NASSAU, Bahamas — President of the Republic of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi said his country is ready to work with The Bahamas to develop an exchange of knowledge and expertise, The Nassau Guardian reported on Thursday, September 14, 2023, in an article written by News ditor Travis Cartwright-Carroll.
Speaking at the University of The Bahamas’s Distinguished Lecture series on democratic values, Masisi said democracy must be nurtured.
“As small nation states, Botswana and The Bahamas both pursue foreign policies based on democratic values where voices of small and big states can and should be heard,” he said. “We continue to engage in dialogue on a multinational level in order to build a common understanding on strategies critical to addressing today’s geopolitical issues, particularly those bordering on peace and security, equality, sustainable development and respect for human rights.”
He added, “As future leaders, you should insist on shared values in the international forum such as constitutional term limits, separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary, free and fair elections, and free, independent and pluralistic media.
“Since we are at an institution of higher learning, the University of The Bahamas, you must also insist on the independence of academic institutions from propaganda.
“Universities thrive and play their roles as change bearers and power houses of ideas of innovation and transformation to the extent that their national governments support the principle of academic freedom and the pursuit of the truth and excellence.”
Masisi said Botswana is ready to work with The Bahamas to develop a “collaboration that could enhance the exchange of knowledge, expertise and resources to strengthen our ideals of democracy and fundamental freedoms and to support the next generation of leaders”.
He noted that both Botswana and The Bahamas share similar priorities and pointed to the government’s National Development Plan, Vision 2040.
“Therefore, there is an opportunity for our governments, academic and democratic institutions, to forge closer collaborations to exchange notes and expertise to facilitate the realization of our two visions,” he said.
See article in The Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/botswana-president-calls-for-sharing-of-ideas-with-the-bahamas/
