Editorial – September 20, 2013 :
Within the last few weeks, we have witnessed the call that we have been highlighting for some time, the need for communication and the provision of information and the education associated with it.
The youngest of our readers would have seen or heard the phrase and explanation of it somewhere. “Information is knowledge” and “knowledge is power.”
The experts on these subjects have all kinds of simple ways of informing how the lack of information and suppressing thereof can destroy a community, be it a home, village to a continent. It is part of the necessity of life achieved only through the education process.
Ute Schaeffer a German editor writes, “Education means more than acquiring knowledge. It empowers people to develop personally and become politically active. That’s not always in the interests of rulers.”
Education empowers, and education promotes greater participation. Knowledge is power, and education is the fundamental precondition for political development, democracy and social justice. And, even in our parts we acknowledge this to be a fundamental human right
What may be even more atrocious is that we may well have rulers who will say, they are transparent, and even believe in providing information. However they do not accept the responsibility of their obligation and do not recognise that propaganda is suppressive.
Their citizens live in poverty and are surrounded by their propaganda. Where there isn’t the opportunity and the ability to compare independent information, and as long the people are not facilitated to engage in open exchanges with each other, they are really no more than dictators ensuring their security.
DFID on at least three occasions within the past year have found fault with Montserrat’s level of communication.
CARICOM is finding out that their level of communication (education of what the Community means and is about), as well as the OECS struggling to cement the benefits of the Economic Union, leave much to be desired. They are hearing and it is now left to see what strategy they will use to change their direction. Without the communication and the education, they are doomed.
Montserrat would date to be surprised being accused of short-changing its people of the information and the education to lead to the kind of progress that will make a difference to basic livelihoods much more prosperity.
If they believe it is, and it is, their responsibility and obligation to ensure that there is justice for all, is a right for all as Chief Justice Pereira and our law fraternity posit, democracy would be truly alive in Montserrat. That should encourage the rulers also to recognise the rights of all to a fair opportunity for existence to do even that which they believe runs contrary to their dubious desires.
For those who see as their privilege or obligation pretend to do and do otherwise, they need to learn that God may not operate in a speed boat. To advise otherwise or follow their perception does no good to the people they serve. Providing information, not the usual propaganda, and educating the people is a necessity and urgent attention is needed.
