The Farquharson Institute of Public Affairs remains Jamaica's premier think tank for over eighty years. Its influence and activities have been of profound significance for the development of Jamaica's economic, social and political life.

I have had the honour to be chairman of the council of the institute for the past fifteen months. During the period the council looked inward on itself for regeneration after years of silence, and outwards on matters of public interest for deliberation.

LOOKING INWARD:
Council inherited weaknesses in the organization that resulted from years of neglect. This presented an seeming dismal picture of the institute's internal situation. Apparently, during a period of confusion and chaos the institute had not met for eight years. The records of the institute were found in shambles, thus, part of our history may be lost forever. The date originally fixed for this annual general meeting had to be set back because the auditor could not get financial statements for the lost years to be able to provide audited accounts for the period under review. This problem should now be behind us.

The institute had not carried out all its obligations under the company's act, but these are currently being addressed. Changes to the articles of association might be necessary for the institute to function efficiently and effectively in the changed circumstances of Jamaica today.

Task forces were established to monitor different subjects for consideration but not all performed as expected. This will require reassignment of responsibility.

The council of the institute held regular monthly meetings and managed to carry out internal restructuring while tackling the many outside matters that called for attention and thoughtful consideration.

Despite the problems, there was improvement that resulted from internal reorganization. By the unrelenting urgings and contribution from Mr. Anthony Clarke, the office was dragged belatedly into the twentieth century. Computers are now in use, the office is on the Internet, and soon the institute will have its own web site - ready to join the twenty-first century. In addition, better financial performance was achieved as shown in the attached addendum.

Council must continue the process of updating the office and give consideration to making further changes in the general administrative structure. It should be the responsibility of an officer of the institute to monitor and supervise this project as a priority undertaking. Such changes that are made should be designed to improve performance and remove unnecessary pressure from the council.

LOOKING OUTWARDS:
Council is satisfied the institute made solid progress in the year under review. There was renewed awareness of the institute's presence in society. Encouragingly, council considers establishing a junior chapter of the institute to accommodate a request from Campion college students.

Outreach programmes were successfully undertaken. The high points were, public information forums on "government administrative reform programme" and "the problems in agriculture". There is now increase demand for active involvement in more national issues. Other forums are planned for government's "Highway 2000 project" July 21st.), and "local government reform" (September).

Council made public statements about matters of national interest. This involved issuing press releases and making appearances on radio shows to state the institute's views on different subjects, including reform in the justice system, human rights in Jamaica, and the electoral advisory committee. Members called on his Excellency,
the governor general, to discuss the apparent delay in making appointments to the committee. The appointments were made shortly after the visit.

Council received much assistance from dr. and Mrs. Martin Aub of transparency international, on the approach that can best be taken for reducing waste and corruption in government, besides their regular contributions to the institute.
Council joined the Jamaican bar association and Jamaicans for justice in opposing the form proposed by government for establishment of a Caribbean court of justice and abolishing appeals to her majesty's privy council.

New occasions will continue to arise demanding a response from the institute.
There is the education white paper recently tabled in parliament, a weak economy, spiraling national debt, and instability in the society due to violent crime.

There is still a major role for the institute to play in achieving its objective to give thoughtful and earnest consideration to the grave questions confronting the country; and to make the institute's views known on matters that are regarded as important in the public interest.

LOOKING FORWARD:
I am confident the Farquharson institute is now positioned to expand it's membership and influence, and the new council will be well equipped to deal with the new challenges facing Jamaica.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as chairman for the past year. I take this opportunity to welcome new members of the Farquharson institute, and to express appreciation to members of council who freely gave of their time and energy in support of the year's efforts. I wish especially to recognize the contribution of the three vice-chairmen - Dr. Alfred Sangster, Mrs. Marjorie Humphrey's and Mr. Harvey Willis. The dedicated and loyal support from general secretary - Mr. Ken Jones, and treasurer - Mr. David Buckley, were invaluable and went a far way in making possible all that was achieved during the year. Special mention must also be made of the work done by Mrs. Carmen whereby in recording our proceedings and keeping the office going. It was an exciting and challenging time for me and I thank all who assisted in making my task so much easier.

The institute must continue the pursuit of its objective of service to the country for the preservation of a democratic society and the advancement of the free people of Jamaica.

Frank Phipps Q.C.
Chairman, FIPA
16th. June, 2001

- Addendum -
Institute's financial performance for the year 2000 TRN # 000528498

Revenue increased by $301,203 (45%) to $970,100; of which interest earned on investments contributed $668,969 (69% of total revenues). The main contributor to the increase in revenues this year was the surplus (net) of $191,211 made on the sale of the institute's publication "Cerasse". Members' subscriptions towards the institute's work remained at a perilous low level of only $32,720, and contributed only 5% towards the operating costs of $600,393; resulting in a $500 p.a. Increase in fees having to be effected by council in February 2001.

Operating expenditures in year increased by $186,773 (45%) to $600,393, this includes depreciation on fixed assets of $62,547. The major item of increase was $103,500 (137%) in wages & salaries.

Profitability: the surplus for the year increased by only $114,430 (45%) to $369.707. Our improved profitability was entirely brought about by the net proceeds of $191,211 made on the sale of book publications. The Farquharson institute can not continue to live off it's capital and immediate efforts must be made to find additional income streams, without having to keep tapping into interest earned on our reserve fund investments to meet day-to-day operating expenses, the reserves have been built up over a period of some 80 years since the institute was founded in 1917, and should not be expended in any year to meet operating costs, they should be allowed to accumulate as a hedge against inflation and only touched for major items of capital expenditure.

Balance sheet:
Accumulated fund increased by $369,707 (38%) to $1,333,401 at year-end.
The general reserves remained unchanged at $4,824,614. Only $8,000 was expended on new fixed assets during the year. There was a healthy growth in net current assets that increased by $1,154,619 (50%) to $3,466,782 at year-end.

The financial future will largely depend on membership growth, increased fees, membership retention, sponsorship, research grants and viable civil society projects being undertaken by the institute which generate moderate surpluses and also contribute to their proportion of our operating costs.

In summary, year 2000 can be viewed as a year of 'financial consolidation & forward planning' that sets the base for moving forward and achieving a balanced operating budget for 2002. A new computerized accounting package and members database will shortly be installed on the PC at the secretariat, in the meantime current accounting for 2001 is being maintained as a service by our auditor at his office.

Prior years audited accounts: copies may be inspected by members at our secretariat 5 Lyncourt. I am pleased to be able to report that all-overdue audits for back years have been completed & we are now current. In house unaudited accounts are being maintained current in 2001 on a monthly basis.

End of addendum

Frank Phipps Q.C.
Chairman, FIPA
22nd. June, 2001

Ken Jones, BSc., CD., J.P.

After many years of dormancy, followed by relatively recent efforts to revive and reorganize itself, the Farquharson Institute is once again an active and influential participant in Civil Society and public affairs. The process of reorganization is incomplete. There is still the need to settle aspects of the governing constitution and the operational guidelines of the organization; to increase the membership and individual involvement; to improve and stabilize the funding of its work, and to clarify transactions that long preceded the present regime. However, in spite of these concerns the Institute has had its most productive and encouraging term in a long time and the prospects for further progress are good.

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