Building a Better Jamaica

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INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES

Mr. Seaga promoted the concept of an international “culture bank” leading to the establishment of the International Fund for the Promotion of Culture (IFPC) by UNESCO in the 1970’s.

In the 1980’s, he played a leading role in the establishment of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), conceived as a “Marshall Plan” for the Caribbean and promoted the concept of a human resource facility (or “Manpower Bank”), later adopted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the Short Term Advisory Service (STAS) to provide low-cost short-term expertise from the international private sector for developing countries.

He was also in the forefront of the international campaign to intensify and expand economic sanctions against South Africa as a means of bringing apartheid to an end. Mr. Seaga addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1985 and made his memorable call for an intensified attack on the South African rand. In October 1987, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Vancouver , he demonstrated statistically that sanctions were working against South Africa .

Mr. Seaga founded the Caribbean Democrat Union, an affiliate of the International Democrat Union, the international body of Christian Democratic parties. He was President of the CDU and a Vice-President of the IDU until he retired from these positions.

Honours and Awards

In 2002 the Order of the Nation, the second highest honour in Jamaica was bestowed on Mr. Seaga.

In 1981 Mr. Seaga was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II as a member of Her Majesty’s Privy Council.

Mr. Seaga has also been honoured by several countries:

- Republic of Venezuela – Grand Collar de Libertador (1981)

- Republic of Venezuela – Gold Mercury International Award (1981)

- Federal Republic of Germany – Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (1982)

He is the recipient of several prestigious international awards:

Honorary Degrees

Publications

“Parent Teacher Relationships”, published by the Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of the West Indies.

“Revival Spirit Cults” (Jamaica Journal), published by the Institute of Jamaica. Folk Music of Jamaica (album of music recorded by Ethnic Folkways Library).

“Faith Healing in Jamaica” – International Parapsychology.

Personal

Mr. Seaga who was born in the Evangeline Boothe Memorial Salvation Army Hospital in Boston while his parents were in the U.S.A. , was also a Jamaican citizen by virtue of his parentage, but he made the momentous decision to formally give up his American citizenship.

On August 22, 1965 he married Marie Elizabeth “Mitsy” Constantine , Miss Jamaica 1965. They have two sons, Christopher, Andrew and a daughter Anabella. This marriage dissolved in 1995.

On June 14, 1996 , he married Carla Frances Vendryes MPA, who is involved in sociological research and the development of Jamaican handicraft. She was responsible for the development of the Solidarity project to assist the poorest of the poor in small entrepreneurial enterprises. They have a daughter Gabrielle, born September 16, 2002 .

Mr. Seaga is deeply involved in cultural activities, particularly folk music and all aspects of things Jamaican. A keen gardener and amateur landscaper, Mr. Seaga has translated his love for plants and flowers into the beautiful Enchanted Garden Resort, which has become a unique attraction in Jamaica.

As an athlete he played on several teams at Wolmers and Harvard. He continues to be an avid sportsman: member of the Kingston Cricket Club, various hunting clubs and the Jamaica Skeet Club and President of the Tivoli Gardens Football Club, basketball and netball clubs.