The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

HER seat in the General Assembly of the United Nations gives Allison Booker the chance to vote on issues that impact the lives of all Bahamians.

With her vote, Ms Booker articulates the Bahamas' position on issues including gender equality, the rights of women, the rights of children, social development and the elimination of terrorism.

Making representation at the United Nations is just one of the many rewarding experiences a career in foreign affairs has afforded Ms Booker.

"It does not matter whether a country is big or small, there is equal representation in the Assembly," she told Tribune Woman. "And when I push the button to vote on behalf of my country it brings me a good feeling. It is wonderful to be in the presence of world leaders like Barack Obama and the British Prime Minister, David Cameron. You see them and you listen to them negotiate on matters that impact the world. Though the novelty has worn off, it has always been rewarding to be a part of an organisation that sets the agenda for the rest of the world."

Ms Booker was assigned as a foreign service officer to the United Nations in 2006. She is also an alternate representative of the Bahamas on three distinct committees, including Disarmament and International Security, Social, Cultural and Humanitarian, and the Legal Committee.

"Based on the deliberations and negotiations, it is my task to articulate the Government's position, to undertake an assessment and analysis of the issues to determine implications for the Bahamas and to present recommendations to the Government. The recommendations, to a large extent, play a significant role in determining the Bahamas' position on issues before the United Nations," said Ms Booker.

"The work that I am involved in is of great importance to the Bahamas. However, the success of our work at the Bahamas mission depends to a large extent on the co-operation we receive from various ministries and departments, in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The regular flow and exchange of information between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other governmental agencies is very important as it allows us, in missions abroad, to articulate and to advance the Government's position accurately with the most up-to-date information and in a timely and effective manner," she said.

As the diplomatic officer responsible for social development and human rights issues, she was also involved with the 2006 commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

"I was intimately involved. The purpose of this initiative is to build a memorial of the slave trade as well as recognise the victims. It was very rewarding to play a role," said Ms Booker.

For most of her career, Ms Booker was involved with international affairs. She joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in November 1988 after completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Florida International University, Miami.

After leaving the public sector, Ms Booker relocated to Los Angeles where she was involved with a privately owned education and training program for developmentally-disabled adults.

"My assignment in Los Angeles afforded me the opportunity to view, first-hand, the level of assistance, support and training that is provided by the State of California to disabled persons in communities across the state, particularly in the southern Los Angeles area and also in the Bay Area in northern California. One significant lesson I learned during my four-and-a-half years' experience in the field of special education was the absence of stigma associated with disabilities in the State of California."

That experience gave her a greater appreciation for not only disabled individuals, but persons who work in the field of special education.