A five-member Bahamian delegation participated in the first-ever Conference of the Americas held under the theme, "Advancing the cause of social justice in The Americas," on July 9-10 in Arlington, Virginia.

The conference included members of approximately 150 regional-based organizations and 100 U.S.-based groups representing voluntary organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and foundations to discuss and highlight the efforts between the United States and its neighbours to better the lives of the region's citizens.

It focused on sharing lessons learned on how to promote education, health care and economic opportunity at the grass-roots level and public-private partnerships throughout the hemisphere.

The U.S. Embassy in Nassau co-sponsored the Bahamian delegation, which included Dr. Sandra Dean-Patterson, director of the Crisis Centre; Jeffrey Lloyd, coordinator of the YEAST Program; Rick Lowe, president of The Nassau Institute; Camille Barnett and Pastor Clint Kemp of the New Providence Community Centre.

Conference speakers in-cluded U.S. President George W. Bush and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

President Bush highlighted U.S. engagement and discussed more effective ways to deliver aid and strengthen civil society in The Americas. The participants were also hosted to a luncheon held in their honour by President and the First Lady Laura Bush.

Rick Lowe, a member of The Bahamas' delegation, observed in the opening remarks by President Bush that the U.S. is committed to helping nations in the Western Hemisphere realize their potential to become healthy, educated and prosperous through trade, open and transparent governments that are free of corruption, adding that his comments resonated well throughout the conference.

U.S. Chargè d'Affaires, Dr. D. Brent Hardt, noted that the Embassy was pleased to assist with the funding for the conference participants. He said that the Bahamian participants play a major role in transformational power as they are the ones who help to strengthen their communities, care for their neighbours and serve as conduits of a positive force for change here in The Bahamas.

DELEGATION — Members of the Bahamian delegation who participated in the first-ever Conference on the Americas held July 9-10 in Arlington, Virginia, included, from left, Jeffrey Lloyd, director of YEAST; Dr. Sandra Dean-Patterson, director, The Crisis Centre; Camille Barnett, president of The Bahamas AIDS Foundation; Pastor Clint Kemp, New Providence Community Centre; and Rick Lowe of the Nassau Institute. (Photo provided courtesy of Rick Lowe)