(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has recognised the sterling contributions of the late Mr. Hugh Cholmondeley to integration, broadcasting and education in the Region.

In a message of condolence on the passing of a stalwart in the Region’s communication sector, Secretary-General LaRocque also referred to Mr. Cholmondeley’s service to the wider global community in the areas of conflict resolution and good governance.

“This life of service and enterprise committed to the Caribbean cause will ensure that Mr. Cholmondeley will be remembered as an extraordinary son of the soil”, the Secretary-General said.

The full text of the message of condolence reads:

On behalf of the Caribbean Community, I extend heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Hugh Cholmondeley, a pioneer in regional broadcasting and a committed soldier in regional integration. I also extend condolences to the Government and People of Guyana on the loss of this truly outstanding citizen.

Mr. Cholmondeley left an indelible mark on broadcast journalism with beginnings from his native Guyana and was instrumental in the establishment of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) and the Caribbean News Agency (CANA) and served as the first Secretary-General of the CBU.

His stalwart contribution to the Region's communication sector continued in his service as the Caribbean Representative at the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

His dedication to the Caribbean cause extended beyond media to include tertiary education as evidenced by his important role in the establishment of the Consortium Graduate School which envelops post graduate students from universities across the Region.

Mr. Cholmondeley will also be recognized for his wider global service in conflict resolution and good governance, assisting on behalf of the United Nations in such troubled areas as Somalia and on behalf of the Caribbean Community in Haiti, while also being part of numerous electoral observer missions. In his native Guyana, he was the driving force behind the institution of a media monitoring unit which assisted in establishing reporting standards in respect of election coverage.

This life of service and enterprise committed to the Caribbean cause will ensure that Mr. Cholmondeley will be remembered as an extraordinary son of the soil.

CONTACT: piu@caricom.org; caricompublicinfo@gmail.com