BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart”. 1 Samuel 16:7

Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement said that “The man who is blind to the beauties of Nature has missed half the pleasure of life.” According to Wikipedia, the experience of “beauty” often involves an interpretation of some entity as being in balance and harmony with nature, which may lead to feelings of attraction and emotional well-being. Because this can be a subjective experience, it is often said that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder “.

This week it is my privilege to highlight a number of upcoming events, in chronological order, which bring beauty into my eyes as the beholder.

Tourism is the major industry in the Caribbean.  The diversity of the tourism product is one of the strategies for change which will enhance the rate of growth of tourism, indeed it will beautify the industry. Community Tourism is one such intervention. Please note that Mandeville in Jamaica will officially become the first Peace Town for Community Tourism in the Caribbean on November 19, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., when Louis D’Amore, President, International Council of Tourism Partners, USA will preside during the official ceremony. The IIPT Caribbean Community-based Tourism Study Tour & Conference will be staged November 18-23, 2013 at the Mandeville Hotel in Manchester, Jamaica, W.I.

Sustainable economic growth which is the goal of each country in the world can only be achieved through a national focus on developing a family of successful high performance enterprises, one enterprise after another. The BizBooster commercial business incubator was officially launched on May 16th, 2012, at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business of The University of West Indies, Mt. Hope, Trinidad. This first commercial business incubator in the country was conceived by different institutions with a clear end in mind: To ignite in the Caribbean a new type of economic growth. The primary challenges of entrepreneurs managing these starting up, branching out, surviving or growing enterprises are: shepherding facilitation, effective management of business systems; and timely access to appropriate forms of financial investment. Indeed a solution to both these challenges will beautify all enterprise development initiatives. Please note in the press that BizBooster has cordially invited you to the free event: “Investing in SMEs: Opportunities and Challenges” which takes place at the Lok Jack Mount Hope  Campus on Thursday November 21 from 8.30 to 10.30am, breakfast served from 7.00am.

Along the same theme of beautifying enterprise development initiatives, please note that the 38th annual Sir Winston Scott Memorial Lecture will be delivered this year by Dr. Victor Gooding at the Frank Collymore Hall, Central Bank of Barbados on Monday, November 25 at 8.00 p.m. on the topic “View from 45 years  North – A Barbadian Living in Canada”. He proposes to explore an array of issues, including technology, economics education and entrepreneurship.

“I believe the children are our future; Teach them well and let them lead the way; Show them all the beauty they possess inside; Give them a sense of pride to make it easier; Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.” The Rotary Club of Barbados South is back with our Best of Youth series of concerts as we host “The Classical Best of Youth III – Herald The Voices”  at the Frank Collymore Hall, on Sunday December 1.  This year the  Barbados National Youth Symphony Orchestra  will again collaborate with the St. Leonard’s Boys’ Choir as we introduce the remarkable vocal talent of the 14 year old sensation, Jane Small.  Help us to continue to promote a positive image of our youth and raise the appreciation for the beauty of classical music by supporting this concert – rotarybarbadossouth@gmail.com.

“Caribbean business expansion is the most productive way forward for our region, and government policies that enhance this over the long-term ought to be adopted. In a land where giants fight, agility and alertness are our most useful assets. Let us avoid the unenlightened leadership and politics which dragged us into the recent Washington dilemma; let us quash the egos and prejudices, think sincerely about our nations and do what is good for our people rather than for our parties.” These are the beautiful words of Zhivargo Laing from the Bahamas. Come and hear him live for an evening of motivation. Be inspired by one of the leading speakers on personal and economic empowerment as he speaks about “The Power to be good in good times and in bad”. In Miami on Wednesday December 4, 6 to 9pm, and in New York on Thursday December 5, 6 to 9pm. Contact bevan@marketplaceexcellence.com.

And finally, Get on board the CMEx awards! On Sunday December 8, one of the Caribbean’s leading advocates for sustainable tourism development will receive the 2013 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Award next month. Earlston McPhee, the focal point for sustainable tourism development at the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, was selected by CMEx as the recipient of its media recognition of excellence prize.  Other awardees named by the non-profit organisation CMEX, include Puerto Rico’s Terestella González Denton and Bill Clegg of Choice Hotels International. This CMEx fund-raiser takes place at The 40/40 Club in New York City, from 7 to 10pm on Sunday, December 8, 2013 and reservations can be made at www.cmexmedia.org/event-registration. Live music by Ryan J.

May the world be a more beautiful place after these events!