(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Even as Jamaica and the wider Region mourn the passing of Honourable Professor Rex Nettleford OCC, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, His Excellency Edwin Carrington is lauding him as a true Caribbean icon with a “life poured out for the Community.”

In a Note Verbale to Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Mr. Carrington hailed Professor Nettleford as a “creative genius and a regionalist.”

In lauding the encyclopaedic life of this iconic Caribbean figure, the Secretary-General said, “Professor Nettleford has accomplished what few in our young Region have been able to do in our post-independence.”

The Vice Chancellor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies passed away on 2 February the eve of his 77th birthday, in the United States of America.

A truly quintessential Caribbean Man, Professor Nettleford exuded intellectual and artistic genius as a professor, a choreographer, a dancer, an orator, a mentor, a critic and a household name across the Region. He was the recipient of fourteen honourary degrees from various universities and served in various leadership capacities in numerous regional and international bodies including the West Indian Commission, the IDRC, UNESCO, the ILO and the OAS. Professor Nettleford’s exemplary contribution to the Region earned him the Order of the Caribbean Community, the highest honour of CARICOM, on July 1, 2008.

The CARICOM Secretary-General noted that Professor Nettleford’s contribution to Jamaica and the Caribbean Community “has been shaped by his love and commitment to culture and his strong desire to educate.”

The full message from the Secretary-General on his passing reads:

"Allow me on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to express our deep sadness at the passing of the Hon Professor Ralston 'Rex' Nettleford, OCC Vice Chancellor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies, educator, founder, author, dancer, choreographer, mentor, adviser, creative genius and regionalist.

Professor Nettleford's life is one that has been poured out on the people of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean Community. His contribution to Jamaica and to the University of the West Indies (UWI) has been shaped by his love and commitment to culture and his strong desire to educate. Professor Nettleford has accomplished what few in our young Region have been able to do in our post-independence period. His passion for dance and his vision to use dance 'to explain to ourselves and the world who we are' resulted in the establishment of the National Dance Theater Company of Jamaica a month after Jamaica gained its independence.

Upon return from post-graduate studies, he headed UWl's Extra Mural Department and eventually nurtured it into the School of Continuing Studies. In keeping with his desire to bring about improvement in his society, Professor Nettleford developed the University's Trade Union Education Institute which he simultaneously headed whilst lecturing.

Today, the voice of the workers in the Caribbean is not silenced largely due to the work he has done. At the time of his passing Professor Nettleford continued to serve the Region in his capacity as Vice Chancellor Emeritus of UWI and prior to this, he served as Vice- Chancellor of UWI.

During his lifetime, his service did not go unnoticed. In 1975, Professor Nettleford was made a member of the Order of Merit and a Fellow of the Institute of Jamaica - the institutional repository of the island's cultural heritage. Internationally, Professor Nettleford received some fourteen honourary degrees from various universities and served in various leadership capacities on numerous regional and international bodies including, the West Indian Commission, the IORC, UNESCO, the ILO and the OAS. Therefore, on 1July 2008, it was with great pride and a deep sense of privilege that CARICOM was honoured to present Professor Ralston Nettleford with the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC), its highest honour.

Jamaica and the Region have shaped the life of Professor Nettleford and to the end of his life he worked to influence the shape of the Region. He is, in essence, among the best examples of a Caribbean Man - a veritable Caribbean Icon.

On behalf of the Governments and people of the Caribbean Community, please extend my deepest sympathy to the bereaved family, the University of the West Indies and to the Government and People of Jamaica".

CONTACT: piu@caricom.org