Phiona Lloyd - Henry

the recent nonsense that I have been reading about Michael Manley and democratic socialism destroying Jamaica in the 1970s is not advancing the development of our country. The repeat of lies about what transpired during the period only serve to divide our country and makes relationship with political colleagues difficult. I want to take some time to highlight another major developmental focus of the Manley regime in the 1970s that has contributed to significant advancement of the country, even until today. In the 1970s, Manley pushed the idea of the New International Economic Order (NIEO). Leaders from developing countries, at the time, were concerned about the continued exploitation of their countries by developed countries, that purchase raw materials, which they refine after purchase and then sell back refined products to developing countries at exorbitant prices. This was dominant in areas such as bauxite, oil, sugar and other commodities. The exploitation was a carry over from the colonial era and reflected a system in which the owners of capital continued to exploit resources whereever they found it possible. These owners of capital formed alliances across the world and were represented in some cases, by political organizations. Manley, as a part of his reform agenda, called for a new international economic order where there was greater equity and respect for the development trajectory of developing countries. Manley wanted developing countries to get a greater share of the economic pie that would lead to the transformation of the lives of people in developing countries. The stridency of the advocacy by Manley, offended some of the owners of capital and political elites in both developed and developing countries. The global alliance triggered a response to a man who this alliance viewed as stepping out of his lane. Resultantly, tremendous efforts were made to undermine the Jamaican economy and society. Extreme pressure was placed on the Manly regime by international institutions representing this capitalist alliance and resulted in our country undergoing HELL! The advocacy of Manley for the NIEO was ahead of his time. Because, we are seeing this manifesting in real and tangible ways today. We have seen the emergence of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) as real economic powers and these countries are using their advancement in technology, capital accumulation to assist other developing countries. Manley would be extremely proud to see what is taking place in Africa today. Africa has emerged as a significant development hub and is forging alliances with other developing countries such as those in the Caribbean. China has also emerged as a major economic player that is reshaping the international economic order and is using some of its resources to help other developing countries. The truth is that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was fundamentally opposed to this advocacy by Manley for the NIEO in the 1970s, as they were a pawn for the capitalist and political elites of developed countries. Their support was for a system to be preserved that would see the continued exploitation of the resources of developing countries such as Jamaica. Efforts to reform the bauxite sector so that the country would get a greater share of the pie were opposed. So, this nonsense of Manley and democratic socialism destroying the country in the 1970s cannot stand. In fact, when Mr. Seaga refused to abandon some of the initiatives of Manley in the 1970s, his international capitalist and political elites were very mad with him. Those of us who are office holdersand parliamentarians representing the People's National Party (PNP) owe it to Michael Manley and the current generation, to defend the legacies of this indomitable leader, Michael Joshua Manley.

Fifteen years ago, I engaged in a marital relationship with one of the most genuine and sincere women in the world, Shelley-Ann Gayle. It has been a joyful and rewarding journey as we have placed God at the centre of our relationship. We continue to make Micah 6: 8 be the guiding scripture of our lives and relationship: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" I am deeply grateful for all the blessings that God has bestowed upon me and my wife. We have a strong support network of family and friends who have encouraged us on the journey and we are grateful to them for their love and support. I just want to say to my darling wife, I love you today, just as much as I told you on July 3, 2011.

On Thursday June 4, 2026, I delivered my first professorial lecture at the Social Sciences Lecture Theatre at the UWI, Mona to an extremely receptive audience. The lecture constituted a conflation of the two disciplines that I am a professor in, that of politics and disability studies. The theme for my lecture was "Towards the Creation of a Grass-Root Political Model of Disability in the Caribbean". In my presentation, I looked at the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that was established in 2006 (20 years ago). I highlighted some perspectives based on the fact that I was there during its negotiation, and currently serving a second term on the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that is established to monitor the implementation of this global treaty. In sum, I have concluded that the major challenge in the implementation of the CRPD is the consistent absence of persons with disabilities from the decision-making table and this impacts on programmes and policies relating to them. I therfore propose a model that would see persons with disabilities and their immediate family members, coming together and form groups that would leverage their votes to get legislation, programmes and policies being formulated and implemented for their empowerment. These programmes and policies would be rotated around political participation, education, accessibility, community inclusion, and employment (PEACE). Persons with disabilities and their family members have the right to vote and this is the most powerful tool at their disposal. They must make this tool work for their interest. Politicians pay attention to organized groups that constitute a powerful voting block and what I have placed on the table can contribute to a seismic shift in how persons with disabilities are treated in Caribbean societies and across the world. I now move to the UN for further presentation of this model on Thursday June 11, 2026. Thanks to all who made it to the lecture and to those who continue to give me support on this journey. Big up to the Faculty of Social Sciences for organizing this lecture.

This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Indeed, today is the day that I will deliver my inaugural professorial lecture at the Faculty of Social Sciences Lecture Theatre, UWI. The focus of my presentation will be on developing a grass-root political model of disability in the Caribbean and by extension, the wider world. It is 20 years since the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) have been established. I have had the opportunity of leading Jamaica's negotiation for this global treaty and currently serving as one of the 18 elected experts on the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, charged with monitoring the implementation of the CRPD. I therefore have a unique vantage point and perspective to look at the progress that has been made and what are the major challenges for the implementation of this treaty. The lack of consistent participation of persons with disabilities in the decision making processes of their societies is a major issue. It is my view, that with the estimated 1.3 billion persons with disabilities across the world, when conflated with their family members, can become a major power broker and determine the balance of power in their countries. Come and hear how this can happen. Persons with disabilities are no longer objects of charity, we are rights holders and our vote matters.

The Government has announced the naming of a building in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in honour of former Prime Minister, The Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (Queen Portia). I commend and endorse this move. Portia was responsible for modernizinng and expanding the overseas employment programmme, including establishing the overnight shelter facility to house farm and hotel workers in dignity. Additionally, it was Portia, who, in 1990, established the first $1.5 billion in the National Insurance Fund (NIF) and appointed a Board to manage this fund. Today, the NIF have over $250 billion and is a solid wall of protection for contributors to the National Insurance Scheme that was established by Lynden Newland in 1966. I salute Queen Portia for all that she has done for Jamaica and Jamaicans. I love you Queen Portia.

UWI Centre for Disability Studies Seventh Regional Disability Studies Conference 2026 👉 Watch Live: youtube.com/live/VHmqtb3MfOM… Image Download attachment The Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona, through its Centre for Disability Studies (CDS), is pleased to invite you to the Seventh Regional Disability Studies Conference, scheduled for April 28–29, 2026 at 8:30 am. 👉 Watch Live: youtube.com/live/VHmqtb3MfOM… This year’s conference will be held under the theme: “Building an Accessible Caribbean for Persons with Disabilities.” The conference brings together academics, policymakers, practitioners, advocates, students, and community partners to engage in meaningful dialogue, share research and best practices, and explore innovative approaches to advancing accessibility, inclusion, and equity for persons with disabilities across the Caribbean. Participants can look forward to: • Insightful keynote presentations • Engaging panel discussions • Research and policy-focused sessions We encourage your participation and support as we work collectively to strengthen disability-inclusive development across the Caribbean. We look forward to your participation.

jamaica-gleaner.com/article/… Inclusive education is the key to social transformation for persons with disabilities. I am a testimony!