Ruth Gardiner of CHMI Attends 8th Leon H Sullivan Summit
Ms Gardiner and the Reverend Jesse Jackson at a reception during the Summit
Ruth Gardiner, Assistant Professor and Head of Department in the Culinary & Hospitality Management Institute of The College of The Bahamas, has recently returned from an exciting visit to Tanzania in East Africa where she attended the eighth Leon H Sullivan Summit, a large scale conference designed to help Africa meet the needs of its people and participate in the global economy, which ran from 2nd - 6th June, 2008.
Ms Gardiner was invited to participate in one of the forums that focused on sustaining the growth of tourism in the African continent. She presented on some of the strategies used in promoting the Caribbean as a tourist destination, especially in the way tourism opportunities are maximized through cooperation and collaboration. Her invitation came following a recommendation forwarded by the former Prime Minister of Jamaica, P J Patterson, who also acted as moderator for the forum at which Ms Gardiner presented.
The Leon H. Sullivan Summit, held every two years, brings together thousands of delegates from Africa, America, the Caribbean and Europe. Its mission, as established by the legendary American Reverend Leon H. Sullivan, is to contribute to the development of Africa by strengthening economic, political and cultural linkages between Africans, African-Americans and "Friends of Africa".
Well known in the field of hospitality training in the Caribbean region, Ms Gardiner spoke to her enthusiastic and eager audience on the importance of education and training for personnel in the hospitality industry. She emphasized how important it is to set high standards that will enhance the product and to provide consistently excellent service for all clients. Members of her audience, which included leaders of government, private industry and civil society from different regions of the world, were very enthusiastic and receptive, responding very positively to what she had to say. All appreciated Ms Gardiner's insights and expertise which brought focused attention to best practices needed to continue and expand Africa's tourism successes for the economic development and future prosperity of the continent.
The Sullivan Foundation hopes to hold a separate tourism conference in 2009 on the Caribbean model, when the organizers want to bring African officials into the Caribbean to learn what lessons they can first hand and take them back to apply them in their home countries.
Among the delegates at the Summit were civil rights activist and politician, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and former mayor of Atlanta, Andrew Young, whose consulting firm, GoodWorks International, has been very active in stimulating the economies of countries on the African continent.
Ms Gardiner returned to Nassau with many vivid memories which included a day in a safari park, meeting members of the Masai tribe, a debate which included leaders of seven African states and a forum on the environment, with a presentation by the famed environmentalist and primatologist, Jane Goodall of Gorillas in the Mist fame.
As The College of The Bahamas transitions to a university, it is becoming more and more important that its faculty gain exposure on the global scene, contribute to bodies of knowledge and expertise and enhance the reputation of the developing institution. Ms Gardiner's Tanzanian experience did just that.
Website for Sullivan Summit : www.thesullivansummit.org
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The College of The Bahamas
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