Adults must lead by example: Senator Rogers

Adults are being called upon to start being examples for young people and to lead the way in embracing wholesome, environmentally sustainable practices that will help to safeguard the future of our nation.

The call came from Senator Reverend John Rogers, featured speaker at the St. John Toastmasters Club’s joint 2020 Speech and Impromptu Contests for primary and secondary school students respectively. Seven primary schools agreed to participate, as well as three secondary schools from St. John, St. Joseph and St. Philip. Under the patronage of the Prime Minister, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P., the event took place yesterday at the Messiah House Worship Centre, Massiah Street, St. John. During those contests, students focused on the topic “Our Land, Our Sea, Our Future”, to call attention to environmental matters that need addressing.

“One of the greatest forms of child abuse there is, is not guiding our children in the things that can safeguard them in this world and I believe that as adults, we are already committing child abuse for generations that are not yet born. For if we do not clean up our act, we are leaving our children and our children’s children with a world that is far depleted of the things that are necessary for human survival in this world. So the topic ‘Our Land, Our Sea, Our Future’ is not only a topic for children to reflect on, but a topic for us all,” Senator Rogers told those gathered for the contests.

He meanwhile noted that the Anglican Church in Barbados is also doing its part to lead the way in bringing greater awareness of the need to engage in environmentally friendly and sustainable practices, given the environmental issues such as climate change and other ills affecting Barbados, as a small island developing state.

“At the level of the Church, we have always been reflecting on this theme. One of the marks of mission for the Anglican Church, the Fifth Mark of Mission, is to safeguard the integrity of creation and renew the life of the earth. And in many churches, we are focusing on what is known as the Season of Creation, which begins on September 1 with Creation Day and ends on October 4, which is the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron of Ecology. So the Church is already at a place where we consider that we also have a role to play, in ensuring that we safeguard the integrity of everything that is around us,” Rogers added.

He meanwhile commended the St. John Toastmasters Club for hosting such an event designed to hone the public speaking skills of young people, even as he commended the children for being so brave and confident in taking the stage.

“I want to encourage you little ones to continue on this path. Continue to develop and hone your skills. It is important to be able to represent yourself, wherever you are. It is important to be able to speak on topics of interest,” he noted, even as he reminded them that they may have to take the stage one day, to speak on matters of grave importance to youth and the nation. (RSM)