NEWS RELEASE

PM sought recognition for CKLN in meeting with President Bush

Wednesday June 20, 2007, St. George’s: Prime Minister Mitchell met privately with President Bush as part of the meeting on the Conference on the Caribbean which continues in Washington. Before the meeting commenced, each Prime Minister had an opportunity to hold a private dialogue with the President of the United States. In the Summit which followed the private dialogue, Prime Minister Mitchell addressed himself to the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN) and its importance to deepening the reach and scope of delivery of education services at all levels to CARICOM member states.

The Prime Minister encouraged President Bush to support this innovative service in education and stated that, “CKLN would boost the ability of all states of the Region in reaching its citizens.” The Prime Minister underscored that the action to connect all the tertiary institutions of our region would make more efficient and strengthen the communication and sharing of information among all our regional educational institutions. “It is one of the most powerful tools that can be used in the training and building capacity of our human resource,” said Prime Minister Mitchell.

President Bush expressed interest and noted that the CKLN is an initiative which would provide opportunities for private public partnership and that the issue would be explored

for follow-up. The Prime Minister closed by stating that CKLN can positively energize education in the region

Embassy of Grenada

Washington DC

June 20 2007