IICA celebrates 65th anniversary

While age 65 is the usual age of retirement around the world, one entity, although reaching that point, is looking forward to going on for a long time to come.{{more}}

Regional and local officials last Thursday, October 4th, gathered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference Room to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

The institute, which opened an office in St. Vincent in 1992, was established in 1942 in Costa Rica by then United States Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace and Ecuadorian Director General of Agriculture Ernesto Molestina.

Thursday’s gathering was a celebration of the work of IICA, not only in St. Vincent and the Grenadines but also in the rest of the region.

Speakers at the conference included local IICA consultant Philmore Isaacs, who gave an anniversary speech in which he highlighted the origins of the organization.

Retired IICA coordinator Godwin Daniel gave a brief history of the work of IICA in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Other speakers, including the OAS representative to St. Vincent and the Grenadines Merlene Glynn, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Trade Patricia Martin and Chief Agricultural Officer (ag) Reuben Robertson, congratulated, thanked and wished IICA ‘Long Life’.

The speakers pledged their continued support to the organization, and said that their institutions looked forward to working with together with IICA.

Thursday’s event also saw the presentation of awards for the secondary schools’ art competition, with Nathaniel McKenzie of the Intermediate High School and Ashley McLean awarded for their artwork as part of anniversary celebrations.(JJ)