P.J. Patterson at FIU

Due to the catastrophic devastation wrought by the January 2010 Haiti earthquake, this year’s Lecture, “The Renaissance of Haiti: A Template for Caribbean Integration,” addressed critical issues pertaining to Haiti’s rebirth and the special responsibility of metropolitan countries to ensure it.

Mr. Patterson is an engaging and self-effacing lecturer, presently the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) Special Representative on Haiti’s Reconstruction and authorized by its government to represent it in appropriate fora. Most notable on Friday night, was his sound historical knowledge of Haiti’s - the then ‘Pearl of the Antilles’ - powerful 1791-1804 slave revolution. This was bolstered by a clear understanding of its potential and the current obstacles to achieving this. Mr. Patterson was firm in his assertion that history should not be repeated in the imposition of prescriptions for Haiti, whatever the context, but that the Haitian people, as one nation, should chart their own destiny. As he succinctly put it: “Every crisis presents an opportunity.”

“Jennifer and I are eager to start bringing people together to solve our problems” – Florida’s Governor-elect Rick Scott on running mate, T&T-born Jennifer Carroll

Vote counts were still to be confirmed up to Caribbean Today’s press time, but indications were that at least one can be declared successful, while the other must wait for the official outcome of a close race.

Participants serve up a variety of delights each year at the festival

Attendance has grown from its early days, starting in 2001. In recent years the festival, scheduled to be held at Markham Park in 2010, has attracted up to18,000 patrons.