Prime Minister Keith Mitchell and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) launched two new initiatives of the Community, as the 25th Meeting of the Heads of Government got underway in St. George’s on Sunday, July 4. Prime Minister Mitchell assumed the chairmanship for the second time, having served as Chairman in 1998. In his capacity as Head of Government responsible for Science and Technology, a responsibility he has held since attending his first CARICOM Meeting in 1995, Prime Minister Mitchell was particularly pleased to launch Radio CARICOM and the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN). The launch of Radio CARICOM enabled listeners of CBC in Barbados, Love FM in Belize, Radio Saint Lucia and WEE FM in Grenada to hear part of the Opening Ceremony, which took place at the Grand Beach Resort. Prime Minister Mitchell noted that the new radio service, which will eventually be extended to all member States, will bring the people of the Region closer together. “Radio CARICOM will challenge resistance to positive change, facilitate debate and complement mainstream media broadcasting,” he said. The launch of the CKLN was of particular importance to Prime Minister Mitchell, who has been a strong advocate of utilising connectivity to cut the costs of education and enable Member States to collectively procure educational goods and services. The CKLN has its genesis in the decisions taken on Connectivity at the Summit of the Americas. While initial discussions began at the sub-regional level of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, it soon became evident that the Network should serve the wider CARICOM members. “In the context of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy, as well as the dictates of the World Trade Organisation regulations and the eventual open borders within the Free Trade Area of the Americas, we know that fierce competition will be the order of the day. Therefore, we must continue to raise the educational and skills levels of our people. This will happen more effectively and more universally through the CKLN,” the Prime Minister told the packed Convention Centre at the Grenada Grand Beach Resort. SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER