dominica2day: Walter addresses official opening of 29th Anniversaary of independence ceremony

Walter addresses official opening of 29th Anniversaary of independence ceremony
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Sean Douglas, Govt. Press Sec. on 28 September, 2007 11:54:00
 
Roseau, Dominica – October 12, 2007……….On the occasion of the official
opening of the 2007 Independence Celebrations, in Portsmouth, Minister for
Community Development, Hon. Matthew Walter asked some searching questions as
Dominica approaches its 29th year as an independent nation on November 3, 2007.
In his remarks, Hon. Matthew Walter who is also the Parliamentary
Representative for the Paix Bouche Constituency said:
“Dominica became an independent country in 1978; that was twenty-nine years
ago. As is the case with humans, our country can therefore be likened to being a
young adult. This implies for example, that our institutions are young and
perhaps it may be argued that some of them lack the requisite experience
required for governance.”
Flanked by the Prime Minister and other members of Cabinet, Hon. Walter then
asked:
* Do we as a people have the capacity to face the realities with which we will
have to grapple in the decades ahead?
* What are the essential changes in strategy necessary to be embarked upon and
sustained over the long haul in order to maximize our chances of success in the
new dispensation which lies ahead?
Hon. Matthew Walter who also has responsibility for Culture added “it is
imperative that our actions as a people respond to those questions”.
“Surely these are challenges that we must face together and overcome. Toward
that end, the theme of Independence 2007, Building Country, Celebrating
Heritage, is most relevant; indeed it speaks to those challenges,” the
Minister concluded.
Addresses at the official opening also came from Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt
Skerrit, Attorney General, Hon. Ian Douglas and Chief Cultural Officer, Mr.
Raymond Lawrence.
There were cultural performances by the Paix Bouche Cultural Group, the Dubique
Bele Group, the Capuchin Children’s Jing Ping Band, Damas Challenger, the
Portsmouth Children’s Cultural Group among other groups.