The nation’s youths are being encouraged to play a more pivotal role in reducing crime and violence.
This urging comes from Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, who argues that if young people are forthright in this regard, they could influence persons engaging in illicit acts to “lay down their guns and knives so that we can have a safer society.”
The Minister was speaking at the annual Kiwanis Club Division 23 East youth rally at Ardenne High School in Kingston, on Saturday, May 7.
Senator Reid said in order for young people to influence a reduction in crime, they must be united to this end.
He explained that persons having differences with each other must first seek to resolve these peacefully rather than resorting to conflict.
Senator Reid also suggested that they endeavour to lead exemplary lives by being “polite, kind and striving for excellence.”
These traits, he contended, would serve to positively influence their peers and other persons across the society.
Senator Reid lauded the Kiwanis Club and other service organizations for their ongoing work which continues to nurture the growth and development of Jamaica’s young people, while inspiring them to achieve greatness.
Kiwanis Lieutenant Governor, Beverley Thompson, said the rally marked the coming together of schools islandwide that have Builders and K-Kids Clubs, which are affiliated with the service organization.
She explained that the activities usually entail “nice, healthy competition” among the institutions in music, dance and speech.
Young People Deemed Pivotal in Reducing Crime and Violence
Voluntary Contributions Being Accommodated Under New Tuition Fee Policy
School administrators have been advised that voluntary contributions from parents and other stakeholders towards their institutions’ development will be accommodated under the Government’s proposed tuition fee policy.
Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, who made the disclosure, emphasized, however, that contributions sought should not be regarded as mandatory payments.
Additionally, he said the Ministry would be “strongly” encouraging parents who have the ability to make contributions, to do so in order to facilitate the “enhancement of your schools.”
Senator Reid was speaking at a press briefing following consultations on the policy with high school board chairpersons, principals and bursars at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston, on Friday, May 6.
The new policy, which comes into effect at the start of the 2016/17 academic year in September, will result in the removal of auxiliary fees, which many schools currently require parents to pay for their children’s’ enrolment.
Consequent on the impending discontinuation of fee payments, the Ministry’s subvention to schools will be increased from $11,500 to $19,000.
Senator Reid suggested that, where necessary, school administrators have discussions with their Boards and Parent-Teachers Associations (PTA) to identify gaps within their institutions’ budgets and development programmes for which additional funding assistance is needed.
He further said that, where possible, parents and PTAs would be asked to lobby the support of alumni associations and corporate Jamaica.
“We want to work with each school to look at their particular funding requirements and give guidance as to what is allowable in terms of reasonable contributions,” the Minister added.
Senator Reid, again, highlighted the disparity under the current auxiliary fee structure which he said ranged from a low of $5,000 and under to as high as $47,000.
In reiterating that this was untenable, Senator Reid maintained that the Government’s plan to increase its contribution to schools will help those that are underfunded, while establishing greater equity among all institutions.
Meanwhile, President of the Association of Principals and Vice Principals, Lynton Weir, said school administrators now have a clearer understanding of the Government’s position on the funding arrangements.
He said administrators were pleased with the increased allowance that the Ministry will provide to schools, which he contended will enable them “to do much more.”
Mr. Weir further advised that they also welcomed the announcement that voluntary contributions, particularly from parents, would be accommodated under the policy.
“We will look at the needs of our schools and still continue the partnership with our parents and past students as well. I am sure that school leaders will now be able to breathe a sigh of relief in terms of moving forward as it relates to development of our schools,” Mr. Weir stated.
Junior Achievement Company Program Trade Fair
Basseterre, St. Kitts, (7 May 2016) – The Old Treasury Apron will be abuzz with excitement this Friday 13th May with the Junior Achievement Company Program Trade Fair; a collaborative event by the National Entrepreneurial Development Division (NEDD), which is the business support arm of the government and Junior Achievement St Kitts and Nevis. This leg of the JA Company Program competition is the climax of the months of preparation of the JA Companies formed in the various high schools in the Federation.
After months of envisioning, training, and preparing, five (5) schools have made it this far. Basseterre Secondary, Charlestown Secondary, Gingerland Secondary, Verchilds Secondary and Washington Archibald High Schools will vie for top honours at the annual public exhibition and competition.
Judges will keenly assess their booths, looking for creativity, commercial appeal, merchandising and marketing skills and of course quality products and services. The general public will be able to get up close and personal with the staff of the various companies and be able to make purchases and even vote for the people’s choice winner for best booth and best product.
Last year’s winner of the Trade Fair, the Charlestown Secondary school, wowed clients with their products with Verchilds Secondary School placing second.
The Trade Fair will run from 10:00 am to 5:00pm at the Old Treasury Apron at Port Zante.
The National Entrepreneurial Development Division (NEDD) and Junior Achievement St Kitts & Nevis would like to thank the following sponsors, CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, Kajola Kristada, Bank of Nova Scotia, Delisle Walwyn, the Brimstone Hill Fortress Society, Carib Brewery, Island Purified Water and Urban Development Corporation.
Come out and support our Youth Entrepreneurs!!!
Housing Ministry has made a great contribution
The Ministry of Housing, Lands and Rural Development has contributed in no small measure to the development of Barbados since 1966, says Minister Denis Kellman.
He was addressing a tree planting ceremony today that marked the launch of his Ministry’s own activities in celebration of Barbados’ 50th anniversary of Independence, at its Country Road Headquarters.
Pointing out that his Ministry’s mandate was to provide housing solutions to the people of this country, Mr. Kellman said: “We are tasked to ensure that we do whatever is socially, economically, financially and legally possible in order to ensure that our people are housed in the best and most affordable accommodations possible. Indeed, it is a dream of most, if not all, of our citizens to own a piece of the rock.”
The gathering of officers from departments across the Ministry heard that the fight for decent housing had been very hard and continued today even as we celebrate 50 years of Independence.
Explaining, Mr. Kellman said: “Around that time, a large majority of houses were made of wood and land was very difficult to acquire. Sanitation was rather poor and [at an] unacceptable level even though conditions were far better in 1966 than they were in many years preceding our attainment of Independence. The Government found it possible not only to build houses but to make it possible or at least easier to acquire land upon which to build.”
He praised the enactment of various pieces of legislation and pointed out that the most notable were the Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act and the Tenantries Free Hold Option To Purchase Act. “These two Acts, along with others, made it easier for ordinary citizens to own land upon which they could build their houses,” Mr. Kellman stated.
He commended the work of departments such as the National Housing Corporation, the Rural Development Commission, the Lands and Surveys Department, the Land Registry Department and others, who worked alongside the Ministry to help it to continue to focus on its vision and mission.
While declaring that if there was one challenge it would be that attention had not been paid, over the years, to the maintenance of Government properties, Mr. Kellman however assured those gathered that his Ministry would continue to build relationships with the private sector to solve this problem.
joy-ann.gill@barbados.gov.bb
Dominica learns risk assessment for money laundering and terrorism financing
The Government of Dominica, through the Ministry of Justice, Immigration and National Security held a one-day sensitization workshop on Thursday, May 5th to begin a National Risk Assessment for Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing.
This is part of efforts to ensure that Dominica complies with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the international organization which develops policies to combat money laundering.
“This exercise will seek to guide Dominica in assessing its money laundering and terrorist financing risks with a view to helping the jurisdiction use the information to design a more effective and risk-based anti-money laundering and combating terrorism regime,” explained Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Davis Letang.
Hon. Minister for Justice, Immigration and National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore says this will ensure that Dominica has a robust financial system.
The Minister lauded the work of the Dominica Labour Party Administration which got Dominica taken off the financial blacklist in 2001 by developing policies and making legislative amendments.
This includes the establishment of the Financial Intelligence Unit.
He says however there is much more to be done.
“It is important that we do what is required of us and no one should be allowed to defile us. In the final analysis, I think that we have done so well,” he said.
To further strengthen the work of the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Minister for Justice disclosed that a Director and Legal Officer will be appointed.
Hon. Attorney General, Levi Peter, who is also Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Money Laundering agrees that this assessment is necessary to prevent Dominica from being placed on “the negative list.”
“It is a critical exercise for e security of our own financial system. It is also critical to continued proper and full participation of this jurisdiction in the regional and international financial systems,” he began. “It is critical that we ensure that our system is functional in a way which complies with the requirements of the regional and international financial systems so that we secure our corresponding banking arrangements but also ensure that we keep Dominica out of the clutches of the negative listing.”
The Hon Attorney General intends to table amendments to the Proceeds of Criminal Activity Act and the Money Laundering Act in Parliament soon.
Participants of the workshop included stakeholders from financial and non financial institutions of the private sector.
The National Risk Assessment is being funded by the World Bank at a cost of US $150,000.
Community Tourism encourages beautification to enhance visitor experience
Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 06, 2016 (SKNIS): St. Kitts is now tapping into community tourism which will see the beautification of several communities in an effort to further enhance the visitor experience.
Speaking on the radio-television programme “Working for You,” Community Tourism Officer, Shaline Welcome, said that the Ministry of Tourism tries as much as possible to encourage community groups to get tourists to visit historical sites in their area along with other features that are not usually explored.
“This is important because it gives the communities an opportunity to foster community pride and encourage more persons to develop more tourism related businesses within the area rather than the perception that historical sites are limited to Basseterre,” Ms. Welcome explained. “They will not only have historical sites in the area, but budding businesses can also be developed in the surrounding areas. This would encourage more visitors to the area. So it’s not only historical but culinary aspects as well.”
Ms. Welcome said that there are currently two projects in place to promote community tourism. These include the McKnight Beautification Project and Rails to Trails Project.
The group, McKnight on the Rise, has come together to dispose of waste in the area. Ms. Welcome said that waste disposal is a huge part of community tourism development because if the area is not clean it would be impossible to promote tourism.
“What they have done is that they started choosing a few lots for cleaning,” she said. “After cleaning that area, we are looking into turning that area into a community garden. From that area the group was able to extract four bin loads and four tracker loads of garbage and that’s only one lot which is 1026 square feet.”
The project is estimated to finish on May 21, 2016, and will need the help of community members to aid in the cleaning process. The group also has plans to contribute to sustainable tourism after that project is completed which will include hydroponic farming on some of the vacant lots. Another project that is in the works is the establishment of the McKnight Museum.
The Rails to Trails Project is an effort to preserve the railway by turning it into a hiking and biking trail on the areas that are not occupied by the St. Kitts Scenic Railway which is from the Ross University area leading straight back to Newton Ground.
“What we have done so far is initiate a few hikes to see the visibility of the rails within that area,” she explained. “We realized that Palmetto Point to Challengers has the most visible rails to begin with. So, we decided to start a demonstration which will bring some sort of awareness to other persons within the community and surrounding communities of what we actually intend to do. The area designated for the exertion is the top of Palmetto Point leading into Challengers and will end down at Bloody Point.”
There is presently a community group in Challengers that has decided to work along with the community tourism officer. Ms. Welcome explained that she works closely with all community groups and noted that the groups have already taken responsibility to start the beautification of the area down at Bloody Point. She stated that work on the trails will commence after the beautification.
“It will be kept in its natural form as much as possible by just trimming up the edges and making sure that the rails are still visible,” she said. “We want to encourage visitors when they go through that area to not only walk the rails but to offer an opportunity to explore the neighbouring villages, take advantage of the historical sites as well as enjoy the local dishes.”
– See more at: http://sknis.info/community-tourism-encourages-beautification-to-enhance-visitor-experience/#sthash.62sHUqJz.dpuf
Barbados To Host Meeting On Weather Satellites
Beginning next Monday, May 9, some of the world’s leading meteorological satellite training experts will converge in Barbados to discuss how the next generation of high-resolution satellites will help countries, including Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), improve how they track extreme weather and monitor climate change.
Officially known as the Eighth Virtual Laboratory for Training and Education in Satellite Meteorology (VLab) Management Group Meeting (VLMG-8), the week-long event will be hosted at the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), in Husbands, St. James.
The focus of VLMG-8 will be a new generation of meteorological and environmental satellites that will be put into service over the next five years. It is expected that these new satellites will revolutionise how meteorological offices inform and prepare the communities they serve, from day-to-day forecasts to decimal climate predictions.
According to Chief of Meteorology at CIMH and VLMG-8 Chair, Kathy-Ann Caesar, the next generation of high-resolution meteorological satellites will help meteorological services in the Caribbean gain access to more data and detailed satellite imagery that will inform products that have and continue to improve short term weather forecasts and long term climate forecasts.
“VLMG-8 addresses most importantly training in the utilisation of the new technology. Through these enhancements, Caribbean SIDS can better identify weather and climate trends to build resilience to climate variability and change,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Principal of CIMH, Dr. David Farrell, noted that his organisation has been a significant contributor to the growth of VLab over the last 15 years.
He continued: “The VLMG-8 meeting offers a key opportunity for CIMH, and by extension, the Caribbean Meteorological Organization, to extend their support for this essential activity that will allow the VLab to continue to provide critical leadership for the meteorological satellite community.”
The VLab VLMG is a joint effort between the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites. Members represent a global network of specialised training centres and meteorological satellite operators working together to improve the utilisation of data and products from meteorological and environmental satellites.
Participating VLab members include Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Morocco, South Africa and the United States.
theresa.blackman@barbados.gov.bb
The need to restructure Caribbean Economies and reduce debt on the table
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 21ST, 2016 (PRESS SEC)
High-level government policymakers from the Caribbean, including Acting Prime Minister Honourable Vance Amory and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Mark Brantley, are convening today and tomorrow at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort for the Fourth Meeting of the Caribbean Development Roundtable.
The Roundtable discussion forms part of the Twenty-Sixth Session of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC). The CDCC is a permanent subsidiary body of ECLAC, the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Also in attendance are officials from other UN bodies, regional development institutions including the Caribbean Development Bank and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, and international development partners such as the Commonwealth Secretariat, the World Bank, the Brookings Institution, and the Inter-American Development Bank.
This year’s Roundtable is exploring possible debt relief options for heavily indebted countries in the subregion. Ms. Alicia Bárcena, Executive Secretary of ECLAC, said this is in light of the fact that Caribbean countries are among the most highly indebted in the world due in large part to unanticipated external shocks, structural factors and extreme weather events.
“Today, to achieve structural change, we need the Caribbean to be a real player on the table,” Ms. Bárcena said at the Opening Ceremony. “The rules are being made in other fora and then they come to the Caribbean, like in the case of the correspondent banking, and I think we need to put a strong voice behind you and we want to be with you in this process,” ECLAC’s Executive Secretary added.
Ms. Bárcena was referring to the situation where a number of major banks have either terminated their correspondent banking relationships with banks in the Caribbean, or threatened to discontinue them. The practice is called “de-risking.” According to the International Monetary Fund, as of June 2015, at least 10 banks in the region in five countries have lost all or some of their correspondent banking relationships.
Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris weighed in on this issue at the UWI Cave Hill Campus on March 31st when he delivered the Annual Prime Minister’s Lecture held under the auspices of the University of the West Indies Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (UWISTAT) Vice Chancellor’s Student Ambassador Corps.
“You must have heard the ongoing and deepening concern within the region regarding the issue of correspondent banking, how small and large states within the family of CARICOM, such as Belize and Montserrat, are losing correspondent banks,” Prime Minister Harris said, adding, “Who is next? This is a matter of concern because you are aware that without the correspondent banking relationships we become blockaded, in real terms, from participating with the rest of the world. We would be unable then to participate in an arena in which we must participate, if we are to survive. So this is a troubling matter and calls into play how we as a region will restructure our economies.”
Tomorrow (Friday, April 22nd), Earth Day, Prime Minister Harris will be at the United Nations for a ceremony marking the signing of the Paris Agreement on climate change. As many as 170 world leaders are expected to ratify the Paris Agreement tomorrow (Friday), the first day of the signing period, thereby setting an international diplomacy record. In the Prime Minister’s capacity as CARICOM’s Lead Head on Human Resources, Health and HIV, he will also meet with Dr. Edward Greene, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean.
(Press release courtesy of the Office of the Press Secretary)
Grenada Government Backs Local Body Keeping Indian Traditions Alive
ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, Friday 6th May, 2016 –GIS: The Grenada Government has heaped praise on a local organization for their efforts in keeping alive the cultural traditions of India on the island.
Implementation Minister Alexandra Otway-Noel says the Local Indian Cultural Organisation chaired by Mr. Jai Sears has been doing an excellent job in uniting families of Indian decent.
The organization has also been credited for educating the population about the history and practices of India.
“We have been learning more and more thanks in large part to the Local Indian Cultural Organization Chaired by Mr. Jai Sears which formed in 2009,” minister Otway – Noel said, in her address during Indian Convention cultural night.
“They have been doing a tremendous job of reuniting families of Indian Decent here on the Island, educating the population about the history, traditions and practices, as well as hosting wonderful events along with the Indian Heritage organization…in addition to all of that, they now have linked the indo-Grenadian community in a more formal way to the outside world”.
The cultural night, at the Kalinago Beach resort last weekend was among highlights of celebrations marking Indian arrival day.
There have been growing ties between the Grenada Government and the Indian Government in recent years.
The Implementation minister was also high in praise for the role played by High Commissioner of India to Grenada, His Excellency Gauri Shankar Gupta, in strengthening ties between the two countries.
“He has made every effort to extend assistance to us, mostly in the areas of scholarships and information technology, but also in helping that we continue to absorb all that incredible India has to offer,” the minister said.
“India being the largest democracy in the world where many religions live in peace, respect and tolerance can be the source of many lessons.”
Dominica PM calls OECS citizens to action on Climate Change
Hon Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit wants Dominicans and other nationals of other OECS states to be more cognizant of the effects of climate change.
The Dominica leader is concerned that the Governments of the region are way ahead of the citizenry as it relates to advocacy regarding the phenomena.
Hon Skerrit made that call at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Council Of Ministers’ Environmental Sustainability Meeting on Wednesday, May 4th.
“I get the impression that Government’s are way ahead of citizens with respect to advocating the importance of the environment and the issues of climate change. My hope and prayer is that citizens, school children and the wider community can have a better appreciation for the real impact of climate change on our ways of life.
“It is costing us millions of dollars to put in place mitigating mechanisms to combat climate change effects. Our coasts and beaches are being eroded undermining the vital tourism industries of many of our sister countries…If those beaches are affected, how are we going to sustain our tourism industry.
“I think people have to start appreciating the real danger to our way of life,” the Hon. Prime Minister asserted.
Meantime, Director General of the OECS Commission, Dr Didacus Jules recounted the traumatic regional events over the past decade resulting from climate change. He believes that climate change will make it harder to escape poverty.
He lauded Dominica’s Prime Minister, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit for rallying the region to perfect responses and build resilience against the effects of climate change.
On the agenda of the OECS Environment Ministers Meeting was a review of lessons learnt from Tropical Storm Erika.
The two-day meeting concluded on Thursday.
