NEW YORK, USA — A West Indian judge in Canada has urged Caribbean youth to take advantage of the educational and professional opportunities available to their generation.
Dr Irving André of the tiny island of Dominica is a highly respected judge in the Ontario Court of Justice, and he believes students in the Caribbean have more educational opportunities going for them than in generations past.
The world was changing rapidly and he urged the younger generation to recognize the special opportunities available to them: “I think given the complexity of the world, the need for innovation, and the plethora of opportunities which now exist, our young people must regard themselves as privileged to be young within this period.”
André’s own success included earning three law degrees in Canada — the government of the day did not fund law scholarships when he was growing up in the region. But these are different times and the Dominican national wants Caribbean youth to reflect on where they are in history: “The generation before them struggled tremendously to take advantage of the educational opportunities which presented themselves in the Caribbean.”
André contends educators need to “wean our young people on an intellectual diet which includes self motivation, dedication and a relentless commitment to make something of themselves.”
Born in Curaçao but raised in Portsmouth, Dominica, André has authored or co-authored 15 books on history, literature and economics. He believes life is a gift and recalls being nurtured on the Biblical scripture ‘to whom much is given, much is owed.’
“I think we as West Indians have to revisit those maxims which served our generation and we have to make the younger generation familiar with those teachings,” André counseled as he also recalled the principle “success is the best revenge.”
André, one of the first justices in Ontario to hold a Doctorate Degree in Law, was honored in Toronto last month by the his alma mater, the University of the West Indies (UWI), which he credits as integral to his early progress.
“I went to UWI as a student pilgrim seeking benediction from the intellectual bright lights at the university. The university in retrospect was the best thing that happened to me – it gave me the confidence, and it accounted for the growth of my intellectual capacity… I owe a lot to it,” he said.
UWI raised approximately CA$300,000 at its second annual benefit gala in Toronto. The gala honored notable individuals who have made significant contributions to UWI and the Caribbean and Canadian communities, including Donovan Bailey; Michael Lee-Chin; Michaëlle Jean; former deputy chief of Toronto police Keith L. Forde; Kamala-Jean Gopie; Dr Karl Massiah, Dr John Stewart and Dr André.
Two organizations were also recognized — Ryerson University for its contribution to the advancement of Caribbean people through its joint programs with UWI, and GAP Adventures for its role in pushing the boundaries of sustainable tra
You’re a big king. Stay where you are until the fire in Dca cools down.
Congratulations Dr Irving André,
You are an inspiration to many youth and adults alike.
You are a true ambassador for Dominica in Ontario, Canada.
You are a shinning example that hard work has it rewards.
Irvin you have always been a special person. Behind every powerful man is a hardworking supportive woman. Kathy you are strong. I hope Melissa and Bianca take their fathers footsteps. Love to you all. A friend
is that OTTO lenny’s little brother?…. if it is big up to you and nuff respect for the achievements…..
It’s true. There are so many opportunities out there for those who have Internet access–you can learn so much so easily and can make connections across the globe. Unfortunately, most of the youth want to just chat with their friends, check facebook, listen to mainstream songs with no intellectual content on Youtube, look up gossip about celebrities. They don’t want to read the news, to learn about the world.
The other issue, though, is one we can’t be held responsible for: we don’t actually have access in Dominica to full usage of the Internet. Many operations are region-specific and won’t work outside those regions. While in the USA, one can watch TV shows on Hulu.com; it doesn’t work outside of the States. Amazon.com won’t ship electronic items to Dominica; you can’t even buy mp3s from them or many big mp3 sites if you’re in Dominica. While these things can easily be used for the most mindless reasons, there are educational things on those sites, from documentaries to ebooks, and it is unfair to deny us access to them. I believe this started after 9/11, but I might be wrong here.
But still, what opportunities we have, if only we would use them.
Excellent comment, to make others aware of what resources Dominica has and what it does not have. Residents, as youths, must make use of the resources they have. They must keep busy also in their studies and not waste time for as the saying: “Satan finds some mischief for idle hands to do.” I like to say also, idle minds. There are those who spend their time in idleness. Time flies and waits for no one.
Many of us who resided in Dominica during our youth to adulthood wished that we had the opportunities that Dominica is now enjoying as a college and university and branches of same.
Today, there is a high school in practically nearly every village or close to those main villages. When I was a child, there were two high schools for girls in Roseau, The Convent High School and the Wesley High School. There were two high schools for boys, the St. Mary’s Academy and the Dominica Grammar School.
Note the progress which Dominicans have been experiencing through those years. Dominica has come a long way and continues to progress.
The youth should receive as much encouragement as possible to remain in school and study. They will benefit educationally from that.
It is sad that with the advent of computers, Internet and other technological gadgets, the latter as I refer to them, youths spend most of their time accessing them. It is no different in other islands and bigger countries. This is a major problem which governments of the bigger countries are trying to eradicate and to encourage them to as much as also exercise lest they not get a proper education and become obese.
Thank you.
Yes, you’re right that this is a problem in virtually all developed countries. I would actually say that Dominica is lucky it is not as developed as the others as yet. Because of this, there’s still a sense of appreciation among many Dominicans for activities that have been almost lost in other countries: walking, appreciating Nature, reading, etc. Reading is not something enough Dominicans do and a large part of the problem is that the island does not have enough books (besides textbooks) available and affordable. The library in Roseau, however, has quite a lot–I was surprised when I revisited it recently–and it’s something I hope more people take advantage of. But my point about reading was that in Dominica, and other less developed countries, there tends to still exist a respect and even love for the idea of reading and for writers/artists, a situation not unlike that in America and Europe before films and TV took over. If we show our artists respect and love, they may produce more, and people will have more to read/think about. The literary festival’s generally good turnout is a testament to this. But we need more young people realizing that being educated about things other than rappers, dancehall artists, celebrities, etc. is something respectable and even cool. It’s not that rappers, dancehall artists etc. cannot teach anything positive, but too few of them have anything good or intelligent to say.
Thank you!
When I was a child and also in my adult years in Dominica, I would borrow books from the library. I love reading, good books including current events and also writing. This is hereditary since my childhood.
I have noted that there are some of them who complain and criticize a writing if is long as they state, they bypassed it. They also lack patience. This tells me much about them. How can one be educated if they do not read educating matters? You will find that their communication is limited and contained to only one type of conversation. These people need to cultivate the intelligence which God has given to each and everyone of us.
God bless you!
Went to Dominica Grammar school with two brothers named Irvine and lenny Andrae from possie, i wonder if he is the same irvine.In any case nuff respect to him.
Same brothers…I also went to DGS with them….both are great friends
Thanks for confirming xman.Always wondered wat became of these brothers little did i know they’re out there conquering the world.Sat through a few forms with irvine1st to third,great guy really quiet soft spoken.Once again Nuff espect to him.
hhhmmm stay where u are my friend,,,, them boys with toys have no interests in the youth,,,, instead of building sports center they want to build jail house in the ville,,,, the jail article was no coincidence,,,, they put out the news 2 days ago saying the cell overcrowded so to justify the building of the jail house in roseau,,,,,, have u heard of tiyani behanzin,,, a qualified young man who stands for democracy,,, well this guys contract was not renewed and told his sentencing is too harsh,,,, i believe upright and respectable man like u would be treated the same way my friend,,,,,, i do hope some youth out here takes ur advice
mouth of the south
I support you 100%. You hit the nail on the head. I though I was alone in my thoughts.
Good News brother never forget where you came from always share your knowledge with others. But take the advice of M.O.T.S.
What a bunch of crap! Behanzin was an egotiscal fool and he dug his own grave. There were red flags all over Behanzin and his self centered behavior. A judge is supposed to be versed in the law that he provides sentencing that is just. I think peole seem to misunderstand the concept of prison. This is a place for those who are a threat to society. Because we send everyone who commits some actions that is unlawful to jail we are then stuck with overcrowding and a burden on taxpayers to feed every inmate in there. Sending a man to jail for stealing a dasheen is different from sending another to jail for shooting someone in the head. Can the man who stole the dasheen for his family be rehabilitated? Most likely. Can the pompous idiot who got away with murder be rehabilitated? Nope! Because now he knows he’s above the law and it doesn’t apply to him and his family. Discretion people and even though behanzin wasn’t on said case, those he carried out harsh sentencing were minor criminal offenses. Why couldn’t he have put in a request to work on tougher cases. Please !!!!!!! I’m glad he’s gone! Hopefully this judge uses discretion to appropriately excercise the law.
p.s: Did someone actually say take the advice of Mouth of the south? You apparently don’t spend much time reading his comments on here. I mean, if this judge Irvine indicated his desire to come back here why is it necessary to tell him not to? Maybe he’s the one to turn things around. But MR burns telling people to take your advice….
why do you always put politics into every comment that you write .Stop being to political and think possitive.