Carib Scope

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  • WorldSkills to drive TVET revamp

    WorldSkills to drive TVET revamp

    Barbados is preparing to usher in a transformative new era for its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, as a government-led delegation travels to China’s WorldSkills Shanghai to study global benchmarks for skills development that will position the country’s young workforce for international competitiveness.

    The official delegation first announced the mission at Grantley Adams International Airport on Sunday, ahead of their departure. Sandra Husbands, Barbados’ Minister of Technological and Vocational Training, framed the trip as a long-overdue catalyst that will push the nation’s entire TVET sector into an upgraded iteration aligned with 21st century global demands.

    Husbands emphasized that exposure to the world’s most rigorous skills standards at WorldSkills is far more than an academic exchange: it is a core economic strategy for Barbados. “To drive sustained economic growth, Barbados must attract high-value foreign investment, and that investment depends entirely on a skilled workforce that meets global expectations. We also aim to grow homegrown Barbadian enterprises capable of competing in regional and global markets,” she explained to reporters on site.

    The central goal of the delegation’s participation is to conduct an on-the-ground assessment of gaps in Barbados’ current TVET frameworks, from training curricula to the infrastructure and teaching approaches that underpin skills development. Husbands noted that for too long, many young Barbadians completed their schooling without gaining marketable technical skills, leaving them locked out of high-wage opportunities during periods of economic slowdown. The reform effort, she said, centers on arming young people with competencies that translate directly to better employment outcomes and higher earning potential.

    “We have to equip our people with skills that give them the power to compete, build successful businesses, and build lasting prosperity for themselves and their families,” Husbands said. Beyond curriculum updates, the delegation will also closely examine the cutting-edge equipment and modern pedagogical approaches used by top-performing countries, to bring those insights back to local training institutions. “By bringing the principals who lead our TVET programs here in Barbados, we ensure they can see firsthand what global excellence looks like – from the machinery needed for advanced trades, to new training methods, to what we need to upgrade the skills of our own instructors, so they can deliver the most innovative, high-quality technical education to our youth,” she added.

    Husbands went as far as to frame the experience as a potential turning point for Barbados’ entire approach to technical skills training, with a long-term policy goal of making Barbadian TVET qualifications fully recognized across international borders. “Our end goal is simple: we want Barbadian workers to be able to travel anywhere in the world, present their national certification, and have it accepted without question,” she said.

    Ian Drakes, Principal of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology, shared that he is particularly focused on forging new industry and institutional partnerships and sourcing state-of-the-art equipment for his campus, including advanced welding machinery. A veteran of sending students to past WorldSkills competitions, Drakes noted this trip marks his first time attending as an official observer. “WorldSkills is the Olympics of technical education. It is where the world comes together to showcase the highest international standards for skilled trades,” he said, adding that he was eager to secure collaborative agreements with equipment manufacturers to upgrade the institute’s training facilities.

    Annette Alleyne, Principal of Barbados Community College, also confirmed that her institution has already seen tangible benefits from its longstanding participation in the WorldSkills program. “We have been fortunate to send a number of our students to participate in WorldSkills over the years, and thanks to the leadership of the national TVET Council, we have already observed steady improvements in the performance of our competitors at the international competition,” she said.

  • Man Seeks Leniency After Cutlass Attack on Former Co-Worker

    Man Seeks Leniency After Cutlass Attack on Former Co-Worker

    A 34-year-old Antiguan man, Emilio Hodge, who previously pleaded guilty to intentionally wounding a former colleague at a local recycling plant, was overcome with emotion in the High Court this week as his legal representative argued for leniency ahead of his sentencing.

    The incident that led to the charges dates back to November 24, 2022, at the Powells Recycling Facility, where Hodge and the complainant had worked alongside one another for roughly four years. Court documents reveal that interpersonal tensions between the two men had been simmering for more than a month before the violent outbreak. The prosecution outlined that in October 2022, Hodge first took offense after claiming the complainant had been discussing him in public, at which point he made an explicit threat to shoot the man.

    The conflict boiled over on that November afternoon, when the pair got into a heated verbal altercation on the job. According to prosecution accounts, Hodge first stormed out of the facility, returning moments later armed with a glass bottle and a stone. He hurled the stone at his former co-worker, striking him directly in the knee. When the injured complainant grabbed a plastic chair and moved toward Hodge in response, the defendant pulled out a cutlass and launched a brutal attack, leaving the victim with multiple severe lacerations that required urgent medical intervention.

    Hodge formally entered a guilty plea on March 24, 2026, on the very day his trial was set to get underway, with all prosecution witnesses already present at the court. This late guilty plea became a key point of contention during sentencing submissions: while defendants typically receive a one-third sentence reduction for accepting guilt early, prosecutors have urged the court to only grant a one-fifth reduction given that the state had already incurred the full cost of preparing for trial.

    During mitigation hearings before Justice Ann-Marie Smith, Hodge’s defense attorney Lawrence Daniels pushed the court to prioritize several mitigating factors, pointing first to an official probation report that confirmed Hodge has no prior criminal convictions, and has been the sole primary caregiver for his two minor children. Daniels emphasized that the defendant did not attempt to flee or avoid arrest after the attack, turning himself over to law enforcement without resistance. He characterized the violent outburst as an isolated lapse in judgment, noting that Hodge has expressed profound and genuine remorse for his actions. The attorney also told the court that Hodge maintains he was provoked into the confrontation, and that he attempted to exit the worksite before being followed by the complainant, adding that his client now openly acknowledges he should have de-escalated the conflict through non-violent means.

    As his attorney made these submissions, Hodge became visibly distraught, breaking down in tears in the courtroom dock. The complainant has also submitted a formal request for $30,000 in financial compensation for the injuries he sustained, a figure that prosecution has confirmed is reasonable given the harm caused.

    Hodge has been ordered to return to court this coming Tuesday with his recent payslips, documents that Justice Smith will use to assess his ability to meet the requested compensation amount before issuing a final ruling on sentencing and damages.

  • Leacock warns students: street fights will bring police discipline

    Leacock warns students: street fights will bring police discipline

    In a forceful address delivered at a church service marking the 118th anniversary of St. Vincent Grammar School in Kingstown on Monday, St. Clair Leacock – the acting prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and its national security minister – has announced a zero-tolerance policy toward street violence and criminal activity involving enrolled students, promising firm, rapid police intervention for violators.

    A proud alumnus of the nation’s oldest secondary school, Leacock leveraged the celebratory occasion to draw a hard line against growing public disorder among youth, pointing directly to a recently viral video of schoolgirls brawling on Kingstown’s streets as a catalyst for the government’s hardened stance. Unlike past approaches that treated student public misconduct as a purely internal school discipline issue, Leacock made clear that any criminal behavior by students in public spaces will now be handled as a law enforcement matter.

    “If you are a student and you’re on the streets and you’re fighting, I’ll ask the police to go to the school, get your names, and you’ll be disciplined. It will not happen under my watch,” Leacock told the assembled congregation. “Let me be emphatic about it, because I know the ears of the media houses are cocked. If you are a school student, behave like a school student. You go on the streets and your behaviour is criminal, the police will be advised to deal firmly and swiftly with you. I’m not second-guessing that.”

    Framing the crackdown as a core component of the country’s national security and social order agenda, Leacock emphasized that SVG has invested extensive public and private resources into its young population, and cannot tolerate students squandering these opportunities through violent or illegal conduct. “Your parents, your grandparents, have invested far too much in you, and the expectations of this nation-state are as such that we have no room for criminal behaviour, bullying in our schools,” he added, calling on St. Vincent Grammar School and other educational institutions to lead by example in upholding public standards of behavior for all SVG youth.

    Leacock also disclosed that the national police commissioner recently briefed him on the recent arrest of six to seven students connected to serious criminal offenses, including illegal firearms possession, burglary, and assault. In a one-off gesture of leniency, the students were permitted to complete their scheduled exams before facing prosecution, but Leacock warned that this accommodation will not be standard practice moving forward. “Those students should consider themselves lucky,” he said, noting that “in principle, they should have been prosecuted summarily for breaking the law.”

    The announcement marks a clear escalation of the SVG government’s public position on youth crime, a issue that has grown more pressing for the country over the past year. In 2023, SVG recorded a notable upsurge in delinquency and crime within school communities, with multiple students openly aligning themselves with rival gangs 6ixx and 7even.

    Against the backdrop of the school’s anniversary – which celebrates a 118-year legacy of producing generations of SVG national leaders – Leacock reminded attending students that they are being groomed as the future of the country. This status, he argued, comes with heightened responsibility: the school and its students must take the lead in restoring public discipline, both on campus and across the wider nation.

  • Marigot Hospital to temporarily suspend services for maintenance

    Marigot Hospital to temporarily suspend services for maintenance

    In a public advisory issued this week, the Dominica Hospitals Authority has declared that all medical services at Marigot Hospital will be temporarily paused on September 22 and 23, 2026. The two-day shutdown is not a response to an unexpected emergency or public health crisis, but rather a pre-planned measure designed to accommodate critical maintenance work across the facility.

    To avoid gaps in access to urgent and routine care for local populations, the authority has directed residents of Marigot and its neighboring communities to redirect all requests for emergency assistance and non-emergency medical attention to the Nurse Doris Musgrave Health and Wellness Centre for the duration of the closure. This alternative care arrangement was put in place well in advance to balance the need for infrastructure upgrades with the non-negotiable requirement of keeping health services accessible to all community members.

    Hospital officials emphasized that the temporary service suspension is a necessary step to complete the planned improvements without putting patients or maintenance crews at risk, noting that the alternate care hub is fully prepared to absorb the increased patient volume over the two-day period. In closing, the Dominica Hospitals Authority issued a formal apology for any disruption or inconvenience that the temporary closure may cause for area residents, and expressed sincere gratitude in advance for the public’s patience and cooperation as the work is carried out. The authority wrapped up its statement by reaffirming its long-standing institutional commitment to delivering high-quality patient care, echoing its core mission: “Your health, our priority.”

  • U-23 Volleyball Team at NORCECA U-23 Copa America Championships

    U-23 Volleyball Team at NORCECA U-23 Copa America Championships

    A new chapter in Grenada’s youth sports history kicked off on September 20, as the country’s first-ever Under-23 national men’s volleyball team departed their home island bound for El Salvador, where they will compete at the 2026 NORCECA U-23 Copa America Championships from September 20 to 28.

    This tournament appearance is far more than just another competition for the small Caribbean nation: it marks a groundbreaking milestone for Grenadian volleyball, as this is the first time the country has ever fielded a team for the regional continental championship. For the squad of rising young athletes, the 9-day tournament represents a one-of-a-kind chance to go head-to-head with top-ranked programs from across the North, Central America and Caribbean region, honing their competitive skills and earning high-level international match experience that cannot be replicated in domestic training.

    Helming the historic squad is head coach Dan Girleanu, with Jerron Phillip stepping into the role of assistant coach, who accompanied the team on their departure from Grenada on Sunday, September 20.

    The team’s historic participation is rooted in sustained investment from the Government of Grenada through its Ministry of Youth and Sports, which has prioritized building structured pathways for young local athletes to access elite training, high-stakes regional and international competition, and global exposure. Backing young athletes’ participation in major tournaments like the NORCECA U-23 Copa America aligns with the government’s broader strategic goals: empowering Grenada’s youth population, encouraging widespread adoption of healthy active lifestyles, and nurturing national pride through athletic achievement.

    Hon. Delma Thomas, Grenada’s Minister for Youth and Sports, offered formal congratulations to the entire squad for reaching this unprecedented milestone, urging the athletes to compete with discipline, honor and unwavering national pride as they take the court. The Ministry also extended public gratitude to all stakeholders who made the team’s journey possible, including coaching staff, players’ families, event sponsors, national sporting associations and other community partners.

    As Grenada continues to expand access to youth athletic development programs and engagement opportunities, the government has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to equipping young people with the tools and support needed to succeed both on the volleyball court and in their personal lives off the pitch, while supporting them to carry Grenada’s flag proudly on regional and world stages.

    As the team embarks on this landmark journey, the Ministry of Youth and Sports extended its warm wishes for a successful and memorable tournament for the squad, as they make their debut on one of the region’s highest-level competitive volleyball platforms.

  • A century of footsteps across Barbados

    A century of footsteps across Barbados

    Against the backdrop of the sun-splashed Caribbean island of Barbados, a remarkable woman whose life has been woven into the fabric of local community life has reached a historic milestone: 100 years of age. Germaine Clarke, who spent decades traversing every corner of Barbados peddling homegrown root vegetables to feed neighborhoods and support her family, marked her centennial birthday on Sunday surrounded by dozens of loving family members and long-time friends at the Holy Innocents Auditorium, located in the Arch Hall Development of St Thomas parish.

    The celebration drew a high-profile guest of honor: Barbados President Jeffrey Bostic, who traveled to the venue to personally congratulate Clarke on her extraordinary life and legacy. In photos captured by photojournalist Lourianne Graham, a beaming Clarke accepts a vibrant basket of fresh flowers from the president, her smile reflecting a lifetime of warmth and resilience.

    For nearly all of her working years, Clarke earned her living as a street hawker, waking early each day to harvest or collect yams, potatoes, and eddoes, then loading her wares to trek across the island to sell at markets and street corners, including the iconic Baxter’s Road in Bridgetown. Orlando Alleyne, a close relative of Clarke, recalled her relentless work ethic in an interview: “I remember Germaine going the length and breadth of this country, collecting potatoes, yams, eddoes and all these things.” Alleyne added that even at 100 years old, he remains consistently impressed by how sharp and engaged Clarke is during every conversation.

    Clarke’s role as a matriarch extends far beyond her own children, after she stepped in to raise two of her grandchildren following the early death of her daughter at age 34. Her youngest grandchild, Patricia Clarke, remembers fondly the long days spent accompanying her grandmother on selling trips along the backcountry roads of St Thomas. Laughing, she admitted that as a young child, she would secretly discard a number of the vegetables along the route to lighten her load. “I remember hearing stories… and jokes about how they don’t interfere with the monkeys and the monkey lashes somebody with its tail. And I think the stories were to help me ease the burden of the load with the long walk,” she recalled.

    Avaline Williams, Clarke’s oldest granddaughter, described her grandmother’s infectious personality: “She’s very stubborn, she loves to eat, she loves people. She’s a very caring person. She normally looked after people when she was good. In her neighbourhood the young people, to this day those young people they come out and look out for her.”

    President Bostic used the occasion to highlight the underrecognized contributions of working hawkers like Clarke to Barbados’ national development, calling her a pioneer entrepreneur long before the term became a mainstream concept. “Long before Barbados had its first recognised entrepreneur, you were one. Long before small businesses were established, you had one,” he told the birthday celebrant. Bostic noted that generations of hawkers worked tirelessly across the island, earning enough to put their children through school and lay the groundwork for Barbados’ modern growth.

    When asked to share the secret to her century-long life, Clarke offered a simple, humble answer: “I go to church. I go to work; when I tired, I stay quiet in bed, and then I go out again.” She went on to name her favorite traditional Barbadian dish — cou cou — adding that she still cooks the meal herself, prompting Bostic to say he would jump at the chance to taste her homemade version.

    Looking back on her life, Clarke recalled one of its hardest moments: the total loss of her family home during Hurricane Janet in 1955, which forced the entire family to take shelter in a local church for weeks. Today, the only ailment that bothers her is persistent soreness in her feet — a small consequence of a lifetime spent walking across Barbados. Bostic put that discomfort in perspective, telling Clarke: “The feet may be tired now, but you know what? The amount of time you walked around this country, you have left your footprint on the sands of time.”

    Along with the basket of flowers, Bostic presented Clarke with an official birthday card, a bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling drink, and called her a national treasure of Barbados. Clarke, who now has five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, says she is looking forward to celebrating many more birthdays with her growing family. A second photo from Graham captures a tender moment between Clarke and her oldest granddaughter Avaline, marking the joyous occasion for the whole family.

  • Top ten finishes for two Barbadians during 5K in Trinidad

    Top ten finishes for two Barbadians during 5K in Trinidad

    As Caribbean distance running continues to grow its competitive profile across regional events, Barbadian athletes turned in standout performances at Sunday’s Venture Credit Union 5K hosted in Trinidad, with veteran runner Carlie Robinson using the race as a critical preparation step for October’s high-profile Mizuno Half Marathon in Amsterdam.

    Robinson, a seasoned competitor with a string of regional results under her belt, secured a podium spot in the women’s open division, crossing the finish line in 18 minutes and 33 seconds to claim third place. She held her own against a stacked field of top regional runners, finishing only behind two leading athletes from the host nation Trinidad and Tobago: Nyla Kerr, a rising middle-distance star who claimed gold in the 1500-meter event at the 2026 CARIFTA Games, took the top spot with a time of 17:48, while Alexia John followed closely in second at 17:52.

    The result comes on the heels of a major career milestone for Robinson earlier this year. In June, she notched her most significant career win to date, taking home the title at the CARICOM Chairman’s Cup Elite 10K hosted in Saint Lucia, cementing her status as one of the region’s top female distance runners.

    In the men’s open race, Trinidad’s Tafari Waldron claimed the top prize with a winning time of 14:30. He was followed across the line by Kenyan runner Alex Ekesa, who finished second in 15:02, and Trinidadian Donnell Francis, who rounded out the men’s podium in 15:37. Barbados also had another strong showing in the men’s division: Joshua Hunte finished sixth overall with a time of 16:25 and additionally took home a prize in his age-group category.

    The dual strong performances from Robinson and Hunte marked a notable Barbadian presence at the regional 5K event, shining a spotlight on the consistent progress and rising competitiveness of the island nation’s distance running program on the Caribbean competitive circuit. For Robinson in particular, the solid podium finish serves as a promising confidence boost and key training test as she enters the final phase of preparation for the Amsterdam half marathon next month.

  • Sandals Foundation rallies over 700 volunteers for International Coastal Cleanup Day

    Sandals Foundation rallies over 700 volunteers for International Coastal Cleanup Day

    Every September 19, communities across the globe unite for International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICCD), the world’s largest single-day volunteer initiative dedicated to protecting ocean and coastal ecosystems. This year, the Sandals Foundation — a Caribbean non-profit focused on driving grassroots environmental action and community stewardship — successfully mobilized more than 700 volunteers across the region to join the global movement, with a targeted cleanup effort drawing cross-sector participation in Grenada.

    In Grenada, 70 participants representing a diverse coalition of stakeholders turned out for the event. The volunteer cohort included staff from host resort Sandals Grenada, the Grenada Airports Authority (GAA), local business McIntyre Bros. Limited, plus hundreds of students and faculty from six local primary and secondary schools: Gateway Christian Academy, Calliste Government School, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, and Limes Mennonite Primary School. Working together, the group cleared accumulated trash and debris along a 3-mile stretch of coastline stretching from the airport top road to Devil’s Bay, a popular local coastal habitat.

    Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, emphasized that ICCD is far more than a one-day cleanup — it is an opportunity to build long-term environmental responsibility across local communities. “ICCD is a dedicated moment when the entire world aligns to show solidarity and care for our shared oceans,” Clarke explained. “Our work through this event centers on mobilizing community members and empowering them to take tangible action to protect our coastlines. Every small action adds up to meaningful change, and we are continuously encouraged by the consistent support and collaboration from our institutional partners and local residents, who give their time freely to care for the natural spaces we call home.”

    Elana Beckett, Health, Safety and Environment Manager at the Grenada Airports Authority, praised the Sandals Foundation for its coordinated organizing and highlighted the collective impact of cross-partner collaboration. “The event was extremely well organized from start to finish,” Beckett noted. “This initiative not only helps us deliver on our own institutional sustainability commitments, but the direct removal of litter from coastal environments delivers tangible, immediate benefits for marine life, native bird populations, and fragile coastal ecosystems. We are grateful to Sandals for reaching out to GAA, for prioritizing shared environmental responsibility, and for creating the space for us to work together as a broader regional community.”

    Rohan Louis, General Manager of Sandals Grenada, commended volunteers for their dedication and the tangible results of their work. By the end of the day, the Grenada cohort had collected more than 600 pounds of non-biodegradable waste for proper disposal. “Kudos to every volunteer who came together and took time out of their schedules to remove hundreds of pounds of waste from our local environment,” Louis said. “Beyond the immediate impact of the cleanup itself, we achieved our core secondary goal: heightening public awareness of how daily human choices impact our natural ecosystems. This is a message we will continue to champion among our resort team and across the wider Grenadian community.”

    The 2024 ICCD effort is just one part of the Sandals Foundation’s 15-year legacy of regional conservation work. Since launching its environmental programming in 2009, the foundation has mobilized nearly 200,000 people across the Caribbean to participate in a wide range of conservation initiatives, including marine sanctuary management, critical coral reef restoration projects, K-12 environmental education programs, and targeted biodiversity conservation work to protect threatened regional species. This long-term commitment aligns with the foundation’s core mission: building a culture of environmental stewardship that empowers local communities to protect the natural resources that support both livelihoods and tourism across the Caribbean.

  • LETTER: Prime Minister, Stop Protecting Failure

    LETTER: Prime Minister, Stop Protecting Failure

    To the Editor:

    It is a reasonable question to ask what threshold of failure must be crossed for senior public officials to lose their jobs in this country. Right now, the evidence suggests that even the total collapse of public trust in national security is not enough to force accountability.

    Reports have emerged of a horrific attack in Bathlodge, where armed gunmen stormed a private residence. The violence has left a young woman dead, a 13-year-old boy clinging to life after being shot in the face, and a third adult with gunshot wounds. As this tragedy demonstrates, violent insecurity is spreading across the nation, with innocent people paying the ultimate price for systemic failure.

    Despite this growing crisis, ordinary citizens are still told to extend their patience to a political and security establishment whose promises of safety have been proven empty, attack after attack. Enough is enough.

    The nation’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Police must step down immediately. If they refuse to accept responsibility for the ongoing failure of public safety, the Prime Minister must formally demand their resignations. A country cannot keep mourning innocent victims of violence while the leaders tasked with protecting citizens face no consequences for their inaction or incompetence.
    Across every other sector of work, ordinary employees face professional consequences when they fail to meet the basic requirements of their roles. Why should the small group of leaders entrusted with public safety be held to a far lower standard, shielded from the accountability that applies to everyone else?

    The Prime Minister cannot avoid being held responsible for this crisis as well. Choosing to keep the same failed leadership in place is an active decision, just as choosing to accept the same hollow excuses for ongoing violence is a choice. The resulting harm from these decisions falls squarely on his leadership.

    The positions these officials hold are public trusts, not personal property to be held regardless of performance. No amount of personal friendship, political loyalty, or years of service should protect a public official from removal when their failure puts the public’s safety at deadly risk.
    Gunmen were able to walk into a civilian home and open fire on the people inside, leaving a child on the brink of death. How much more tragedy must the nation endure before protecting the public becomes a higher priority than protecting the jobs of incompetent officials?

    Prime Minister, do not offer the country another empty promise of reform unless you are prepared to back that promise with tangible action. Your unwavering public confidence in these current security officials brings no comfort to the thousands of citizens who now go to bed afraid that a violent attack could come to their home next. If this level of deadly bloodshed is not enough to break your confidence in the leaders responsible for keeping us safe, the public has every right to withdraw their confidence in you.

  • Island Innovators puts Grenada on global digital innovation stage

    Island Innovators puts Grenada on global digital innovation stage

    Against a backdrop of 1,500+ submissions drawn from 461 countries across the globe, a small Caribbean innovation leader has defied expectations and secured a place among the world’s most impactful digital inclusion initiatives. Island Innovators, a Grenada-based organization focused on unlocking regional tech potential, has claimed one of only 15 finalist spots in the Digital Inclusion category of the 2026 Digital@UNGA Awards, ranking in the top 1% of all nominated projects and putting the Caribbean firmly on the map of global innovation. The honor will be formally recognized during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, hosted in New York, where the organization will be celebrated for its work advancing equitable digital transformation across small island developing states.

    To carry the voice of both his organization and the entire Caribbean region to the UNGA stage, Island Innovators has selected Joshua Andall, Grenada’s current Caricom Youth Ambassador, to collect the award on its behalf. Andall’s participation extends far beyond the awards ceremony: he will also serve as an official delegate to the 14th International Youth Conference (IYC14), running from 2 to 25 September, where he will deliver a two-minute plenary address centered on artificial intelligence and global governance from a marginalized regional perspective.

    In comments ahead of the conference, Andall outlined the focus of his upcoming intervention, noting that his remarks will center the unique perspectives of young people and developing nations when examining how AI is reshaping global systems of governance. For Island Innovators, this high-profile recognition and platform represents far more than an industry honor—it is a pivotal step in establishing Grenada and the broader Caribbean as active players in the emerging space of tech-diplomacy (often shortened to “techplomacy”), which leverages local innovation, cross-regional partnerships, and Caribbean-specific expertise to align domestic development priorities with global digital opportunities.

    Brendan Heyck, co-founder of Island Innovators alongside Fayeann Lawrence, emphasized that regional talent must claim a seat at the table when global technology infrastructure is being designed, rather than remaining passive observers to decisions that will shape their future. “Being selected as a finalist from more than 1,500 submissions is meaningful recognition of the work we do, but this moment is about far more than acknowledgement,” Heyck explained. “It is about turning global conversations into tangible action and real opportunity for Grenada and the entire Caribbean. By supporting Joshua to attend, we ensure that a talented, ambitious Caribbean voice is front and center in discussions that will determine how technology and AI shape our collective future, and the future of generations to come.”

    Founded to bridge the gap between regional professionals and global opportunities, Island Innovators works directly to connect established leaders, startup founders, and industry experts with high-impact openings, while accelerating inclusive economic development across the Caribbean. This latest UNGA recognition comes on the heels of the organization’s recently concluded Gold Economy Digital and Tech Leadership Assembly, held 1 September in Grenada. The summit brought together 30 strategic leaders from Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, and the United States to move beyond abstract discussion of digital innovation and outline concrete, actionable steps to advance the sector across the region.