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SKN officials hold key positions within UNESCO governing bodies

SKN and UNESCO
(left to right) Ambassador David Doyle, Permanent Representative and Chairman of the Commonwealth Group at UNESCO; Hon Shawn Richards, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education; and Mr. Antonio Maynard, Secretary-General of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission for UNESCO.

(NATCOM) – Basseterre, 11th May, 2016:The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis’ diligence at the UN specialized agency, UNESCO, seems to be paying off with the installment of two of its representatives as holders of key positions.

On the fringes of the 199th Executive Board held at UNESCO in Paris mid-April, the Federation’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Dr. David P. Doyle, was confirmed as Chairman of the UNESCO Commonwealth Group, whilst Secretary General of the National Commission, Mr. Antonio Maynard, was elected Deputy Chairman of the UNESCO Finance and Administrative Commission (FA).
Both positions carry incredible scope for the advancement of critical issues pertaining to the advancement of the Federation’s UNESCO’s priority areas. St. Kitts and Nevis is active on the ground at UNESCO, via its permanent presence under Ambassador Doyle, and frequent interventions on the Executive Board by Mr. Maynard. The Federation interfaces with senior UNESCO Secretariat experts to secure technical capacity-building input and financing, which will include this year a UNESCO review of the Federation’s youth policy.
Stated Ambassador Doyle: “our election to the chairmanship of the Commonwealth Group at UNESCO comes at an auspicious time as UNESCO and the Commonwealth renew a memorandum of understanding, originally signed in 1980, to update and strength and cooperation between the two Organizations, especially in the fields of education, youth empowerment, and promoting intercultural dialogue”.
During the 199th Executive Board, he welcomed The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland, QC, and Commonwealth Secretary-General, to UNESCO on 15th April.
SKN’s Chairmanship of the Commonwealth group is especially significant because it coincides with UNESCO and the Commonwealth’s renewal of a memorandum of understanding, originally signed in 1980, to update and strengthen cooperation between the two Organizations, especially in the fields of education, youth empowerment, and promoting intercultural dialogue”.
Noted St. Kitts-Nevis’ National Commission Secretary-General, Mr. Maynard: “Our elevation to chairing the Commonwealth Group is part of our goal to seek ways of both contributing to UNESCO policy and securing influence. St. Kitts-Nevis was instrumental in creating and chairing, the SIDS Committee of Representatives to UNESCO between 2008 and 2015.
The Commonwealth Group at UNESCO consists of 54 Member States who meet regularly to discuss matters of common interest and issues touching on Commonwealth Countries, and share best practices on UNESCO fields of competences. Among other issues, the members strive to work on the objectives set by the Commonwealth Secretariat, a dedicated body based in London (UK), representing the former territories of the United Kingdom.
Mr. Maynard, Deputy Chairman of the UNESCO Finance and Administrative Commission (FA) reported that the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) action plan and implementation strategy, was approved.  Among topics incorporated of specific interest to the Federation were the relevance for young disaffected men of the TVET strategy, vulnerabilities linked to freshwater resources and urgent action needed to react to climate change by strengthening science education and policy, transfer of marine technology linked to coastal adaptation and mitigation, and early-warning systems.
Other key issues raised were the funding constraints to be taken account of in dealing with vulnerability based on size, small populations, limited resources and remoteness from the international markets, as well as the damaging effects of climate change.
St Kitts and Nevis clearly depends on the outcome of such discussions in terms of multilateral and bilateral-level funding policy in contributing to funding the UNESCO SIDS action plan. St. Kitts-Nevis stressed the point that funding decisions needed to  “take account of the fact that many SIDS already live on the front line of pockets of poverty, high unemployment, pollution, natural disasters and degradation of coastlines, tropical forests and coral reefs”.
(Press release courtesy of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission For UNESCO)

PM says hallmark of government is accountability

The Honourable Prime Minister, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, has characterised his Government’s management strategy of the island’s financial resources as transparent while debunking opposing claims.

He made the statement specifically referencing the European Union’s fiscal support to Dominica.
The Honourable Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the European Union at an EU-funded contract signing ceremony last week.
The Dominica leader stated that the European Union values the financial prudence and good management of Dominica.
PM says hallmark of government is accountability 1He posited, “They do their independent audits and at no time have they cited any infraction on Government’s part with respect to any agreement which we have signed with the European Union. We can account for every single euro- to the cent- which they have given us.
“That is the hallmark of this administration: prudent, responsible, accountable and transparent with the management of not just our own local resources but also those given to us by foreign countries.”
The Honourable Prime Minister acknowledged that despite its challenges, the European Union remains a steadfast supporter and one of Dominica’s major benefactors with regards to the deployment of assistance.
“They [deserve] the highest commendation and expression for gratitude from all of us because I’m sure that these monies could be spent in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Nouvelle-Calédonie or Greece but they remain committed in the face of adversity. We, in Dominica, must appreciate that.
“Dominica has an extraordinarily strong relationship with the European Union,” he added.
Dominica has had a formal relationship with the European Union formally known as the European Economic Community, since 1979.
It was their entry into the European Economic Community by Britain in 1973 which offered Dominica and other Commonwealth countries in Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific the possibility of negotiating their future relations with the EU.
The overall aim of EU cooperation is to improve the quality of life of the populations in the beneficiary countries through targeted and sustainable programmes.
In 2014 the EU delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, disbursed just over €80m in development cooperation aid to 10 countries in the region.

Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week

Biting Mosquito

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has designated May 9th-15th, 2016, as Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has designated May 9th-15th, 2016, as Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week, and in this regard, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment has launched a range of awareness activities in 5 communities, in collaboration with the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) and BRAGSA, under the theme “Our Health is a Shared Responsibility. Stop Mosquitos Today. Keep Zika Away.”
The Week of Activities commenced on Sunday with a Views on Issues programme, on NBC Radio 705, which focused on “Mosquito control measures to protect the Vincentian population, especially pregnant women who may be at risk of getting Zika and its complications”. And, visits by members of staff and also members of the Zika Action Committee are currently on-going in several schools during the course of the week.
The Insect Vector Control Unit within the Ministry is lending support in the various communities by conducting source reduction activities, including the distribution of fishes, sealing defective septic tanks, sensitisation, in addition to promoting Mosquito Awareness Week and the range of activities, including a clean-up campaign on Saturday May 14th in various communities.
On Friday, May 13th, of this week, at Heritage Square, there will be a Mosquito Awareness Exposition, from 9am-1am, and also a Mosquito Awareness Concert from 3pm – 4:30pm. The concert will feature Rodney Small, Keido, Luta, along with renditions from Young Leaders from the Georgetown Secondary School, the St Vincent Grammar School, the Girls’ High School, the Bishop’s College and the Emmanuel High School, among numerous other acts and surprises.
Mosquito Awareness Week activities will continue on Saturday 14th simultaneously in Campden Park, Barrouallie, Calliaqua and Rose Place, with clean-up exercises in each community. On Sunday 15th, BRAGSA will clear the mouths of the blocked rivers within the named communities.
An invitation is extended to the print and electronic media to attend and to be a part of the actives as part of their shared responsibility.

UWI Breaks Ground for Region’s First Net Zero Energy Building

Net Zero Energy Building Site

The University of the West Indies (UWI) is to shortly commence the construction of the Caribbean’s first Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB).

Ground was broken yesterday (May 10) for the approximately J$61.48 million (US$500,000) project, which will be situated along Gibraltar Way on the Mona campus. It is intended to serve as a prototype for the construction of similar structures in the region.
The project is being implemented by UWI’s Institute for Sustainable Development, with technical assistance from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and funding from the Global Environment Facility.
An NZEB produces enough renewable energy to meet its own annual energy consumption requirements, thereby reducing the use of non-renewable energy in the building sector.
The long-term benefits are lower environmental impact and operating and maintenance costs, better resiliency to power outages and natural disasters, and improved energy security.
Minister of Energy, Science and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, in an address at the groundbreaking ceremony, said the adaptation and implementation of NZEBs will go a far way in reducing the country’s carbon footprint, ensuring future utility cost savings, and increasing worker productivity and comfort.
“Our Government recognises the importance of renewable energy within a portfolio of low-carbon and cost-competitive energy technologies, capable of responding to the challenges of energy security and climate change,” he said.
The 2,300-square foot NZEB will include a centre for research on renewable energy, as well as conference facilities. As a prototype, it will demonstrate emerging and best practices in the built environment as it relates to energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental design.
It is expected that this facility, to be completed by December, will influence the implementation of regulatory tools, as well as transform building policies and practices.
Minister Wheatley said the innovation is in keeping with Government’s strategy to revolutionise the country’s energy supply, power generation, transmission, distribution and consumption habits.
He encouraged more institutions to implement similar projects and conduct research to ensure energy sustainability.
Senior Programme Manager for the Energy, Climate and Technology Branch of UNEP, Kenya, Geordie Colville, said the building is designed to maximise the use of natural sunlight for energy, while reducing the need for air conditioning and artificial lighting.
The structure will reduce energy consumption by 40 percent compared to a non-zero net energy building. Excess power generated will be sold to the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) under a net billing arrangement.
The building is also to be utilised as an emergency shelter, as it will be designed to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes, and harvest storm, drainage and waste water. It is expected to save up to 30 percent in water consumption under everyday conditions.

Single fathers dub UNESCO’S empowerment project enlightening

Single Fathers - UNESCO

(NATCOM) – Basseterre, 11th May, 2016:Some eighty fathers who recently completed a project organized by the National Commission For UNESCO to empower single father’s in the Federation has been dubbed enlightening and practical.

Participants, most of whom said they so enjoyed the sessions over the past few months that they wished it was longer told the National Commission that they have already started utilizing the skills they gained and look forward to follow up sessions in the future.
Livingstone Doily of Challengers who received his certificate when the project came to close lost his children’s mom several years ago when she died prematurely. As such he said he was pleased to be able to gain the expertise of facilitators over the period. He stated, “It’s tough at times but I am up to the challenge and enjoy doing it. It helped me, especially the Education part of it. I can tell them how to get along with people, how to be respectable to teachers and other students and how to study.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Mrs. Ionie Liburd Willett praised the project and highlighted the ministry’s support and approval. “The Single Father’s project has heightened awareness of the invaluable contribution of single fathers to the stabilization of the family. The project is a vehicle to empower single fathers in St. Kitts with the attitude and disposition, skill and knowledge to make them better parents.”
The fathers were exposed to information about effective parenting, communication, discipline techniques, and the importance of modeling positive behaviours to their children among other instructional content.
Inspector Cromwell Henry   in comments on behalf of Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley, said it was of paramount importance that fathers be equipped with the information that would allow them to be able to balance between earning an income and creating homes that nurture children.
“There is numerous research which shows that children with involved, loving fathers are more likely to do well in school; have high, healthy self-esteem; exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior and avoid high risk behavior including drug abuse, gang affiliation and criminal activity.”
Referring to his government’s support of the activity, Minister with responsibility for Gender Affairs and Social Development Hon. Eugene Hamilton advised that traditionally families in the Caribbean  region have been defined by grandmother-dominated households, absent fathers and common law unions. He added that this trend is however dwindling as we see a rise in the differently comprised households including that of single fathers. As such, it has become critical that these fathers be given the tools to manage such households.
The minister emphasized “It is imperative for single fathers to have a strong network of support to facilitate the process of child rearing. This programme sought to provide a safety net for fathers by exposing them to information; legal and otherwise and educating them in the three disciplines of math, English and Information Technology so they could assist their children with homework.” The programme also enabled fathers to develop a high level of thinking skills in relation to domestic issues.
Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Ruby Thomas commended the single fathers for their diligence during the project and noted the improvements she witnessed over the workshop.
“You demonstrated the values of parental love; personal participation in your children’s lives; personal contact; discussion about educational, religion, living environment, and the economic support necessary for their daily lives,” Ms Thomas stated.
Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO Mr. Antonio Maynard recorded the Organization’s stamp of approval by distributing certificates of participation to the successful participants.
(Press release courtesy of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission For UNESCO)
– See more at: http://sknis.info/single-fathers-dub-unescos-empowerment-project-enlightening/#sthash.nNgIuIo2.dpuf

Agriculture Ministry partners with Fair Trade for box inspection

Banana
Photo.elsoar.com

The Honourable Minister for Agriculture, Johnson Drigo, on Friday, May 6th, announced that as early as May 2016, the Ministry will be assisting the Fair Trade organisation with the inspection of boxes for export.

Banana Farmer
Honourable Johnson Drigo with Banana Farmer

The Honourable Prime Minister, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit gave his support to the Minister for Agriculture on moves to improve banana exports.
He emphasized the need to maintain the quality of bananas from the Dominica market.
“We have to maintain high standards. We cannot just put the bananas in a bag on a boat under heat and when it gets to the islands, it is black. Understand that when we do that, we are destroying our opportunities and making things more difficult for the country. The markets are there, we have input resources to enhance and sustain the market but at the end of the day, the quality, packaging and cleanliness of the fruit lies squarely on the laps on the farmers and the hucksters,” he said.
The Honourable Agriculture Minister, Johnson Drigo, stressed that this is as a result of reports about the quality of bananas exported to other islands.
Hon Drigo reminded farmers that Dominica does not have a monopoly on banana exports.
“The idea of farmers just packing boxes anyhow and sending bulging boxes must be a thing of the past. Reports reaching me indicate that some of the bananas which we are exporting are of poor quality. There should be no scruffy, [rotting], bruised, thin or over-grade bananas packed in boxes for export,” he asserted.
[Hon Drigo and  farmer]
The Honourable Minister explained that the move to inspect outgoing bananas is to ensure that only top quality bananas leave the island.
“We have to secure the markets which we already have. Of course, we know that our fruits are the most succulent but the appearance of the product is important.”
He says he has seen Dominica’s plantains on the Antiguan market which appeared battered and bruised.
“We will push to ensure that the products leave in the reefer (refrigerated) containers. Whatever has to be done, the Ministry will do it to ensure that the bananas leave the country in top form which the market requires but the farmers mist play their part. It’s your business to secure,” he said.”
Meanwhile the Honourable Prime Minister described Government’s obvious commitment to agriculture.
“In practical terms and in terms of commitment to farmers, farmers are [enjoying] fertilizer highly-subsidized by Government and are free in some cases.”
The Hon. Finance Minister revealed that bags of fertilizer which retail at $140 per unit are being handed out to farmers at $20 and often at no cost.
“I challenge any farmer or critic in Dominica to tell me of any Caribbean island with such levels of subsidies (with the exception of St. Vincent because of our similar ideological pursuits). We are making the investments.”

Operation Youth Quake under renovation; solicits donations

Operation Youth Quake

Construction has commenced to expand and reroof the Operation Youth Quake but the project requires additional funding to complete a comfortable home.
The Operation Youth Quake was originally established in 1978 to provide an alternative to prison for delinquent young boys and as a rehabilitation center for physically and emotionally deprived boys.
The Operation Youth Quake currently provides day care service and short term residential care.
The boys and girls are aged 12-18; most of them attend school or programmes recommended by magistrates.
In an interview with GIS News, Director of the Operation Youth Quake, Lennox Abraham, provided information about the project which has been in the pipeline for about four years.
“This roofing project is sponsored by the OECS/USAID Juvenile Justice Reform Project. The project started last week and we hope it will last for about six weeks. We are also doing some remodeling. We have gotten some sponsorship for that from the Beverly Foundation through the Resource Foundation in the United States and we have also gotten some money from Government to assist with that,” he explained.
Abraham believes it is important to create a safe and secure environment for the young residents.
“My thing is that if you take a young person out from the streets or situations, you have to bring them to a place where, they can be comfortable and things are in place for them.”
He noted that the President and the President’s Charities Foundation have both been very instrumental in sourcing funds for the redevelopment of the centre’s farm.
The programmes of the Operation Youth Quake are geared at equipping the participants with basic skills such as: reading, writing, farming, cooking, baking and social skills.
Meantime, the seven young residents of the Operation Youth Quake have been relocated to what was formerly known as Eden Guesthouse.
Abraham appeals, “We are short on funds for what we want to accomplish so we are asking the public to come and support this worthwhile venture.”

Social Development Ministry hosts first of a series of community outreaches

Community

May 11, 2016: May 4th 2016 marked the start of a series of community outreaches to be undertaken by the Main-People Issues Resolution and Coordinating Unit of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services.

The first outreach took place with a formal opening ceremony at the Guayaguayare Community Centre, where the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Jacinta Bailey-Sobers gave the feature address and provided the basis for the outreach initiative.  According to PS Sobers-Bailey, the Ministry took the decision to start in the communities of Rio Claro and Mayaro because this region was identified as having a very high level of poverty in the country.

 The PS indicated that given the present economic downturn it was imperative that vulnerable groups and individuals be informed and empowered with details on how to access programmes and services to meet their immediate needs. She also told the audience that the outreaches will provide information on where emphasis should be channelled with respect to the Ministry’s programmes designed to address poverty. PS Sobers announced that the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services was also in the process of developing a Social Mitigation Plan to cushion the effects of the economic downturn and so the exercise will also be useful in gathering data towards designing this very important plan.

Also present were Member of Parliament for the area Rushton Parray, Minister of Agriculture Land and Fisheries, the Honourable Clarence Rambharat as well as Councillors and other representatives of the Rio Claro Regional Corporation. Among the participating Ministries and Agencies were The National Maintenance Training and Security Company Limited (MTS) Physicians Pharmaceuticals Ltd PPL, the Agricultural Development Bank, The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO), the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Arts, the  Ministry of the Attorney General & Legal Affairs, the National Training Agency, TT Connect, the National Commission for Self Help, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the MIC Institute of Technology.

 A total of fifteen (15) Glucose Monitoring machines, two (2) Blood Pressure kits, hundreds of Vitamin tablets and one (1) Wheel Chair were given out to clients.  Several persons visited the Ministry’s Mobile Unit and eleven (11) persons received counselling and other information on how to access and qualify for the Ministry’s programmes and services. Representatives for the Policy Programme Planning and Development Division, HIV Coordinating Unit, National Poverty Reduction and Eradication Programmes Coordinating Unit and the Social Investigation Division were also in attendance to assist those in attendance.

 The Ministry intends to take its programmes and services to other communities in the upcoming weeks. Part of its overall outreach strategy is to meet the people where they are and bring the social services to them, so that no one is left behind.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation participates in ICAO Training in Seoul, South Korea.

Mark Brantley

May 11, 2016 Seoul, South Korea – Hon. Mark Brantley is currently in South Korea participating is the 5th Conference of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Aviation Training and TRAINAIR PLUS Global Symposium on International Air Transport Cooperation being held under the patronage of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Mr. Hoin Kang.

At today’s Opening Ceremony Mr. Kang, along with the President and CEO of the Incheon International Airport Corporation, Mr. II Young Chung gave remarks followed by congratulatory remarks from the several individuals including the Hon. Mark Brantley. In his remarks, the Minister spoke to the need for training in the Aviation Industry to meet the demands of flight and passenger volumes set to double by 2030. He commended the ICAO for addressing these demands and lauded their most recent initiative, the No Country Left Behind campaign. This campaign seeks to ensure that all ICAO member states are equipped to effectively implement ICAO’s global Standards and Recommended Practices.
The Minister expressed appreciation to the Korean government for continually providing the necessary training to developing countries such as St. Kitts-Nevis. South Korea’s Incheon Airport is ranked number one in airport service quality. The Minister also thanked Mr. Kang and the government of South Korea for extending the invitation to participate at the conference and for welcoming him to South Korea.
The conference ends on Friday 13th May.
(Press release courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

BTL Acquisition Award not yet Finalized

Belize Press Office

Belmopan. May 11, 2016.    The Permanent Court of Arbitration Tribunal has not yet issued its final award on the acquisition of BTL shares by the Government of Belize (GOB).

The draft decision from the Court was released to the parties in confidence and GOB had been awaiting the final ruling before publicizing the details. However, since some details of the draft decision have been circulated to the media, GOB feels obliged to put out a statement.
What has been issued is a draft of the Court’s findings on the valuation of the 45,199,961 BTL shares which were nationalized by the Government in August 2009.  Under the draft findings, they have determined the value to be BZ$5.60 per share.  This compares to the $10.23 being claimed by the former shareholders and the $1.44 which GOB had originally offered.
Just prior to Last General Elections GOB agreed with the previous shareholders that it would pay the amount it proposed of BZ$1.44 per share (approx. BZ$65 million) towards the acquisition of shares.  It was further agreed that if there was a settlement liability on the Accommodation Agreements, that will be used in Belize on projects to be agreed upon by the previous shareholders/GOB.
Therefore, from the draft valuation of $5.60 per share, only 40% or $2.24 is directly attributable to the share value which is only $0.80 more than what GOB offered.  GOB sold those shares for $5.00 per share.
The additional amount being paid that is attributable to the Accommodation Agreements is $3.36 per share or $151M which will be spent in Belize on local projects.  Since acquisition, dividends earned by GOB should be sufficient enough to offset the award of Interest and possibly costs.
GOB has already paid $65M towards compensation.  GOB and the Belize Social Security Board had loaned Sunshine Holdings $20M for the purchase of shares back in 2005 and these loans were never repaid.  The compensation payment, therefore, will be reduced by another $20M.
The Government looks forward to the final award ruling on this matter so that we can all put behind us the PUP era of secret contracts and bad deals that threatened the economic development of our country.  GOB views this draft decision as a net win for the Government but repeats that this is not the final decision of the Court.

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