caricom and any state can veto any proposal not to its liking.

On the other hand, “by way of Associate Membership of Caricom, the range of opportunity for mutually beneficial linkages which can be explored between Bermuda and Caricom covers functional cooperation in education, health, culture, sport, tourism, industrial relations and regional security. Additionally, financial services, The Pan Caribbean Partnership on HIV/AIDS, telecommunications and e-commerce, environmental issues, disaster management, regional security and drugs are issues on the agenda for Bermuda-Caricom cooperation.”

Let us explore some of the possible benefits available to Bermuda.

As an Associate Member of Caricom,<$> Bermuda will be able to offer its citizens a first class relevant education at the University of the West Indies for a fraction of the cost charged by similar institutions worldwide. Bermudian students would also have access to the virtual learning capabilities being developed and expanded by The University of the West Indies. What is to prevent The Bermuda College, in time, becoming a college of the University of the West Indies, where the faculty responsible for finance, insurance and marine biology could be established?

As an Associate member of Caricom,<$> Bermuda stands to benefit in several ways in that accepted area of universal pride — sports<$>. Caribbean cricket will again ascend to the lofty height it once enjoyed and Bermudian cricketers can be a part of this “resurgent pride.” Through access to the Cricket Academy and participation in regional tournaments, what is to prevent young, talented Bermudian cricketers from being part of the West Indies test teams of the future? You would not be able to contain the groundswell of pride that would erupt in this country if this were to happen.

The day is fast dawning when a regional approach will have to be taken, similar to that done in cricket, in the arenas of track and field athletics and football. Notwithstanding the per capita talent that abounds in our region, population size and lack of resources negates against island states holding parity with the established world powers in these two areas. Yes, we will always win medals and perform in ways that belie our individual size, but we will never compete meaningfully until we combine all of our resources in selecting the best Caribbean athletes and footballers to represent our region. The mindset of insularity must be dispelled by that of regional cooperation and identity, and Bermuda can be a part of this groundbreaking evolution. There are exciting times ahead. Bermuda, be part of this evolutionary history.

As an Associate Member of Caricom,<$> Bermuda is eligible to become part of the Regional Task Force on HIV/AIDS, coordinated by the Caricom Secretariat. The Task Force has succeeded in its efforts to mobilize resources for implementing the Caricom Regional Plan of Action. A major contribution from the EU (6,919,220 euros) along with pledges from other international donors will facilitate the work of UWI, CAREC, UNAIDS, the Caribbean Health Research Council (CHRC) and the Regional Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (CRN+), in providing technical support to Member States:

[bul] The overall Plan of Action, of which the Caricom/EU project is a part, is designed with special emphasis on training in counselling and in the treatment and management of HIV/AIDS patients; the strengthening of surveillance capacity; the conduct of operational research; and advocacy. This regional effort is intended to provide benchmarks for implementation and collaboration at the national level.

l<$> As an Associate Member of Caricom,<$> Bermuda brings to the fraternity of nations its wealth of experience in the financial and insurance fields, and the region is looking to Bermuda for leadership in this critical area. What is to prevent Bermuda, in time, being the financial and insurance centre of Caricom, from which all the catastrophic insurance needs of the region is underwritten? What is to prevent Bermuda, in time, becoming part of a Regional Capital Market, where stocks are cross-listed and traded simultaneously, having access to the fourth largest economic ranking group in the world, The Association of Caribbean States (ACS), with a market of 200 million and GDP at approximately US$500 billion? Additionally, even greater business access opportunities will be possible when the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) comes into being in 2005. This 34 nation hemispheric endeavor, inclusive of all Caricom member states, the US, Canada and Mexico (NAFTA Members) will then be the top ranked economic grouping in the world.

So you can see -

[bul] A little imagination and vision is all that’s needed.

[bul] A little intelligent thought is all that’s needed.

[bul] A progressive attitude and an open mind is all that’s needed.

[bul] A Bermuda/Caricom association seems just plain ol’ common sense.