EVER SINCE he was a young lad attending Ardenne High School, André Clarke has been determined to make a positive difference in his country.

The 21-year-old who recently graduated from the University of the West Indies with a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations and a minor in Spanish, believes he is right on target to bringing positive change to the nation.

His 4.0 average earned him a place among the top three students who served as valedictorians at the university's graduation exercise on Friday and Saturday.

For Clarke, change needs to come to how we view social and econo-mic development and regional integration. But for now, it all begins with learning a new language.

Clarke, who today teaches Spanish at Hillel Academy in St Andrew, tries to get his charges to understand the importance of and the need to embrace foreign languages.

"I believe what is lacking is an appreciation for foreign languages," he suggests.

second language

The young teacher agrees totally with recent statements by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr Kenneth Baugh, who argues that Spanish should be made a second language in Jamaica, in light of the shifting dynamics of the hemisphere.

Clarke adds that it is important to convey to students that part of the allure to learning foreign languages is the opportunity it provides for bridging borders and forging relationships with individuals and cultures that are different.

"There's a connection, which goes further than, I speak English, you speak Spanish. There are similarities among the various countries, certain factors that blend the region together, there are certain economic and social things that affect us all," he said.

true aspiration

However, while languages are part of Clarke's passion, his true aspiration is to impact Jamaica through developmental policies. in this vein, he is looking forward to one day pursuing a master's in development studies.

"I would really like to contribute in terms of development and social policies, to see how best we can develop policies that really affect change and that aren't just a mere a science but actually go further than that, policies that will affect social change so that at the community level we see some difference."

athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com