"Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business"
- Vision 2030

We are constantly caught up in the economic crisis, rates of exchange, interest rates, etc. These are important to our county, but we also need to focus on the values and attitudes of our people.

Over the years, our society has seen a progressive breakdown in morality, and if we intend to achieve our desired levels of human development, we must think strategically about how we are going to restore the good values and positive attitudes that once prevailed in Jamaica.

I want to draw special attention to the socialisation of our youths. We have many great Jamaicans and world leaders to whom our young people should be looking as role models. For example, they should try to emulate our Olympians, among them Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Melaine Walker, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Bridgette Foster-Hylton and Keron Stewart. They have set the bar high with their hard work, long hours of training, dedication and national pride, starting a culture of excellence which we must do our best to engender. In fact, so many Jamaicans at home and abroad, from every conceivable occupation have achieved world-class performance that we can be proud of.

Cable television

The influence of cable television over the last decade or so has contributed to the decline in core values of peace, love, respect and tolerance for each other. Instead, we are seeing an emergence of materialism, selfishness and hate. Additionally, if we listen to the lyrics of our popular music, we will hear recurring themes of violence, warfare, contempt of women, drugs and guns. This is a disturbing contrast to the message of love and unity found in the music of Jamaican legend Bob Marley, with songs such as Positive Vibration, One Love, Redemption Song, Get Up, Stand Up, No Woman No Cry and Could You Be Loved.

It is clear that we have a political consensus on this fundamental issue as both Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller have signalled their acknowledgement of the importance of values and attitudes to nation building. In his 2008 New Year's message, Prime Minister Golding said, "we intend this year to mount a partnership with civic bodies, community-based organisations, churches, schools and patriotic individuals to launch a national thrust focusing on the family, emphasising the responsibility of the family, training and strengthening weak family units."

Restoring values

Additionally, in a Gleaner article entitled 'Values and attitudes programme seeks to foster better family life' published September 22, 2006, "Mrs Simpson Miller stated that, "the goal is to return families to a place where there is a sense of belonging, tradition, love, community spirit and good human relations, through the medium of good parenting and education". Political leaders, members of the media and the private sector must endeavour to display mutual respect for each other, even as they differ on various issues.

We need to give our young people a sense of responsibility, self-worth, self-respect, respect for others and respect for their surroundings. One of the important elements in making this a reality will be integrating these themes into the education of our children by exposing them systematically to positive role models through mentorship programmes in schools.

Emphasis must also be placed on the development of our inner-city communities by setting up sports facilities and implementing programmes which will help our young people to develop civic pride and learn the importance of team work and cooperation. We need to recognise the legacies of our national heroes, Sir Alexander Bustamante, Norman Manley, Paul Bogle, Marcus Garvey, Nanny of the Maroons, George William Gordon and Sam Sharpe. We must draw from their values and their attitudes. Recognising them once a year is not enough; instead we should be promoting their messages every day so that our youngsters can understand and emulate them for all that they have done for Jamaica.

Positive parenting

Responsible parenting is another area of importance. As the traditional roles of males and females continue to evolve, we must encourage both men and women to play active roles in parenting their children. During my years at St George's College in the 1980s the Jesuits and teachers were treated with the utmost respect. Today, we constantly hear about the increased violence in schools and the lack of respect which both parents and children have for teachers. Our society cannot grow and develop if this continues, regardless of any improvement in our economic fortunes.

Our country is at a serious crossroads, not only from an economic point of view, but from the values and attitudes we are teaching our children. We need to become a gentler society. The way we speak to one another, even the way we drive is aggressive. I would like to see us emphasising the importance of the simple things like saying 'good morning' or 'thank you' or holding the door for each other.

We need to start the change now, before it is too late!

May God bless our country.

Don Wehby is Group Chief Operating Officer at GraceKennedy Limited. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com