Senior leadership of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda’s Police Administration has issued an official statement celebrating a major career milestone for one of its serving officers, Latisha Brown. Brown recently completed a rigorous Master’s Degree program in Forensic Investigation, specializing in the niche, high-demand subfield of Firearms Investigation at Cranfield University, one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for defense, security, and forensic science research and education. In the formal message of congratulations, police administration officials emphasized that Brown’s successful completion of the advanced degree is far more than a personal academic win — it is a clear reflection of the consistent dedication she has demonstrated to elevating her professional skill set throughout her law enforcement career, and her unwavering commitment to growing specialized expertise within the overlapping fields of forensic science and criminal probe work. Law enforcement leadership added that the cutting-edge technical knowledge and evidence-gathering proficiencies Brown gained throughout her postgraduate studies are projected to deliver tangible, long-term benefits to the entire Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda. These new capabilities will directly boost the force’s overall investigative capacity, and will complement ongoing institutional efforts to raise operational and service standards across every department of local policing. The statement closed with administration officials extending their well wishes for Brown’s continued professional growth and success in all her future career and academic pursuits, noting that investments in specialized officer training like this help build stronger, more effective public safety institutions for the entire nation.
作者： admin
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Good Humans 268 Launches Summer Internship Programme to Build Future Environmental Leaders
As small island developing states across the globe grapple with accelerating climate impacts, a local environmental nonprofit in Antigua and Barbuda is taking proactive action to equip young people with the skills they need to lead sustainability efforts. Good Humans 268 has officially launched a new summer internship programme that bridges the gap between academic learning and hands-on environmental work, aiming to cultivate a new cohort of climate and community leaders prepared to address the nation’s most pressing ecological challenges.
Joshuanette Francis, founder of Good Humans 268, emphasized that tackling complex environmental issues demands far more than theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom. In a public statement outlining the programme’s mission, Francis noted that on-the-ground experience fosters professional and personal growth that textbooks alone cannot deliver. “Real-world experience builds confidence in ways that textbooks cannot,” Francis said. “It teaches critical soft skills that every professional needs: adaptive problem-solving, personal accountability, flexibility, and professional work ethic.”
This new internship initiative builds on the organization’s existing three-year Student Community Service Recycling Project, which has already engaged thousands of local students. To date, project participants have diverted millions of recyclable materials away from Antigua and Barbuda’s overburdened landfills, cutting down on waste while helping students build core competencies in leadership, collaborative teamwork, and project organization.
Through these existing efforts, the Good Humans 268 team has observed that successful environmental action relies on skilled workers across a wide range of roles, not just field-based ecological work. Administrative management, daily operations coordination, and strategic public communications all play critical roles in keeping sustainability initiatives running effectively and driving broad public engagement, the organization confirmed.
As a low-lying small island developing state, Antigua and Barbuda faces disproportionate and growing environmental risks driven by the climate crisis. Rising global temperatures, more intense and frequent tropical storms, and steadily increasing domestic waste generation are placing growing strain on the nation’s ecosystems and infrastructure. Francis argues that investing in youth leadership must start long before students enter the full-time workforce, rather than waiting until after graduation. “The answer cannot be after graduation. It must begin now,” she stressed.
Over the course of the internship, participants will gain immersive, first-hand exposure to core areas including non-profit organizational management, environmental stewardship practices, cross-functional project coordination, and public outreach. The programme is also designed to help interns explore and clarify their own future career pathways in sustainability and community work.
By the end of their internship, Francis expects participants to leave with strengthened professional capabilities, greater self-confidence, and potentially a new, lasting passion for environmental management and community leadership. “Perhaps the next great climate leader, nonprofit executive, environmental educator, or community organizer is simply waiting for an opportunity to begin,” she said.
For Good Humans 268, this new internship programme is more than just a training opportunity—it is a reflection of the organization’s core belief: investing in young people is one of the most impactful strategies to strengthen global and local climate action, and build more resilient, sustainable communities for the future.
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Vreedzaam: Olie alleen maakt Suriname niet rijk, goed bestuur wel
As Suriname stands on the cusp of a transformative economic shift driven by upcoming oil and gas extraction, a leading opposition parliamentarian has issued a urgent call for fundamental governance reform to ensure the country leverages its new natural resource wealth for long-term, inclusive development.
Jennifer Vreedzaam, a member of the National Assembly for the National Democratic Party (NDP), used the recent national budget debate to urge sweeping improvements to government planning, project execution, and public accountability frameworks. She emphasized that Suriname must build robust institutional capacity long before large-scale oil revenues begin flowing into state coffers, warning that natural resource wealth without strong, transparent governance can never deliver sustainable development.
Vreedzaam framed Suriname’s current moment as a historic crossroads, where the massive economic opportunity presented by oil and gas must not be squandered on patching up long-standing systemic problems. “The oil economy does not start when the first barrel of commercial oil is pumped,” she told fellow lawmakers. “It starts today, with the choices we make in this budget.”
The NDP lawmaker pointed to critical gaps in the current national budget, noting it lacks clear annual implementation roadmaps, targeted root-cause problem analysis, and measurable policy outcomes. Too often, she argued, government documents repeat descriptions of persistent problems without addressing the core institutional failures that create them.
To fix these gaps, Vreedzaam proposed strengthening national planning frameworks and expanding the oversight role of the National Assembly. She called for all major public investment plans to be submitted to parliament for review well in advance of implementation, giving elected representatives clear authority to monitor how public funds are spent. Most importantly, she stressed, the country must avoid treating future oil revenues as a blank check for unaccountable spending, requiring strong institutions to be built before the first major revenue payments arrive.
Vreedzaam added that Suriname’s biggest challenge is not a lack of legislation, but consistent, effective implementation of existing rules. She cited commentary from the International Monetary Fund, which has praised Suriname for landmark policy reforms including updates to the public accounting law and the establishment of a legal framework for the country’s Savings and Stabilization Fund, but has repeatedly flagged slow progress on putting these reforms into practice.
“Society does not ask how many plans we draft,” Vreedzaam told the government. “It asks what we actually deliver.”
The lawmaker also called out ongoing transparency failures at state-owned enterprises, highlighting the Suriname Landbouw Maatschappij (SLM) as an example: the state agricultural firm has not published a public annual financial report for nine years. She noted that no public funds should be allocated to state entities without full disclosure of their financial standing.
Further, Vreedzaam argued that the ongoing reform of the country’s civil service requires more concrete budget backing, including dedicated funding for personnel audits and employee reskilling programs. She also criticized the current budget’s allocation for anti-corruption efforts as far too low to deliver meaningful change.
Closing her address to the assembly, Vreedzaam reminded lawmakers that oil revenues should not be seen as an end goal in and of themselves. “The oil beneath our seas will not determine our future,” she said. “The choices we make today will do that. A nation’s true wealth lies in its people.”
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Camille Andrew Becomes the First OECS Female to Earn a Medical Degree in Morocco
A new chapter of cross-regional academic collaboration has been highlighted by a landmark achievement for Caribbean higher education: Camille Andrew, a native of the small island nation of Saint Lucia, has completed her seven-year medical training in Morocco and graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree with highest honors. Her success stands as a powerful testament to the deepening educational partnership between the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the North African kingdom.
On May 12, 2026, Andrew stood before a doctoral thesis jury to defend her work, which centered on a pressing topic in pediatric gastroenterology: *Management of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Experience of the Pediatric Department of Mohammed V Military Training Hospital*. Her research delves into two common chronic inflammatory bowel conditions, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, breaking down key insights around diagnostic pathways, clinical management strategies, and long-term patient outcomes. A core focus of her analysis explores the transformative impact of biotherapies, a cutting-edge class of treatments that have revolutionized care and drastically improved quality of life for children navigating these lifelong conditions. The jury awarded her the distinction of highest honors, recognizing the rigor and relevance of her work.
Andrew’s path to medicine traces back to a formative childhood experience in her home country. As a young patient at Castries’ Victoria Hospital, the compassionate, skilled care she received left an indelible mark, sparking a lifelong desire to deliver that same standard of care to others. “That moment stayed with me and sparked a deep fascination with the care I received, inspiring in me a desire to offer others the same level of compassion and skill that I experienced,” she explained of her career choice.
Moving across continents to pursue rigorous graduate training came with unique challenges for the small-island native. Adjusting to an unfamiliar culture, completing advanced studies in a second language, and building a new life thousands of kilometers from family tested her resolve, bringing moments of doubt and intense homesickness. Yet Andrew says those struggles also fostered profound personal growth, unshakable resilience, and lifelong friendships that will shape her career and personal life forever. “It is an experience that has shaped me deeply, both as a person and as a doctor,” she noted.
Andrew attributes her success to the unwavering support of multiple stakeholders. She extended sincere gratitude to her family and friends, who stood by her through every challenging milestone of her seven-year journey. She also acknowledged the critical financial and programmatic support from the Government of Saint Lucia and the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), whose investment in regional professional development made her educational journey possible.
Now, as Andrew prepares to step into the next phase of her career, her priority is bringing her specialized skills back to her home community. She plans to return to Saint Lucia to contribute to the advancement of local healthcare, with goals of improving frontline patient care, expanding local medical research, and strengthening the island nation’s overall healthcare system. “I now look forward to bringing everything I have learned back home to contribute to improving patient care, advancing medical knowledge, and playing my part in strengthening the healthcare system in Saint Lucia,” she said.
Beyond her personal achievement, Andrew’s success sheds light on the growing cohort of OECS nationals pursuing high-level specialized training through international academic partnerships. Her dedication, perseverance, and commitment to serving her home community serves as an inspiration for future generations of Caribbean students aspiring to advance in global healthcare.
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LETTER: Antigua and Barbuda should stop pretending this is a battle they can win.
For small island nations scattered across the Caribbean, the reality of global power dynamics is unavoidable. When sitting at the negotiating table with the world’s most powerful superpower, the United States, these tiny states bring far less political and economic clout to the discussion, a fact that shapes every outcome of bilateral talks. This imbalance of influence is not a matter of ideological preference—it is a tangible, structural reality that cannot be ignored by regional leaders.
Against this backdrop, a growing argument calls for a shift away from performative political posturing and toward a pragmatic approach focused on delivering tangible gains for local populations. Rather than chasing headlines by projecting an image of unyielding toughness that does not align with on-the-ground power dynamics, the argument suggests, governments should center their efforts on securing the most favorable agreements possible for their citizens.
Take the specific case of a proposed arrangement between Washington and Antigua and Barbuda. If the United States is prepared to extend much-needed financial assistance to the small island nation, implement rigorous security screenings for prospective entrants, bar any individual with a confirmed criminal history from participating, and cede final approval authority over entry decisions to Antigua and Barbuda’s government, the national priority should be clear. Leaders should prioritize locking in robust protections for the country and maximizing the benefits of the deal, rather than engaging in empty political theater for domestic or international consumption.
True national leadership, this perspective holds, is not measured by how many front-page stories a leader generates. It is measured by the ability to make grounded, practical choices that safeguard national interests while acknowledging the unchangeable geopolitical context in which small states operate. Too often, leaders confuse posturing with strength; in reality, the savviest strategic move for a less powerful state is not to falsely claim equal leverage, but to skillfully navigate negotiations with more powerful partners to advance its own people’s well-being.
This debate raises a pressing question for observers and stakeholders alike: Is this pragmatic, realist approach the right path forward for Antigua and Barbuda, or should the country maintain its resistance to pressure from the United States? -
Skinny Banton has all that’s needed for another epic Spicemas experience
As the annual Spicemas carnival season gets underway in Carriacou, Grenada, one local artist is turning seasonal celebration into a year-round artistic mission. Shirlan George, known professionally as Skinny Banton, has launched seven brand new singles in 2026, bringing his signature high energy, upbeat vibe and narrative songwriting to audiences gearing up for another iconic Spicemas experience.
For the acclaimed soca artist, Grenada’s one-of-a-kind Jab culture serves as the core inspiration for his work. Previous hits including *Soak It Good* and *Wrong Again* earned him widespread recognition across the Caribbean and global soca audiences, and this season his highly anticipated *The Jambalasse* project stands out as one of his most culturally significant releases to date. The project centers on a revamped version of *Jambalasse Rule*, a 1991 track from Moss International widely regarded as one of Grenada’s first original Jab Jab songs.
“With this project, we’re working to preserve the history while celebrating the present day,” Banton explained. Updating the original track’s riddim, the artist aims to shine a global spotlight on his country’s authentic cultural heritage, carrying that mission with him on every stage and every release. Banton emphasized his commitment to keeping Grenada’s traditional cultural practices alive, noting that he understands his unique role as an artist in advancing that work. “No matter what challenges we face as artists in this space, we stay true to our mission,” he said. Beyond Spicemas, he already has plans to share fan-favorite track *Pain* with audiences at Trinidad and Tobago’s 2027 Carnival.
Beyond his solo work, Banton has made supporting emerging talent a core part of his 2026 release slate. His new tracks include collaborative cuts: *Carnival Traffic* features Jamaican artist I Octane, *My Behaviour* pairs him with rising star Tonic X, and *Water Line Burst* was created alongside up-and-comer Nicki Akull. Banton says collaborating with emerging artists holds personal meaning: when he was an up-and-coming artist himself, breaking through and connecting with established names felt nearly impossible, a daunting experience he has not forgotten.
That experience drives his commitment to lifting the next generation of Caribbean entertainers. “Nobody takes you seriously when you don’t have a foot in the door — they refuse to embrace you because you are not known,” he said. “This was just my way of giving them strength and encouragement. I want them to keep pushing after this.” The other three tracks in Banton’s 2026 release slate are *When Yuh Eating*, *Right Up*, and *Black Fuh Juvay*.
The artist is moving full steam ahead with promotional plans for the new releases, with music videos already completed and uploaded for *Black Fuh Juvay* and *My Behaviour*. For *Water Line Burst*, the collaboration with Akull came together after three years of consistent outreach from the young artist, with Banton saying Akull’s persistence and dedication ultimately brought the track to life. Even with seven new tracks out, Banton shows no signs of slowing down: he is actively seeking new collaborations with artists across the Caribbean diaspora, and aims to expand his footprint in the global soca community.
Navigating the modern music industry’s shift toward social media, Banton shared thoughtful perspective on balancing online promotion with artistic integrity. As more artists prioritize viral social content over substantive songcraft, he warns that good music should be able to stand on its own, regardless of promotional content. “Content creation online should not take away from artists creating and delivering great music, because without the content, the music should still stand on its own, and with the content, the people still need the music,” he argued.
He noted that many viral trends today stem from artists cultivating an online persona rather than releasing lasting, substantive music: artists may earn quick attention for outrageous posts, but the songs themselves often lack the substance to maintain long-term relevance. For young artists just starting out, Banton offered encouraging advice: stay focused on your craft, ignore online naysayers, and build a business model that works for your unique artistic path, since every artist’s journey looks different.
Widely recognized as a thoughtful, intentional and immensely talented voice in the Caribbean creative scene, Banton closed by thanking the fanbase and industry partners that have supported his career. “People who’ve been supporting from day one and continue to support, as well as the new supporters I’ve gotten along the way — thank you,” he said. “To the DJs and radio personalities, I appreciate you. One hand doesn’t clap. Thank you for keeping my songs on rotation, and I hope you all continue to support me.”
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Small aircraft crashes into Beijing’s tallest skyscraper
On a Friday afternoon, a startling incident disrupted the normal order of Beijing, one of the most heavily secured major cities across the globe, when a small civilian aircraft collided with the tallest building in the Chinese capital.
A CNN correspondent on the scene observed that large numbers of building occupants had been evacuated from the affected skyscraper. The evacuees gathered on adjacent streets near the building’s main entrance, while a fleet of emergency vehicles including multiple fire trucks, police cruisers, and at least one ambulance was deployed to the crash site to manage the situation.
In the process of investigating the details of the incident, the CNN news network has contacted both Chinese local law enforcement and municipal authorities, as well as the contact number listed for the aircraft’s registered owner to solicit more details about the crash, including potential casualties and the cause of the accident. As of the initial reporting, no official statement has been released in response to these queries.
Analyses of online photographs that captured the aircraft’s registration markings indicate that the plane is a domestically produced Chinese light sport aircraft: the Sunward SA 60L Aurora. The aircraft is currently owned by a local general aviation enterprise based in the Beijing area.
Unconfirmed flight tracking data from the public aviation monitoring platform Flightradar24, which was circulated across online social platforms following the crash, shows that the small plane’s flight path before the collision deviated sharply from its originally planned route, a detail that has drawn attention from aviation safety observers.
Notably, the incident comes amid new strict low-altitude airspace regulations implemented in Beijing. Starting May 1 this year, the city has instituted a near-total ban on unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) operations across its entire administrative area. Under the new rules, individual residents and unapproved entities are prohibited from purchasing, leasing, or operating any drone within Beijing’s jurisdiction without explicit advance approval from government regulators.
As this event remains an ongoing, developing breaking news story, new details are expected to emerge in the coming hours and days, and coverage will be updated as more information becomes available to the public.
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Public officers sharpen emergency management skills
As climate change and global development drive more frequent, complex and unpredictable hazards across the globe, small island developing states like Barbados face disproportionately high risk — pushing the country’s emergency management officials to step up investment in civil servant training to boost national disaster response capacity. A two-day interactive workshop, hosted at the University of the West Indies Law Library, has brought together public officers from across government departments and statutory bodies to refine their understanding of the National Emergency Management System, strengthen cross-agency communication and coordination, and build hands-on emergency management skills.
Major Robert Harewood, Deputy Director of Barbados’ Department of Emergency Management (DEM), opened the workshop by emphasizing the urgent timing of this initiative, noting that rising hazard intensity is a shared global challenge. “Today, every country, institution and community around the world faces growing risks from a wide spectrum of disasters, ranging from natural events like hurricanes, floods, wildfires, droughts and earthquakes to technological accidents and public health emergencies,” Harewood explained. “No community is immune to the devastating impacts of these events.”
Citing joint analysis from the European Commission and regional climate experts, Harewood highlighted that the Caribbean ranks as the second most hazard-prone region globally. For small island developing states like Barbados, growing climate uncertainty, combined with rapid urbanization and increasingly interconnected national economies, has made disaster response coordination far more complex than in decades past. Recent global events, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the recent major earthquake off the coast of Venezuela, have underscored just how critical pre-crisis preparedness and cross-agency coordination are to saving lives.
“Preparedness and coordination save lives. Effective disaster management cannot be improvised in the middle of a crisis,” Harewood stressed. “It requires deliberate planning, ongoing training, cross-sector partnerships and a whole-of-government approach that is put in place long before an emergency ever occurs.”
Harewood went on to note that disaster management extends far beyond on-the-ground response during crises — it is a core legal, institutional and governance responsibility for all government branches. Under Barbados’ 2007 Emergency Management Act, the government established a national, inclusive emergency management framework built on a bottom-up approach that assigns clear roles to every public sector entity. Section 12 of Part Five of the legislation explicitly requires every permanent secretary and government department head to appoint a dedicated liaison officer to coordinate with the DEM, and mandate that each agency update and submit its emergency management plan to the DEM for review by April 1 every year.
No matter what core public service a government agency provides — from health care and education to transportation, public works, utility management or public safety — maintaining operational continuity during and after a disaster is foundational to national resilience, Harewood explained. This makes it essential for every agency to maintain up-to-date disaster contingency and business continuity plans that outline how the organization will sustain critical services, respond to the event and support recovery. “These plans help organizations anticipate risks, outline clear response procedures, identify available resources, clarify stakeholder responsibilities, and guarantee operational continuity when normal systems are disrupted,” Harewood said, adding that agencies with trained staff and regularly tested plans recover far faster and are able to provide more consistent support to affected communities.
Julia Rawlins-Bentham, a DEM Programme Officer, outlined that the workshop has a dual purpose: it orients newly appointed liaison officers to their roles, and refreshes the knowledge of experienced officers to ensure alignment with current national protocols. “This training is for everyone, whether you are new to the liaison role or have served in this position for years,” Rawlins-Bentham said. Over the two days, participants take part in a range of activities designed to build both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, including informational presentations on the DEM’s mandate, the structure of the National Emergency Management System, contingency planning best practices, and the core responsibilities of liaison officers.
Harewood emphasized that disaster management is a shared collective responsibility, not a task that falls solely to emergency services or the DEM. “It requires sustained commitment from every sector and every public institution across the country,” he said. By the conclusion of the workshop, participants are expected to leave with a clearer understanding of liaison officer roles and responsibilities, stronger communication and information sharing networks across stakeholder agencies, and the ability to support coordinated, effective emergency operations when disaster strikes.
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Antigua and Barbuda launches OECS’ first youth mental health chatline
A landmark new mental health support platform tailored for children and young people has officially launched in Antigua and Barbuda, marking a historic first for mental health access across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Named the Young Caribbean Minds (YCM) Chatline, this service is the region’s first free, anonymous text-based platform that integrates both mental health support and child protection resources.
The initiative is the product of a cross-sector collaborative partnership between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, UNICEF, the University of the West Indies (UWI), the OECS Commission, and the Zenith Centre. Its dual mission is to deliver confidential psychosocial support to young people while creating a clear pathway to connect vulnerable children to formal child protection services when risk is identified.
The development of both the chatline and Antigua and Barbuda’s upcoming Mental Health Care Bill 2026 was directly informed by the largest youth mental health consultation ever held in the Eastern Caribbean. Over 1,000 children and young people contributed their perspectives through surveys, focus groups, and national dialogues, making this the first documented effort in the Caribbean to center youth input directly in shaping national mental health legislation.
The consultation’s findings are published in the *Youth Voices: Mental Health Care Bill Survey Report*, which captures feedback from respondents aged 10 to 19. Key results revealed that stigma remains the single largest barrier to youth accessing mental health care: 34.2% of respondents reported fear of judgment stopped them from seeking help. More than half of participants called for stronger safeguarding provisions in the new legislation, while nearly 90% expressed support for the bill’s rights-centered framework. Privacy was ranked the top factor for building trust in mental health services, and text-based online chat was identified as the second most preferred method of accessing support.
UNICEF confirmed that these insights directly shaped the design of the YCM Chatline. The platform operates through real-time text support delivered by trained UWI volunteers, who work under the continuous supervision of licensed professional psychologists. A core feature of the service is full anonymity: users can access support without sharing any personal identifiable information, while an integrated referral system automatically connects children flagged as at-risk to appropriate child protection authorities.
At the launch ceremony, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne framed access to mental health care as a fundamental human right, drawing on personal experience to explain his long-standing advocacy for expanded mental health services across the country and the broader Caribbean region.
“I have been an advocate of mental health care for everyone as a fundamental right,” Browne stated. “I’ve advocated here in Antigua and Barbuda, within the region, the OECS and the United Nations, and I’m very happy to be participating in this programme, which has mental health at its epicentre.”
Addressing the persistent stigma surrounding mental illness, Browne shared, “Unfortunately, the issue of mental health has been stigmatized globally. The reason why I’m so committed to this issue is personal. Many of you may not be aware that I grew up in a single-parent home with a mentally ill mother… many times there was a crisis that could not be addressed, which made it very difficult for me and my siblings.”
Maryam Abdu, Acting UNICEF Representative for the Eastern Caribbean Area Office, called the launch a transformative milestone in expanding safe, confidential youth mental health access across the region.
“Today we reaffirm our commitment to every young person in the Caribbean: your voice matters, your feelings matter, and help is available,” Abdu said. “The Young Caribbean Minds Chatline provides a free, confidential, and accessible space so no child has to struggle alone.”
Abdu emphasized that the project reflects the Caribbean region’s commitment to centering youth needs in policy and service design: “Our region has shown the courage to listen—now we are responding. By expanding this Chatline across Eastern Caribbean member states and offering bilingual support, we are ensuring that support is truly inclusive and reaches the young people who need it most.”
She added that the initiative goes far beyond adding a new support service: “Young Caribbean Minds is more than a service—it is a promise. Built with young people’s voices and guided by local partnerships, this initiative strengthens resilience, protects children and gives families and communities the tools to help every child thrive.”
Dr. Camille Samuel, Registrar at UWI’s Five Islands Campus, highlighted the university’s role in training the chatline’s volunteer support team. “Seeing our Five Islands students step forward as volunteer chat supporters fills me with pride,” she said. “Their year-long training will build a community of empathetic, skilled peers who can change lives.”
The full public launch follows a successful five-month pilot program that delivered more than 1,000 support sessions, with 88% of pilot users reporting they would use the service again. The initiative has already earned international acclaim: it was recognized as a global best practice at the Global Conference on Child and Adolescent Mental Health in South Africa, and placed as a top three finalist in the UNICEF Global INSPIRE Awards out of more than 300 global submissions.
The official launch ceremony brought together a broad coalition of stakeholders, including Prime Minister Browne, Minister of Health, Wellness, the Environment and Civil Service Affairs Michael Joseph, Minister of Social Transformation Kiz Johnson, senior government leaders, development partners, civil society representatives, and youth delegates. Representatives from Antigua and Barbuda’s National Student Council and National Youth Parliament Association also addressed the gathering, praising the government’s commitment to expanded mental health services and calling for sustained youth inclusion in future policymaking.
The YCM Chatline received formal endorsement from OECS Health Ministers during the OECS Health Policy Forum in April 2025, and is being developed as a regional resource for all nine OECS member states. After this initial soft launch in Antigua and Barbuda, volunteer training and platform refinement will continue ahead of a phased rollout across the country and the broader Eastern Caribbean. The expansion of the initiative is set to be a key topic of discussion at the Second OECS Council of Ministers on Youth and Sports, which will be hosted by Antigua and Barbuda on August 12 and 13, 2026.
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CRFM Scientific Conference Technical Papers and National Reports
The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), a leading regional body dedicated to sustainable fisheries management across the Caribbean basin, has announced a major milestone for marine science and policy research in the region: the complete proceedings from its 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference are now accessible to the public via the organization’s official digital platforms.
The released material is structured into two distinct, comprehensive volumes to support easy navigation for researchers, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and students. Volume 1 compiles peer-reviewed technical papers covering cutting-edge research on fisheries ecology, stock assessment, sustainable harvesting practices, climate change impacts on marine ecosystems, and innovative aquaculture development across the Caribbean. Volume II gathers in-depth national reports submitted by member states, documenting on-the-ground status of fisheries and aquaculture sectors, regulatory updates, and ongoing conservation initiatives.
Among the national reports available for individual download is the full *National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Grenada*, which is hosted directly on the CRFM’s website for dedicated access. Both the full two-volume special publication and individual research papers are listed on CRFM’s official publications page, allowing users to access content in open-access formats.
A standard content disclaimer notes that NOW Grenada does not take responsibility for the viewpoints, statements, or third-party contributed media featured in the conference proceedings, and provides a channel for users to report any content that violates community guidelines or terms of use.