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News : International Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Bahamas culture and history emphasized at 7th Friendship Forum in China
By Bahamas China Friendship Association
Jul 13, 2016 - 1:43:24 AM

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BCFA President, Anthony Capron, in attendance and addressing the 2016 Friendship Forum held in the Ballroom of the Chuzhou Sheraton Hotel, on Wednesday, July 6th, in Chuzhou, China, a city in the Anhui Province; Bottom right photo shows BCFA president, Anthony Capron, and vice president, Gena Gibbs (right) who were hosted at lunch in Beijing by Xie Yuan (center), vice president, the Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. (BCFA Photos)

Chuzhou, China - The culture and history of The Bahamas were emphasized at the 7th Friendship Forum in Chuzhou, China, July 6, in a presentation by Anthony Capron, president of The Bahamas China Friendship Association.

Mr. Capron spoke on the topic, "The role of non-governmental organizations among the historical and cultural exchanges between nations."

“In some quarters today, the thought is that Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) are going about wanting to change the world without having an inherent understanding of what the world is all about," he told delegates from more than a dozen countries, stretching from Australia to Fiji to Barbados and The Bahamas.

Capron said while that may or may not be true, criticisms have come on all fronts, from many countries, and from all continents.  He listed some of the names leveled at the NGOs as imperialists, radicals, and extremists.

"But despite what some people may think and call them, there is much good in the various organizations, from country to country,” said the BCFA president.

“When we look at the world today and witness the many wars that are being fought, and remember the millions and millions of people that have died in needless conflicts in the past, we should stop and wonder about where we are headed," said Capron.

"It cannot be good.  We cannot continue to have hanging over our heads the threat of a nuclear Holocaust, and the annihilation of the world.”     

President Capron spoke to the audience about the importance of the slow and deliberate replacement of inter-governmental diplomacy, with friendship associations for the ease of doing business diplomatically.     

And, he reflected on the thinking that established the Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) in 1954, and why an investment in people-to-people diplomacy, with the People’s Republic of China, is so important to the rest of the world.  

“With an estimated 40,000 Non-Governmental Organizations operating internationally, Chinese friendship associations have a competitive advantage for trade and diplomatic negotiations.  They can capitalize on the social fact that people, regardless of where they are from, feel confident doing business with friends rather than with strangers," said Capron.

He said that should be even more evident when different nations consider the consequences -- or the benefits -- of opening up their history to people outside their borders and exchanging their cultural mores with them.  

“Historically, NGOs are categorically defined as voluntary agencies.  They have many aims, objectives, and goals, running the gamut of the spectrum, taking up political and philosophical positions," said Capron.

He said every friendship association is an NGO, and each one can help to foster historical and cultural exchanges between nations.

Wrapping up his presentation, President Capron introduced members to the concurrent Bahamian Celebration of 43 Years of Independence.  Mr. Capron shared a brief and timely insight into the Bahamian journey, as He walked the 60 delegates through a 500-year historical timeline.

“While the Islands of The Bahamas were populated by Arawak Indians, long before Christopher Columbus arrived there in 1492, we bring our history forward from the time he came ashore on San Salvador and declared the 700 islands and cays in the shallow waters for the Queen of Spain.  

"Needless to say, the original inhabitants were soon exterminated by the Spaniards.  The English came to The Bahamas in the mid-17th century and the king, Charles II, granted the islands to the six Lord Proprietors, who held ownership until 1787.  Woods Rogers, the first Royal Governor, drove the pirates out in the early 18th century and restored legitimate commerce to the colony,” said President Capron.

“In the 481 years between the time of Columbus’ arrival and The Bahamas becoming an independent country, it was occupied by the Spanish, the Americans and the Spanish again, being ceded to Great Britain in 1783, under the Treaty of Paris.  Following the American Revolutionary War, English Loyalists emigrated to The Bahamas and with them, their Black slaves to work the cotton plantations.  In 1834, the Emancipation Act was passed in the British Parliament, and all the slaves in the colonies were set free.”   

Mr. Capron highlighted that the journey to Bahamian Self-Actualization still continues, as Bahamians plant seeds within the international community that lead to Economic Independence, after 43 Years of National Independence, the equivalent of two generational cycles.  He tied in Junkanoo cultural dancing, as the preferred expression of culture, which he equated to the Chinese Lion Dance, the Hawaiian Hula Dance, the Irish River Dance, or the traditional dance of any country or region.

Capron detailed that in the 43 years since independence, The Bahamas has had five changes of government, noting the prime ministers and the years served.

"I know that with a rich history, dating back thousands of years, through many dynasties, China has a lot to offer The Bahamas and also the world.  The same would hold true for its diversity in culture that for many reasons may seem to be unparalleled,” said President Capron.

“The Bahamas has Junkanoo at the forefront as its premier expression of culture.  It is a street parade, where revelers dress in costumes and make music with goatskin drums, cowbells, whistles, and horns.  Junkanoo is traditionally celebrated on Boxing Day (Dec. 26) and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), a throwback to the plantation years, when slaves were given permission to celebrate.  Nowadays, Junkanoo performances are held on all the important holidays, for many historical events, and for almost everything else.  In fact, any excuse for a ‘Junkanoo Rush-Out’ is well taken.”

President Capron closed his address to the Forum with a reminder that the objective of the gathering is to cooperate and support each other’s histories and cultures.

“With that in mind then, it should be a no-brainer for the non-government organizations, the friendship associations of the world to seek and bring together, and to exchange their different cultures among themselves.  It is up to all of us to do what we must,” said President Capron.

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