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  • PM Friday leaves for NY for his first UN General Assembly meeting

    PM Friday leaves for NY for his first UN General Assembly meeting

    In a high-stakes diplomatic mission marking his first attendance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) general debate since assuming office last November, Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday departed St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) for New York on Friday, carrying the Caribbean nation’s key priorities and aspirations to the global stage.

    The trip, scheduled to run through September 27, centers on elevating SVG’s voice on issues critical to the Small Island Developing State, from climate vulnerability to inclusive economic growth, according to an official press statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). Unlike routine diplomatic visits, this trip combines high-level multilateral engagement with targeted outreach to the global Vincentian diaspora and international investors, aligning global dialogue directly with domestic priorities for SVG’s citizens.

    A core milestone of the visit will see SVG formalize its membership in the Climate Vulnerable Forum during the forum’s leaders meeting, a step that underscores the nation’s commitment to collective action against the existential climate threats facing small island states. Beyond the membership announcement, Friday is set to take part in two other landmark high-level climate gatherings: a forum focused on climate action and a just global transition, and a plenary meeting dedicated to addressing the growing threat of sea level rise that endangers low-lying coastal and island nations like SVG. To cap off his multilateral schedule, the prime minister will deliver SVG’s official national address during the general debate of the 79th UNGA, where he will outline the government’s core priorities before the global body assembled in New York.

    As a Small Island Developing State, SVG faces unique, overlapping challenges: it remains disproportionately exposed to the accelerating impacts of climate change, even as it works to expand economic opportunity, upgrade critical infrastructure, attract new investment, create sustainable jobs, and raise living standards for all Vincentians, the OPM statement noted. Friday’s engagements at UNGA will create a critical platform to advocate for expanded, more accessible climate and development financing for vulnerable states, deepen existing bilateral and multilateral partnerships, strengthen global diplomatic ties, and reinforce the government’s core message: SVG is open for business, and ready to build mutually beneficial partnerships that deliver tangible, lasting benefits to its people.

    Beyond multilateral climate and diplomatic discussions, the prime minister’s schedule includes a full slate of bilateral meetings with fellow heads of government, global institutional partners, and prospective international investors. On Saturday, he will lead the Diaspora Outreach and Investment Forum, an event organized in partnership with Invest SVG, the nation’s investment promotion agency. The forum is designed to connect the global Vincentian diaspora, potential investors, and development partners to highlight untapped investment opportunities and pathways for economic participation in SVG.

    This event forms a core part of the government’s broader strategy to deepen ties between the diaspora and the nation’s development agenda, position SVG as a competitive destination for high-impact investment, and encourage Vincentians living overseas to play a more direct role in driving domestic economic growth. Following the forum, Friday will also host an open town hall meeting with the Vincentian community in New York, creating a space for direct dialogue between the prime minister and diaspora members about the government’s current policy agenda, the nation’s long-term direction, and the critical role overseas Vincentians can play in shaping SVG’s future.

    In comments ahead of the trip, Friday emphasized that every engagement during his time in New York will center on advancing the interests of SVG’s people. “We are going to New York to represent the interests of our people. Whether we are speaking about climate financing, investment, jobs, development or international cooperation, the question for us must always be: how does this help us make life better for Vincentians? Saint Vincent and the Grenadines must be present in these conversations, and we must be prepared to turn those conversations into opportunities for our people,” he said.

    Friday is accompanied by a full delegation of senior government officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble; Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Senator Jemalie John; Senator Chelsea Alexander; Ambassador and Senior Advisor Kevin Hope; Senior Advisor on Diaspora Affairs Sharon Jones; Administrative Cadet in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shadeisha George; Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Danielle Veira; Communications Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Claris Ann Joseph; and Head of the Prime Minister’s Security Detail Corporal Desrick Quashie. The delegation will receive on-the-ground support from Vynnette Frederick, SVG’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and the full team at SVG’s UN Permanent Mission in New York.

    The OPM framed the UNGA trip as far more than a routine diplomatic participation: it is a strategic opportunity to strengthen SVG’s international standing, unlock new investment and development opportunities, expand the nation’s diplomatic reach, and ensure that SVG’s unique concerns and priorities remain front and center in global decision-making. “The visit is also intended to ensure that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines does more than participate in international discussions; it will use those engagements to build relationships, attract opportunities, and pursue outcomes that can directly contribute to economic growth and improved lives for Vincentians at home,” the release read.

    The UNGA general debate, a signature annual gathering that brings together heads of state and government from every region of the world, provides countries with a rare high-profile platform to share their national priorities with the entire global community. The 79th session of the UNGA is convening under the official theme: “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all.”

    During Prime Minister Friday’s absence from SVG, Deputy Prime Minister Major St. Clair Leacock will serve as acting prime minister to oversee ongoing government operations.

  • Invest SVG holds diaspora event in New York on Saturday

    Invest SVG holds diaspora event in New York on Saturday

    St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ investment promotion agency Invest SVG is set to wrap its 2026 global Diaspora Outreach and Investment Programme — branded “Home Is Where The Heart Is” — with a New York City edition hosted at the New York Marriott Brooklyn Bridge this Saturday, running from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., according to an official press statement.

    This Brooklyn stop marks the final stop on the agency’s 2026 tour, which launched earlier this year with a well-attended inaugural conference in London, United Kingdom. The choice of Brooklyn as the host location for the final session is no accident: the New York borough is home to one of the largest concentrations of Vincentian diaspora members in North America, and the event has been organized in close partnership with the Consulate General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in New York.

    “Brooklyn has always held a special place in the heart of our diaspora community,” shared Invest SVG Chairman Kevin Hope in comments included in the release. “We are excited to connect with Vincentians across New York City and the surrounding areas, share the opportunities emerging at home, and strengthen our partnership with the diaspora. New York City, it’s your turn.”

    Following the format that proved successful at earlier tour stops, the New York session will give members of the Vincentian diaspora direct access to senior government officials from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, representatives from leading local financial institutions, and private sector leaders. Attendees will be able to explore tangible investment opportunities across a diverse range of high-growth sectors on the island, including tourism, agriculture, creative industries, real estate, information and communications technology, and manufacturing.

    The event also marks a key milestone for new Consul General Roland Matthews, who took up his post in New York in February and has led outreach efforts to mobilize community support for the September 19 session.

    Shanna Browne-Jacobs, Investment Facilitation Services Manager at Invest SVG, noted that previous tour stops generated strong interest from diaspora members and potential international investors, and the agency expects that momentum to continue in New York. “Our team is looking forward to converting these conversations into real investments for St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” she said.

    Beyond engagement with the Vincentian diaspora, Invest SVG’s New York visit includes a full schedule of separate meetings with prospective foreign investors from across the U.S. The agency is actively seeking new partnerships to expand export opportunities, boost trade, and grow key sectors including tourism, financial services, and agriculture on the island. This dual-focus approach — engaging both the diaspora and external international investors — has already delivered tangible results across the tour’s previous stops: Invest SVG has already helped secure shelf space for multiple St. Vincent and the Grenadines-made local products in retail outlets across the countries the agency has visited so far.

    In a final update, Invest SVG Communications Officer Alejandro Tesorero confirmed that the entire event is now fully booked, with no remaining spots available for attendees. “After learning, listening and improving from our previous engagements, we are proud to announce that we will be bringing an even stronger and revamped programme for our Vincentians in Brooklyn,” he said, noting that all participating stakeholders are eager to connect with the New York-based community.

  • Saint Lucian extradited to Martinique on armed robbery convictions

    Saint Lucian extradited to Martinique on armed robbery convictions

    In a high-profile demonstration of cross-border judicial collaboration, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has confirmed that 26-year-old Jahvis Marlon Alfred, a resident of Wiltons Yard in Castries, was transferred into the custody of French authorities on Thursday, September 17, following his extradition from the Caribbean island nation to the French overseas territory of Martinique. Alfred voluntarily surrendered through the formal cross-border legal cooperation framework established between the two jurisdictions, officials confirmed.

    Alfred had been a wanted man in Martinique for years, facing a slate of serious criminal charges that included armed robbery, participation in a criminal conspiracy, and multiple violations of firearms regulations. Back in November 2021, the Criminal Court of Martinique delivered a guilty verdict in his absence and handed down a 15-year prison sentence for his offenses.

    Law enforcement agencies in Saint Lucia tracked and apprehended Alfred on local soil on February 7, 2026. Following his arrest, he was detained at the island’s Bordelais Correctional Facility under a provisional arrest warrant, where he remained through the duration of the extradition process until his transfer to French authorities this month.

    In an official statement following the completion of the extradition, RSLPF leadership emphasized that this successful operation stands as a clear testament to the effectiveness of modern international law enforcement partnerships. Officials stressed that geographic borders do not serve as a shield for fugitives to escape accountability for crimes they have committed.

    Addressing directly individuals who may be considering engaging in cross-border criminal activity, the RSLPF issued a stark warning: “To those contemplating criminal activity: Think carefully about the consequences of your actions. The reach of the law does not end at the border.”

    The police force also used the occasion to reaffirm its long-standing commitment to deepening collaboration with regional and international law enforcement partners. RSLPF noted that these joint efforts are critical to supporting transnational criminal investigations, streamlining cross-border judicial processes, and upholding public safety for communities across jurisdictions.

  • 45 Years, 45 Miles: Security Forces Run for Independence

    45 Years, 45 Miles: Security Forces Run for Independence

    As Belize prepares to mark the 45th anniversary of its independence in 2026, the nation’s uniformed security services have come together for a meaningful symbolic event: a 45-mile torch run spanning across the country to honor Belize’s hard-won sovereignty, enduring freedom, and democratic way of life.

    The relay run kicked off at Cotton Tree, with personnel from three major security branches – the Belize Coast Guard, Belize Defence Force (BDF), and national Police Department – taking turns to cover the full 45-mile route, matching the 45 years of independent nationhood the event celebrates.

    Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis, Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, explained the core vision behind the collaborative initiative. He emphasized that the run grew from a deep collective respect among security forces for the nation’s sovereignty, freedom, democracy, and liberty.

    “Members of the Belize Coast Guard, members of the police force, and members of the BDF, we are proud to be a part of that legacy, warriors who continue to defend the sovereignty of this nation,” Rear Admiral Soberanis said.

    Throughout the entire route, a single torch was carried by every runner, serving as a powerful visual metaphor for Belize’s liberty and the unbroken commitment of the country’s security forces to protect that freedom.

    “The torch symbolizes our liberty, and we want Belize to know that as a member of the security forces, we stand ready to defend the liberties, and that torch must always be kept lit in our hearts, in our lives, on a day-to-day basis, that Belize is free, Belize is sovereign, and Belize remains democratic,” Rear Admiral Soberanis added.

  • Openbaar Ministerie doet Red Notice aanvraag bij Interpol voor Torilal, had laatste contact met Leysner

    Openbaar Ministerie doet Red Notice aanvraag bij Interpol voor Torilal, had laatste contact met Leysner

    More than a month after local businessman Rodney Leysner vanished without a trace in Suriname, authorities have formally submitted an international manhunt request to Interpol targeting Ryan Kenneth Torilal, the primary fugitive suspect linked to his disappearance, newly obtained court documents show. Starnieuws gained full access to the request filed by Surinamese law enforcement, which lays out the key evidence pointing to Torilal’s alleged connection to the case.

    According to the case file, Leysner left his residence in his white Kia Sorento on Saturday, 15 August. By mid-afternoon that same day, family members, associates and colleagues lost all contact with him, both by phone and in person. The following day, 16 August, a co-director at Leysner’s company Rudisa N.V. filed an official missing person report with police.

    Investigative findings outlined in the Interpol request confirm that Leysner was in Torilal’s company shortly before his last recorded phone contact. The document does not detail who Leysner spoke to in that final call or what was discussed during the conversation.

    A critical piece of evidence in the investigation is Leysner’s missing Kia Sorento. Investigators later recovered the vehicle burned, crushed by an excavator, and buried on a plot of land located along the East-West Connection at kilometer 74 in Suriname’s Saramacca district. The Interpol document explicitly states that the plot was under the management or control of Torilal, though it does not claim Torilal is the formal owner of the land. Police previously announced the discovery of the vehicle, but the new request formally links the burial site to the fugitive suspect for the first time.

    Surinamese authorities have identified four total suspects in the case to date. Three have already been taken into custody and are being held pending legal proceedings following coordination with the Public Prosecution Service. Torilal, identified as the main suspect, has not been located since he was first flagged as a person of interest.

    Suriname’s Prosecutor General Garcia Paragsingh issued an arrest warrant for Torilal on 26 August. At that time, police already announced that Torilal faces charges including participation in a criminal organization, murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault resulting in death, and unlawful deprivation of liberty, alongside multiple counts of aiding and abetting criminal activity. The Interpol request notes that Torilal is being sought for prosecution, and that a conviction on the listed charges could carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Importantly, the listing of charges does not constitute a formal finding of guilt at this stage of the proceedings.

    Law enforcement officials believe Torilal may have left Suriname via illegal border crossings. The document names Guyana and Brazil as potential countries he may have traveled to, though it stresses this does not confirm he is currently located in either nation.

    Torilal is described in the request as 42 years old, approximately 1.79 meters tall, of solid build, with black hair and dark eyes. Authorities have repeatedly warned that he is considered armed with firearms, dangerous, and highly likely to attempt to flee capture.

    Suriname’s request asks Interpol to issue a Red Notice to locate and detain Torilal ahead of extradition proceedings. The request notes that formal extradition requests will be submitted following his arrest, in line with applicable national laws and relevant bilateral or multilateral treaties. It also requests that any detention be processed as a request for provisional arrest. Suriname has authorized the public release of information from the request to increase the chances of a speedy arrest.

    The request carries an official Interpol reference number and is dated 17 September 2026, the date it was submitted for international distribution. As of 18 September, Interpol has not yet announced whether it will approve the request. It should be noted that an Interpol Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant, but rather a global request to locate a person and place them in provisional detention pending further legal action.

    To date, Torilal’s whereabouts remain unknown. Leysner also has not been found more than a month after his disappearance. Search operations using specially trained search dogs did not recover Leysner’s body, but police confirmed the operation turned up relevant evidence that will support ongoing criminal investigations.

  • Pilot Howell Grange Honoured as a Belizean Patriot

    Pilot Howell Grange Honoured as a Belizean Patriot

    As part of Belize’s 2026 Independence Day celebrations, a quick-thinking pilot who saved 15 lives during a deadly mid-air hijacking has been formally honored as a national patriot, cementing his place in the country’s recent history of extraordinary courage.

    On Thursday evening at the Tribute to Belizean Patriots ceremony, held along the waterfront beside the iconic Swing Bridge in Belize City, pilot Howell Grange joined 24 other distinguished Belizeans to receive one of the nation’s highest recognitions for bravery. Before a crowd of onlookers and fellow honorees, Governor General Froyla Tzalam placed the Medal of Valor around Grange’s neck as the audience erupted in sustained, thunderous applause.

    Grange’s act of heroism dates back to April 17 of the previous year, when he was operating a routine commercial flight for Tropic Air: a Cessna Caravan service transporting 14 passengers from Corozal to the popular island destination of San Pedro. Mid-flight, 49-year-old Akinyela Sawa Taylor, a U.S. military veteran, stormed the cockpit and seized control of the aircraft at knifepoint, triggering a terrifying crisis hundreds of feet above Belize’s coastline.

    In the face of imminent death, Grange never lost his composure. As the event’s award presenter noted during Thursday’s ceremony, Grange remained steady even under extreme duress: facing a direct threat to his own life, enduring a physical assault, and seeing his passengers attacked by the hijacker. Rather than panicking, he methodically developed a plan to divert the aircraft, executing a safe emergency landing at Philip Goldson International Airport that gave all on board a chance at survival.

    The ordeal did not end when the wheels touched the tarmac, however. During the hijacking, Grange and two passengers — Fitzgerald Brown and Jair Castañeda — were stabbed by Taylor. Moments after the plane landed, a passenger on board fatally shot Taylor to stop further violence.

    Grange was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition in the days following the attack, and spent months recovering from the serious wounds he sustained during the incident. On Thursday, he stood to accept his award, marking a full milestone in his journey from trauma to national recognition.

    In remarks framing the honor, the ceremony presenter highlighted that Grange’s calm, deliberate action under unthinkable pressure is what made his actions singularly heroic. “Despite all the adversity, despite everything that went on, despite the threat on his life, despite attacked physically, despite his passengers being attacked, he was able to keep a level head and come up with a plan,” the presenter said. “I think that is really what separates what happened that day and makes it so heroic.”

  • School of Agriculture and Culinary Arts shortlisted in regional competition

    School of Agriculture and Culinary Arts shortlisted in regional competition

    Students and faculty at the Saint Lucia TVET Institute’s School of Sustainable Agriculture and Culinary Arts are celebrating a notable milestone, after their submission was selected as one of 24 shortlisted entries for a landmark regional video competition organized by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

    Launched last month with a submission deadline of September 11, the *I Am Agriculture: Youth in Agriculture High School Video Competition* was created to reframe public perceptions of the agricultural sector across the Caribbean. Backed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the initiative operates on a core belief: agriculture extends far beyond traditional farming. It is the backbone of regional food security, employment, innovative enterprise, community cohesion, and long-term sustainable development for Caribbean nations.

    Organizers note that young people across the region carry unique perspectives, personal stories, and on-the-ground experiences that can help reintroduce agriculture to modern audiences in a fresh, relatable light. The competition invited high school-aged participants from across CARICOM member states to leverage digital creativity and personal storytelling to share what agriculture means to them, their local communities, and the broader Caribbean region.

    After reviewing hundreds of submissions from across the bloc, judges selected just 24 entries to advance to the public voting round, with Saint Lucia earning only one spot: the submission from the TVET Institute’s School of Sustainable Agriculture and Culinary Arts.

    For the small institution, the shortlisting is far more than a competition nod—it is a win for the entire local agricultural community and Saint Lucia as a whole, according to Lesha Gustave, an agriculture instructor at the school. Speaking with local outlet St Lucia Times, Gustave shared the last-minute, organic origins of the winning submission that almost never happened.

    “Our team first heard about the competition over summer break, and we toyed with the idea of joining, but once the new school term started, we worried we wouldn’t have enough time to pull a polished project together,” she explained. That changed just days before the September 11 deadline, when Gustave was working with students on the school’s farm and struck up a conversation with Kellia Emmanuel, a student with combined interests in agriculture and culinary arts who aspires to become a professional chef.

    When asked what drew her to agriculture, Emmanuel began sharing enthusiastic, thoughtful insights off the cuff—and Gustave knew they had their narrative. “We wrote down what she said, tweaked it slightly, recorded her thoughts that day, and then stayed after school until 9 p.m. the next day editing the final cut,” Gustave recalled, adding that the tight turnaround for post-production made the project the most challenging, and rewarding, the team had worked on in recent memory.

    The news of their shortlisting came as a thrilling surprise for the entire team. Now, Gustave is calling on all Saint Lucians, from students and parents to community members across the island, to support the entry by voting. Voting is conducted via the CARICOM Caribbean Facebook page, where voters can like the Saint Lucian entry to cast their ballot, and share the submission link with their personal networks. The direct link to the video is available at https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DdeVmkSr2/.

    Voting will close on Monday, September 21, 2026. The overall winner of the competition will be awarded a US$1,700 cash prize during the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, scheduled to take place in Jamaica from September 27 to October 2, 2026. The winning entrant will also take on the role of CARICOM Youth in Agriculture Ambassador for a full year, representing young agricultural innovators across the region. The Saint Lucia team is urging community members to cast their vote before the deadline to help bring the prize and recognition home.

  • Rising Riddims: A New Spin on Belizean Sounds

    Rising Riddims: A New Spin on Belizean Sounds

    As local creators push to reimagine Belize’s rich musical heritage for a new generation, the innovative *Rising Riddims* project is bringing its genre-bending fusion sounds to audiences across two major Belizean cities this weekend. What began as a collaborative experiment back in May 2025 is now ready for public showcase, with two consecutive nights of free live performances that celebrate the evolution of Belizean rhythm.

    The project kicks off on the evening of September 18 at Orange Walk’s Banquitas House of Culture, running from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The collective will then travel south to Belize City’s House of Culture for a second show on September 19, held during the same evening hours. Entry to both performances is completely free, designed to make the new experimental work accessible to as many local listeners as possible.

    Helmed by producer Deron Thompson of the Belize Sound Syndicate, *Rising Riddims* centers on a core creative mission: blending time-honored Belizean musical traditions with contemporary global genres to craft entirely new, distinct sounds. Thompson describes the work as intentionally experimental, with the collective already developing two fully realized original styles under the project umbrella: xPunta and Boom & Chill.

    Breaking down the xPunta sound, Thompson explains the genre layers driving four-on-the-floor house music beats and edgy alternative production over the backbone of traditional punta rhythm. For Boom & Chill, the team draws inspiration from the local Boom & Chime style, integrating iconic traditional instruments—including the percussive jawbone and boom drum—with modern harmonic progressions that resonate with contemporary listeners. Thompson notes the resulting sound carries a laid-back dancehall energy that also accommodates reggaeton flows, resulting in something that cannot be mistaken for any existing genre.

    Artist Seth Cambranes, who performs under the stage name Flayed Lotus, emphasizes that the project prioritizes collaboration between creators from every region of Belize. The performance lineup for the weekend showcases this wide-ranging collaborative spirit, featuring Flayed Lotus alongside a diverse roster of local talent including Xhaba, Bad Bwau, Mocha, Stina, Viv and more.

    For Cambranes, the project’s creative approach is rooted in respect for Belize’s existing musical identity, rather than attempts to overhaul it. “A lot of our music is very rhythm-based,” he explained. “We’re not removing anything, we’re just adding to it. We’re only adding to the rhythms that we have.”

    DJ and producer Kristopher Arnold, another core member of the collective, says the project does more than create new music—it opens a path for Belizean sounds to connect with younger audiences and grow beyond the country’s current local industry. Arnold says he holds a clear long-term vision for the movement: “I personally see a vision of this music going places, taking Belize’s music industry a little bit further than it is at the moment.” Beyond just creating new genre labels, Arnold says the fusion approach injects fresh, youthful energy into traditional Belizean sounds that can resonate with listeners both at home and abroad.

    For Thompson, *Rising Riddims* is more than just a series of performances—it is part of a broader push to nurture original creativity across Belize’s music scene. The end goal, he says, is to cultivate a truly distinct Belizean fusion sound that gives local creators the platform to share their work with global audiences far outside the country’s borders.

  • Chaneil Imhoff Begins First GOHETD Assignment at CARICOM Reparations Conference

    Chaneil Imhoff Begins First GOHETD Assignment at CARICOM Reparations Conference

    A new chapter in global advocacy for reparatory justice has opened in Barbados, where Antiguan and Barbudan advocate Chaneil C. Imhoff is carrying out her inaugural appointment as GOHETD’s Ambassador to the Caribbean at the Third CARICOM Regional Conference on Reparations. Running from September 17 to 19, 2026, at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle Resort, the conference gathers policymakers, activists and community leaders under the unifying theme: “Reparatory Justice as the Coming Enlightenment.”

    Hosted by the Government of Barbados and the Barbados Reparations Task Force, the event is coordinated jointly by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the CARICOM Reparations Commission, marking the third regional gathering of its kind following earlier conferences in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (2013) and Antigua and Barbuda (2014). The high-profile opening dialogue on the global reparatory justice movement, held September 18, was moderated by CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, and featured a lineup of prominent contributors ranging from Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and CARICOM Reparations Commission chair Professor Sir Hilary Beckles to St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez, and UK Member of Parliament Bell Ribeiro-Addy.

    In reflections on the opening proceedings, Imhoff highlighted two core messages that anchored the conference discussions: the centrality of development that transforms the lived circumstances of marginalized communities affected by colonialism and chattel slavery, and the urgent need to turn broad moral consensus around reparations into coordinated, tangible action. Among her key takeaways from early conversations were the critical need for deeper collaboration between Caribbean nations, African governments and the global African diaspora, long-overdue recognition of the decades-long advocacy work carried out by the Rastafari community in the reparations movement, and the inherent intersection between reparatory justice for historical harm and modern demands for climate justice.

    Imhoff’s session notes captured several practical, actionable proposals put forward during conference discussions. These include the establishment of national technical teams composed of historians and economists to document the specific harms inflicted by colonialism and slavery, and to develop clear, evidence-based reparation demands. Participants also discussed launching a global public petition to mobilize widespread grassroots support for the movement. Imhoff emphasized that both national governments and major global institutions, including Christian churches, carry unique responsibilities to advance meaningful repair, while noting that Caribbean communities must lead their own work toward self-reparation.

    “Reparatory justice must translate into changes that people can see and experience in their daily lives,” Imhoff stated in an interview following the opening sessions. “That includes expanded access to quality education, the protection of our shared cultural heritage, and giving communities an meaningful seat at the table when decisions about regional development are made. These priorities align directly with the mission and work I advance through GOHETD.”

    The conference’s opening day featured a diverse slate of thematic sessions beyond the opening plenary. A keynote plenary on Pan-African reparations jurisprudence delivered by Dr. Panashe Chigumadzi was moderated by Professor Verene Shepherd, with Ulele Burnham serving as official respondent. The first breakout roundtable centered on Indigenous rights, formal recognition, and resettlement, moderated by Dr. Damien Dublin with presentations from Chief Richard Currie, Steve Reid, Danelle James, and Nelcia Robinson. A separate session focused on the role of international institutions in advancing reparatory justice was moderated by Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador Dorbrene O’Marde, and included panelists Professor Verene Shepherd, Gaynel Curry, Dr. Barbara Reynolds, Ambassador Amr Aljowaily, and Dr. Hilary Brown.

    For Imhoff, these diverse thematic tracks reinforce a core truth: the movement for reparatory justice must center the distinct histories, needs and priorities of Indigenous communities, and ensure that Rastafari and other grassroots groups are empowered to shape cultural heritage and development initiatives across the region. Beyond her representation role at the conference, this first assignment as GOHETD’s Caribbean Ambassador carries a broader mandate: Imhoff will assess potential collaborative partnerships and gather stakeholder input to develop actionable recommendations that will guide GOHETD’s future programming and engagement across the Caribbean.

    A respected communications specialist and longtime mental health advocate based in Antigua and Barbuda, Imhoff founded the Wadadli Initiative for Self-care and Healing (WISH), and her professional portfolio spans strategic communications, media production, community organizing and mental health advocacy across the Eastern Caribbean. The Global Organization for Heritage, Environment and Tourism Development (GOHETD), the body that appointed Imhoff, works globally to advance cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and responsible tourism through cross-border partnerships, grassroots community development and targeted youth engagement initiatives.

  • ABCAS Teacher Trainees Affirm Commitment At Annual Pledge Signing

    ABCAS Teacher Trainees Affirm Commitment At Annual Pledge Signing

    On the Eustace Hill Campus of the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS), a cohort of aspiring educators gathered this year for the institution’s long-running Annual Pledge Signing Ceremony, an event organized by ABCAS’ Department of Research, Education and Professional Development. Centered on the guiding theme “Inclusive by Purpose, Exceptional by Practice, Leaders by Choice,” the gathering was designed to reinforce the core commitments that define the teaching profession and underscore the profound responsibility upcoming teachers carry in nurturing the next generation of citizens.

    The ceremony drew a diverse cross-section of education stakeholders, from the trainee teachers themselves and ABCAS faculty to senior government education officials and top college leadership. Attending dignitaries included Hon. Daryll Matthew, the island nation’s Minister of Education and Science & Technology; Dr. Vernon Solomon, Chairman of the ABCAS Board of Trustees; Dr. E. Jonah Greene, President of ABCAS; and Dr. Na-Ajele Williams-Buffonge, ABCAS Vice President.

    Opening the formal proceedings, Mrs. Terry-Ann Marsh-Gayle, Head of the hosting Department of Research, Education and Professional Development, extended warm welcomes to all gathered guests and participants. Following her introductory remarks, Minister Matthew delivered an address to the trainees, and Mr. Phillip Lloyd presented the event’s featured keynote speech.

    In his remarks, Minister Matthew emphasized that teaching forms the foundational backbone of national progress across Antigua and Barbuda. “We have recognized that if our country is to achieve the aspirations that we have, if we are to get to the levels of development that we want here in Antigua and Barbuda, we must do as much as we can for teachers. There can be no national development without teachers,” he stated to the assembled group.

    The most anticipated centerpiece of the event came when second-year teacher trainee cohorts took to the stage to recite the official Teachers’ Pledge in unison. Through the oath, each trainee made a formal public commitment to uphold rigorous professional preparation, deliver accessible, effective instruction to all students, embrace their role in fostering civic responsibility, and dedicate themselves to helping every learner unlock their full personal and academic potential.

    Beyond the pledge ceremony, the event also celebrated excellence in educator training, with nine standout second-year trainees receiving special recognition for their outstanding academic performance. The group earned high honors for grade point averages spanning from 3.6 to a perfect 4.1 across their training programs.

    For ABCAS, this annual ceremony has become a core tradition that reinforces the institution’s core priorities: building a new generation of educators grounded in professionalism, a spirit of community service, and intentional educational leadership. As these trainees advance through their programs, the event prepares them to step into classrooms and serve communities across Antigua and Barbuda in the coming years.