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  • Caribbean urged to strengthen emergency shelter systems

    Caribbean urged to strengthen emergency shelter systems

    As climate-fueled natural disasters grow increasingly frequent and destructive across the Caribbean, regional and international officials have emphasized an urgent need to reinforce the region’s emergency shelter infrastructure through trained workforces, enhanced cross-agency coordination, and more disaster-resilient facilities. The call to action was delivered Monday during an advanced emergency shelter training-of-trainers workshop hosted at the UN House in Barbados.

    The event is backed by Resilient Caribbean, a joint disaster resilience initiative funded by the European Union’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO). The project is executed by the UN International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in formal partnership with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the region’s leading coordinating body for disaster response.

    Virginie Andre, disaster risk management programme manager for the European Union Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean States, explained that effective disaster preparedness goes far beyond the traditional focus of stockpiling relief supplies and drafting evacuation routes. “Preparedness is about more than emergency supplies or evacuation plans. It is about trained people, clear responsibilities, strong coordination [and] how can we respond rapidly, effectively and with dignity when communities need them most,” Andre said during the workshop opening.

    Andre noted that the Resilient Caribbean project forms a core component of a broader, refreshed strategic partnership between the European Union and Caribbean nations focused on boosting overall disaster resilience. The collaboration gained new momentum starting in 2025, when a high-level dialogue between Mia Mottley, then-Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Prime Minister of Barbados, and the President of the European Commission reinvigorated joint work on disaster risk reduction.

    “Both sides had agreed to place greater emphasis on ‘anticipation, preparedness [and] resilience, not only responding once disaster occurs,’” Andre said. She added that this renewed partnership has already begun delivering tangible progress, with multiple new regional programs in development to upgrade weather forecasting, climate data services, cross-border logistics coordination, and local community preparedness across all Caribbean member states.

    Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, Barbados’ Chief Education Officer – whose ministry oversees the country’s network of emergency shelters – echoed the call for investment in shelter system capacity, highlighting the outsized social role shelters play during regional crises. “Across the Caribbean, shelters provide more than a physical space during emergencies. They offer safety, dignity, reassurance and hope to individuals and families facing some of the most challenging circumstances of their lives,” she said.

    Dr. Archer-Bradshaw pointed out that most of the Caribbean’s emergency shelter network relies on public school facilities, which form a foundational pillar of national and regional disaster management frameworks. These facilities provide life-saving temporary refuge for families displaced by hurricanes, flooding, and other climate-driven emergencies that have become more common in recent decades.

    She emphasized that running safe, effective shelters requires specially trained personnel who can coordinate limited resources, enforce public safety protocols, and address the unique needs of vulnerable groups – including elderly residents, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied children – in an inclusive, respectful manner.

    “This training programme represents an important investment in building those capabilities across our region,” Dr. Archer-Bradshaw said. Participants in the regional workshop will first deepen their own skills in emergency shelter coordination and management, before returning to their home countries to cascade this training to local shelter workers and disaster response teams. “By cascading this training within your jurisdictions, you will contribute to a more prepared and capable region, one where communities are better protected, shelter operations are more effective, and vulnerable populations receive the support that they need when disasters occur,” she added.

  • GNT calls for independent review before Drill Yard demolition

    GNT calls for independent review before Drill Yard demolition

    A heated debate over the future of one of Grenada’s most historically significant landmarks has emerged, with the Grenada National Trust (GNT) formally calling on national authorities and statutory bodies to pause ongoing irreversible demolition work at the historic Drill Yard. The organization is pushing for an independent, conservation-focused structural assessment before any further action is taken, arguing that prioritizing public safety does not have to come at the cost of permanently erasing the nation’s cultural heritage.

    Speaking on the GNT’s behalf, First Vice President Dr. Ezra B. Matthias emphasized that the trust does not oppose securing hazardous areas to protect the public. “Public safety is our top priority too. We are not asking for an unsafe site to remain open and accessible to the public,” Matthias clarified, framing the organization’s position as a balanced alternative to rushed demolition.

    Instead of immediate full demolition, the GNT proposes a structured, multi-faceted review that evaluates heritage value, structural integrity, archaeological potential, and public safety risks before any irreversible changes proceed. The trust’s core recommendations include immediately fencing off dangerous sections of the site, fully documenting and salvaging one-of-a-kind historic materials before they are destroyed, and retaining any portions of the original structure that can be stabilized safely. “Informed decisions must be made before we face losses that can never be reversed,” Matthias noted, stressing that no final determination on the site’s future can be made without independent input.

    Matthias explained that while the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) has cited engineering advice that supports full demolition, the GNT carried out its own independent desk review in partnership with the International National Trusts Organisation and global heritage conservation specialists. After examining NIS engineering reports, draft demolition plans, official planning approvals, and all related technical documentation, the GNT published its own formal conclusions and policy recommendations.

    The GNT acknowledges the real safety concerns raised by the NIS, including unstable masonry, falling debris, and the risk of total structural collapse. However, the organization points out that there is currently no independent verification that the site cannot be rehabilitated and preserved for future generations. To address immediate safety risks while the assessment is completed, the GNT proposes interim measures: perimeter fencing, controlled restricted access, clear public warning signage, temporary structural stabilization where feasible, selective removal of only immediately hazardous loose materials, and professional oversight of all activities during the review period.

    A key point of contention in the debate is the lack of early stakeholder engagement. Matthias confirmed that the GNT was never formally consulted during the planning stages for the demolition. The organization only became aware of the project after concerns were raised by the Grenada National Museum (GNM) and other heritage groups. While a meeting between the NIS, GNT, the Willie Redhead Foundation, and GNM was held on 1 July 2026, that meeting took place after demolition work had already commenced on the site.

    When contacted by NOW Grenada for comment on the future of the Drill Yard property, the National Insurance Board (NIB) declined to answer questions. Acting Executive Assistant Davionne Phillip confirmed that the board would not be issuing a statement on the matter at this time, noting that any future public updates would be released through official channels if the board chooses to do so. Requests for comment sent to Alva Browne, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Physical Development, on 15 July 2026 also went unanswered as of the publication of this report.

    Dr. Matthias argues that for a site of Drill Yard’s national historical importance, all key stakeholders – including the GNT, GNM, Willie Redhead Foundation, and heritage representatives from the Planning and Development Authority – should have been formally included in the decision-making process before demolition was scheduled. The Drill Yard is far more than a collection of old buildings: it is deeply woven into Grenada’s historical narrative, with connections to the 18th-century Palais de Justice, the island’s early prison system, military history, the transatlantic enslavement system, the post-emancipation apprenticeship period, Fedon’s Rebellion, the development of public administration, and even early cultural development as the location of Grenada’s first calypso tent.

    Beyond its historical value, Matthias added that the restored site could become a core node in a growing heritage tourism circuit connecting Fort George, the Grenada National Museum, Market Square, Young Street, and other iconic historic landmarks. This would generate long-term educational, cultural, and economic benefits for local communities and the nation as a whole.

    The GNT also points to existing national legislation that mandates heritage protection: the 1967 Grenada National Trust Act and the 2016 Physical Planning and Development Control Act both establish clear legal frameworks for the conservation of historic sites, and Matthias says these legal mechanisms should be fully applied before any demolition proceeds.

    Responding to Grenadians who argue that public safety must take absolute precedence over heritage preservation, Matthias said the GNT shares that core value. “They are right that public safety must come first. No heritage site is worth a human life,” he stated. “But public safety does not automatically require the total erasure of our shared history. A serious, responsible country can do both: protect the public and safeguard our heritage. This is not a choice between safety and preservation – it is a question of whether we will follow a disciplined, lawful, professional process before destroying a site of national significance.”

    Matthias emphasized that the outcome of the Drill Yard debate will set a critical precedent for heritage protection across the entire country, extending far beyond this single property. The GNT is calling for the adoption of a formal national standard that requires securing unsafe sites, consulting all relevant stakeholders, conducting thorough independent conservation assessments, documenting heritage assets, salvaging significant historic materials, and preserving all sections of structures that can be safely retained before any irreversible demolition decisions are made.

  • Andy Burnham Becomes UK Prime Minister, Promises Political Reset and Stability

    Andy Burnham Becomes UK Prime Minister, Promises Political Reset and Stability

    On a formal Monday ceremony at Buckingham Palace, Andy Burnham officially accepted the role of United Kingdom Prime Minister, stepping into the office as the nation’s seventh prime minister in just 10 years. The appointment follows the resignation of former Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose tenure stands as one of the shortest in modern British Labour Party history.

    After his audience with King Charles III, Burnham delivered his maiden public address from the iconic steps of 10 Downing Street, where he laid out an ambitious agenda centered on national renewal and political repair. He emphasized that the UK’s top priority under his leadership will be rebuilding public faith in government institutions, after years of shifting leadership that eroded public trust. “Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again,” he told assembled reporters and crowds.

    The new prime minister has staked his early premiership on delivering transformative change, framing his proposed reforms as the most significant shakeup to British politics in four decades. Among his flagship policy pledges is a commitment to completely end rough sleeping across the UK, alongside the launch of the largest social housing development programme the country has seen since the immediate post-World War II era. He also outlined plans for major overhauls of the country’s education system and social care infrastructure, promising to refocus government on serving working-class and marginalized communities.

    Burnham’s ascension comes on the heels of internal upheaval for the Labour Party, with multiple senior cabinet members from Starmer’s administration announcing their resignations in advance of the incoming government’s planned ministerial reshuffle. Internationally, the new prime minister faces immediate diplomatic and policy challenges, chief among them navigating the UK’s relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump publicly congratulated Burnham following his appointment, after months of sharp criticism aimed at Starmer and public praise for Burnham’s stance on expanding oil and gas extraction in the North Sea. Burnham also used his first address to reaffirm the UK’s unwavering commitment to its longstanding international defense partnerships, as the new government works to reset both domestic and foreign policy.

  • CARICOM digital TVET project strengthens region’s readiness for the digital economy

    CARICOM digital TVET project strengthens region’s readiness for the digital economy

    After years of collaborative planning and implementation across multiple Caribbean nations, a landmark regional initiative to modernize technical and vocational education and training (TVET) through digital innovation has officially wrapped up, establishing a long-lasting institutional framework that will advance digital learning and strengthen regional workforce development for years to come.

    According to an official press release from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Digitalisation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Delivery Project has served as a powerful case study for how coordinated regional action can generate context-specific, practical solutions that address the distinct challenges and priorities of CARICOM member states. Unlike imported education models that often fail to align with local needs, the initiative was built from the ground up to serve the Caribbean region.

    During the project’s virtual closing ceremony held in recent weeks, Dr. Denise Stoney-James, Deputy Programme Manager for Education at the CARICOM Secretariat and the initiative’s Project Manager, explained that the project was launched to answer the rising demand for digital transformation across the region’s education systems. “CARICOM TVET institutions needed a practical, regionally owned pathway to accelerate digital transformation, not borrowed models, but solutions built for CARICOM Member States,” she noted.

    Stoney-James emphasized that the initiative demonstrates the tangible value of pooling regional expertise to advance shared goals. “This initiative sought to harness digital technology to transform Technical and Vocational Education and Training across the Caribbean. It reflects the power of regional cooperation and the importance of solutions tailored to our own realities,” she added.

    The project was delivered through a unique trilateral partnership that brought together the CARICOM Secretariat, the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, and dozens of regional education and training institutions across the bloc. The collaboration combined international development support with regional local knowledge to ensure all outputs aligned with national and regional priorities.

    Over the course of the initiative, the partnership developed three custom online learning units designed exclusively for CARICOM learners. Beyond creating new learning content, the project also provided specialized capacity-building training for hundreds of education professionals including instructors, learning monitors, instructional designers, and national focal points from four pilot countries: Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. This training ensures that local teams can continue delivering high-quality digital instruction long after the project’s official conclusion.

    A core priority of the project was the development of learning resources that center Caribbean experiences and local context. All digital course materials feature CARICOM-based instructors and examples tied directly to local industries and community needs, while the initiative also invested in building the technical infrastructure and governance systems required to support long-term sustained use of the new digital tools.

    To embed national ownership of the project outcomes, all new courses were integrated directly into each participating country’s existing national learning platforms, rather than creating parallel external systems. The initiative also introduced targeted incentive programs designed to boost participation among women and other marginalized groups that have historically been underrepresented in technical vocational training. Additionally, the project established regional exchange networks and communities of practice to encourage ongoing collaboration and knowledge sharing between educators and institutions across member states.

    The CARICOM Secretariat reports that the project has already delivered measurable, meaningful results across the pilot countries. Digital delivery capacity across national TVET systems has been strengthened significantly, and all four pilot nations have successfully integrated the new digital systems into their existing national education infrastructure.

    Beyond immediate capacity gains, the initiative has created a sustainable, nationally owned model that reduces regional reliance on external development assistance while boosting the institutional resilience of CARICOM’s TVET systems. The foundation of technical and institutional capacity built through the project also sets the stage for wide expansion across the bloc, with multiple additional CARICOM member states already confirming their interest in adopting the successful model.

    Reflecting on the initiative’s long-term importance, Stoney-James noted that its impact extends far beyond its immediate tangible outputs. “The project not only delivered immediate results but also created the conditions for sustainable expansion, positioning CARICOM TVET systems to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy,” she said.

    She also highlighted one of the project’s most critical takeaways for future regional digital transformation efforts: that lasting change depends not only on rolling out new technology, but on preparing local institutions to manage and maintain that technology over time. “Sustainable digital transformation depends not only on the solutions we build, but on the capacity of institutions to adopt, own, and sustain them over time,” Stoney-James affirmed.

  • Franse ambassadeur onderscheiden bij afscheid na vier jaar in Suriname

    Franse ambassadeur onderscheiden bij afscheid na vier jaar in Suriname

    On a formal ceremony held at Suriname’s Presidential Palace on Tuesday, outgoing French Ambassador Nicolas de Bouillane de Lacoste received one of the South American nation’s highest state distinctions, capping off a four-year diplomatic posting focused on deepening cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

    Surinamese President Jennifer Simons bestowed the title of Grand Officer in the Honorary Order of the Palm to the ambassador, in formal recognition of his dedicated work to advance Suriname-France relations throughout his tenure, which began with his posting to Paramaribo in 2022.
    President Simons emphasized that De Bouillane de Lacoste’s term coincided with a uniquely challenging post-pandemic period, yet the diplomat consistently brought extraordinary commitment to expanding bilateral partnership across multiple priority sectors. Under his leadership, collaboration grew deeper in key areas including border security, cultural exchange, public healthcare, and environmental protection, Simons noted. She also highlighted the ambassador’s successful work advancing French language education in Suriname and intensifying high-level political dialogue between the two governments as major, lasting outcomes of his mission.
    Beyond his official diplomatic achievements, the president praised De Bouillane de Lacoste’s deep personal connection to Suriname and its people. “What I have admired most is not only the milestones you reached, but above all the intentional way you made time to truly understand Suriname and its citizens. You learned our national language, and you even surprised countless people across the country with your command of Sranantongo,” Simons said during the ceremony.
    France shares a direct border with Suriname through its overseas department of French Guiana, a geographic reality that shapes the close bilateral relationship. Simons underlined that the partnership between the two nations is rooted in long-standing mutual trust and respect, and expressed confidence that the solid foundation De Bouillane de Lacoste built during his term will support even closer collaboration in the years ahead.
    For his part, the outgoing ambassador called the award a remarkable personal honor. “This is the first decoration I have ever received in my career, and I am especially proud that it comes from Suriname,” De Bouillane de Lacoste said.
    Looking back on his four years in the country, the ambassador expressed deep satisfaction with the progress made in growing the bilateral relationship, and shared his firm belief that cooperation between Suriname and France will continue to gain strength in coming years. He closed his farewell address in Sranantongo, with the message: “Go well and stay well. I send greetings to all my friends until we meet again. Thank you.”

  • WestJet Launching Winnipeg-Belize Nonstop Flight

    WestJet Launching Winnipeg-Belize Nonstop Flight

    As the winter travel planning season gets underway, Canadian airline WestJet has announced a major expansion of its sun destination network, with a new nonstop route linking Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Belize City set to launch this December.

    The new service, scheduled to begin operations on December 14, will run once weekly between Winnipeg Richardson International Airport and Belize’s Philip Goldson International Airport. The route has been introduced to meet rapidly growing demand from Canadian travelers seeking direct access to warm getaways to escape harsh prairie winters, and it marks a significant upgrade to regional air connectivity between Canada and Central America.

    Prior to this launch, Belize only offered direct flights to two other Canadian cities, meaning passengers traveling from Manitoba were forced to make time-consuming connections in Calgary, Toronto, or even transit through hubs in the United States. This new nonstop option eliminates those inconvenient layovers, opening up easy Caribbean access for thousands of winter travelers in central Canada.

    John Weatherill, WestJet’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, noted that the route expansion aligns with the airline’s strategic growth goals for the peak winter travel period. “These additions support the growing demand for options in Mexico and the Latin Caribbean while sustainably expanding our schedule and managing our fleet during the peak winter travel season,” Weatherill explained.

    Beyond traveler convenience, the new route delivers broad economic and diplomatic benefits for both nations. Enhanced air access is projected to boost Belize’s tourism sector, which is a core pillar of the country’s economy, while also opening the door for increased bilateral investment between Canada and Belize. For Belize’s tourism leadership, the new route represents a clear vote of confidence in the country’s long-term growth as a travel destination.

    “The launch of WestJet’s new Winnipeg–Belize City service is an important step in strengthening air connectivity between Canada and Belize and a strong sign of confidence in our destination’s continued growth,” said Anthony Mahler, Belize’s minister of tourism, youth, sport and diaspora relations. Travel industry analysts note that the route comes as Canadian demand for sun and beach winter getaways continues to rise, making targeted expansions like this a smart strategic move for WestJet’s competitive positioning in the Canadian leisure travel market.

  • After deadly boat collision, SLASPA eyes stronger maritime safety measures

    After deadly boat collision, SLASPA eyes stronger maritime safety measures

    A deadly boat collision off Saint Lucia’s western coast has left the nation in mourning, as official investigations continue into the tragedy and search operations persist for missing victims. In the wake of the incident that shook the country’s maritime community and general public, the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) has outlined its formal response, committing to systemic safety improvements once police conclude their probe.

    The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has taken the lead in piecing together the circumstances of the collision, with SLASPA’s Department of Maritime Affairs already on hand to support the investigation. As the country’s designated maritime regulator, SLASPA is contributing all required regulatory documentation and technical expertise to help investigators build a clear picture of what led to the fatal crash, and has pledged full ongoing cooperation with law enforcement throughout the inquiry.

    In an official public statement released after the incident, SLASPA first extended its deepest condolences to all those impacted by the tragedy. “This heartbreaking incident has deeply saddened the maritime community and the nation as a whole,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives, as well as those who sustained injuries or were otherwise affected by this tragedy. We wish the injured a full and speedy recovery, and we send our heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved, hoping they find comfort and strength in the support of their loved ones and the wider community.”

    Looking ahead, SLASPA has confirmed that once the police investigation wraps up and its final findings and recommendations are released, the authority will launch a comprehensive review of the report. Based on that review, any additional safety measures identified as necessary will be implemented to strengthen protection for waterway users across Saint Lucia.

    SLASPA also reaffirmed its longstanding core mandate as the country’s maritime regulator, noting that it maintains a commitment to keeping Saint Lucia’s waters safe and responsibly managed through a combination of robust regulation, proactive oversight, collaborative engagement with cross-sector stakeholders, and targeted public awareness campaigns. For now, however, authorities remain focused on completing the investigation and continuing search efforts for victims still reported missing following the weekend collision.

  • Family Rejects Claims Linking Christopher Witzel to Orange Walk Shooting

    Family Rejects Claims Linking Christopher Witzel to Orange Walk Shooting

    In a developing story out of Belize, the family of 27-year-old Christopher Witzel has vehemently pushed back against unconfirmed reports linking their late relative to a recent shooting in the Orange Walk district, following his death on Monday evening.

    Witzel was transported to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital earlier this week, where he passed away after reporting intense, debilitating pain. To date, law enforcement officials have not publicly released a formal cause of death, leaving the exact circumstances of his passing open to ongoing active investigation.

    Following Witzel’s death, local law enforcement confirmed that investigators were exploring potential connections between the 27-year-old and the shooting incident that occurred in Orange Walk just one week prior. These preliminary leads have been met with fierce pushback from Witzel’s family, who dispute the claims entirely.

    A close relative of the deceased stated publicly that Witzel’s death was caused by organ failure impacting his kidneys and liver, and stressed that he played no role whatsoever in the Orange Walk shooting. The family also contradicted early reporting that claimed police escorted Witzel to the hospital for treatment.

    While the family rejects the recent connection to the Orange Walk case, court and law enforcement records show Witzel had a long-standing history of interactions with Belizean police dating back years. In 2024, he was taken into custody during a nationwide State of Emergency, facing multiple charges including assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, use of threatening language, and trespassing. On that occasion, he was also held for questioning as a person of interest in an unrelated shooting investigation.

    Even earlier, in 2018, Witzel was hit with a series of serious felony charges stemming from a gang-related shooting on Mopan Street in Belize City. The attack left three people injured, among them a woman and a minor. Charges from that incident included three counts of attempted murder, one count each of wounding and inflicting grievous harm, and two additional counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

  • CARICOM Develops Online Courses for Technical and Vocational Students

    CARICOM Develops Online Courses for Technical and Vocational Students

    When regional institutions across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) set out to modernize their Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems, they rejected one-size-fits-all imported frameworks in favor of solutions built specifically for the unique needs of member states. That core vision guided the landmark Digitalisation of TVET Delivery Project, which concluded its initial phase with a virtual closing ceremony that celebrated tangible progress and laid the groundwork for long-term regional expansion.

    Dr. Denise Stoney-James, Deputy Programme Manager for Education at the CARICOM Secretariat and the project’s lead manager, framed the initiative as a model for what collective regional action can achieve when complementary strengths are aligned around a shared goal. “This initiative sought to harness digital technology to transform Technical and Vocational Education and Training across the Caribbean. It reflects the power of regional cooperation and the importance of solutions tailored to our own realities,” she noted, emphasizing that locally rooted design has been central to the project’s early success.

    Built on a innovative trilateral partnership structure that brings together the CARICOM Secretariat, the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, global technical experts, and regional education institutions, the project has already delivered a suite of targeted outcomes designed for long-term impact. Three custom online learning units have been developed from the ground up to fit CARICOM’s learner population, while education personnel including instructors, program monitors, instructional designers, and national focal points across four pilot countries—Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago—have completed hands-on training to lead ongoing digital delivery after the initial project phase concludes.

    Unlike generic off-the-shelf digital learning materials, all content created through the project is culturally contextualized, featuring local CARICOM instructors and examples that reflect regional economic and social realities. To ensure long-term accessibility, new technical infrastructure and governance frameworks have been established, and all courses have been integrated into existing national education platforms to cement country ownership of the initiative. Targeted incentive programs have been implemented to boost enrollment among women and marginalized groups, expanding access to digital skills training for underrepresented populations, while regional peer networks and communities of practice have been launched to foster ongoing knowledge sharing across member states.

    Early outcomes from the pilot phase mark a significant step forward for Caribbean TVET modernization. Regional capacity for digital TVET delivery has been substantially strengthened, with all four pilot countries successfully integrating the new digital tools and content into their existing national education systems. The project has also established a fully sustainable, country-led operating model that reduces long-term reliance on external support and builds regional institutional resilience. Critically, the initiative has laid the technical and institutional groundwork for region-wide scaling, with multiple additional CARICOM member states already indicating they are prepared to adopt the model for their own TVET systems.

    Stoney-James emphasized that the project’s impact extends far beyond its immediate deliverables, positioning regional TVET systems to meet the shifting demands of the 21st century digital economy. “The project not only delivered immediate results but also created the conditions for sustainable expansion, positioning CARICOM TVET systems to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy,” she said.

    The initiative also yielded key lessons that will shape future regional digital transformation efforts: institutional readiness, the project found, matters more than access to cutting-edge technology. While digital tools can be shared quickly across borders, long-term sustainability depends on national ownership, flexible implementation pathways, and alignment with each country’s existing institutional maturity. “Sustainable digital transformation depends not only on the solutions we build, but on the capacity of institutions to adopt, own, and sustain them over time,” Stoney-James affirmed.

    The project was developed to address long-standing structural gaps that have held back CARICOM TVET systems for years. For decades, regional institutions have struggled to keep pace with global digital shifts, with limited access to high-quality digital training and Industry 4.0 content, and wide disparities in institutional capacity across member states. While a small number of institutions had made independent progress toward digital modernization, many were still building the foundational systems needed to support digital delivery.

    A second equally critical gap was the lack of learning content tailored to CARICOM’s specific context. In most cases, existing digital TVET materials were not aligned with CARICOM Vocational Qualifications (CVQs) and did not reflect the actual skill needs of regional labour markets, leaving a damaging mismatch between the skills graduates gained and the skills that regional employers demand. At the same time, demand for digital and technical expertise across the Caribbean has grown rapidly, as economic diversification, competitiveness efforts, and the rise of technology-driven workplaces created an urgent need for a coordinated regional response.

    Launched in November 2022, the Digitalisation of TVET Delivery Project was developed as a strategic partnership between the CARICOM Secretariat and the Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA), in response to a call for proposals from the Trilateral Technical Cooperation between Brazil, the European Union (EU) and Germany. The CARICOM Secretariat’s Human Resource Development (HRD) Programme ultimately secured €700,000 in technical support funding from the partnership to implement the initiative across CANTA member states. Brazil’s National Service for Industrial Training (SENAI), one of the largest TVET institutions in the world and a leading global innovator in vocational digitalization, joined as a core technical partner to lead the conversion of traditional in-person TVET curricula to flexible online programs. The project’s operational planning phase got underway in 2023, with a series of virtual planning meetings between all core partners followed by an in-person workshop convened in Brasilia, Brazil, from June 26 to 30 2023 to align on project goals and implementation timelines.

    Today, the initiative stands as a proof of concept for regionally led digital transformation, offering a timely strategic pathway to reduce capacity disparities across CARICOM, strengthen regional economic resilience, and equip Caribbean learners with the in-demand skills needed to thrive in a fast-changing global economy.

  • Increased number of MV Barima survivors stemmed from verification- Edghill

    Increased number of MV Barima survivors stemmed from verification- Edghill

    A multi-agency recovery effort is underway off the coast of Guyana following the tragic sinking of the 87-year-old passenger vessel MV Barima, which went down in rough waters roughly 10 miles off the Essequibo Coast just before midnight last Saturday. As of 2 p.m. local time on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, official updates confirm 41 bodies have been recovered, while the total number of confirmed survivors has been adjusted to 77 following a comprehensive verification process.

    Public Works Minister Juan Edghill explained the overnight increase in the recorded rescued count from 67 to 77 stemmed from cross-checks with family members of those affected. The initial count of 67 reflected survivors who were brought to a Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard outpost following the disaster, while an additional 10 people had returned to their homes directly after being brought ashore by local fisherfolk that participated in early rescue operations. “We are accounting for them. Remember a lot of people are showing up from different places,” Edghill told local outlet Demerara Waves Online News, noting that systematic household checks were necessary to accurately confirm who had survived the incident. Government officials estimate 179 people, including 18 crew members, were on board the aging vessel when it capsized.

    In a major development in search operations, the Guyanese government announced Tuesday that the wreckage of the MV Barima has been located through a collaborative effort between government authorities, ExxonMobil Guyana, and VESHI Sealand Surveys. A survey vessel named GILLIGAN ISLAND carried out multi-beam sonar surveys to pinpoint the sunken ship’s location, according to the Office of the Prime Minister, which released an official photograph of the survey operation.

    Addressing the ongoing recovery effort, Prime Minister Mark Phillips acknowledged the heartbreaking expectation that more bodies will eventually resurface as the search continues, noting this outcome was anticipated and planned for by search and rescue experts from the launch of the operation. Phillips also issued a sharp rebuke of individuals exploiting the national tragedy for personal and political gain, calling such behavior “reprehensible”.

    He particularly condemned the spread of graphic, uncensored images of deceased victims on social media and digital platforms, emphasizing that these actions are deeply insensitive to grieving families, compound their pain, and rob the victims of the basic dignity they deserve in death. “This was a time for compassion, respect, and responsible conduct—not self-promotion,” Phillips said. “Let the professionals continue their work, and let the families mourn their loved ones with the privacy and dignity they are owed.”