Carib Scope

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  • Prescod proposes structured state support for young Barbadian writers

    Prescod proposes structured state support for young Barbadian writers

    Barbados’ cultural and literary community is pushing for systemic government intervention to address longstanding financial barriers that have stifled the growth of homegrown creative talent, with the country’s Minister of Pan-African Affairs and Heritage Trevor Prescod leading the call for direct public funding to compensate emerging young authors for their work.

    Prescod laid out his proposal during a recent public event marking the launch of *Meet Tommy*, the ninth published book from veteran Barbadian author Mario Herbert. In a direct address to local creators in attendance, the minister stressed that nurturing the island’s next generation of literary voices depends on more than just informal encouragement—it requires building structured financial pathways that allow writers to build sustainable, long-term careers from their craft.

    At the core of Prescod’s plan is a policy shift that would see state institutions, particularly public primary education bodies, formally procure creative works from local authors to integrate into school resources. This institutional demand would create a reliable, consistent income stream for writers, eliminating the uncertainty that has forced many local creatives to abandon their literary work to pursue more financially stable careers.

    “The ministry and the primary schools across this country must be able to say to Mario, ‘From this term, we want you to send books to the Ministry of Education or allocate them to the individual primary schools across Barbados. Send your invoices to the Ministry of Education,’” Prescod illustrated, framing the proposal as a small but transformative change to how public institutions approach procurement for the cultural sector. He emphasized that consistent state-backed demand would not only create immediate income for working writers but also secure long-term career viability for young people entering the literary field, adding, “We will not only talk about young people writing and selling this material within the primary school system, but we will make sure that you can continue on this journey for a long, long time.”

    The launch event, which also drew attendance from Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Adrian Forde, offered Herbert a platform to highlight the very struggles Prescod’s proposal seeks to solve. Even with nine published works to his name, Herbert detailed the steep challenges that face Barbadian authors at every stage of their careers, starting with extremely limited retail access for local titles.

    “Make no mistake, though; despite this joy, I have to say that being an author in Barbados is not easy,” Herbert shared. “Local bookstores don’t look at local authors. If not for the UWI (University of the West Indies) bookshop, most of us would have zero avenues for discovery, cultural impact, and preservation of heritage.”

    Herbert also opened up about the creative process behind *Meet Tommy*, his newest children’s book centered on an eight-year-old protagonist. He explained that crafting a compelling, relatable story for young readers required authors to step fully into the perspective of their characters: “As an author, you have to develop the art of becoming a character. That is the only way you are going to make their dramatic journey believable and relatable. Many of the things we take for granted as grown-ups are actually major problems for an eight-year-old, and I have to say that was an enjoyable sandbox to play in.”

    Despite the systemic barriers he faces, Herbert remains optimistic about his work, driven by the reward of seeing young readers connect with his physical books. He already has plans to expand the *Meet Tommy* series, following the title character through his journey from primary school to secondary education, continuing his contribution to Barbados’ growing literary heritage.

  • WISH Donates Mental Health Posters to Parham Primary School Through UNESCO-Supported Project

    WISH Donates Mental Health Posters to Parham Primary School Through UNESCO-Supported Project

    On June 26, 2026, children’s mental health nonprofit WISH marked a key milestone in its community outreach work, officially gifting a collection of custom “Be Kind to Your Mind” classroom posters to Parham Primary School. The donation is part of the organization’s long-running mission to normalize conversations around emotional health, encourage self-care practices, and expand mental health awareness among children and adolescent populations across local communities.

    The posters, developed as a core component of a WISH grant project backed by UNESCO, were presented to Parham Primary Principal Gayle Walter by WISH Founder Chaneil Imhoff. The handover ceremony took place alongside the official launch of a collaborative mural created by the Hopeful Hearts Foundation and WISH at the school campus, bringing together two community-focused mental health initiatives in one public event.

    Designed to be installed in classrooms and outdoor learning zones ahead of the new school year starting this September, the educational materials are tailored specifically to meet the developmental needs of young learners. Unlike generic mental health resources, the posters are crafted to help children build a foundational understanding of their own emotions, practice adaptive, healthy coping strategies for life’s stresses, and integrate positive, empathetic mental health vocabulary into their daily interactions at school.

    During her remarks at the handover event, Imhoff emphasized that early access to mental health tools is a critical public investment. She explained that building emotional literacy from a young age gives children lifelong skills to navigate life’s challenges, noting that many young people do not receive structured guidance around understanding and managing their feelings before they reach secondary school.

    “Children need to first understand that experiencing a full range of emotions is a completely normal part of being human,” Imhoff said. “But beyond that recognition, they need clear, accessible guidance on how to process those feelings in healthy, non-harmful ways. These posters are simple, age-appropriate reminders that hang in daily learning spaces, encouraging constant reflection on self-awareness, self-kindness, and intentional emotional regulation. If our goal is to build healthier, more empathetic communities for the future, we have to start by investing in the mental and emotional development of today’s children.”

    Imhoff also shared that the donation to Parham Primary carries deep personal meaning, revealing that the school has held a special place in her own life and her family’s multigenerational history, making this collaboration particularly meaningful for her as the founder of WISH.

  • Antigua and Barbuda to Acquire Major Solar Energy Plant Within 24 Months, PM Says

    Antigua and Barbuda to Acquire Major Solar Energy Plant Within 24 Months, PM Says

    In a landmark announcement made during his weekly broadcast on Pointe FM this past Saturday, Prime Minister Gaston Browne laid out an ambitious new energy strategy for Antigua and Barbuda that places both decarbonization and broad public economic participation at its core. Over the coming 24 months, the government will move forward with the development of a utility-scale solar generation facility, projected to produce between 15 and 20 gigawatt hours of clean electricity annually, and open up future renewable energy projects to direct investment from ordinary Antiguans and Barbudans.

    The initiative marks a deliberate break from the nation’s past energy development model, which has historically concentrated ownership of electricity infrastructure among a small cohort of private companies. Browne stressed that the new framework is designed to democratize access to the growing renewable energy market, allowing everyday citizens to build wealth and share in the economic benefits of the clean energy transition, rather than limiting these gains to a small group of corporate stakeholders. “We want this to be a shared situation which will provide opportunity for Antiguans and Barbudans to invest in energy,” Browne told listeners, noting that the policy’s core goal is to diversify ownership across the country’s energy sector.

    Contrary to some potential interpretations, the prime minister clarified that the plan does not sidelined existing energy operators. Current market players, including the Antigua Public Utilities (APC) and major private groups such as Eagle and the Hadid Group, are fully welcome to participate in bidding for stakes in the new solar project and future renewable developments. Browne emphasized that the policy is not intended to displace existing operators, nor is it rooted in animosity toward any current market leaders. “I say this with no hostility towards Eagle or towards the Hadid group of companies,” he explained. “The members of the Hadid family and I get on pretty well. We haven’t had any issues, but I speak truth to power, and ultimately my responsibility is to the people of Antigua and Barbuda. No friendship, no interests supersede the interests of the people.” APC could even emerge as the single largest investor in the new solar plant depending on its available resources, Browne added.

    The new large-scale solar facility is positioned as a complementary addition to the government’s ongoing transition to liquefied natural gas (LNG), which Browne framed as a pragmatic mid-term transition fuel. As Antigua and Barbuda scales up its renewable energy generation capacity over time, LNG will serve as a lower-emission alternative to the diesel and heavy fuel oil that currently dominate the nation’s energy mix, delivering immediate reductions in both consumer electricity costs and national carbon output. Browne outlined that the broader energy transition strategy will deliver two core, interconnected benefits for residents: “a reduction in price compared to using diesel or heavy fuel, and similarly there’s going to be a reduction in our carbon footprint.” This dual approach aligns with the government’s long-term goal of cutting the nation’s reliance on imported fossil fuels while expanding and strengthening the country’s overall electricity infrastructure.

  • Grenada contributes to the global conversation on Contemporary Art and Culture

    Grenada contributes to the global conversation on Contemporary Art and Culture

    Last week, a landmark moment for Caribbean cultural outreach unfolded at New York City’s iconic Museum of Modern Art, where Dr. Susan Mains, Commissioner of the Grenada Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, took the stage to share the small island nation’s groundbreaking success on one of the global art world’s most prestigious stages. The event marked the official launch of *Atlante Dell’arte Contemporanea*, a definitive, comprehensive compendium curating the most significant works and voices in Italian and international contemporary art, that includes coverage of the Grenada Pavilion’s contributions to the global art ecosystem.

    In her address at the launch, Dr. Mains reflected on how intentional cross-sector strategic partnerships have transformed the Grenada Pavilion from a simple national exhibition space into a dynamic hub for inclusive international cultural dialogue. For years, Grenada’s participation in the Venice Biennale has served as a critical conduit to center Caribbean creativity, academic insight, and artistic innovation before an international audience of curators, collectors, scholars, and art enthusiasts.

    At the core of the pavilion’s rising international profile is the curatorial leadership of Daniel Radini Tedeschi, who has balanced global artistic context with deep respect for the specific historical and cultural experiences of the Caribbean. Under his direction, the pavilion has not only elevated its standing in the global art community but also created tangible, long-lasting opportunities for Grenadian and regional Caribbean artists to participate in global contemporary art discourse, extending their reach far beyond the limited run of the Biennale exhibition itself.

    Dr. Mains emphasized that the success of the Grenada Pavilion would not have been possible without its core collaborative partnership with START, a multifaceted cultural organization far more impactful than a traditional publishing house. START’s team of seasoned cultural professionals brings cross-cutting expertise spanning scholarly publishing, exhibition curation, strategic communications, and international cultural programming, work that ensures the Grenada Pavilion’s contributions are not just displayed temporarily, but permanently documented, studied, and preserved for future generations.

    A key unsung contributor to the pavilion’s success highlighted by Dr. Mains is Stefania Pieralice, whose exceptional organizational skill, relentless dedication to cross-cultural exchange, and meticulous attention to detail have turned ambitious creative visions into actionable, successful outcomes. Her work coordinating complex cross-border initiatives, nurturing durable relationships with leading cultural institutions, and overseeing the countless operational details required for high-profile exhibitions and publications has been instrumental in building the Grenada Pavilion’s reputation for professionalism and impact.

    The broader START team’s collaborative mission aligns directly with the core vision of the Grenada Pavilion: their commitment to editorial and creative excellence has produced authoritative catalogues and scholarly publications that serve as permanent public records of Grenada’s participation in the Venice Biennale, making the work of the nation’s artists accessible to researchers, curators, collectors, and young creatives for decades to come.

    The benefits of these long-term collaborative partnerships extend across every dimension of the pavilion’s work, including amplified international visibility for participating artists, peer-vetted scholarly documentation that preserves the pavilion’s legacy, expanded professional networks connecting Caribbean creators to leading global cultural institutions, robust critical and curatorial frameworks that deepen the impact of artistic presentation, sophisticated project management that advances cultural diplomacy goals, and lasting cultural impact that endures long after the Biennale concludes each edition.

    As Grenada enters its next phase of participation in the Venice Biennale, with multiple successful editions under its belt and a growing global footprint, these collaborative partnerships remain central to the project’s mission. The pavilion’s steady growth demonstrates that small island developing nations can make outsized, meaningful contributions to global contemporary culture when they center strategic collaboration, intellectual rigor, and unwavering commitment to artistic excellence.

    The ongoing partnership between the Grenada Pavilion, its curatorial leadership, and the START team represents a shared investment in inclusive cultural exchange, rigorous scholarship, and boundary-pushing artistic innovation. Together, the collaborators continue to build a platform that not only elevates Grenadian and Caribbean artists at the Venice Biennale, but also adds unique, vital perspectives to the global conversation around contemporary art and culture.

  • BDF deploys advance party to Venezuela

    BDF deploys advance party to Venezuela

    In a coordinated response to the recent humanitarian crisis triggered by seismic activity in Venezuela, an advance contingent of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) has entered the South American nation to lay the groundwork for a full-service field medical hospital. The mission marks a significant gesture of regional solidarity between Caribbean and Latin American nations in the wake of natural disaster. The deployment, which departed Barbados this past Friday, included not only the specialized advance military medical team but also the island nation’s ambassador to Venezuela, Commander Aquinas Clarke, alongside diplomatic representatives from the Venezuelan Embassy stationed in Barbados. Currently, the advance group is focused on completing critical early-stage tasks, including thorough on-site infrastructure evaluations and cross-agency coordination with Venezuelan local authorities. Full deployment of the complete field medical hospital unit remains on hold pending the completion of necessary formal administrative approvals from Venezuelan governing bodies. The operation, confirmed by the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), underscores Barbados’ commitment to regional disaster response cooperation. The deployment of the mobile medical facility is expected to fill critical gaps in healthcare access for communities impacted by the earthquake, which often leave local medical systems overstretched or damaged in the aftermath of seismic events.

  • EU Threatens to End Visa-Free Access for Antigua and Barbuda and OECS by Year-End, PM Says

    EU Threatens to End Visa-Free Access for Antigua and Barbuda and OECS by Year-End, PM Says

    The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is facing a critical diplomatic challenge, after Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed the European Union has issued a warning that the country could forfeit its visa-free travel access to the Schengen Area by the end of 2024. The core of the EU’s objection centers on scrutiny of Antigua and Barbuda’s long-running Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, a policy that grants citizenship to foreign individuals in exchange for qualified economic investment in the country.

    Speaking during an interview with local radio outlet Pointe FM over the weekend, Browne outlined that his administration is moving swiftly to ramp up high-level diplomatic outreach, with the explicit goal of arranging a direct meeting with EU officials to reverse the proposed policy change. “The European Union has threatened that they could withdraw their visa-free access, potentially by the end of the year,” Browne told listeners. “We don’t know for sure they will, but we’re trying to have a high-level engagement with them to see if we can actually reconsider their position.”

    The prime minister put forward a compromise proposal that he argues balances the EU’s stated security concerns with preserving the decades-long visa-free arrangement Antigua and Barbuda has enjoyed. Rather than eliminating visa-free access entirely, Browne said his government believes implementing an electronic travel authorization system would address European security needs while maintaining the current travel arrangement. “We have the view that an electronic travel authorization should be sufficient,” Browne said. “We think that it’s a sensible thing to do to maintain the good relations that we’ve had over the years and not to throw the baby out with the bath water.”

    Browne emphasized that the EU’s scrutiny is not isolated to Antigua and Barbuda, noting that other Eastern Caribbean states that run similar investment migration programmes are also facing the same threat of restricted travel access. He pointed to a recent precedent, where Ireland ended visa-free travel arrangements for a number of Caribbean nations, and acknowledged that even with intensive diplomatic work, a total discontinuation of Schengen visa-free access remains a possible outcome. “We can anticipate that, despite our best efforts, these visa-free arrangements may be discontinued,” he said.

    However, even if the worst-case scenario comes to pass, Browne made clear that the CBI Programme will remain a core part of the country’s economic strategy, describing it as an indispensable pillar of Antigua and Barbuda’s public finances. “What I will say here, under my leadership and certainly under the Labour Party’s governance of this country, with or without those visa-free arrangements, our CIP programme continues,” Browne stated. “It is too important a source of non-tax revenue to give it up.”

    Addressing questions about the integrity of the country’s CBI Programme, Browne pushed back against criticism, arguing that while no global immigration system can claim to be 100 percent free from abuse, Antigua and Barbuda’s due diligence processes are on par with, and in many cases stronger than, those used by much larger developed nations. “We are pretty sure that we have strengthened our programme and that it does not represent any significant risk to any country,” he said. “Nothing is foolproof… I believe that our programmes are better run than theirs.”

    Browne also rejected the widespread claim that Caribbean investment migration programmes represent a unique global security risk, pointing out that many of the same European countries that criticize the region’s programmes operate their own investment-based immigration pathways for foreign nationals. “I can say definitively in the case of Antigua and Barbuda, our programme is run with integrity,” he said. “I’ve never once overturned any case that was actually rejected by the CI Unit. We have allowed the unit and the board to operate independently.”

    He added that Antigua and Barbuda’s small geographic size and close-knit population actually makes it far harder for individuals with criminal intent to hide within the country, compared to larger nations. “If anything, our CIP programmes are helping these larger countries to unearth the criminals,” Browne said. He also noted that legitimate high-net-worth individuals seeking to travel to Europe are already able to secure direct visas from European nations regardless of their Caribbean citizenship status.

    The prime minister also called out what he described as a clear double standard in how the international community treats Caribbean CBI Programmes, arguing that the region is unfairly tarred with a broad brush when any concerns about investment migration arise. “The unfortunate thing about it is that they keep dubbing us with the same brush,” he said.

    Looking forward, Browne reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to strengthening international security cooperation, saying the country is willing to introduce additional targeted safeguards to address EU concerns. These proposed measures include mandatory biometric screening for all CBI applicants and expanded information sharing agreements with foreign governments. “If we can collaborate and make sure that we have the biometric exam for these CIP citizens and that we can share information, if anything, it will help them to unearth these criminals,” he added.

  • UWI Seismic Research Centre urges preparedness after major Venezuela Earthquakes

    UWI Seismic Research Centre urges preparedness after major Venezuela Earthquakes

    Recent back-to-back major earthquakes near Venezuela, paired with a separate seismic event between Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, have sparked widespread public concern across the Caribbean. Leading regional seismic monitoring body, the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) — tasked with tracking earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis across the English-speaking Eastern Caribbean — has released a detailed technical analysis to address growing public questions about the seismic activity.

    According to UWI-SRC Director Dr. Erouscilla P. Joseph, the large energy released by Venezuela’s magnitude 7.5 and 7.2 earthquakes has altered stress across the entire Caribbean Plate, which has coincided with a small uptick in regional seismic events recorded by the centre. While all seismic activity in the area falls within the broad Caribbean-South American plate boundary, Dr. Joseph emphasized that the Venezuela quakes and the separate Grenada-Trinidad and Tobago event stem from distinct tectonic processes. As of current assessments, there is no evidence linking all three events to a single shared fault system. Though large quakes can shift stress in surrounding regions, she noted, establishing a direct causal link between separate seismic events remains extremely challenging.

    Dr. Joseph contextualized the size of the Venezuela earthquakes: a magnitude 7.5 event qualifies as a major quake with regional significance, but tremors of this scale occur somewhere across the globe nearly every year. While the 2025 Venezuela event ranks among the larger quakes recorded worldwide this year, it does not fall among the most powerful seismic events of the past decade. What makes this sequence unusual, she explained, is its location near heavily populated areas and the extremely close timing of the two major quakes: the magnitude 7.2 tremor was followed just 39 seconds later by the 7.5 event. This pattern is rare, she noted, but not unprecedented — it points to a complex rupture process involving multiple fault segments that released massive amounts of stress over just one minute. Preliminary mapping confirms the quakes occurred within the active Caribbean-South American plate boundary, home to major fault systems including the El Pilar–San Sebastián fault and its associated offshore structures. Detailed investigations are still ongoing to pinpoint the exact fault segment responsible for the rupture.

    In addressing public anxiety about increased major earthquake risk for Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Joseph confirmed that aftershocks are expected near the original Venezuela quake zone, and some of these aftershocks may be felt in parts of Trinidad and Tobago. However, she stressed that there is currently no data to support an elevated risk of a major local quake directly triggered by the Venezuela events. “The public should not be alarmed, but they should be prepared,” Dr. Joseph said, noting that all Caribbean nations sit in a geologically active seismic zone, and major events like this serve as a critical reminder of the need for ongoing readiness.

    Shortly after the earthquakes, a regional tsunami warning was issued, but it was quickly canceled after specialists analyzed data from coastal monitoring stations and deep-ocean tsunami detection systems. Assessments found no evidence of a significant tsunami forming, with forecasted wave heights remaining far below dangerous thresholds.

    Currently, UWI-SRC researchers are conducting a full post-event analysis, examining the quake’s source characteristics, rupture sequence, aftershock distribution, ground shaking patterns, and potential seafloor displacement. Data from regional seismic stations, GPS networks and sea-level sensors is being integrated to refine future regional seismic hazard assessments.

    Dr. Joseph also outlined what a similar magnitude earthquake near Trinidad and Tobago would mean: the level of damage would depend on multiple factors, including the quake’s depth, distance from population centers, local soil conditions, and the resilience of local infrastructure. Older buildings constructed without modern seismic engineering standards face far higher risk of damage than newer, code-compliant structures, and a strong local quake could disrupt critical services including power, water and transportation networks. For this reason, Dr. Joseph emphasized, continuous investment in updated building codes and public preparedness remains a priority for the region.

    Responding to viral social media videos showing people running outdoors during the Venezuela quake’s intense shaking, Dr. Joseph noted that flight instinct is natural during a terrifying event, but moving while the ground is shaking greatly increases the risk of injury from falling debris, broken glass or collapsing building parts. The internationally recommended safety protocol, she reminded the public, is to Drop, Cover and Hold On until shaking stops. Once the ground stabilizes, people can calmly evacuate to open, safe areas away from damaged structures if necessary.

    UWI-SRC is urging all members of the public across the Eastern Caribbean to use this event as an opportunity to update their emergency preparedness: this includes learning and practicing earthquake safety protocols, identifying safe spots in homes and workplaces, securing heavy furniture and appliances that could topple, assembling emergency supply kits, and reviewing family evacuation and communication plans.

    “It is natural to feel concerned when a major earthquake affects a neighboring country with which we share such close ties,” Dr. Joseph said. “The SRC remains fully committed to monitoring seismic activity across the region and delivering timely, accurate information to help individuals, communities and governments make informed decisions.”

    She added, “This earthquake is a reminder that while we cannot prevent earthquakes, we can drastically reduce their impacts through preparedness. The goal is not to live in fear, but to be ready.”

    UWI-SRC maintains continuous 24/7 monitoring of seismic activity across the Eastern Caribbean, and publishes real-time updates via its official website and social media channels including Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). The centre encourages all residents to follow these official channels for accurate information and to update their preparedness plans in light of the recent event.

  • PM Browne Says LNG Dispute With U.S Firm Resolved, First Ship Expected Within 30 Days

    PM Browne Says LNG Dispute With U.S Firm Resolved, First Ship Expected Within 30 Days

    After weeks of tense negotiations and high-stakes disagreements between the Antigua and Barbuda government and private contractors on the country’s landmark liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure project, a last-minute compromise has cleared the path for the first cargo of LNG to arrive on national shores within one month, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed. Speaking in an interview with local radio outlet Pointe FM over the weekend, Browne broke down the origins of the conflict, which traced back to unforeseen complications during critical dredging work required to widen and deepen shipping channels to accommodate large LNG tankers. Initial geotechnical surveys had incorrectly characterized the seabed as composed entirely of sand, but crews encountered large formations of solid, extremely dense rock that drastically slowed progress. The government first deployed its domestic dredging firm Blue Ocean to complete the work, but when the company was unable to overcome the geological obstacles, international contractor Dutch Dredging was brought in – and still faced persistent challenges that extended the project timeline far beyond initial projections.

  • Staatsraad: Begroting moet Suriname voorbereiden op toekomst na olie

    Staatsraad: Begroting moet Suriname voorbereiden op toekomst na olie

    As Suriname prepares to welcome major new oil and gas revenues that stand to reshape its national economy, the country’s highest advisory body has issued a stark call for proactive long-term planning, warning against the risk of overreliance on the fossil fuel sector that has plagued resource-rich nations globally.

    In a strategic advisory report presented Friday to President Jennifer Simons by Vice Chair Amzad Abdoel, the Suriname Council of State argues that annual budget deliberations currently underway in the National Assembly must extend beyond short-term spending allocations for the coming year. Instead, policymakers must center discussions on how the country can position itself to leverage both the opportunities and mitigate the inherent risks of the impending oil revenue influx. The report, the second of its series from the Council, draws on consultations with multiple government ministries, public agencies and independent economic experts to deliver approximately 30 targeted recommendations, united by a core message: expected oil revenues must be used to build structural economic resilience, not deepen dependence on a single volatile industry.

    The Council highlights that decades of international experience demonstrate that resource-dependent economies that fail to pursue broad diversification remain extremely vulnerable to global oil price volatility and sudden external economic shocks. To guard against this so-called “resource curse”, the advisory body is pushing for immediate strategic investments in non-oil sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and export-oriented industries, which will allow Suriname to build a diversified economy anchored in multiple robust pillars.

    Beyond diversification, the report identifies food security, public healthcare, education, national security, currency and price stability, and energy security as foundational priorities for long-term sustainable development that require enhanced policy focus and public resourcing. The Council also emphasizes that headline gross domestic product growth alone is not enough to deliver lasting shared prosperity for Suriname. To improve outcomes, the government must strengthen policy implementation efficiency and allocate public funds more strategically, by tying annual budget allocations directly to measurable social and economic outcomes, so the public can clearly track what impact public spending delivers.

    The timing of the advisory comes as the National Assembly enters its deliberation phase for the new national budget. The Council stresses that this is a critical window to make bold policy choices that prioritize long-term economic resilience over quick short-term gains, as the country transitions into a new era of oil-led revenue flows.

  • Film intervention launched in honour of slain Barbadian teen

    Film intervention launched in honour of slain Barbadian teen

    Against a backdrop of rising youth violence tearing at Caribbean communities, local film producer Kerri Birch has launched a groundbreaking creative project named “Once Upon a Frame” — a labor of love and activism built to honor the life of 13-year-old Shawnathon Chase, who was killed in a fatal shooting last year while attending a community netball match at Silver Hill’s hard court in Christ Church.

    Shawnathon was not just a victim of senseless violence; he was an aspiring young writer with a growing body of work, and his death has become a catalyst for change. Reflecting on the tragic loss, Birch emphasized that Shawnathon’s killing is far from an isolated incident, pointing to a worsening pattern of youth violence that is eroding community cohesion, destabilizing family units, and putting an entire generation of young people in danger across the region.

    Developed in partnership with production company 13 Degrees North and Shawnathon’s grieving parents, Sean and Zabida Chase, the initiative will transform original short stories written by young creators into four completed short films. Among the adapted works is “Kite Heist”, a story penned by Shawnathon before his death, alongside another youth-created story “Intergalactic Pup”, which Birch confirmed will be produced entirely using artificial intelligence technology.

    Once post-production is complete, the four films are scheduled to premiere on national public television, with additional selections planned for screenings at leading international film festivals to spread the project’s message to a global audience.

    Birch, who has centered her work on community-centered storytelling, explained the core philosophy behind the initiative: youth violence takes root when young people are disenfranchised, feeling invisible, unheard, and cut off from opportunities to build stable, fulfilling futures. Instead of leaving vulnerable teens to fall through the cracks, “Once Upon a Frame” replaces idleness with creative imagination, replaces social isolation with collaborative skill-building, and replaces risky, empty lifestyles with a clear sense of purpose. Beyond creative expression, the project also equips participating young people with professional film production skills that can open doors to sustainable careers in the creative economy.

    The initiative has already secured backing from a coalition of corporate sponsors, and Birch’s team is currently holding exploratory talks with officials from Barbados’ Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology to expand support for the program. In closing, Birch issued a call for broad national investment in youth-focused interventions, arguing that the critical policy question facing the country is not whether public and private stakeholders can afford to fund programs like “Once Upon a Frame” — but whether the nation can afford not to prioritize the safety and opportunity of its young people.