Caricom Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque has paid tribute to the late Hugh Cholmondeley, remembering his “sterling contributions” to integration, broadcasting and education in the Region and wider global community.
LaRocque, on behalf of the Caribbean Community, extended heartfelt condolences to Cholmondeley’s family and to the government and people of Guyana “on the loss of this truly outstanding citizen.” In his message of condolence, he referred to 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,” he said, according to a Caricom Secretariat press statement.
The Secretary-General referred to Cholmondeley as a pioneer in regional broadcasting and a committed soldier in regional integration. He left an indelible mark on broadcast journalism which he started in 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.”
Cholmondeley’s contributions 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,” the release noted.
“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,” the release said. In Guyana, he also established a media monitoring unit which assisted in establishing reporting standards in respect of election coverage, it added.
According to LaRocque, “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.”
