A former Cabinet minister and an outspoken Anglican priest are among new Heads of Overseas Missions announced today by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Dr Jerome Walcott.
Outgoing Executive Director of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados Reginald Farley, who served in various ministerial capacities in the Owen Arthur-led administration between 1994 to 2008, has been named as High Commissioner-designate to Canada, while Anglican priest Charles Morris, who is also the former head of the History Department at the Combermere School, has been announced as Deputy High Commissioner-designate at London following a briefing session for the envoys at Walcott’s ministry’s headquarters on Culloden Road, St Michael.
[caption id="attachment_277569" align="aligncenter" width="400"]
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Dr Jerome Walcott (front centre), and
Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sandra Husbands (front right), with Barbados’ new
Heads of Overseas Missions and Dame Billie Miller, who is Ambassador at Large (front left).[/caption]
The other envoys include Permanent Representative-designate to the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations office at Geneva, Chad Blackman; Ambassador-designate to the Caribbean Community David Comissiong; Consul General-designate at New York, Oral Holder; Consul General-designate at Miami, Neval Greenidge and Consul General-designate at Toronto, Sonia Marville-Carter. Dame Billie Miller is Ambassador at Large.
During the briefing, Senator Walcott explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been tasked with supporting the island’s restoration and transformation programme. Consequently, he said, the overseas offices would play an integral role in engaging the world in the pursuit of Barbados’ growth and development objectives.
“We will do this using our tools of diplomacy, advocacy and representation. We will work to rebuild confidence in Barbados and to restore the country’s image and reputation internationally.
“We will strengthen Barbados’ partnerships in the bilateral, regional and international arena and seek to optimise the benefits that Barbados gains from these engagements . . . Finally, we will ensure that Barbados’ global diaspora becomes and is treated as a valuable asset,” he affirmed.
The Foreign Affairs Minister reminded the new envoys that they will be representing Barbados on the international arena and as such, they needed to act in their country’s best interest.
“You are required to function as the eyes, ears and indeed the voice of Barbados abroad. You must always be aware of the national interest and values of Barbados, especially those which underpin our foreign policy, that is, respect, human rights, democratic governance and social justice,” he stressed.
Minister Walcott also advised the envoys to be circumspect in their behaviour; trustworthy, patient, open-minded and tactful while being team players within their respective missions.
The new Heads of Overseas Missions will take up their posts in early October. However, Barbados’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Elizabeth Thompson, has already assumed duties.
In addition, Noel Lynch and Milton Inniss are nominees for diplomatic postings. (BGIS)
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