In recognition of its 100 year milestone, the Queen’s College Association (QCA) will be planning to plant 100 trees in 2021.

President of QCA, Michelle Daniel announced this during the tree planting ceremony at Queen’s College yesterday.

She is also urging all past students to join the historical project by volunteering their time, talent or resources. “If there is anyone out there who is willing to donate trees let us know,” said Daniel.

The QCA head noted that the plans for the anniversary will be announced later this year into early 2021 and the association wants to involve all as they wish to assist the school and the wider community.

Origins of tree planting ceremony

Sherry Cumberbatch, an alumni member present for yesterday’s event told The Barbados Advocate that she has helped with the tree planting project over the years. She said that when Queen’s College (QC) moved to Husbands, St.James there were plans to have a Garden of Remembrance but it did not materialise.

The alternative was to plant trees and this exercise has been conducted for about fifteen years.

The QC alumna expressed her appreciation to the groundsmen, Ronald Edwards and Andrew Watson who assisted with the preparation of the planting area and the National Conservation Commission (NCC) who donated the mahogany, white oak and neem plants for the environmental initiative.

As the trees grow, the alumni is hoping that students will use the natural shade to sit and study on the school grounds in addition to the trees aiding with the beautification and cooling of the environment.

Yesterday, President of the QCA, Michelle Daniel joined her alumni member, Angela Owen, the Head Boy of Queen’s College, Khaleel Kothdiwala, Head Girl, Meladee Carter, Deputies, Eden Edghill and Ella-Jean Evelyn for the planting ceremony on the northern side of the school compound. Due to COVID-19, the QCA adjusted some of their activities this year. On Friday, October 9 there is “I Love QC Day” and “Let’s Mix n Lime Safely” at Blakey’s on The Boardwalk at 6:30 pm.

Chief Executive Officer of CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, Colette Delaney, made the declaration “Cancer has not taken a backseat to COVID-19,” during the Walk For the Cure and Concert of Hope virtual event on Sunday. As thousands of Caribbean people tuned in via the Zoom virtual platform, the bank executive said that no one could imagine that since last year’s event the world would change in this manner.

She added that the coronavirus has upended the world as we know it and affected how we work, play, and socialise. But she stressed that it has changed how, but not why, people walk for the cure. And she and the charity’s trustees were unanimous in their decision to host a walk this year.

“More than ever before, the many cancer education carers and support organisations need our support. The fallout from the pandemic has severely affected many of them, challenging their ability to carry out their lifesaving work,” said Delaney.

She noted that this virtual event allows them to keep the spotlight on the organisations, institutions, and persons dedicated to the early detection and prevention of cancer. Delaney also lauded those who care for persons with the disease in their families and expressed appreciation to the bank’s corporate sponsors, and bank staff who assist with fundraising activities.

The CEO indicated that funds from the event will be donated to the maintenance and purchase of equipment for the diagnosis of cancer patients, as well as assistance, care and counselling to patients and families.

The CARICOM head of Government on matters of health and wellness and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Timothy Harris also made a brief address at the virtual event. He acknowledged that Walk for the Cure is the largest and most prominent cancer awareness and fundraising event in the region. Dr. Harris noted that the event has raised over US$2.7 million dollars for cancer diagnosis and treatment since its inception in 2012.

He underlined that with the success of the fundraising event Walk with the Cure and promising advances in cancer treatment and care, this gives us reason to hope. Yet he pointed out that cancer is the second leading cause of death after heart disease in the Caribbean.

“Population-based data suggest by the year 2030, there could be as many as 1.6 million new cancer cases in the region,” said Dr. Harris.

In his closing remarks, he encouraged women and men to get screened for cancer.

Sunday’s concert featured Caribbean artistes including Skinny Fabulous, Lil Rick and King James. The start of the event featured energetic sessions by Dance Machine from Barbados, and Mad Andru from Jamaica.

Viewers were invited to donate to the cause via Ticketlinkz.com. Due to COVID-19, this was the first time, the CIBC First Caribbean International Bank hosted the Walk for the Cure Event using a virtual platform. This is the ninth year for the regional charity event. In 2019, about 20 000 Barbadians participated in the walk in Barbados and CIBC First Caribbean Intl Bank donated BBD$200 000 to the Barbados Cancer Society’s (BCS) Breast Screening Programme.

Spokesperson and organiser of the Barbadian protests against the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) results of 2020, Paula-Anne Moore, believes that the recent response from the regional body is unacceptable.

Her comments came before the start of a march in Independence Square yesterday. Moore, who has co-ordinated a previous protest on September 28, 2020, near CXC headquarters, is not backing down.

“It is still not an acceptable response by the Registrar and CEO. It is still not acceptable. The date is not enough. Right now, we have three batches of children whose lives are on hold and who are traumatised throughout the Caribbean,” said Moore.

Earlier she said that two weeks after the “debacle” and CXC indicating a report in two weeks is not enough. She is demanding that CXC provides a response that will address the short time and immediate needs of the children who have been affected. Moore also added that in the long-term, the organisation should investigate what has occurred and compile recommendations, so this issue does not happen again.

In recent news reports, CXC announced that a review report would be produced by October 16, 2020. In a press release on the CXC website dated October 2, it was stated that the Chairman of CXC, Sir Hilary Beckles, will convene an Independent Review Team.

The team’s aim is to “review the modified approach for the administration of the July/August 2020 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) examinations; the moderation process applied to the School-Based Assessment (SBA) for the July/August 2020 CSEC and CAPE examinations; and the grading process for the July/August 2020 CSEC and CAPE examinations, among other related matters”.

Fewer protesters

Unlike the September 28 protest where over 250 persons participated, the numbers were significantly smaller yesterday. Queen’s College’s Head Boy, Khaleel Kothdiwala, told The Barbados Advocate after speaking to his classmates, they expressed fear about protesting due to the recent news of the COVID-19 cluster in Barbados. The recent development and impact have resulted in the temporary closure of one urban secondary school. Yet, the young student is confident that the support of the protest will return as time continues.

The original route of the protest was from Independence Square to Browne’s Beach, but with the reduced crowd, Moore and her supporters wearing white marched around the square about 3 p.m. after chanting in front of the Errol Barrow statue.

In her earlier comments, Moore said that in Guyana, Queen’s College would have a motorcade to protest the CXC exam results. Trinidad and Tobago’s Caribbean Council of Principals of Secondary Schools and the country’s Parent Teacher Association are in the process of co-ordinating their action. Both Barbados and Guyana launched a Wear White Day for the cause.

The year 2021 may start on the right note for at least 15 families as the National Housing Corporation (NHC) officially broke ground on a new house building project yesterday in Todds, St. George.

The first such NHC project in almost a decade, Minister of Housing and Lands Dr. William Duguid announced 15 two-bedroom, one bathroom homes will be constructed by 15 small contractors and are expected to be completed within three months.

The properties range between 3,500 to 4,100 square feet and fall into a $145,000 to $180,000 price range.

“The lots are essentially $5 per square foot and the reason why we have gone that low is because this is a ribbon development which means we have not had to put in the road, so we have decided to take the area off of a plantation that allows us to put houses where you don’t have to put the road. So by keeping the prices down for the houses and down for the land then you will be able to get the house as low as you could. So basically someone is paying about $18,000 for the land and the rest for the house,” he said, adding that some of the homes would be concrete board while the others would be all masonry.

Duguid stated the project was to help fill the “great need” for housing across the island and “we are trying to fill that need as best as we can”.

He also revealed that other developed areas have been earmarked for in-filling.

“So areas where we have roads but vacant lots, like Lower Burney for example, we will be going in there next and from there we would go to Coconut Hall, St Lucy, then Concordia Gardens in St. Philip and in between that through the HOPE programme, other places in Chancery Lane, Colleton in St. Lucy and we are also having a discussion on a place in St. James,” he said. (JMB)

As the world copes with the ensuing pandemic, there has been an exponential increase in the demand for new standards and new quality measures.

During a media sensitisation training programme, Latoya Burnham, Technical Officer, Quality Promotions at CROSQ(Caricom Regional Organization for Standards and Quality), highlighted that due to COVID-19 persons were looking at the standards of places such as restaurants, going to the cinema and large outdoor events, and as such, CROSQ has been seeing a number of important developments over the past few months, including the demands for new standards and measures.

“We have been seeing requests from businesses in relation to risk management, standards for risk managment and standards for business continuity. We have been seeing across our member states more use of our virtual assets, everything from making sure they have online meetings or platforms to be able to meet and collaborate regionally as well as with our international partners, we have been boosting our meeting capacity as well. And we have been seeing participants wanting to engage online and asking questions on what is happening in areas of QI (quality infrastructure),” she said.

Additionally, she noted that they have been seeing new developments through their EDF (European Development Fund) programme and as such, they have been able to start harnessing the talents of quality infrastructure professionals in the region.  “So coming out of this period we are expecting that we are able to build tremendously our regional networks of professionals,” she said.

In relation to the rest of the world, Burnham noted that they were also seeing standards being implemented for safety which is really critical at this time.

While many believed that work for quality may have taken a breather, the Technical Officer noted that work for them would have actually intensified nationally, regionally and internationally as the question of quality infrastructure came into play due to COVID-19.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley is voicing her displeasure at the decision by the European Union (EU) to list Barbados and Anguilla as non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.   

In a statement issued by Invest Barbados yesterday, the PM insisted that the treatment was “unjust and disproportionate”. She made the point while indicating that Barbados is being penalised for being “partially compliant” in only three of the ten essential elements of the OECD’s standard, which include availability of ownership and identity information as well as accounting information, and the quality and timeliness of its responses to requests from overseas tax authorities for tax information on Barbados resident taxpayers. With that in mind, she said that the Global Forum rated Barbados as compliant in the remaining seven of its essential elements.

“The EU’s action is even more reprehensible when it is recognized that the matters that largely led to this listing have been remedied in the last 20 months.  The Government of Barbados since assuming office has amended over 14 pieces of legislation; ensured that requests for Exchange of Information from other jurisdictions are appropriately answered in accordance with the law; conducted audits and reviews of the Corporate and Trust Service Providers; and has ensured that up to date and relevant beneficial ownership information is properly maintained and accessible by the authorities,” she stated.

Despite all that, she charged that the EU has chosen to ignore all the work that has been done by the Government of Barbados to remedy deficiencies that existed between 2015 and 2018 under a previous administration.    

“Furthermore, the report released by the EU today insinuates in its report that Barbados still has work to do, relative to its legal framework. This is untrue, when by its own written admission, the EU has recognised the tremendous work and results that this Government has achieved and that they, the EU and the Global Forum, are at this stage more concerned with how effective we are in administering our legislative and administrative changes, rather than requiring the passage of new legislation. Hence, all that is outstanding is the passage of time and their trust of our jurisdiction. Simply put, the country is being punished today with the imposition of enhanced due diligence measures on our financial sector to see if we will do what we say we will do,” the PM contended.

She lamented that in normal times such might be considered “bullying at worst and at best, actions to preserve the competitiveness of the EU”. But, she said it is compounded by the fact that we are in the middle of a global pandemic where Barbados’ GDP is likely to contract by more than 15 percent, and therefore it is “an unconscionable act and a crime against the people of two of the smallest and most vulnerable nations”.

Given the situation, she indicated that Government intends, through the Ministry of International Business and Industry, to file a request for a Supplementary Review from the Global Forum, based on the fact that “the deficiencies identified in its report have already been addressed through the passage of time”. She went on to say that Barbados has and continues to demonstrate efficiency and maintains the highest international standards.

“However, it is regrettable that it has been made clear that, irrespective of the outcome of Barbados’ request for a Supplementary Review, the new ranking will remain until the next meeting of the EU’s Council, in February 2021. Barbados has strenuously objected to the decision made by the EU and has written to both the President of the European Council and President of the Council of the European Union, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany,  expressing its grave attrition over the action taken by the EU,” she stated.

Former Member of Parliament for St. George North, Gline Clarke says he plans to rally support from both Barbadians and Canadians in Canada, to help improve the social fabric of Barbados.

Gline Clarke, who served that constituency for 26 years as a Member of Parliament, but who recently resigned and is scheduled to take up a new post as Barbados’ High Commissioner to Canada, spoke with The Barbados Advocate about the upcoming move, whilst on location at the St. George North Constituency Office in The Glebe, St. George. Clarke was on hand to assist, as the Barbados Labour Party held a Mass Canvass in support of its candidate Senator Toni Moore, for the upcoming by-election in St. George North.

“I served in Canada already, so I know the terrain. We have a lot of Barbadians there that we will be calling upon to help Barbados, their hometown. I believe that there is a lot of goodwill for Barbados in Canada, both from Barbadians as well as Canadians and we are hoping that we can improve the social fabric of Barbados, because Canada is known for its social services. Canada and Norway have the best social services in the world and we believe that we can learn something from them,” Clarke told this newspaper.

“I made mention of this years ago and I am looking at it now. For example, I have never understood why child maintenance is a problem. I have spoken to this in Parliament and I will continue to challenge that, that we need to have an improved system for women, in terms of child maintenance. It doesn’t mean that we want to punish men, but I think men must have responsibility. I think children must never be left outside the gate. So that is one of the main areas that I think I will continue to champion (while I am in Canada),” Clarke further pointed out.

Meanwhile, as he waits to take up his post in Ottawa, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly is pooling all of his energy into helping Senator Toni Moore win the seat, for the constituency of St. George North.

“I have got to make sure that Toni wins this seat. She is number one as far as I am concerned and I am going to work extremely hard, even harder than I have ever worked for myself and I am encouraging all of my BLP people to come and give her the full support that she really needs,” he told The Barbados Advocate.

Just recently, in Parliament, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley lauded Clarke for his dedication to duty and his years of unbroken service to the Barbados Labour Party, noting that other politicians could learn from the way in which he served the people, who relied on him to address their concerns. She has also suggested that Clarke will be recognised in a greater way in the future, for the work he has done in general as a politician and for his long record of stewardship, as the Member of Parliament for St. George North.

Amidst calls for her to step down as an Independent Senator, having been named as the Barbados Labour Party candidate for the constituency of St. George North, Senator Toni Moore who also holds the post of General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), says the Constitution of Barbados outlines just how she should operate.

Her comments came as the Barbados Labour Party held a Mass Canvass to rally support from the people of St. George North for her, in advance of the upcoming by-election, which has come about due to the resignation of Gline Clarke as a Member of Parliament. Clarke, who served that constituency for twenty-six years, is scheduled to take up a new post as Barbados’ High Commissioner to Canada.

Flanked by her Campaign Manager Dwight Sutherland on location at the St.George North Constituency Office at the Glebe, St. George, as she made ready to take to the streets, Moore addressed the question of her resignation from the Senate, as she fielded questions from the media.

“The Constitution of Barbados is clear, as it relates to the nomination. Whenever nomination takes place, at that point in time, you will have to give up any seat in the Senate, but I am sure the President of the Senate has been hearing from me and he understands exactly what the position is, so I have no further comment on that,” Senator Moore commented on the matter.

Amongst those calling for Senator Toni Moore’s resignation, is Opposition Senator and General Secretary of the Unity Workers’ Union (UWU), Caswell Franklyn who has suggested that Moore “do the decent thing” and step down.

Just yesterday, President of the Democratic Labour Party, Verla DePeiza also issued a call for Senator Moore’s resignation.

“Senator Toni Moore needs to resign from the Senate.  She cannot sit as an Independent Senator, after being hand-picked as a political candidate for the current Government. And she should not have waited to be told to resign,” DePeiza said.

“Sitting as an Independent Senator while running on a BLP ticket, is making a mockery of our Parliamentary system.  While on her way to Roebuck Street, Ms. Moore should have had the integrity to drop her resignation letter off at Government House,” she continued.

“The Democratic Labour Party is asking Ms. Moore to do the right thing and resign,” the DLP President said in a release issued to this media house. (RSM)

Minister of Energy, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerrie Symmonds, yesterday presented Unicomer (Barbados) Limited (trading as Courts) with the first Barbados National Standards Institute (BNSI) Safe Business Verification Certificate on the island.

The event which was hosted at the Courts store in St. George Street, Bridgetown, saw officials from BNSI, Unicomer (Barbados) and the Ministry of Energy, Small Business and Entrepreneurship in attendance for the presentation of the first such certificate to Managing Director of Unicomer (Barbados) Limited, Trisha Tannis.

Tannis stated that the company was doing all it could to manage the safety of its staff and customers.

“We believe that what we are doing is further strengthening our efforts to ensure a safe environment for our shoppers and our team members. We have been making every effort as a company to be true to your safety mantra in all of our operations,” said Tannis.

BNSI Director (Ag) Haydn Rhynd explained that the initiative came as a response to the pandemic, where the BNSI and Ministry of Energy, Small Business and Entrepreneurship recognised that the trust, safety and confidence of not just consumers but also employees of businesses, post-covid, needed to be supported.

“Our initiative gives that support because we have outlined not just the precautions to mitigate against COVID-19, but also to ensure that the international best practices as far as occupational health and safety are maintained,” outlined Rhynd.

According to Rhynd, Unicomer (Barbados), through the third party assessment by the BNSI, had demonstrated that they were committed to not only satisfying the requirements for safety in a COVID-19 environment but also satisfied many other occupational and safety requirements as stipulated by the international standards within the programme.

“It is not a simple effort. The team at Courts have really demonstrated that they are committed to satisfying all of the criteria within our programme to the extent that they have been awarded the very first certificate in Barbados to be a safe business under our program,” the director explained.

Minister of Energy, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Kerrie Symmonds lauded the commitment of Unicomer (Barbados) and stated that the initiative was an important one which was the step in the right direction of the certification of businesses, business procedures, operations and processes in Barbados.

“For far too long, we have had an ecosystem of businesses in this country that though they supply goods and services at a high standard to our people, were not so certified and verified that we as a people and community put those businesses  in a position that would give them a stamp of recognition and form of approval which would allow them to hold themselves as symbols of excellence to the world,” said Symmonds.

The minister also commended BNSI for the initiative and the ingenuity of developing the programme which would address a deficiency within the business community. Symmonds explained that the stamp of approval was a stamp that was eligible for every business in Barbados but it was one which needed to be earned.

“You get the stamp of approval by demonstrating that you have the internal operational structure that allows you to meet with the international labour standards of safety, international best practices and maintain the standards set by your own ministry of health,” said the minister.

Symmonds also stated that the stamp of approval would be a beacon to locals and visitors to the island, who were concerned about their personal safety along with that of their family and friends. (AS)

WE must correct the misalignment of education and training with labour market needs.

This is the view of Caribbean Development Bank’s Vice President of Operations (Ag) Diana Wilson-Patrick who believes that a new direction must be charted away from the traditional modes of teaching which are out of sync with the world defined by technology, innovation, creativity, networking and 21st century competencies and skills.

Her comments came as she addressed the virtual launch of the Readiness for Action – The Baseline and Situational Analysis Report of the CARICOM Human Resource Development (HRD) 2030 Strategy which was carried out in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat.

According to the vice president, “the urgency of this new direction is even more pronounced in a post-COVID 19 world which has accelerated the move towards new modes of education and instruction.”

Wilson-Patrick while highlighting some of the key findings in the report explained that the CDB financed the preparation of this strategy as a reflection of thecontinued commitment to support HRD in borrowing member countries.

“The report was also financed as part of the implementation of the strategy to provide countries with a snapshot of the regional education sector and the impetus for ongoing action towards achieving the vision of unlocking Caribbean human potential.”

The vice president opined that the COVID 19 pandemic has laid bare and further exacerbated the challenges highlighted in the report.

“Loss of learning is a distinct reality and the digital divide exposes the vulnerable and compromises their already constrained learning opportunities. Indeed sustained action is needed to address some of the structural deficits which have plagued the post- independence Human Resource Development systems.”

Also noted in the report is the capacity of countries to report more readily – indicators in basic education, but it is stated that there are limitations in measuring strategy imperatives in the skills and lifelong learning and tertiary education sectors. “These two sectors are important areas of intervention in building the human capital of the region and promoting employability.”

Additionally, she acknowledged the challenges of reporting on issues of equity relative to socioeconomic, ethnicity, geographic location and special needs. This, she said, is critical to gauging the extent to which the exclusive needs of all learners are adequately addressed.

The vice president also drew attention to the reported inadequate performance in literacy and numeracy which emphasises the ongoing deficits in high quality education and training overall. “In other words, despite the significant investment in education, there is considerable work to be done in developing a regional human resource development system which is inclusive, high-quality and responsive to the social, economic and environmental imperatives of the 21st century.”

She stressed that a concerted effort must be made to move from policy to action and from strategy to results.

“As our commitment to the ongoing work, the bank will continue to collaborate with the CARICOM Secretariat as the HRD strategy is implemented. We stand ready to support action to address the data deficits which made this report necessary and which were identified as an area of focus for the next report.”

“In fact we have already included in the Bank’s 2021 work programme for education the provision of technical assistance to prepare the second monitoring report. That technical assistance will seek to enhance the data access and we expect the report will demonstrate an improvement in the data available to document the progress being made across and within our countries.”

She commended the work of the regional network of education planners who along with the CARICOM directorate of HRD and the CDB education team produced the report, which she said gives precise guidance for the collective action of the education institutions, families, Ministries of Education, countries and development partners. (JH)

Grenville Phillips II, the Solutions Barbados candidate for the upcoming St. George North by-election, is adamant that the major issue facing that rural constituency at this time is unemployment.

In a statement released to the media yesterday, Phillips said that from his visits to almost every community in St. George North, the “one consistent desperate need” is employment opportunities.

“The employed want work for the unemployed, and the unemployed want work. All other issues were secondary. All five candidates in this by-election have a responsibility to propose workable solutions to the unemployment problems in St. George North. The plans must not depend on new government funding, because the Government will claim that they have no money,” he maintained.

The political leader of Solutions Barbados went further, contending that if a candidate does not have a workable plan, then they need to formulate one. He further insisted that the plan should be fully operational in the 30 months that remain in the current election cycle.

“If a candidate does not have a workable plan, then they should stop pretending that they do. It is unconscionable to give desperately hurting people false hope and empty promises. The people of St. George North do not only need a Member of Parliament in this by-election. There are so many MPs in the House of Assembly, that the Prime Minister does not know what to do with them. The people of St. George North need someone to manage workable employment generating projects,” he affirmed.

With that in mind, he said that Solutions Barbados’ plan is designed to make St. George North the most prosperous constituency in this country. He made the point while referring to his party’s manifesto for the constituency, which includes plans to launch a training initiative. In the manifesto document, he said the goal will be to train, over six weeks, all willing St. George North secondary school graduates to be employable, and/or ready to start their own business.

“Training will be at no cost to St. George North residents. Participants will learn to speak, write, listen, calculate, draw, and do tasks at a high level. We will teach them to become responsible adults, and model employees and employers,” he further stated.

Additionally, under the heading of wealth creation, Phillips said that as the 2014 winner of the National Innovation Competition, he will use that expertise to train people how to start and grow a profitable business, with no start-up money. The political leader explained that the eight-week training will be at no cost to St. George North residents and is intended to provide each household with a separate income stream.

The candidate is also placing a great deal of focus on housing. Phillips, a structural engineer, intends to use his experience in the construction industry to set up a non-profit construction company, to participate in the Government’s 1,000 affordable houses initiative. He said they will train unemployed St. George North residents, who want to learn to safely construct a house, at no cost to them. After the two weeks of training is complete, he said, they will then employ them in the non-profit company, to apprentice with senior artisans.

“The roofs of most houses in St. George North are vulnerable to blowing off during a hurricane. We will economically strengthen the roofs of all houses in St. George North, for the cost of the labour and materials, but no profit. Those who want their roof strengthened for only the cost of the materials, can volunteer their time with the company one day each week, for seven weeks. They will help to strengthen the roofs of other houses in St. George North,” he added.

Phillips also has a plan for dilapidated and unoccupied houses in the constituency. He indicated that they will negotiate with the owners, where they will repair the house and get it rented, explaining that the rent will be split between the homeowner and the company, until the repair cost is repaid. He also referred to plans to install photovoltaic (PV) systems on the roofs of all the homes in St. George North at cost, with no profit. He said that the systems will be connected to the national grid, to give home-owners more disposable income.

Deteriorating roads in the St. George South constituency has led to an appeal to the relevant authorities for a quick fix.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment and representative for the area, Dwight Sutherland, urged Government to especially pay attention to the three roads leading into the Todds district where the National Housing Corporation is currently engaging in a housing project.

“I want to say to the authorities, we need these roads badly. There are at least three roads leading into Todds and all three roads are in a deplorable state. I stand here this morning even though I am happy for the housing solutions that the minister has brought, but I want a quick fix for the road infrastructure in Todds. I’ll be happy when I see any road leading to Todds fixed. I am sure that as you leave here and you head back to your workplaces, you will have a challenge getting out of Todds, especially this morning when the road is wet,” he stressed.

Congratulating Minister of Housing, Dr. William Duguid, on the housing project, which will result in 15 homes being constructed, Sutherland asked that priority be given to the residents of Todds and surrounding areas to own a piece of the rock.

“That is how we truly enfranchise working-class people and give them an opportunity to have their fair share in development and to put bread on their table, to send school their kids and to have an abode for peace and tranquility,” he stressed.  

The MP also utilised the opportunity to speak on another plan to improve the infrastructure of that area.

“In addition, Todds has been crying out for a playing field for sometime and now is the time for me to say to the people of Todds as the Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, you will get your playing field,” he assured. (JMB)

CALLS for action to support more vulnerable nations on improved access to financing and debt sustainability were made with one voice yesterday in a joint statement from the Commonwealth Finance Ministers.

The statement made on behalf of all 54 member countries of the Commonwealth, was the first of its kind in over a decade. It called on the G20, Paris Club, World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to extend financial support to vulnerable nations, given the deep and widespread economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We welcome the G20 COVID-19 Action Plan, released in April, which includes the suspension of debt service payments by the poorest countries in 2020 through the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI). We call for an extension of the DSSI for additional liquidity, and welcome capacity building support from International Financial Institutions (IFIs) for all member countries in need.”

The Finance Ministers expressed support of the rapid response of the IFIs to help members tackle the crisis and encourage their policy flexibility, and called for the recognition of the special needs of small states, given their particular vulnerabilities.

“We call on the G20 to work with the Paris Club of official creditors to develop a clear and co-ordinated process for delivering debt treatments for countries with debt vulnerabilities, working closely with the IMF. We call for existing debt reduction initiatives to include debt to private sector creditors. To this end, we call on private sector creditors to join the G20 DSSI.”

The statement alluded to the economic impact of COVID-19, which has seen countries around the world implement much-needed fiscal stimulus packages to address the emerging health and economic crises, and Commonwealth nations debt levels are expected to rise significantly as a result.

“This presents a significant risk to those countries’ debt sustainability, with 14 Commonwealth countries already at high risk of debt distress even before the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Speaking on the issues raised at the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said: “This is not an issue we can ignore or wish away, and failure to acknowledge and tackle the real fiscal challenges many nations are facing right now will put economies, livelihoods and communities at real risk.

“We need to recognise that these issues are so widespread and are faced by so many nations that they have the potential to develop into a systemic risk threatening all our prosperity and that it is in the interests of us all to act decisively to support more vulnerable economies now.

“Our member states are clear on what they need: action on forging an extension of the G20 Debt Sustainability Suspension Initiative (DSSI) to 2021, and consideration of how we expand eligibility for support to include not only low-income countries, but all vulnerable member states.

“If we are to build forward better from this crisis, while also tackling other long-term challenges we face such as climate change, we look to the G20, World Bank and IMF to show the leadership and vision that is needed and find ways of working together to support the global economy and protect all of our future prosperity.”

The statement of Commonwealth Finance Ministers comes ahead of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting on October 14 when major decisions on the lifespan of the G20 debt relief initiative and on its eligibility criteria will be tabled. Currently, only low-income countries are eligible for the DSSI, which ends December 2020. Commonwealth countries have been pressing for an extension of the DSSI and an expansion of eligibility criteria to include all small and vulnerable member countries.

This is the first time that Commonwealth Finance Ministers have issued a joint statement since 2009 when Ministers joined forces to tackle the global financial crisis.

“Drug use at the primary school level remains minimal and is primarily experimental.”

This is one of the key findings of the National Primary School Survey 2020 conducted by the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA).

Disseminating the information recently during a Zoom meeting, Survey Co-ordinator and Research Assistant for the NCSA, Laura Foster, noted that alcohol, energy drinks and inhalants were three of the main substances used by these young students.

In fact, 51.7 per cent of the mainly ten-year-old respondents reported they had used alcohol at some point, while 20.9 per cent reported using inhalants at least once.

Foster also pointed to a high number of pupils who reported using energy drinks at least once at 39.7 per cent, while 13.3 per cent admitted to having consumed alcohol mixed with an energy drink at some point. The use of tobacco cigarettes, fanta, marijuana, e-cigarettes and lean were recorded at 4.8 per cent, 4.5 per cent, 4.3 per cent, 4.1 per cent and 3.3 per cent respectively.

The survey sample was taken from 1,958 Class Three and Four students from 46 public primary schools and four private.

Foster also underlined that family and friends were identified as the most common sources for most drugs, while the home is the most common location of use for all drugs.

In addition, drug use was more likely amongst those who believed there was ‘no risk’ associated with the use of various substances.

“Also drug use was more likely among those who considered substances to be easy to access, suggesting that they may be readily available and easily accessible to many students,” she added.

Addressing the audience, which included Home Affairs Minister Wilfred Abrahams and Acting Chief Education Officer Joy Adamson, she recommended that in the short term, drug prevention education be increased for primary school students of all ages, and that social determinants associated with drug use should be factored into drug prevention efforts.

Meanwhile, in the medium-term, Foster said parents should be educated about the drugs used by young persons, the associated dangers, signs and symptoms of drug use and their role in drug prevention, and prevention efforts that are school-based should be buttressed with community interventions.

Long-term recommendations include the further restriction of children’s access to drugs and drug prevention education delivered using a national approach co-ordinated by the NCSA. (JMB)

Youth advocates had the opportunity recently to unite with one voice and for one vision, as they came together to issue a call for the implementation of a multi-sectoral approach, to bring about greater youth empowerment, engagement and support.

Just recently, the Caribbean celebrated Caribbean Youth Day, under the theme “One Vision”. The Barbados Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment held a National Stakeholders Consultation at the Hilton Hotel and this created a space for 140 youth and youth allies from different sectors, to provide insight into key areas that should be addressed, to better support and meaningfully engage the youth of Barbados.

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition’s Advocacy Officer, Danielle Walywn and youth advocates from the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition, Abigail Johnson and Rondell Trim, participated in this event.

There was representation from different sectors of society. Each sector gathered and presented an overview of their own strengths and weaknesses and identified the support needed from the government. In considering the way forward, sectors were reminded to embrace a multi-sectoral approach, fostering synergies to allow for meaningful engagement of youth and sustainable change.

The programme began with an overview of major trends from the Generation Unlimited: The well-being of young people Barbados study.

It highlighted some ways that young people are excelling, for example, that two thirds of young people live above the poverty line and 75% of young are either studying or working. However, there were some glaring “threats” highlighted, one of these threats being that 1 in 3 young adolescents is overweight.

Rondell Trim, the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition youth advocate stated plainly, that we need the Government’s support in, “actively implementing strategies and plans to assist young people in reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and foods, addressing unhealthy diets and bettering the youth demographic in terms of health and wellness”.

The youth advocates also emphasized the need for the implementation of obesity prevention policies, noting that these can be reflected in school policies, by removing SSBs from schools and prohibiting marketing of unhealthy foods in schools. In referencing the “new” school environment, the youth advocates highlighted that an increased use of online platforms has implications, including increased sedentary time, lack of in-person social connection and online safety issues such as cyber bullying, increase of inappropriate content online, inclusive of fast food advertising.

On the topic of increased technology use, youth advocate Abigail Johnson stated, “There is a lot of marketing (by) certain companies; they use technology, internet and social media to target (young persons). In addition, sitting down in front of a screen, is not beneficial for young people.”

The advocates also used the consultation as an opportunity to reiterate the need to use the Convention of the Rights of a Child to guide all programmes and policies, prioritise meaningful youth engagement in policy and programming development, execution and evaluation and mental health support for children and youth in and outside of schools.

The major output of the session will be a document advising policy makers on suitable plans of action, to engage and support youth. The youth reps meanwhile have expressed their hope that meaningful youth engagement, healthy school environments, and effective mental health services for local youth are prioritised, even as they look forward to next year’s consultation.

Given Barbados’ recent cluster of positive COVID-19 cases, the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) felt it necessary to reiterate the importance of wearing masks and doing what is necessary to ensure your protection.

During the FTC’s recent Facebook Live, Julia Regis, Consumer Protection Officer at the FTC, stated that the Commission decided to host yesterday’s Live session because they wanted to reiterate the message of the proper use and wearing of face masks to the public.

“We want to get this message across because we would have seen and heard what happened recently and we want to reiterate that message to the public of Barbados about the proper use and wearing of the face masks. We need to get it stuck in the brains of persons to protect the community and ourselves,” she said.

Dr. Leandre Worrell, family physician and public health specialist at Worrell’s Wellness Centre, highlighted that there were three types of masks – the two medical grade masks and a cloth or fabric mask that the general population uses.

“The recommendations are that you use a mask that is triple-layered and make sure that the fabric is a breathable fabric because if something is uncomfortable and unbreathable, then you

are more likely to not want to adhere to appropriate mask use and you might remove it inappropriately or not wear at all,” she said.

“You don’t need to wear your mask on the chin to speak, that is not recommended. And make sure that your mask is not underneath your nose; you also should not be reusing your mask.”

She stated that children should wear their face masks in the same way that adults wear them. However, it was not recommended that children under the age of two wear cloth masks as there was a greater risk of suffocation in that age range.

She reminded that masks should be changed every four hours, if you sneeze into the mask or if it becomes wet.

Additionally, she stressed that how you change your mask was just as important as how you wore it and encouraged persons to read up on the proper removal of used face masks.

THE slow movement of the wheels of justice in Barbados is of significant concern to Magistrate Graveney Bannister.

Addressing the recent Closing Ceremony of the Court Prosecutor’s Course at the Regional Police Training Centre, he said that all agencies of the judicial system were responsible for the delays and not the court alone.

Insisting there must be unity within the various agencies, he stressed: “You are called to work together as a cohesive team for the timely delivery of justice.”

He was speaking to the 14 graduates of the course, which included personnel from the Royal Barbados Police Force, the Barbados Defence Force, the Barbados Prison Service, the Court Process Office and the Immigration Department.

Bannister, who is in care of Juvenile and Coroner’s Court, also highlighted the critical role police officers and prosecutors must play in ensuring there were little hiccups during the process.

“Cases depend on the evidence of witnesses, so police need the support of the public to come forward. The relationship between the police and their daily interaction with Joe Public iscrucial. You should see yourselves as a police service, even though you are named the Royal Barbados Police Force.

“The same total quality standard of service is a necessary mission of all first responders and agencies represented here today. Prosecutors, night duties or not, police officers should be professional enough to show and give evidence like other witnesses [and] not force the court to adjourn matters and delays. Witnesses should be warned and where possible assist them in getting to court in a timely fashion. It is just as hazardous to rush to justice when we occupy our minds with reducing delay in the court.

“Investigations must be unbiased, objective and prosecutions must never be malicious. The facts must be clear, and your word must be trusted. Investigations must be thorough. Seek advice when necessary rather than rushing to prefer charges in the face of public pressure. Prosecutors must search for justice instead of rushing to judgement. ‘Don’t rush the brush’; ‘Haste makes waste’ – otherwise put, don’t be hasty in making decision. Gather your facts first,” Bannister underlined.

THE health and well-being of young people and the concerns they have surrounding such, recently came into sharp focus in light of the present COVID-19 pandemic.

On October 2, fittingly two days after the Caribbean region celebrated its annual Caribbean Youth Day, Pierre Cooke Jr., the Healthy Caribbean Coalition’s Youth Technical Advisor,

participated in a NCD Child webinar entitled, “Promoting the health and well-being of young people during the COVID-19 pandemic”.

According to the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), this webinar was monumental as Pierre, alongside youth advocates and youth allies from across the globe, discussed their major concerns with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), who provided thoughtful feedback.

“The panellists aimed to address challenges faced by youth during COVID-19, specifically discussing these challenges from a health systems perspective, the need to facilitate and invest youth participation and structures that promote youth engagement,” the HCC pointed out.

“Panellists highlighted the heterogeneity of young people and their experiences during COVID, especially vulnerable populations such as those living with non-communicable diseases and disabilities. They urged the WHO and audience members to consider many actions, including ensuring that young people’s needs and access to related services are not overlooked or further disrupted, as we aim to ‘build back better’. (Also, that) spaces are created for youth to meaningfully engage and contribute to the planning, execution and evaluation of policies and programmes and youth are compensated for their time and opportunities provided for youth, transcend socio-economic boundaries,” the HCC added.

It was also noted that Pierre used the opportunity to emphasise the need for institutionalising meaningful youth engagement.

“Youth participation goes beyond the invitation to an event. It is acknowledging the value of the youth’s opinion and weighing it as an equal voice to their adult counterparts in discussion. He reiterated the importance of including the voices of vulnerable populations, including youth living with NCDs and disabilities,” the HCC said.

On the global scale, Pierre noted that engaging vulnerable populations or voices that are often “left out”, means acknowledging and involving young people from small island developing states (SIDS). Pierre also encouraged the WHO and other government leaders to utilise a rights-based approach in developing youth-related frameworks, policies and programmes and highlighted that integrating this type of approach can only lead to an equitable response.

Dr. Tedros responded to the panellists’ concerns and highlighted the WHO’s ongoing efforts to meaningfully support and engage young people, most notably the recent establishment of a WHO Youth Council. He also shared other examples of WHO’s commitment such as including young people on advisory boards, seeking out young people for independent contracts and ensuring that they are well compensated and partially funding internships to expand opportunities to young people of all socio-economic strata.

The HCC meanwhile has congratulated NCD Child on an excellent event, noting that it was one that amplified youth’s voices and concerns.

“The HCC also applauds the WHO for their progress in meaningfully engaging youth and especially on the announcement of a possible Youth Assembly, an opportunity for youth to discuss and share their responses to the world’s major health issues, prior to the World Health Assembly. Dr. Tedros’ recommendation to governments to ensure that each country’s World Health Assembly delegation includes a youth representative, is also particularly valuable. We look forward to learning more about the Youth Council’s Agenda and the Youth Assembly. We know that our region’s youth are ready to make meaningful contributions,” the HCC stated. (PR/RSM)

National dialogues between stakeholders are critical now more than ever.

During a media sensitisation training programme, Latoya Burnham, Technical Officer, Quality Promotions at the

CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), highlighted that specifically now in the COVID-19 environment, as persons were looking at ways to create tourism

products that will last, these national dialogues are important as they give stakeholders crucial information on how to do such.

“We have been discussing how we will make that work within the context of COVID-19, making sure everyone is safe but these dialogues will bring ideas as to how we can help these specific industries boost their own export potential, boost their foreign exchange potential and their plan for the countries listed,” she said.

“They are used to capture the views of the stakeholders and the perspectives of a cross-section of society to be able to work with policymakers as well as those who are on the ground to be able to

create successful, insightful, inventive sectors moving forward.”

In Barbados, she noted that through national dialogues used by the CROSQ network, agriculture was highlighted as the national dialogue they wished to have.

She explained that agriculture was one of the primary sectors of importance in the region and since the advent of COVID-19, they were seeing a revival of interest in the agricultural sector.

“So this is a good time to see how, as a technical assistance programme, we can provide the needed support to Barbados in this regard,” she said.

“As Barbados would have identified agro-processing as the national dialogue that they wished to have, farmers stood to benefit, the associations that are of interest stood to benefit and there is hope that if the association and stakeholders take part, there will be a trickle-down effect, from the economics of the country as well as to the export potential of products in the agro-processing area.” (CLJB)

A greater engagement between stakeholders is necessary in order to manage multiple hazards.

During the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s recent virtual webinar, Kerry Hinds, Director

of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), expressed that in this case the multiple hazards at hand were the ensuing pandemic and the 2020 hurricane season.

In order to ensure that the DEM was prepared and ready to assist persons during this unprecedented time, Hinds revealed that the DEM has been working on updating existing, and in some instances forming new, memorandums of understanding.

“We would have renewed ourselves and the Roving Response Team, as this is one of the groups that support our community response,” she said.

“We would have signed a new MOU, which again articulated both of our entities the continued support that we would give to each other. We also looked at the leveraging of new partnerships and collaborations with new entities; we renewed and enhanced our collaboration with the Red Cross and we also looked to stockpile the much-needed emergency supplies, and we must say thank you to the donors.

“The need for us to manage multiple hazards and the need for us to engage with multiple stakeholders is important.”

Hinds noted that COVID-19 has brought about greater communication and engagement with traditional stakeholders, however, there was still a constant need to engage with new and non-traditional stakeholders as well.

She revealed that as recent as two weeks ago, members of the DEM took part in the Regional Security System’s virtual training sessions that looked at exercising their plans, not only at a national level but a regional one, as they were now poised to do a number of sessions that focused on these regional plans.

The Director went on to note that one of the areas that they treated to this year was the relocation and the upgrade of the DEM and the National Emergency Operations Centre.

“We have a new facility, much more modern and this has much more space to house the National Emergency Operations Centre and this has been a welcomed addition,” she said.