The Honourable Jerome Fitzgerald
Minister of Education, Science and Technology
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here this afternoon for this eagerly anticipated announcement of the winner of the 19th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (19th CCEM) Logo Design Competition.
I wish to firstly thank all of the artists who accepted the challenge to participate in this exercise. I am pleased to note that in the six weeks that the contest was open, approximately fifty (50) entries were received from artists from several islands and as such, it was truly a national undertaking. I must convey thanks to the Logo Design Committee chaired by Mr. Ambrose Fernander of the Ministry of Tourism and Mrs. Pamela Chandler, Senior Education Officer – Art & Design in the Ministry of Education, and the able judges in the persons of Mrs. Dionne Benjamin-Smith, Mr. Joylon Smith and Mr. John Beadle, whose task it was to select the design that appropriately depicts the theme and purpose of the conference.
This was a critical function performed by the Local Organizing Committee of the 19th CCEM, primarily because the logo identifies the conference and allows The Bahamas as the host country to brand it in a unique way. In addition to proclaiming the theme, Quality Education for Equitable Development: Performance, Paths and Productivity”, the artists had to show the importance and the interconnectedness of these elements to Education Leaders and the 2.2 billion citizens of the Commonwealth.
Let me remind you that the Conference will facilitate the exchange of best practices in education, promote goodwill and foster mutual respect and cooperation between delegates and member states.
Additionally, the meeting which will be held 22- 26 June, 2015 at the Atlantis, Paradise Island will:
- increase the understanding of Commonwealth Ministers and Senior Officials of critical issues in education;
- examine barriers to equity, access and quality education and identify key enabling factors to address these issues;
- gain the commitment of Ministers to specific actions identified at the conference; and
- discuss the process for aligning plans and strategies to support the achievement of the new goals and targets of the Post-2015 education development framework within the Commonwealth’s priorities, processes and platforms.
This logo will tell the world that the 19th CCEM is being held in The Bahamas. After its unveiling today, it will appear on all literature, bags, shirts, paraphernalia, and in all print and digital media including the website and Facebook Page associated with the conference.
I am certain that the winner will be proud to know that he has contributed to the staging of this important and historic event in the development of Education in The Bahamas and across the Commonwealth. This is just one of several opportunities that we have conceived in an effort to involve as many from the Bahamian community.
Soon, we will launch the 19th CCEM Song Competition, a search for the song that promotes unity between member states of the Commonwealth and heralds the importance of education as a key component in our personnel and collective development. Today, however, we shine the spotlight on these three individuals who were selected as the finalists in the Logo Design Competition.
Without further delay, I congratulate them and now call on Mr. Daniel Williams, the Third Place Winner to unveil his work.
Next Mr. Damaso Gray, the Second Place Winner will unveil his work.
Finally, I call on Mr. Daniel Hanna, the Winner of the 19th CCEM Logo Design Competition to unveil his winning design and say a few words.
Thank you.
