Canada is proud to support CCLD 2025—Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica Mark Berman

Speaking at a cocktail reception at his Official Residence on Tuesday, Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Mark Berman, welcomed those participating in the Jamaican leg of the 2025 Caribbean-Canada  Leadership Dialogue.

Below are his remarks

Good evening, everyone.

It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you all to the Official Residence of Canada, as we gather to celebrate the Jamaica leg of the 2025 Canada-Caribbean Leadership Dialogue—CCLD 2025.

This evening, we are honoured to host the 12 delegates coming from countries across the Caribbean and Canada, who are a part of the 100 emerging leaders from Canada and the Caribbean selected for this year’s cohort.

You have just returned from the Canada study tour and are now well into your exploration of leadership here on your tour in Jamaica, with two more impactful days ahead before the final stop in Barbados.

 We are also pleased to be joined by CCLD alumni, led by Lisa Bell and Colin Ebanks, whose continued engagement reminds us that leadership isn’t just about one moment in time—it’s about a lifelong commitment to learning, growing, and giving back.

Canada is proud to support CCLD 2025—a programme that reflects the very best of what people-to-people engagement can achieve.

 Through deep dives into themes like sustainability, diversity, ethical leadership, and advocacy, you are exploring not only the challenges we share—but also the bold, creative solutions we can build together.

This reception is meant to spark conversation and connection.

And as part of tonight’s programme, we’ve included a brief Q&A segment where delegates can ask questions of me, the honourable ministers and other distinguished guests. I hope this encourages open dialogue and opportunities for meaningful connections. The work you’re doing through this initiative—whether through site visits, team projects, or conversations like these—is already making a difference.

Canada believes deeply in the power of human capital. We know that strong leadership is essential to democratic governance, inclusion, economic resilience, and sustainable development—values that anchor both our foreign policy and our deep relationship with the Caribbean.

Speaking directly to the delegates on the Jamaican tour: you are representing more than just yourselves — you are representing the future of your country, of the region, and of our shared global community.

I urge you to continue listening closely, thinking boldly, and leading with compassion and courage. Indeed, it takes courage to step forward and offer leadership in today’s challenging world.

 In a world where we are facing what many have called a global leadership crisis, opportunities like these are more important than ever. If I may borrow the words of Canada’s new Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Mark Carney: “Leadership is the acceptance of responsibility rather than the assumption of power.”

Thank you for saying yes to leadership and yes to the responsibility that comes with it. Thank you for representing your countries with such excellence. And thank you for helping to strengthen the Canada-Caribbean partnership—now and for generations to come.

Please enjoy the evening. I look forward to meeting each of you personally, hearing about your experiences and seeing the impact you will go on to make in your communities, in your countries and in this region.

All the best for the remainder of the programme and great success in Barbados.

Walk good—and thank you!