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Salary increase proposals submitted

September 19, 2016, 9:00 pm
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President of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB), Cedric Murrell and General Secretary Dennis DePeiza during a press conference to reveal plans for the upcoming 11th Biennial Delegates Conference.

 

The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) has submitted proposals for wage and salary increases to the government.
 
Word of this comes from CTUSAB’s President, Cedric Murrell, who said a meeting on the matter has been planned for next month.
 
“The Congress did submit proposals to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Civil Service, who is government’s chief negotiator on salaries and wages. We will be having a meeting in mid-October to discuss the question of salaries and wage proposals for those public officers and organisations who are affiliated to the Congress,” he disclosed.
 
His comments came during a press conference to reveal plans for the upcoming 11th Biennial Delegates Conference which will take place on Thursday, September 22nd and Friday, September 23rd at the Savannah Hotel under the theme “Promoting Social Equity and Justice: Championing the cause of Labour”.
 
With six resolutions on the table, Murrell promises a healthy debate.
 
“Those resolutions will speak to the promotion of Social Equity and Justice; recognition of the Congress as a National Trade Union Centre; the issue of the standardisation of retirement ages of public officers; the proclamation of the Police Act 2001, which is about the ability of the Police Association to associate with Trade Unions; congratulating Barbados on its 50th Anniversary of Independence; and the tenure of the person elected as General Secretary of the Congress.”
 
In addition to debating the matter of Foreign Direct Investment in Barbados’ economy, the business session on Friday will look at the recent announcement by the Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator the Hon. Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo, in which she highlighted that sickness claims on National Insurance are higher at this point in time, than they were last year.
 
“Clearly, that is a cause of concern for all of us,” Murrell stressed.
 
General Secretary Dennis DePeiza further revealed that the keynote speaker on the evening of the opening ceremony on Thursday at 7.30 pm. will be John Williams, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cave Shepherd Group of Companies.
 
Celebrating its 21st anniversary, CTUSAB will also be presenting 21 awards.
 
“We believe that is important to recognise the Trade Union leaders and organisations. Persons who how have been a part of the labour movement and have made a contribution to its development,” he said. (TL)
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ALARMING RISE

September 19, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Younger persons being diagnosed with Dementia

 

From left: Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steven Blackett; President of the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association, Pamelia Brereton; and Chairperson of the National Committee on Ageing, Dame Maizie 
Barker-Welch, among others in attendance at the church service to mark World Alzheimer’s Month at Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church yesterday.
By: 
Patricia Thangaraj

 

 
Approximately 4 077 in Barbados are living with dementia.
 
This is according to Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steven Blackett, who delivered remarks at the church service to mark World Alzheimer’s Month at Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church on Sunday.
 
Furthermore, this number is likely to increase as this island grapples with an ageing population as well as disturbing data which reveals that younger persons are becoming affected with this condition, with some as early as in their 40s and 50s being diagnosed.
 
“Here in Barbados, the estimated number of persons suffering from this ailment is 4 077 and that number is likely to rise due to our increasingly ageing society. The greatest risk factor associated with the development of dementia is age, but there are alarming incidences of persons being diagnosed as early as in their 40s and 50s.”
 
Meanwhile, across the globe, the figure stands at close to 50 million persons living with this condition and this figure is also likely to rise with the majority of the demographics coming from the lower and middle-income brackets, stated the Minister of Social Care.
 
“To date there are approximately 47 million people around the globe suffering from dementia. However, by 2050, it is anticipated that these numbers will increase to 131.5 million with 68 per cent of those affected being found in the low- and middle-income brackets of their respective countries. Every three seconds someone in the world develops dementia.”
 
The Barbados Alzheimer’s Association recognises the challenges associated with this condition, not just for the sufferers, but also for the caregivers and as a result, they continue to offer programmes catering to their needs, said Blackett.
 
“The Barbados Alzheimer’s Association continues to educate Barbadians about Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The Association offers 
a Participation Programme to persons who administer care to their loved ones at home and to those who work 
in various institutions where persons with Alzheimer’s are accommodated,” he stated, adding that this initiative is now offered every month as opposed to only two months in a year.
 
“This programme, which was initially offered during the months of March and November but is now offered every month, also offers instruction to the caregivers on how to care for themselves. They have been included because it has been recognised that the 
care of loved ones with dementia can be a demanding and stressful task and without adequate knowledge of the condition, caregivers can feel understandably helpless and hopeless.”
 
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Labour Movement icons honoured

September 19, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Pauline Lady Walcott (right) laying a wreath at The Late Sir Frank Walcott’s statue.

By: 
Peta Rowe-Forde

 

 
“Together we aspire, together we achieve.”
 
This was the substance of the message coming from both leaders of the country’s political parties during a tribute to the icons of the Labour Movement yesterday. 
 
Leader of Opposition, Hon, Mia Mottley and the Prime Minister of Barbados, The Rt. Hon. Freundel Stuart, noted that much of what leaders such as Charles Duncan O’Neil, Sir Grantley Adams, Sir Hugh Springer, Clement Payne and Sir Frank Walcott fought for could still be available to Barbadians if sought out correctly.
 
Taking to the podium first, Mottley noted the formulation of the Barbados Workers’ Union and its mandate was to ensure that workers’ needs such as education, safety, working conditions, social security and sick leave benefits were met. However, she went on to say that this is sadly not a reality that exists for Barbados as one in four people who want to pursue a university education is, while also pointed out that persons are afraid of the declining health system.
 
Mottley further emphasised that the issues confronting workers cannot be examined without looking at the issues confronting the country as a whole. Touching on the lack of water and the threat of workers’ stability, Mottley assured that solutions do not have to be built from scratch, and through hard work and sacrifice, all Barbadians can protect what was once placed there for them.
 
Subsequent to this came the feature address of the Prime Minister. Stuart too began his address by acknowledging the efforts made by all who were a part of the labour movement. Against this background, he stated that Sir Frank Walcott, who would’ve celebrated his 100th birthday on September 16, earned the respect from the country and through him, Barbados learned the art of collective engagement.
 
Nevertheless, Stuart reminded all that on the path to nationhood, there were doubts as to whether this country could handle its own affairs and amongst these doubts, the country stands tall, celebrating its 50th year of Independence. Reiterating the message, “Together we aspire, together we achieve,” the Prime Minister disclosed that he is looking towards the future with confidence, courage and optimism.
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Artists slow to capitalize on opportunities

September 19, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley (left) makes a point as Chief Cultural Officer at the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), Andrea Wells (centre) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Ruth Blackman  listen yesterday at a press conference to provide the media with updates on the planning stages of CARIFESTA 13.

By: 
Patricia Thangaraj

 

Many persons involved in the cultural industries in the Caribbean have been slow to take advantage of the opportunities that are available to them through such mechanisms as trade agreements.
 
This is the opinion of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley who believes that this is something that we need to change.
 
“I think that the issue is to some extent, much of the opportunities particularly through international trade agreements as it relates to the creative aspect of the economies of our region, we have been very slow to take them up and we feel that we have to change that particular dilemma.”
Speaking at a press conference yesterday to provide the media with updates on the planning stages of CARIFESTA 13, he stated that these artists must also utilize the many cultural activities that take place in the region to bring their talents to the stage and CARIFESTA 13 is one such initiative.
 
“We believe that CARIFESTA is a great opportunity to start that mission of ensuring that our creatives understand the huge opportunities available within the context of the cultural industries. There is a huge market out there in terms of the export of cultural goods and services. We know for example within the context of the European Partnership Agreement, the opportunities within North America and also Central America are huge.”
 
Lashley therefore advised artists to use CARIFESTA as a golden opportunity to break into various markets.
 
“We have to use the various opportunities available to us to forge ahead within the context of bringing into external markets. But we have to be very strategic in that regard. Therefore, we feel that CARIFESTA as a major festivals that promote creativity, that promotes the arts must become a tool – a critical tool – as we seek to create opportunities for our artistic cultural practitioners to earn and to bring foreign exchange into the region.”
 
In fact one such mechanism that would allow them to do this is the buyers’ forum, stated the Minister of Culture.
 
“So we would be having the buyers’ market and a symposium as part of the 2017 edition of CARIFESTA. The intention of course is to bring to Barbados, bring to CARIFESTA, a cadre of international buyers who are interested, who are scouting for cultural goods and services. But the intention is not only to invite them but to create opportunities by which our cultural workers can actually obtain contracts and obtain opportunities for exchanging their goods and services for earnings and I think that once we follow this model – and we have to follow up on those – but we are going to engage in a very purposeful way through the buyers forum in this edition of CARIFESTA.”
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Tourism week launched earlier than usual this year

September 19, 2016, 9:00 pm
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From left to right: Roseanna Tudor of Fully Accessible Barbados; Dr. Kerry Hall CEO of the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA); Richard Sealy, Minister of Tourism and International Transport and Marsha Alleyne, Manager of the National Tourism Host Programme.

 

“This year we are seeking to make Tourism Week as inclusive as possible and to create an industry that is of, for and by the people,” so says Dr. Kerry Hall, CEO of the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA).
 
At the launch of Tourism week yesterday at Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Complex Dr. Hall stressed the importance that all Barbadians take ownership of Barbadian treasures, having a more accessible Barbados and cleanliness which is for Barbadians first and foremost that we can pass on a pristine Barbados to future generations.
 
Tourism week will run from the 24-30 September 2016 under the theme “Tourism for All- Promoting Universal Accessibility” instead of in December. According to her, “Tourism week is extremely important to the agencies which have oversight over the industry because it gives us the opportunity to raise awareness about the initiatives we are hosting to make Barbados competitive. It also gives us an opportunity to put the spotlight on those within the industry, to be able to celebrate their hard work and dedication. Barbadians generally know that tourism is there but we don’t think that the level of engagement is at the level that it needs to be…”
 
She continued, “We are going with the UN WTO theme for World Tourism Day – Tourism for All, Promoting Universal Accessibility. It is one of the most lucrative segments. We have Fully Accessible Barbados, and we will be looking at the whole issue of disabled travelers and asking if we are ready for them as travellers. We have been doing this for 11 years, and Barbados is not only the trailblazer but Barbados is seen as the role model and benchmark in this area in the region.
 
“We are trying something new having tourism week fall in conjunction with World Tourism Day that falls in this month.  This is nothing new, other islands in the Caribbean notably Jamaica have done this, we decided that we will try to make the week more relevant by encapsulating Tourism Day within Tourism week and we think it will work very well for us. Coupled with the fact that when we had Tourism week before in December, it is the beginning of the winter season and is a busy time, thus we figured let’s try to have this week in September which is normally a slower time for Barbados and that we can get our tourism workers to be more involved. I believe in the foreseeable future it will be in September in line with World Tourism Day.”
 
Dr. Hall promises the week to be an engaging week of activities. Tourism Week will start with a burst of excitement in the north, with ‘Speightstown Sizzling’.  Another event will we the ‘Clean Bim” Beach Clean Up which is a national project dedicated to keeping Barbados clean and pristine to the benefit of Barbadians and visitors for generations to come. The BTPA, BTMI and other partners will be conducting a clean-up of the Carlisle Bay area, as a sign of our commitment to keeping Barbados clean for our 50th anniversary of independence and for always.  The week is also filled with many other events.
 
Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy also endorsed the change of the week and highlighted the importance of celebrating those who work within the industry. 
 
“This tourism week has many firsts, we are shifting the week to coincide with World Tourism Day, something that is usually made in to a major event in most tourism destinations throughout the world, we have tended to reduce it to just a statement in the newspaper, not this year. We normally have tourism week in December but having it in September more persons can be a part of the events …The problems with tourism week is that it was the first week in December which is a busy period but the workers event will remain at the commencement of the winter season, and having it as a stand-alone is a good development …” (NB)
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Social Partners sticking together

September 19, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Chairman of the Social Partnership, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart; and Chairman of the Sub-committee of the Social Partnership and Minister of Labour, Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo, in conversation prior to the start of yesterday’s meeting.

 

THE Social Partnership has faced tremendous stress lately, but Prime Minister the Right Honourable Freundel Stuart says this has not broken their resolve to stick together.
 
Chairing the meeting of the full tripartite grouping yesterday morning at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Prime Minister Stuart said that the Social Partnership initiative was embarked on at a time of national challenge and the country has benefited greatly from the collaborative efforts of the private sector, the labour movement and the State working together. However, he is suggesting that its greatest challenges have come in recent years.
 
“I do not think though that the Social Partnership, the tripartite dialogue, has undergone stress as great as it underwent over the last few years when of course there were economic challenges facing the world, the region, and of course, Barbados. But thankfully we have worked our way successfully, I think, through those challenges. The Social Partnership was put periodically under stresses of various kinds, but the maturity, the insight and the faith in the future, led all the Social Partners to see the value of sticking together, rather than allowing fissiparous or splintering tendencies to get the better of us,” he stated.
 
With that in mind, he said that the yesterday’s discussions would help to consolidate that relationship, and he was looking forward to the “spirited and frank and honest interventions” from those participating in the deliberations. Among the topics expected to be discussed yesterday were Government Finances and Foreign Exchange Reserves and the Ease of Doing Business.
 
Yesterday’s meeting was the first of all the tripartite players since July 2015 and also first for the new Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association, Charles Herbert and General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union, Toni Moore. 
 
Prime Minister Stuart acknowledged that the meeting was supposed to have taken place since May of this year, but he indicated that on account of representations made to him by some Social Partners about “certain preliminaries” that needed to be addressed, the meeting had to be deferred while those preliminaries were dealt with.   
 
Also speaking at the opening was President of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB), Cedric Murrell, who was pleased that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Productivity and Engagement were also on the agenda for discussion. The veteran trade unionist said a climate conducive for ongoing FDI is important. He said if successfully created, it would allow for growth in the country which would be of benefit to the workers.
 
On the topic of Productivity and Engagement, noting that these are two matters that deeply impact our working population, the CTUSAB official said that the meeting provides the platform for them to share their concerns and views and “hopefully concretise” a way forward to see how to address those areas. (JRT)

 

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POLICY COMING SOON

September 19, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Barbados’ new Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Sector Policy is nearing completion.
 
Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss, told The Barbados Advocate that the formalities of launching the new document, which is intended to enhance and guide the development of that sector, has already been through one stage of the Cabinet process, and it is now again with his Ministry for fine-tuning, then for final Cabinet approval in a matter of weeks.
 
“We are going to do a formal launch of it when Parliament reconvenes or there about, but we are not waiting on that, there are some initiatives that have been started. Recognising the issue of access to finance being a matter of concern for example, the Minister of Finance announced $50 million round of financing, which I would say would come over time; it is not going to be a lump sum to be injected immediately,” he said.
 
His comments came as he also disclosed there are plans to make some changes to the state-owned FundAccess and the Small Business section of the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation to better prepare them to help the MSME sector. The aim of this re-tooling effort, the Minister said, is to have a “re-energised micro and small business sector” that will be more vibrant, innovative and internationally competitive.
 
“For example, the issue of innovation is one that can really resonate well within that sector and create new business potential needed to help grow the economy. I know the BIDC Board has a paper it is looking at giving targeted support for innovation, particularly among young entrepreneurs and I’ve met with BIMAP and BIDC and they are going to collaborate a lot more in terms of the training of entrepreneurs in Barbados, targeted at the small and micro sector as well,” he said.
 
Inniss added, “So you can see that our Small Business Development Centre model has started to roll out and I am very excited to see what will unfold.”
 
The Minister went on to state that in that regard, his ministry has also been working closely with the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme, the University of the West Indies and BIDC. He said representatives from those entities have all undergone training in Barbados and abroad at the University of San Antonio in Texas. He explained that such training along with Government’s other efforts, are to ensure that the support structures for the sector are properly and adequately strengthened to be able to sustain a vibrant MSME sector.
 
“We’ve focused on projects such as enhanced access to financing which would lead to training in matters of accounting finance and the things you need to run a business successfully; innovation is a key driver in that as well. We’ve targeted sectors that we feel can also help earn foreign exchange and save foreign exchange. Certainly greater focus will be placed on young people and I firmly believe that we need to leave our offices and go out there with the people who matter most and see what they are going through on a daily basis. This too is necessary if we are to enhance the ecosystem so our business sector can thrive,” he indicated.
 
Inniss’ comments came as he also pledged to work closer with the Small Business Association of Barbados to drive initiatives for the sector forward. (JRT)
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BAA seeking facility for day-care programmes

September 19, 2016, 9:00 pm
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THE Barbados Alzheimer’s Association (BAA) is looking for a place where they can host their various day-care programmes that cater to both persons living with this condition as well as their family members and other caregivers.
 
This is coming from Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Develop-ment, Steven Blackett, who delivered remarks at the church service to mark World Alzheimer’s Month at Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church yesterday.
 
He stated that dealing with this condition is difficult and thus these programmes that the association offers are important as they teach, among other things, coping mechanisms so that both groups are in 
a better position to handle this condition.
 
Blackett stated that persons from Canada and other countries have agreed to come on board once the facility is ready.
 
“The Association is desperately in search of a place to start their day-care programmes. These programmes are necessary not only to meet the needs of those persons suffering from dementia, but also the needs of caregivers. Alzheimer’s, (which) is one of the dementias, is a challenge, but by having persons on board who are equipped with the necessary skills, meaningful strides could be made. A number of persons living overseas, especially those from Canada and England, some of whom are nurses, have also offered to come on board as soon as a centre is ready.”
 
Furthermore, there are additional issues that persons have to deal with aside from the actual symptoms as persons living with this condition are often subjected to abuse and as a result, caregivers need to be further educated on addressing these challenges, said Blackett.
 
“Dementia is a global problem. Its sufferers are particularly vulnerable to all types of abuse and neglect in their homes and in institutions because this ailment renders them unable to comprehend or explain what is happening to them. We must therefore treat issues pertaining to dementia with a measure of seriousness at all levels of society and seek to protect the rights of persons so affected.”
 
The Minister further stated that it is hoped that educational efforts and research would lead to a better quality of life for persons affected with this condition.
 
“Let us hope that with continuing research and dissemination of information to families and staff at the various institutions, the lives of persons with this dreadful disease and their caregivers can be significantly improved.” (PJT)
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BIDC’s ‘Innovate Barbados’ coming soon

September 20, 2016, 9:00 pm
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(L-R) Chairman of BIDC, Nelson Straker; Name Sponsor of the Conference and CEO of PromoTech Inc., Kailash Pardasani; and CEO of BIDC, Sonja Trotman.

 

(L-R) Chairman of BIDC, Nelson Straker;  Name Sponsor of the Conference and CEO of PromoTech Inc., Kailash Pardasani; and CEO of BIDC, Sonja Trotman.  

 

By: 
Peta Rowe-Forde

 

 
As the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary, it will be hosting a signature event, in association with its industry partners, called “Innovate Barbados”.
 
It is scheduled to come off on October 25-26 at the Llyod Erskine Sandiford Centre and is set on finding unique ideas for leveraging Barbados’ best opportunities in health and wellness, food and beverages, renewable energy, creative industries and new media, financial services and tourism.
 
Giving the reason for  such an initiative, Chairman of the BIDC, Nelson Straker explained, “We acknowledge that the Government of Barbados has used in the past a number of incentives to revive the productive sectors and to assimilate new economic activity…it is clear, however, that these provisions have not brought about the level of competitiveness anticipated.” 
 
The reason for this, he said, could be discussed at length, but the BIDC along with its 11 partners will be moving forward under the theme "Transforming Tomorrow Today".
 
Giving an overview of the short but all-encompassing conference was the Chief Executive Officer of BIDC, Sonja Trotman. She noted that the conference aims to bridge the disconnect that exists between academia, industry and policy makers and to serve as the platform for stimulating conversations, catalysing partnerships and igniting new engines of growth. 
 
She added that the conference will feature 15 speakers from local and international markets as well as a keynote address and the Minister’s address. The keynote address will focus on how Barbados can use innovation and human imagination to create a stronger economy and society; while the Minister’s address, being brought by Hon. Donville Inniss, will unveil Government’s aspirational plans in a futuristic presentation of “Moonshots for Barbados 2026”.
 
 While the conference is targeted largely to the business community, the general public is invited as well. Persons wishing to participate can register online from September 26 via the website  www.innovatebarbados.com.  
 
 
 
(L-R) Chairman of BIDC, Nelson Straker;  Name Sponsor of the Conference and CEO of PromoTech Inc., Kailash Pardasani; and CEO of BIDC, Sonja Trotman.  
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National co-ordinated programme to be rolled out soon

September 20, 2016, 9:00 pm
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A national co-ordinated programme that would stipulate the rules and regulations that artistes who want to participate in CARIFESTA 13 must adhere to will soon be rolled out.
 
This is according to  Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, who spoke at a press conference to provide the media with updates on the planning stages of CARIFESTA 13 recently at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC).
 
He said that this is in an effort to ensure that all of these persons comprehend exactly what these events are about, so that they can place themselves in a position to successfully participate in this festival.
 
“A national co-ordinated programme would shortly be rolled out and we would address a number of key areas in terms of the guidelines for involvement in these activities and I speak of the super concerts and the signature events. We want to make sure that everyone understands the arrangements for the staging of the super concerts and the signature events, so that they position themselves and line themselves up for involvement.”
 
The Minister of Culture stated that this is crucial because what these events do is they provide all artistes, even those who are not part of any delegation, to still come and bring their talents to the regional stage.
 
Another advantage of these super concerts and signature events is that by the time they are held, the general public would already have caught on and gained interest in CARIFESTA.
 
“There is also room for private participation with the staging of the super concerts and the signature events, which would be the key aspects of the CARIFESTA programming as well. The super concerts – I believe that there are going to be two super concerts and that is where the crème de la crème of the region would be exhibited and I think that by the time we get to the super concerts, I think that the CARIFESTA fever should be boiling over in Barbados.”
 
He said that when he witnessed the super concerts in Suriname, they were the highlight of the festival and he believes that Barbados can go beyond that and have these events play a major role in the festival. (PJT)
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BWU still involved in Social Partnership

September 20, 2016, 9:00 pm
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THE Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) is still with the Social Partnership.
 
Seeking to clear up any misconceptions, General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union Toni Moore assured those gathered at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre for Monday’s meeting that while the BWU had “missed some meetings”, it was still very much a part of the social partnership.
 
She maintained that the social partnership offered all the consummate benefits of identifying issues of strategic importance to all.
 
“Social partnership allows us to step back from ourselves and unravel the critical challenges with which the country as a whole is being confronted and to develop solutions that would drive the kind of results being sought after. In discussing the pros and cons of the proposed solutions to each, there is both theoretical and practical logic that should inform the optimal solutions,” she insisted.
 
Addressing the full room which included Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and members of his Cabinet, representatives of the private sector and the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados, she noted that the agenda had not set much time to drill down to the core of the issues up for discussion “in a manner that would clarify for us more than on a superficial level, the next steps following this exercise”.
 
“By the same token, contrary to the immediate defences that may come to mind, our interest is not to have the partners engaged in spineless and incessant debate. It is therefore our hope that the intention is for the thoughts and ideas revealed during the exchange today on the deep and in-depth and very important issues which would be introduced, we hope that this will inspire the work of the subcommittee and the efficiency of the working groups that have been established in the subcommittee in a manner that would bear fruit to the time spent here today,” Moore insisted. (JMB)
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SBA Youth Forum exposes students to all ‘Things Bajan’

September 20, 2016, 9:00 pm
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This student from the All Saints’ Primary School participate in a small question and answer quiz.

Foundation students admiring some of the clothes on display.

 

These two stiltwalkers – Eja Sehntwali (right) and Deann Walton (left) – kept the students entertained.

 

Students from several of this nation’s schools headed to the Savannah Hotel yesterday to take part in the Small Business Association’s (SBA) Youth Forum.
 
The event held the theme ‘Things Bajan’ and featured presentations, exhibits, and entertainment; all focused on highlighting Barbadiana.
 
“We are in our 50th year of political independence. We are celebrating the fact that Barbados, a small island developing state, gained political independence some 50 years ago. This is a milestone and a significant time in the history of our nation,” stated head of the SBA, Lynette Holder.
 
Welcoming the various secondary schools, she commended them for taking part in the association’s Enterprise in Action programme, which aided these students along the lines of entrepreneurial development, in how to start a business and in building mental preparation for the world of work.
 
Saying that the association was very proud of the programme, she noted that since its inception in 2009, each year in excess of 200 students from secondary schools had been educated in such areas.
 
Two primary schools were also in attendance – the All Saints’ Primary and St. Jude’s Primary; both of which suc-cessfully competed in the ‘I am SME Smart’ Essay Competition earlier this year.
 
The forum is part of a week of activities hosted by the SBA in collaboration with First Citizens, and bears the theme ‘Upward and Onward We Shall Grow, Inspiring Innovation and Growth’.
 
During the event, students were introduced to traditional Barbadian songs, including spouge and to Barbadian relics like the Redifussion, juking board and coal iron, amongst others; and got a chance to sample Bajan fare. (JMB)
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Export opportunities being pursued

September 20, 2016, 9:00 pm
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The Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) will soon be making its way to the Northern Caribbean to see what opportunities exists there for Barbadian goods and services.
 
That’s the word from Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss, who, in a recent interview with The Barbados Advocate revealed that he only recently approved the exploratory visits. According to Inniss, their focus will in particular be on the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica.
 
His comments came as he indicated that the BIDC has been exploring a number of markets in the region and conducting trade missions, with the view of not only capitalising on and expanding into markets where Barbadian goods and services already have a foothold, but also pursuing new markets, especially those that are considered non-traditional for Barbadian companies. Minister Inniss said that his hope is to see more Barbadian companies exporting their products, and to see providers of goods and services in general, embracing a culture of export.
 
“BIDC will continue to explore markets in the region because they have been given a mandate to increase exports year on year going forward. So this month’s mission to Panama as well as those undertaken to St. Lucia, Guyana and Cuba in recent times, were all intended to help in that regard, and soon they will be undertaking exploratory visits up North. We are not leaving any stone unturned for we have a market here in the Caribbean region that we must do our best to pursue in order to promote what we produce,” he said.
 
He made the point while noting that the BIDC has also been over time working with local manufacturers to ensure that they are export ready. The Industry and Commerce Minister said that focus has been placed on ensuring that those companies not only have the ability to supply the products on a consistent basis, but that there is also consistency in terms of the quality of what they manufacture. Inniss said that they have also looked at the matter of labelling, to ensure that it is done correctly on products that are to be sent overseas. (JRT)
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Wilkie Cumberbatch celebrates 50th anniversary

September 20, 2016, 9:00 pm
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From right to left: Reverend David Holder; Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education Senator Harcourt Husbands; past student now General Manager of the National Housing Corporation Lanette Napoleon-Young,  Principal Margaret St. Hill Pinder (partially hidden) and Ann Quintyne-Dear share a light moment after a service of thanksgiving to mark the 50th anniversary of the Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary.  

The all boys choir of the Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary.

PAST and present students, teachers, parents and well-wishers came together on Monday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary School.

A service of thanksgiving was held at the Church of the Nazarene on Collymore Rock under the theme: 50 Years of Excellence: Celebrating Our Past, Inspiring Our Future.
 
Principal Margaret St. Hill-Pinder during her remarks noted that the success of the school is exemplified by the number of notable athletes and scholars who have walked the corridors of that institution.
 
She noted that the theme of the Jubilee celebrations also speaks to the harmony the school seeks to maintain in order to move the institution forward positively with the intention of producing excellent students and citizens.
 
The principal extended praise to teachers and others persons who worked long hours at these school, exposing children to various disciplines and whose dedication and commitment often times go unnoticed.
 
She told the congregation that the schools extracurricular has expanded significantly to include Blossoms, Beavers, swimming, dancing reading club, violin and the establishment of the boys choir.
 
Principal St. Hill-Pinder also recognised the principals before her, who laid an awesome responsibility of building a community of young persons with a keen interest in success as well as establishing a tradition of excellence both academic and extracurricular.
 
Past student Lanette Napoleon-Young, General Manager of the National Housing Corporation recalled her entry into the school back in January 1967, and the teachers who moulded her into the person she is today.
 
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education Senator Harcourt Husbands lauded the accomplishments of the school over the past five decades, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Independence of Barbados.
 
“It has played a very import role in the development of Barbados and the development of the educational system of Barbados.” He acknowledged the past and present teachers of the school whom he said have all performed very important roles in the educational system in Barbados. (JH)
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Myeloma, Lymphoma Foundation donates to QEH’s Haematology Department

September 20, 2016, 9:00 pm
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President of the Myeloma, Lymphoma and Leukaemia Foundation of Barbados, Hyacinth Grimes (right) presenting the Infusomat Pump to Dr Theresa Laurent ( left), Consultant in the Haematology Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). Looking on is Brenda Springer, Executive Member of the Foundation and Patricia Farley, Secretary of the Foundation.

 

Medical and nursing staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Haematology Department are pleased to have received an Infusomat Pump for patients.
 
The Myeloma, Lymphoma and Leukaemia Foundation of Barbados made the donation of this much needed device to Dr Theresa Laurent Consultant in the Haematology Department, yesterday.
 
Dr Laurent expressed her gratitude to President of the Foundation Hyacinth Grimes and members for their continued support.
 
Explaining the donation’s importance, she said, “The pump in addition to providing the treatment in a timely manner – preventing the treatment from going either too long or not sufficient enough – also allows the nurses the ability to ‘multi-task’ because this is a very busy clinic. We do quite a bit of activities here apart from chemotherapy, we also have quite a few procedures”.
 
Dr Laurent, who is also Head of that Department further acknowledged that the donation from the Foundation was timely, given the increase in patients.
 
“The pump is coming at a timely moment for us. The numbers of patients continue to increase in the clinics because the diagnosis are being made and more and more patients are accessing the public services because they might not be able to afford to go private…Thankfully because of our appeal we have gotten quite a few of persons who are interested in supplying us with us pumps, therefore we are anticipating a few more coming on stream.”
 
Grimes assured Dr Laurent that the Myeloma, Lymphoma and Leukaemia Foundation will continue to do all it can to assist the Department.
 
“I know you do need another pump or two but as we continue our fundraising efforts we will ensure that needs of the patients and staff of this clinic are met. It is our fundraising period and we hope when persons see us in the supermarkets they will donate to us as generously as they can, because this is where their money is being spent.” (TL)
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Wells reveals spike in numbers for dance category

September 20, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Producer of NIFCA and Chief Cultural Officer at the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), Andrea Wells in conversation with Cultural Officer of Music, Ronald Davis, Director of Marketing at Digicel, Carolyn Shepherd (centre) and Sponsors Representative with the NCF, Margaret Allman-Goddard.  

By: 
Marsha Gittens

 

There has been an increase in the number of individuals who have registered to be a part of the National Independence Festival for Creative Arts (NIFCA) in the area of dance.
 
Producer of NIFCA and Chief Cultural Officer at the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), Andrea Wells, revealed this during a recent interview. 
 
“We can only speak in terms of the registration response, [it is] very encouraging. We have a spike in dance. We have a lot of very promising entries in music; we are seeing a large number of original songs again being entered. In theatre, we are very impressed at the increase in the number of mixed media entries. These are entries that are presented utilising elements of music, elements of dance and acting; that is a trend that we are seeing in this year’s Festival based on registration.”
 
Wells, who spoke to the media while in Jubilee Gardens where the public got a taste of the calibre of talent which has graced the NIFCA stage in the areas of dance, drama, music and visual arts over the years, added that the NCF was “very pleased” with the response so far and looked forward to seeing how NICFA 2016 shapes up.
 
Cultural Officer, dance, Alicia Payne-Hurley also expressed delight in the spike in persons registered to be part of NIFCA-dance. She described the growth as “phenomenal”. 
 
Giving a possible reason for it, Payne-Hurley suggested that the NCF’s developmental programmes exposed individuals to “further training in dance, therefore making them more excited and more ready to come to NIFCA and be competitive.”
 
“So through our programmes in the schools, we have now seen a return of schools. We had a drop in NIFCA schools for dance in previous years but this year we confirmed that we have five schools – so I am very pleased with that. It is a good start. One nursery, three primary and a secondary school, so we are very pleased with that and then we see all of the regular dance schools, and companies coming out, as well as some new community groups coming out. 
 
“We have genres like street dance; we have ballroom and Latin; we have afro-Caribbean; we have some mixture and some fusion that seems to be quite interesting, and then we have some mixed-media pieces which blend dance and theatre,” she added.
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NIFCA Culinary Arts changes venue

September 20, 2016, 9:00 pm
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This year’s National Independence Festival for Creative Arts (NIFCA) culinary arts competition will be held at a new venue.
 
NIFCA Producer and Chief Cultural Officer at the National Cultural Foundation, Andrea Wells announced this recently. She explained a new location was selected because the former venue is being renovated.
 
“The Gymnasium, which has been the location for the culinary arts with the expanded expo and showcase for the last two years is closed for refurbishment and therefore culinary arts moves and joins visual arts and photography at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. 
 
“As a matter of fact, we will be celebrating the week of November 13 to 19 as NIFCA central, at Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, because there will be five different components of NIFCA that the public will be invited to engage with at this venue during that week.”
 
Wells also pointed out that during NICFA this year entrants in all disciplines will have an opportunity to be awarded a scholarship to Cuba. Scholarships will be presented to three 
individuals from among all entrants.
 
“The most innovative thing on the calendar for NIFCA in terms of the rules is an introduction of a prize that recognises not only our 50th anniversary of Independence… but also celebrates the cultural cooperation agreement between Barbados and the nation of Cuba for the last 30 years. 
 
“This takes the form of three scholarships being offered for artists of any age who wish to pursue short term or intensive study in their specific discipline in Cuba. 
 
“Cuba has an amazing network of art colleges and art schools and this scholarship allows the persons who win it to actually design their course of study.”
 
Wells was speaking to the media on the side-lines of last Saturday’s “#Taste of NIFCA” event held in Jubliee Gardens. 
 
At this showcase, members of the public enjoyed performances by the Israel Lovell Drummers; ADL Adrenalin Dancers; spoken word artist, DJ Simmons; dancer, Justin Poleon; singer, Adela Payne; and dramatist, Janine White. The master of ceremonies was Jennifer Walker. (MG)
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Collaborative effort leads to victory

September 20, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley (left), presents Writer/Composer, Darin Holder (right) with his cheque for BDS $10 000 for creating the winning CARIFESTA  jingle on Monday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC). Looking on is Dwain ‘Dwaingerous’ Autrobus who produced the jingle.

By: 
Patricia Thangaraj

 

A combination of teamwork and the ability to step aside and recognise someone else’s talent, along with one’s own creativity in composing music, are the three main ingredients that enabled Composer and Writer, Darin Holder, to beat 64 other participants to win the jingle competition that will be used to market CARIFESTA 13.
 
 Speaking at a press conference to announce the winner of the jingle competition recently at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC), Holder said that he usually does not enter competitions, however, his wife persuaded him to enter after hearing about the competition.
 
He said that he has been involved with music since he was a teenage and had entered the “Richard Stoute Teen Talent” Competition. He has also already written jingles for a number of organisations across this island.
 
“I have been writing and producing jingles for over ten years. I have been involved in the music industry since 1982 when I won the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Competition. I have done jingles for the Barbados Public Workers Credit Union, Sunpower, and numerous other companies around this island.”
 
One of the things that he kept in mind after he decided to enter the competition was to heed the advice of Calypsonian, Stedson “Red Plastic Bag” Wiltshire, who told him that the one of the keys to winning a competition is to always adhere to the criteria.
 
 “So I read the criteria; Red Plastic Bag always told me the key to winning competitions is to follow the criteria – so I followed the criteria carefully. I worked with numerous producers over the course of my jingle career and over the last year I have been working with “Dwaingerous” and we have been producing some good work together, so I decided to do the jingle with Dwaingerous”.
 
From this point, he would have designed a melody and then collaborated with Dwaingerous to perfect it.
 
“My process for creating jingles is – a melody first, so I got to come up with a catchy melody. All of them – any jingle that I write – is always done in very rough stages, so I will have them in my phone. I did that and I sent it to Dwaingerous who put down a really nice music bed.”
 
When he got together with Dwaingerous and sang the song, he decided that it would be better if a young and up-and-coming artiste were to sing it; and that is when Dwaingerous recommended Joaquin Brewster, who came to the studio at 11 pm in the night, as Holder finished the jingle in the same week as the deadline.
 
Holder appreciated the humility and respect that the young man showed him as well as his determination to reach perfection and when Brewster was finished, Dwaingerous mixed it in with the rest of the song “and the rest is history,” said the Composer to applause.
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PICK UP the PACE

September 21, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Economist Jeremy Stephen (centre) in talks with Corey Layne (right) at yesterday’s panel discussion as David Gittens (left) looks on.

ECONOMIST Jeremy Stephen has warned that while Barbados continues to delay having an enabling environment for e-commerce and ICT, other countries out there are vying for our business.

In fact, Stephen, who is the President of the Barbados Economics Society (BES), said that if Barbados does not move with haste in that area, the country will not only lose international business as is presently the case, but it can also see the departure of domestic businesses.

He was one of the panellists at a discussion hosted by the Barbados Coalition of Service Industries (BCSI). It dealt with E-commerce and the Service Industries: Charting the Way Forward.

Stephen identified the European country of Estonia, which continues to offer residency to individuals in as short a time as possible. He said that under that country’s e-residency programme, launched over a year ago, one can sign documents and therefore become a resident under Estonian law, in addition to having an on-line bank account.

“So in terms of the enabling environment, we have to recognise there are other countries out there vying for our business,” the BES official said.

“Imagine a future where they decide not only your cost base is very expensive to most multinationals, but you do not have the enabling environment,” he said.

He made the point that the situation is changing very rapidly and that what might be very relevant today, may not be so a year from now.

According to Stephen, “I support the notion that you need a dedicated Ministry looking at legislation, not only pushing through that legislation but also working with international treaties.”

Stating that he is thinking about parking some of his assets in  Estonia where there are certain measures of protection which are not now available to him in this country.

“One of the opportunities I want to draw in terms of e-commerce businesses field that the challenges with the enabling environment are going to be abated in some form or fashion soon, are countries out there vying for your business,” he said.

Stephen added that what is important in going that route is to ensure that one is transparent with the local taxation authorities.

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Bridge the knowledge gap

September 21, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Brereton urges Barbadians to note Alzheimer’s numbers

A WAKE UP call was issued by President of the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association, Pamelia Brereton, for persons to learn more about the Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia.

Speaking at a training seminar hosted by the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association in collaboration withthe National Committee on Ageing, Brereton cautioned that dementia has reached epidemic stage in Barbados, with well over 4 000 persons being diagnosed.

The workshop held at the Savannah Hotel was in recognition of World Alzheimer’s Day, which was celebrated globally yesterday under the theme, “Remember Me”.

She lamented that the gap between the need for prevention, treatment and care for dementia and the actual provision is wide.

“Dementia is under-diagnosedworldwide, and if a diagnosis is made, it is typically at a relatively late stage in the disease process. Long-term care pathways for people with dementia are frequently fragmented, if not entirely lacking.”

“Lack of awareness and understanding of dementia are often to blame, resulting in stigmatisation and barriers to diagnosis and care. It is also widely recognised that people with dementia are frequently denied
their human rights, both in the community and in care homes,” she revealed.

Brereton told the room filled with caregivers and other stakeholders, “The time has come for Barbados to look more closely at the estimated numbers of 4077 as of last year. This is 2016 and those numbers would have increased much more, Alzheimer’s is now considered an epidemic and around the world we are looking at Alzheimer’s villages.”

“The need for better care is really entrusted to each and everyone, we all know of someone living with some form of dementia.”

“Today my message is to urge everyone to reach out and gain all the knowledge you can to better understand what is dementia and make it your business to care. Dementia is a demanding disease that calls for a lot of tolerance and understanding.”

She reminded that dementia is a major cause of disability and dependency among older people world-wide, having an impact not only on individuals but also carers, families, communities and societies.

“Dementia accounts for 11.9 per cent of the years lived with disability due to a non-communicable disease. In light of the improved survival globally, this figure is expected to increase further,” she cautioned.

As it relates to the price tag associated with the disease, she told the participants that dementia leads to increased long-term care costs for government’s communities, families and individuals, and to losses in productivity for economies. She revealed that in 2015, dementia costs were estimated at US 818 billion and by 2030 the cost of caring for people with dementia has been estimated to reach US$2 trillion.

“A total that could undermine social and economic development globally and overwhelm health and social care systems specifically. The indirect costs of care incurred by informal carers and family members result in millions of people living in chronic poverty.”

Yesterday’s whole-day workshop covered a number of subject areas including Living With Dementia; Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease, What You Should Know; Practical Activities and Care, Challenges confronting workers in the Delivery of Services for Persons with Alzheimer, Legal Issues & Right Surrounding Dementia and Nursing Care of the patient with Dementia. (JH)

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