The Waldensia All-age School in Trelawny. - Photos by Adrian Frater

The concept of freedom and the spirit of cooperation rang high on Emancipation Day, Friday, during the ninth staging of the Michael Manley Award for Community Self-Reliance as the rural St Andrew district, Woodford, snatched the coveted award for its achievements in community self-help and togetherness.

But what also stood out in the minds of many was that, for the first time since its inception, though a non-partisan organisation, the Michael Manley Foundation invited a member of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), Prime Minister Bruce Golding, to deliver the award's keynote address.

Golding admitted he too was in awe of the invitation but said it reflected the maturing evolution of Jamaica's politics.

Engaging opponents

"There are some with whom I am very familiar who will ask: 'What is he doing there?' I marvel, myself, at being invited to be here," said the prime minister.

Chairman of the foundation, Danny Roberts, explaining the decision, said though Golding and Manley belonged to opposing political parties, they shared much in common.

"Much apart from the fact that he is prime minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding has contributed to the development of a perspective on Jamaica's politics that embraces the spirit of inclusiveness," said Roberts.

This, he said, was similar to Manley's doctrine of engaging his opponents.

"Michael Manley demonstrated that higher moral imperative when he remarked: 'Political reality demands that one deal with one's opponents, but he who becomes preoccupied with his opponents quickly surrenders to a bankruptcy of moral purpose'," he said.

In his keynote address, Golding paid homage to the late prime minister, commenting on his passion for mobilising the people, challenging them to assert their dignity and fulfilling their worth and potential.

"To him, self-reliance did not mean self-indulgence. It wasn't everybody taking care of himself. It was everybody taking care of each other, finding a collective energy in which the whole was much greater than the sum of its parts," remarked the prime minister.

Learning centre

The Woodford Homework and Learning centre came out atop seven short-listed entries, from 15 applicants.

The project, which began in 2004 as an extension of the Woodford Community Action Group, provides preparation classes for students sitting the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), and remedial reading and computer courses for adults. It also provides parenting seminars and Internet and fax services to members of the community.

"I think Michael Manley would have been particularly interested in this project because it is an example of the upper-class, middle-class and grass roots members of the community coming together for the benefit of the entire community," chief judge Dr Peta-Anne Baker told the audience.