Tribute to The Bahamas 1979 Sep 11

On 11 September 1979 H.E. Davidson L. Hepburn, Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations, addressed delegates and staff about his country and its relationship to the United Nations, and then entertained the audience with a colourful slide presentation he had prepared especially for the occasion.

The programme, celebrating The Bahamas’ entry into the United Nations on 18 September 1973, was videotaped and later shown on Bahamian television.

Shraddha

Following are excerpts from Ambassador Hepburn’s talk, as well as a song dedicated to The Bahamas by Sri Chinmoy and performed by members of the Meditation Group.

Shraddha

H.E. Davidson L. Hepburn, Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations:

Excellencies, distinguished guests, Fellow Bahamians, ladies and gentlemen, this auspicious occasion affords me the honour to represent the Bahamas in extending thanks to Sri Chinmoy Meditation at the United Nations for paying such an unselfish tribute to my country.

As we are all aware of the dedication and devotion to peace, justice and the preservation of human dignity by Sri Chinmoy and everyone connected with the association, it would be superfluous for me to elaborate further. However, I cannot resist the temptation to quote a sentence from what seems to be a motto of the group because it captures more adequately than any words I may use the real essence of devotion and selflessness. “When man listens to God, his imperfections are turned into perfections, his ignorance into knowledge, his searching mind into revealing light and his uncertain reality into all fulfilling divinity.”

Secondly, I would like to thank all of you who have left your busy schedules to share this solemn time with us. Your presence adds to the spirit of solidarity for regional, cultural and social progress within the international community. It is especially gratifying to note that this tribute comes at a time when The Bahamas is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its parliamentary judicial system. In fact it was on 29 September 1729, that the first session was held, and during the weeklong festivities later this month dignitaries from many nations will join in a gala event in Nassau.

Rather than trying your patience with an historical chronological account of this important feat, suffice it to say that our archives hold data which show that when the first English colonies were established in the West Indies and N. America, it was taken for granted that the settlers took with them “all the rights of Englishmen as established by common law and other legislation then in force in England.” It is fair to say that even today The Bahamas’ entire judiciary system has its roots in the parliamentary form of government which has formed its base since the mid-sixteenth century.

Shraddha

In 1729 when the first meeting of the House of Assembly took place, there were some 1,378 people living in The Bahamas. Of this number 1,042 lived in New Providence and 336 in Eleuthera and Harbour Island. There were 925 whites and 453 coloured, as they were then known. In 1831 the Negro population outnumbered that of the white by three to one and of the more than 12,000 inhabitants only 2,991 were considered free despite the abolition of British slave trade in 1807. But by 1834 four black men had won seats in the House of Assembly and since that time there has been an unbroken stream of “men of colour” sitting in the legislative hall of The Bahamas Parliament.

Shraddha

Today there are over 250,000 persons living in The Bahamas; perhaps not a significant growth over the centuries. But what is interesting is that there has been a shift and the ratio of black to white inhabitants is 90 to 10 percent. This tidbit is mentioned merely to show the changes that have occurred not only in terms of semantic usage of words but also in the composition of the ethnic character of the population.

The people of The Bahamas, even during the 1800’s, were referred to as “amiable, courteous and hospitable.” They still display that easygoing nature of a people nurtured by the resources of land and sea even though technological. advancement continues to flourish all around them. The Bahamian people are very artistic and religious. Examples of the former can be seen in the handiwork here on the stage and as far as the latter is concerned there are numerous denominations to accommodate the form of worship the individual seeks.

Finally, it is no exaggeration to state that with each year The Bahamas seems to build on its image in the international community. Besides being a member of several international organizations, it has ratified international treaties not least among which is the Treaty of Tlatlelolco, which deals with the Prohibition of Arms in the Latin American region. The Bahamas Government not only believes in the theory of the brotherhood of man and sovereignty and territorial integrity for peoples under domination, but is determined to promote measures geared to the implementation of universal justice and equality.

Shraddha

Without a doubt The Bahamas membership in the U.N. Body gives it a better opportunity to help to effect necessary changes.

As young Bahamians are more interested in and more knowledgeable about the international community, many of them are steering their studies toward a career in international affairs.

While it is true that all small, developing countries like The Bahamas need all the expertise they can get from their nationals, it is our hope that in the very near future trained, qualified Bahamians would have a fair representation in the Secretariat based on the need for experience and equitable geographical distribution.

Shraddha

Ambassador Hepburn again joined the Meditation Group during its 21 November 1979 meeting in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium for a meditation and the performance of The Bahamas motto recently set to music by Sri Chinmoy

FORWARD, UPWARD, ONWARD, TOGETHER Motto of the Bahamas

Permanent Mission of The Bahamas

to the United Nations

Ref. No. BM/300/12 13 September, 1979

Dear Mr. Keefe:

Tribute to The Bahamas

As we have transacted, in person or by telephone, almost all of the negotiations regarding the contents of your letter of August 30. 1979, I hope that you will forgive my delay in replying.

In any event. the purpose of this letter is to express on behalf of the Bahamas Government and people profound gratitude and appreciation for the unselfish tribute extended by the Sri Chinmoy Meditation at the United Nations.

Our Foreign Ministry has been apprised of your kindness. We received very good reports about the entire programme and I am sure that the event has helped to establish understanding among nations and strengthen existing links of friendship and unity.

Please accept my sincere wishes for continued success in n most worthwhile endeavour.

Yours Sincerely,

Davidson L. Hepburn

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE

Mr. A. K. Keefe

Programme Coordinator,

Sri Chinmoy Peace Meditation at the United Nations,

PDF format of report in periodic Bulletin : “Meditation at the United Nations” Apr 1980

bu-scpmaun-1980-04-27-vol-08-n-04-apr-ocr-opt.pdf

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Gallery 2 below is jpg format

INTRODUCTORY NOTE to April 1980 Issue of

periodic Bulletin : “Meditation at the United Nations”

For the past few years Sri Chinmoy Meditation at the United Nations has been hosting a series of programmes honouring individual nations on the anniversaries of their acceptance as Member States of the United Nations or on their national days.

These programmes are designed to provide an opportunity for United Nations delegates and staff to become better acquainted with the unique national character of each Member State. In an inspirational and cultural atmosphere Ambassadors and Representatives offer brief remarks about their countries and the meaning for them of membership in the United Nations.

Usually held in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium, the celebrations are often enhanced with music and entertaining and educational film or slide presentations, and close with the singing of the national anthem.

This ‘issue of our Bulletin contains excerpts from several recent programmes at the United Nations honounng Member States. It also documents some of our related meetings and activities which, by focussing on individual countries, have hopefully helped to further international understanding and friendship.

* At the back of the magazine are questions and answers relating to the United Nations and meditation philosophy, which are a regular feature of the bulletin. In this issue the questions and answers concern nationalism, internationalism and the United Nations.