FIGURE 3: DESCRIPTION OF THE IDEAL CARIBBEAN PERSON15 THE IDEAL CARIBBEAN PERSON Ideal Caribbean Person, defined by CARICOM as someone who, among other things: is imbued with a respect for human life since it is the foundation on which all the other desired values must rest; is emotionally secure with a high level of self-confidence and self-esteem; sees ethnic, religious and other diversity as a source of strength and richness; is aware of the importance of living in harmony with the environment; has a strong appreciation of family and kinship values, community cohesion, and moral issues including responsibility for and accountability to self and community; has an informed respect for the cultural heritage; demonstrates multiple literacies independent and critical thinking, questions the beliefs and practices of past and present and brings this to bear on the innovative application of science and technology to problems solving; demonstrates a positive work ethic; values and displays the creative imagination in its various manifestations and nurtures its development in the economic and entrepreneurial spheres in all other areas of life; has developed the capacity to create and take advantage of opportunities to control, improve, maintain and promote physical, mental, economic, social and spiritual well-being and to contribute to the health and welfare of the community and country; nourishes in him/herself and in others, the fullest development of each person's potential without gender stereotyping and embraces differences and similarities between females and males as a source of mutual strength. 15 “Creative and Productive Citizens for the Twenty-first Century”, www.caricom.org Informed by the Regional Cultural Policy, The West Indian Commission Report, The Caribbean Charter for Health Promotion, The Special meeting of SCME, May 1997. 35 | P a g e