Bahamian PM calls for lawyers to be ‘socially conscious’

Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Perry Christie, made a call to all lawyers to use their profession to contribute positively to their communities, nations and the region. Christie was speaking on Saturday night at the ceremony for presentation of graduates from the Hugh Wooding Law School at the UWI campus, St Augustine. In addition to the 129 graduates and their families, Attorney General Glenda Morean, Speaker of the House of Representatives Barry Sinanan, Justice Lionel Jones,  Jamaica’s  Denis Morrison QC, among other distinguished guests were in attendance.

“You must develop a social consciousness. Even if we are making plenty money we must remember that the law is both a sword and a shield to protect the weak. With the law on your side no one is powerless,” said Christie to the gathering. The Bahamian Prime Minister made reference to his meeting with US President George W Bush last week, pointing out that his country was in the path of the US-led attack on Iraq. He added that  he and his counterparts expressed concerns both for their respective countries and the region as a whole during the meeting. “We need to work together to expand our economies at a time of tremendous change. We would be dwelling in failed societies if we don’t respond to the challenges and disorder created by the new global village in which we live,” said Christie as he indicated that globalisation was a direct threat to our way of life. He offered advice to the graduates, saying that they should focus on acquiring knowledge of Public International Law to assist in the “resolution of problems between nations and their people.” The congregation broke into laughter when Christie asked, “what is happening to the Caribbean man?” referring to what he said was a class of over “85 percent females.” Christie urged the graduates, “Don’t limit yourself to that law firm, but think outside the box. Give all you can to your nation and the region.”