By Bevan Springer

Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, St Lucia’s Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, on Sunday urged her kinsmen to continue working together and reflecting on the country’s outstanding achievements while anticipating an inevitable resurgence in the world economy.

Addressing a packed congregation at St Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church on Brooklyn’s historic Eastern Parkway in both English and Creole as nationals celebrated 30 years of Independence, Flood-Beaubrun cried forth wisdom, unity and the marshaling of resources to keep St Lucia on a sustained path of prosperity.

“We have the resources: our people, our sand, sea and sun tourism product, a good standing in the financial community and a St Lucian Diaspora with the resolve to make things better for themselves and our country,” she said, highlighting the accomplishments of statesmen Sir John George Melvin Compton and Sir George FL Charles in the political arena as well as Sir Arthur Lewis and Derek Walcott who have bestowed “The Helen of the West” with the highest per capita Nobel Laureate standing in the world.

“Today we have come to the right place; to place our needs before God, our Creator—and whether in the United States or St Lucia we recognize that our civil institutions and our countries’ characters reflect our belief and adherence to the basic tenets of Christianity,” the former cabinet minister told the attentive audience.

Over the past week, St Lucians in the New York Tri-State area have gathered in impressive numbers to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Independence from Great Britain through cultural presentations, poetry readings, a flag raising ceremony at Brooklyn’s Borough Hall, and a lively reception hosted by St Lucia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr Donatus St Aimee.

Both Beaubrun and Dr St Aimee congratulated overseas-based St Lucians for their significant contributions to the development of the United States as well as of their home country through remittances for relatives, Christmas barrels, education of relatives which combined have added up to tens of millions of dollars, bolstering the local economy and giving hope and encouragement to those on island who are faced with limited resources.

“You have truly taken on the mantle of responsibility that Independence means . . . and have truly lived the meaning of Independence,” said Beaubrun. Ambassador St Aimee delivered Prime Minister Stephenson King’s message to overseas-based St Lucians who this year are celebrating under the theme “A Journey to be proud of…A future to look forward to.”

“You, by your own personal achievements and advancement in the world environment, in academia, commerce, culture, entertainment, sports and enterprise, have lifted St Lucia’s flag even higher than the great nations of the world,” noted Prime Minister King, who said this is why in recent times Government has thought it essential to place renewed importance on ensuring that the Diaspora plays an even greater part in the process of national development.

The Government of St Lucia has established an Office of Regional Integration and Diaspora Affairs, specifically to support its citizens residing overseas. Father Caleb Buchanan, chaplain of Brooklyn’s One Caribbean Radio, said St Lucians across the Diaspora had much to contribute to peace, unity and reconciliation at home as well as at the level of the international community.