Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Antigua and Barbuda youth urged to apply for Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust, 100 Young Leaders Awards

    Antigua and Barbuda youth urged to apply for Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust, 100 Young Leaders Awards

    The Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust (QECT) has unveiled the QECT 100 Young Leaders Awards, a distinguished initiative designed to commemorate the centenary of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which would have been celebrated in April 2026. This program aims to identify and honor 100 exceptional young leaders from the 56 Commonwealth nations who are driving transformative change in their communities across key areas such as education and employability, health, environment, food and agriculture, and inclusion.

    Selected awardees will be celebrated at an official ceremony and will have the opportunity to apply for microgrants to scale their impactful initiatives. Additionally, they will benefit from personalized mentorship, capacity-building support, and global exposure through international media coverage. The program also offers unparalleled networking opportunities with funders, partners, and experts across the Commonwealth, fostering a vibrant community of changemakers.

    Eligibility for the awards requires applicants to be aged between 18 and 35 (born between April 1990 and April 2008), and they must be founders, co-founders, or leaders of social impact initiatives. Applicants must also be citizens or permanent residents of a Commonwealth country, demonstrate at least 12 months of measurable impact, and align with QECT’s ethical and transparent values. Applications must be submitted in English.

    Eligible individuals from Antigua and Barbuda are encouraged to apply before the deadline on November 1, 2025. For further details and to submit an application, visit the official portal at https://airtable.com/appTh6DkNvnDGCqb8/pagabE7jMU0iizFbb/form.

  • Caribbean Disability Conference starts next week

    Caribbean Disability Conference starts next week

    The Caribbean Disability Network (CDN), in partnership with the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, is set to organize the Caribbean Disability Conference from October 17 to 22 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle Resort. The event, themed ‘Breaking Barriers: Advancing Inclusive Education for All Abilities,’ will convene over 200 delegates, including Education Ministers, disability affairs officials, educators, advocates, youth leaders, researchers, and service providers from across the Caribbean and beyond. Participating nations include Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Guyana, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and The Bahamas. The conference aims to promote inclusive education policies, amplify the voices of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and their families, facilitate regional knowledge sharing, strengthen legislative frameworks, showcase innovative best practices, and foster inter-sectoral collaboration for sustainable development. The CDN, a regional alliance dedicated to advancing the rights and inclusion of PWDs, serves as a vital platform for collaboration among officials, social development agencies, and civil society.

  • Masked men rob man of vehicle, cash, and personals in Abaco

    Masked men rob man of vehicle, cash, and personals in Abaco

    NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Authorities in Abaco are intensifying efforts to unravel the details of a brazen armed robbery that unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday, October 7, 2025, on Earnest Dean Highway. According to preliminary reports, the incident occurred shortly after 2:00 a.m. when a man seated in a Grey Chevy Impala was approached by a red Japanese vehicle. Two masked individuals armed with firearms emerged from the vehicle, forcibly seizing a substantial amount of cash, valuable jewelry, and the victim’s car before fleeing the scene in an undisclosed direction. Law enforcement officials are currently pursuing multiple leads as the investigation remains ongoing.

  • SDA Members Say Saturday Independence Parade Excludes Them

    SDA Members Say Saturday Independence Parade Excludes Them

    A letter addressed to the editor has highlighted growing concerns over the scheduling of Antigua and Barbuda’s Independence Ceremonial Parade and National Food Fair. The events, set to take place on a Saturday, have inadvertently excluded members of the Seventh-day Adventist community, who observe the Sabbath on this day. This decision has been criticized as unfair and dismissive of the nation’s religious diversity. The letter, penned by an SDA member, emphasizes that the choice of a weekend day prevents approximately 15,000 individuals from participating fully in the celebrations. The author suggests that holding the event on the following Monday would have ensured inclusivity, allowing all citizens to partake in the festivities. The letter underscores the importance of national events being accessible to everyone, fostering unity and respect for all communities. It calls on organizers to consider these concerns for future celebrations, ensuring that such significant occasions are representative of the entire population. The issue has sparked a broader conversation about the need for sensitivity and inclusivity in planning national events, particularly in a country as culturally and religiously diverse as Antigua and Barbuda.

  • OECS Congratulates Antiguan Youth Farmer Michael Joseph on CARICOM Award

    OECS Congratulates Antiguan Youth Farmer Michael Joseph on CARICOM Award

    The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has warmly congratulated Michael Joseph, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Agriculture Forum for Youth (ABAFY), for being named the CARICOM Youth Farmer of the Year 2025. The prestigious award was presented during the Caribbean Week of Agriculture, held in St. Kitts, where Joseph was celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to agricultural innovation and sustainability. The OECS lauded Joseph as a trailblazer, particularly for his use of advanced technologies such as spray drones, water-saving systems, and natural farming methods, which have significantly modernized food production across the Eastern Caribbean. Joseph’s journey is an inspiring tale of perseverance and creativity. He shared how he began his agricultural career by walking four miles daily to his farm and using recycled plastic bottles for irrigation. His innovative practices, including no-till methods and sustainable farming techniques, have enabled him to produce twice the average yield per acre compared to traditional farms. His two spray drones have reduced labor, water, and chemical use by over 50%, while enhancing efficiency and crop coverage. The OECS emphasized that Joseph’s success highlights the critical role of young people in developing climate-smart and resilient food systems in the Caribbean. His achievements demonstrate how innovation and sustainability can work together to secure the region’s agricultural future. The Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2025, which concluded on October 4, featured technical sessions, policy dialogues, and exhibitions focused on food security, climate-smart agriculture, and regional cooperation.

  • Abinader inaugurates 27 de Febrero–Isabel Aguiar overpass

    Abinader inaugurates 27 de Febrero–Isabel Aguiar overpass

    Santo Domingo has witnessed a significant leap in urban infrastructure as President Luis Abinader officially inaugurated the state-of-the-art overpass linking the 27 de Febrero Extension and Isabel Aguiar Avenue. This ambitious project, funded by RD$2 billion secured through the renegotiation of the AERODOM contract, marks a pivotal moment in the city’s transportation landscape, promising to benefit over one million daily commuters across Greater Santo Domingo. The overpass is projected to slash travel times by up to 40% for routes connecting Santo Domingo Oeste, the South region, and the National District, while simultaneously enhancing safety, fuel efficiency, and overall productivity. Accompanied by Public Works Minister Eduardo Estrella, President Abinader highlighted that this initiative is a cornerstone of a broader urban mobility strategy, which includes the development of a new transport terminal, a cable car system, and ongoing metro expansions. These combined efforts aim to alleviate chronic congestion, particularly at the city’s western entry points. Spanning 480 meters, the overpass boasts three sections, eight operational ramps, and six lateral lanes designed to accommodate both heavy and light traffic. Constructed to meet the rigorous AASHTO 2018 international standards, the structure features advanced drainage systems connected to the Guajimía ravine, capable of managing up to one million gallons of water, thereby mitigating flood risks in the area.

  • Japan education advisor suggests transforming math teaching in Dominican Republic

    Japan education advisor suggests transforming math teaching in Dominican Republic

    During his recent visit to the Dominican Republic, Norihiro Nishikata, an education advisor with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), highlighted the urgent need to revamp the nation’s mathematics curriculum and teaching materials to elevate educational standards. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades in educational initiatives across Central America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, Nishikata observed that Dominican educators possess both motivation and capability. However, he stressed that they require access to pertinent resources and collaborative platforms to refine their teaching methodologies. Nishikata advocated for the production and distribution of textbooks tailored to local contexts, which he believes can foster greater accessibility and equity, often surpassing the efficacy of digital tools. ‘The Dominican Republic is endowed with robust human and economic resources. By aligning curriculum content and textbooks with students’ actual learning levels, academic outcomes—especially in mathematics—can be substantially enhanced,’ Nishikata remarked. This visit is a component of JICA’s broader initiative, ‘Strengthening the Capacity for Formulating and Implementing Educational Policies to Improve Learning,’ which is also active in El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia. The project aims to pinpoint technical deficiencies and offer customized educational assistance.

  • SPPS Class of 86/87 Reunion Gala

    SPPS Class of 86/87 Reunion Gala

    The SPPS Class of 86/87 is thrilled to announce their upcoming 50th-year reunion gala, a momentous occasion set to take place on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 12:00 PM. This highly anticipated event promises to be a grand celebration of camaraderie, nostalgia, and shared memories as classmates reunite to mark this significant milestone. The gala invites all members of the SPPS Class of 86/87 to come together and relive the vibrant spirit of their youth. Attendees will have the opportunity to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate their enduring bonds in a festive atmosphere. The event underscores the class’s motto: ‘Young, Vibrant & Driven,’ reflecting their collective energy and determination. Don’t miss this chance to join in the celebration of a lifetime!

  • Applications for visas, extensions of stay now possible Online- Home Affairs Ministry

    Applications for visas, extensions of stay now possible Online- Home Affairs Ministry

    The Ministry of Home Affairs in Guyana has unveiled its Digitised Immigration Support Services (ISS) platform, marking a significant leap in the modernization of public administration. As of Tuesday, October 7, 2025, individuals can now apply for various types of visas and extensions of stay online, with the option to pay through the ministry or Mobile Money Guyana (MMG). This initiative aims to streamline immigration processes, reduce wait times, and alleviate congestion at service counters, offering citizens the convenience of applying from the comfort of their homes or offices. Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond emphasized that the new system enhances accessibility to immigration services, ensuring faster processing and a more citizen-centric approach. While the online platform is now operational, the government has assured that walk-in applicants will continue to be accommodated, with dedicated systems and staff available to assist them. The platform, accessible via https://eservices.iss.gov.gy, supports applications for employment, business, student, and visitor visas, as well as extensions. Applicants can register online, upload necessary documents, and complete their applications seamlessly. Developed in collaboration with the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), the ISS eServices platform represents a milestone in Guyana’s digital transformation journey. Minister Walrond highlighted that the platform improves workflow efficiency, transparency, and user experience, aligning with the government’s broader commitment to building smarter, technology-driven public services. The launch underscores the government’s dedication to delivering efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly services, in line with Guyana’s digital transformation goals.

  • Church Voices Concern Over Caye Caulker Marijuana Referendum

    Church Voices Concern Over Caye Caulker Marijuana Referendum

    The National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB) has voiced significant apprehensions regarding the forthcoming Caye Caulker Referendum on marijuana legalization. The Church contends that the government’s decision to proceed with a local vote contradicts its prior commitment to conduct a national referendum first. This development follows a historic grassroots effort in April 2022, when NEAB mobilized to gather 23,000 registered voter signatures in just three weeks—a record for Belize—to initiate a nationwide vote on the issue. At the time, the government cited financial constraints as the reason for delaying the referendum, pledging that no action would be taken without a national mandate. NEAB argues that the current local referendum, driven by a mere 350 signatures, violates this promise. The Church has also criticized the involvement of the Minister of Police, who oversees both law enforcement and New Growth Industries, including the promotion of marijuana legalization. NEAB labeled this dual role as a “blatant conflict of interest,” emphasizing the link between marijuana and escalating gang violence and crime in Belize City. The Church reiterated its 2022 warnings about drug-related violence and cartel activity, pointing to the recent surge in automatic weapon use on the streets. NEAB further highlighted the Minister’s acknowledgment of increased marijuana imports, consumption, and gang conflicts. Additionally, the Church cautioned that a cash-based marijuana market could foster illicit activities and money laundering, potentially jeopardizing Belize’s robust international banking reputation. In January 2025, Belize achieved a 38 out of 40 score for adherence to AML/CFT/CPF standards from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force—a credibility NEAB fears could be undermined by legalization. The Church concluded with a call for societal vigilance, stating, ‘Strong families produce strong individuals, strong communities, and a strong nation. May God help us wake up from delusional promises by politicians seeking to benefit from increased drug use.’