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  • Eerste Heritage Month moet Surinamers dichter bij elkaar brengen

    Eerste Heritage Month moet Surinamers dichter bij elkaar brengen

    On August 1, Suriname launched a landmark new national initiative with the official opening of its first-ever Heritage Month, an event designed to center the country’s collective past, celebrate its abundant cultural richness, and build a unified vision for its shared future. The opening ceremony unfolded in two symbolic stages: it began at the Queen Wilhelmina monument adjacent to Fort Zeelandia, where government officials, foreign diplomats, and cultural sector representatives gathered before undertaking a ceremonial walk to Palmentuin. This stroll was intentionally staged to represent the journey from honoring historical memory to fostering connection, cultural exchange, and national solidarity. President Jennifer Simons, hailed by event host Clifton Braam as the founding visionary behind Heritage Month, led the official opening and unveiled the initiative’s official logo, with plans to embed the annual celebration as a permanent fixture across the country’s education, cultural, and community spheres.

    The overarching theme for this inaugural edition of Heritage Month is “However we came together, this is how we move forward together” — a framing that reflects the nation’s commitment to embracing its full, complex history to strengthen collective purpose. In her keynote address, President Simons emphasized that Heritage Month is far more than a series of cultural events; it is intended to grow into a lasting, cross-sector program that brings together education institutions, academic researchers, and government policymakers to deepen public understanding of Suriname’s shared history and narrow persistent social and regional divides. “Suriname is not just home to diversity — we are diversity,” the head of state stated. She shared her hope that the initiative will help all Surinamese grow increasingly aware of their shared responsibility to one another, adding, “I hope that all Surinamese will increasingly recognize that we are our brother’s keeper.”

    Organized around four sequential core themes — origins of ancestral communities, the journey of Suriname’s forebears, centuries of coexistence across groups, and documenting progress for future generations — the Heritage Month program is designed to both reflect on the past and actively build a cohesive shared national identity, according to the Suriname Communication Service. Minister of Internal Affairs Marinus Bee noted that cultural heritage is a living, evolving reality, visible in the daily lives of families, the multiplicity of languages spoken across the country, long-held traditions, and vibrant local communities. Bee stressed that entrepreneurs, artists, and the tourism sector all play critical roles in preserving and promoting Suriname’s unique national identity. “Heritage Month is not a nostalgic look backward,” he explained. “It is an invitation to look forward, to build bridges between young and old, between urban centers and rural districts, between the past and the future.”

    Minister of Education, Science and Culture Dirk Currie underscored the critical importance of documenting Suriname’s history from the perspective of its own people, rather than outside narratives. He noted that education and academic research must ensure that younger generations not only learn where Suriname comes from, but also understand how its diverse modern society took shape. Currie also highlighted the underrecognized economic value of cultural heritage: by growing the creative sector, supporting traditional crafts, and expanding cultural tourism, heritage preservation can both protect cultural identity and drive new job creation and inclusive economic growth. “A large part of our history was written by the people who enslaved us,” Currie said. “That has to change.”

    Rachel Pinas, chair of the presidential working group for Heritage Month, called the opening a historic turning point for the nation. She explained that August 1 was intentionally selected as the launch date to ensure the initiative creates space to honor Suriname’s full history, including its Indigenous roots, colonial era, the experience of chattel slavery, indentured contract labor, and all subsequent waves of migration. Pinas referenced Article 8 of Suriname’s constitution, which enshrines equality and bans discrimination, noting that Heritage Month is intended to reinforce these foundational values and ultimately secure a permanent, structural place in national education and community life. “Today we are making history,” Pinas emphasized. “With the opening of the first Heritage Month, the Republic of Suriname makes a deliberate choice to embrace our shared history as the foundation for our shared future.”

    The first Heritage Month will run from August 1 through August 31. Throughout the month, community and national events will be hosted across every region of the country, focused on celebrating Suriname’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage, highlighting its extraordinary cultural diversity, and deepening public understanding of its collective shared history.

  • Pierre: Emancipation unfinished without economic freedom

    Pierre: Emancipation unfinished without economic freedom

    As the 2026 Emancipation Day observance unfolded across the Caribbean, Philip J. Pierre — who holds dual roles as Prime Minister of Saint Lucia and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) — delivered a landmark address calling the project of full emancipation incomplete, arguing that genuine liberation for the region’s people must extend beyond formal political rights to include equal economic opportunity, robust food security, and widespread shared prosperity.

    In his official holiday message, Pierre pushed back against the common framing that emancipation was achieved the moment chattel slavery was formally abolished. Political independence and formal civil liberties, he emphasized, are hollow on their own. Caribbean communities have long waited for inclusive economic systems that generate sustainable wealth, fairly compensate hard work, and open pathways to upward mobility for coming generations, he said.

    “Political freedom alone is not enough. Our people deserve economic freedom. They deserve opportunity. They deserve ownership. They deserve prosperity,” Pierre told the region in his address.

    Outlining his vision for what complete emancipation would look like, Pierre stressed that the Caribbean must build local, regional economies that allow young people to build meaningful careers without leaving their home countries, give local entrepreneurs the space to thrive, and recognize the critical contributions of small-scale farmers, artisanal fishers, and domestic manufacturers.

    Pierre also wove two pressing contemporary policy priorities into the long-running narrative of emancipation: food sovereignty and affordable clean energy security. No Caribbean nation can claim to be truly free or fully secure, he argued, if it remains dependent on imported food and cannot provide its people with energy that is accessible, reliable, and aligned with global climate goals.

    Turning to the historical legacy of chattel slavery, Pierre reminded audiences that Emancipation Day is not merely a ceremonial holiday — it is a permanent reminder that freedom was not granted voluntarily by colonial powers. It was won through relentless struggle and enormous sacrifice by enslaved people themselves.

    “Freedom was never handed to our ancestors. Freedom was demanded. Freedom was fought for. Freedom was paid for with sacrifice, with courage and with an unbreakable faith,” he said.
    Pierre also highlighted the lasting structural inequities that followed formal abolition: when enslaved people were granted formal freedom, they were left with no land, no accumulated wealth, no compensation for centuries of forced unpaid labor, and few pathways to economic opportunity. Meanwhile, the colonial powers and enslavers who profited enormously from their exploitation retained all the wealth they had extracted, he noted.

    Addressing the ongoing regional movement for slavery reparations, Pierre clarified that the push for restitution is not rooted in a desire to assign blame or seek revenge. Instead, it is a demand for historical truth and long-delayed justice for the systemic harm and intergenerational trauma caused by centuries of chattel slavery.

    Closing his address, Pierre called on all Caribbean people, across member states of CARICOM, to carry forward the unfinished work of their ancestors, continuing the push to build a region that is more just, more economically integrated, more united, and more prosperous for all. The best way to honor the sacrifice of those who fought for emancipation, he urged, is to build equitable societies that open new doors of opportunity for every future generation of Caribbean people.

  • NCF pays tribute to late musician and mentor Mark Lord

    NCF pays tribute to late musician and mentor Mark Lord

    The Caribbean nation of Barbados is this week reeling from the loss of one of its most beloved cultural figures, celebrated vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and mentor Mark Lord, who passed away in the early hours of Saturday. Over a 60-plus year career, Lord carved out an unforgettable place in the country’s cultural history, his voice becoming one of the most recognizable and defining sounds of modern Barbados.

    In an official statement released following Lord’s death, the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) paid tribute to the late artist, describing his voice as the very essence of Barbados’ national heart and soul. His distinctive rich, smooth vocals carried all the warmth of home, the quiet pride of citizenship, and the unyielding spirit of the Barbadian people, the foundation noted. Through generation-spanning classics including *My Country to Me* and *I Heard a Love Song*, Lord crafted a catalogue of music that still connects with audiences of all ages, serving as a lasting reminder of how song can unite communities, lift up spirits, and preserve a people’s shared cultural identity.

    A remarkably gifted artist, Lord mastered a range of roles beyond live performance: he was an accomplished songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist, recording engineer and composer. His musical versatility allowed him to move seamlessly between genres, from tender ballads and rhythmic reggae to traditional folk, spirited calypso and rousing gospel. He built a long career performing across Barbados’ hotel entertainment circuit, and headlined dozens of major concerts across the island throughout his career. Even within the competitive calypso space, Lord found success, performing under the stage name Lord Mark at the iconic Battleground Calypso Tent. He earned a spot in the semi-finals of the prestigious Pic-O-De-Crop competition with his acclaimed work *Great Kings of Africa*.

    What many remember most fondly about Lord, however, is his commitment to lifting up the next generation of Barbadian talent beyond the spotlight of the stage and recording studio. From his home in Bayville, he quietly dedicated decades to mentoring young aspiring musicians, helping them nurture their craft and find their unique artistic voices. For his decades of unparalleled contributions to Barbados’ cultural landscape, Lord received the high honor of the Pride of Barbados Award during the We Gatherin’ 2025 Honours for the parish of St Michael, a recognition of 60 years spent preserving the nation’s musical heritage and lifting up his local community through his art.

    Lord’s death comes as Barbados is already mourning the loss of two other towering national figures: National Hero The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, and legendary Merrymen musician Sir Emile Straker. Today, the nation says, another treasured cultural voice has joined that immortal pantheon of national greats, leaving behind a legacy that will echo through Barbados’ cultural life for generations to come.

    The entire NCF community, from its board of management to frontline staff, has extended its deepest heartfelt condolences to Lord’s family, close friends, fellow musicians and the wider Barbadian cultural sector.

    “Though the final note of his earthly performance has been sung, Mark Lord’s melody will never fade,” the foundation said. It lives on in every heart touched by his music, every artist he inspired, and every Barbadian who proudly sings *My Country to Me*. May he rest in eternal peace, and may his voice continue to resonate in the great eternal choir, where every song is sung in perfect harmony.”

  • Infantino’s FIFA Future in Question

    Infantino’s FIFA Future in Question

    Just months ahead of the 2026 FIFA presidential election, the future of incumbent leader Gianni Infantino at the helm of global football’s governing body has been thrown into serious doubt, after two of FIFA’s most powerful continental confederations launched coordinated calls for a sweeping leadership review in the wake of a collapsed controversial private investment scheme.

    The scrapped proposal, which had been spearheaded by Infantino’s leadership team, would have permitted private external investors to acquire minority stakes in a newly created FIFA commercial entity. This entity would have overseen the broadcasting and marketing rights for all of FIFA’s premier competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cup, the organization’s most lucrative and culturally significant asset. The plan drew widespread backlash from across the global football community almost as soon as details were leaked, with critics arguing that the initiative was developed in near-secrecy, with no meaningful consultation with key stakeholders including player associations, fan groups and confederation leaders. Opponents also warned that opening up FIFA’s top competitions to private investment would reposition the World Cup — a unifying global sporting event — as a mere profit-driven commodity for wealthy investors.

    In an official statement released after FIFA confirmed the plan’s collapse, European governing body UEFA hailed the abandonment of the scheme as a landmark win for the entire global football ecosystem. However, the confederation used the moment to level sharp criticism at Infantino’s tenure, pointing out that the lack of transparency around the investment proposal directly contradicts the core commitments of accountability and open governance that Infantino ran on when he was first elected to the FIFA presidency in 2016, in the wake of a widespread corruption scandal that toppled the previous leadership.

    Joining UEFA in its call for action is the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), which went even further in its rebuke. The continental body called the botched investment plan clear evidence of systemic poor governance and failed leadership at FIFA’s top level, adding that a full, independent review of the current leadership is now an unavoidable necessity to restore trust in the organization.

    The timing of this controversy could not be more damaging for Infantino, who is currently gearing up to run for a fourth consecutive four-year term as FIFA president in the election scheduled for March 2026. To date, FIFA’s leadership has not issued any official response to the criticisms from UEFA and Concacaf. The Italian-Swiss executive has not been without backing, however: Qatar’s national football association, which hosted the 2022 men’s World Cup under Infantino’s tenure, has publicly voiced its support for the incumbent, praising his work to expand the reach of football across emerging markets around the world.

  • Tax Service Sets GST-Free Laptop Rules

    Tax Service Sets GST-Free Laptop Rules

    As the 2026 back-to-school season approaches, the Belize Tax Service Department (BTSD) has released a comprehensive set of regulatory guidelines for retailers taking part in this year’s highly anticipated two-day GST-Free promotional event. The tax exemption program, scheduled to run on August 15 and August 29, is designed to ease the financial burden of educational spending for students, guardians, and teaching staff across the country, while establishing clear protocols to ensure the tax concession is distributed fairly and administered with full transparency.

    Under the new rules, consumers will be eligible to purchase one laptop completely free of General Sales Tax on each of the two designated event days. To prevent misuse of the tax break, participating retail businesses are required to complete strict identity verification for every customer claiming the exemption. All purchasers must present a valid government-issued photo identification, such as a Belize Social Security card or national passport, to qualify for the tax-free purchase.

    In addition to identity checks, retailers bear the responsibility of documenting a full range of transaction details for regulatory records. Required information includes the customer’s full name, government identification number, purchase invoice number, exact date of transaction, laptop brand and specific model, the device’s unique serial number, and the final selling price. All invoices for GST-free laptop purchases must also prominently display the clear notation: “GST Free – Back-to-School Tax-Free Days 2026,” and all supporting transaction documentation must be retained as part of the business’s permanent GST filing records.

    To streamline regulatory oversight, the BTSD has set strict reporting deadlines for participating retailers. Businesses must submit a complete summary of all GST-free laptop sales from the August 15 event no later than August 21, while sales from the August 29 event must be reported by September 4. Following the conclusion of the initiative, BTSD officials confirmed that the department will conduct thorough post-event compliance reviews, cross-checking submitted sales data against business records to identify any irregularities.

    The department has also issued a stern warning to businesses about the consequences of abuse. Any retailer found to be knowingly facilitating or participating in misuse of the GST concession – such as helping customers claim multiple unauthorized tax exemptions or falsifying transaction records – will face serious penalties. These consequences may include full reassessment of the business’s overall GST liability, accrued interest on unpaid taxes, substantial financial penalties, and additional legal action where appropriate.

  • Family Continues Appeal for Milagro Garel as She Fights for Recovery

    Family Continues Appeal for Milagro Garel as She Fights for Recovery

    In the early days of August 2026, a well-respected leader in pediatric healthcare across Belize remains in critical care, spurring her family to call for continued public solidarity and assistance amid her fight for recovery. Milagro Garel, who serves as Country Director for global non-profit World Pediatrics in Belize, suffered a life-threatening massive brain aneurysm earlier the same week.

    Following the medical emergency, Garel was emergency airlifted across the border to Guatemala by air ambulance on Thursday night, where she has been admitted to an intensive care unit for specialized, round-the-clock medical treatment. As clinical teams work diligently to stabilize her fragile condition, Garel continues to battle for her life, according to updates shared directly by her family.

    News of Garel’s sudden hospitalization has triggered an outpouring of support from across Belize and the global pediatric health community, with colleagues, long-time friends, and extended family members sharing tributes to her decades of public service. For more than 20 years, Garel has dedicated her career to expanding access to critical, life-saving medical care for vulnerable children and families across Belize, a legacy of service that many supporters have highlighted in their messages of hope.

    In a moving public post shared across social media platforms to spread awareness of Garel’s situation, family member Kristi Gonzalez remembered Garel as the unifying core of their extended family, noting that she has dedicated her entire life to lifting up other people through even their most overwhelming challenges. “She has spent her life moving mountains for others,” Gonzalez wrote. “Now it is our turn to move one for her.”

    Beyond calls for prayer and social sharing of Garel’s story to build broader awareness, Garel’s family is asking members of the public who are able to contribute financial donations to help offset the steep costs of her emergency transport and ongoing intensive medical care. Donations can be made directly to the designated Atlantic Bank account held by Joseph Garel, account number 10010449.

  • FIFA abandons private investment plan after global backlash

    FIFA abandons private investment plan after global backlash

    In a major reversal that marks one of the sharpest setbacks of his tenure, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has formally scrapped his divisive plan to sell minority non-controlling stakes in football’s top international tournaments to private investors, bowing to overwhelming pushback from continental governing bodies and member associations across the globe, the BBC has confirmed.

    The proposal, which would have established a new commercial subsidiary named FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to oversee FIFA’s flagship events including both the men’s and women’s World Cups, opened the door for outside private investors to acquire minority holdings in the new entity. To secure support from the body’s 211 member associations, FIFA offered an upfront $20 million payment to each association, with an additional $20 million promised following approval of the plan. Analysis prepared by investment bank JPMorgan Chase projected that the restructuring would unlock far greater long-term financial returns for members between 2015 and 2039, claiming that FIFA’s existing commercial assets were currently under-monetized.

    However, the plan sparked immediate and fierce resistance from every major regional football confederation. European football’s governing body UEFA went as far as to pass a formal vote committing to a boycott of future World Cups if the proposal moved forward, while North and Central America’s governing body CONCACAF rejected the plan in full. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) quickly joined the opposition, publicly declaring its solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF. With 55 UEFA members, 35 CONCACAF members, and 46 AFC members already lined up to vote against the plan, analysts widely agreed Infantino had no path to secure the 106 majority votes required for approval from FIFA’s full 211-member body.

    The controversy also roiled FIFA’s own internal administration, exposing deep rifts at the top of the organisation. FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour publicly claimed the organisation had been “deceived” about key details of the project, while Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino’s own senior adviser for global strategy and governance, resigned in protest, labeling the proposal “a bad deal for football” that would “mortgage football’s future” for short-term financial gains.

    Criticism of the plan and Infantino’s leadership extended far beyond the football ecosystem. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham publicly stated that Infantino was “the wrong man” to lead global football’s governing body. The proposal also drew political attention due to its expected lead investor: Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. For his part, Trump claimed he had never discussed the investment proposal with Infantino, despite the two men’s known close personal ties.

    In his official statement confirming the plan’s cancellation, Infantino acknowledged the proposal had created damaging divisions that ran counter to the initiative’s original stated goals. “As a result, this proposal will not proceed,” he said. He reaffirmed that FIFA’s core purpose “has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve.”

    Despite the high-profile defeat, Infantino said he remains committed to repairing fractured relationships across global football. “Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game,” he added, as he prepares to run for a fourth term as FIFA president at the organisation’s upcoming Congress next March.

    AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa welcomed Infantino’s decision to scrap the plan, saying that the future of global football must be shaped through “proper consultation, collective dialogue and respect for the established governance structures of our game.”

    BBC analysis notes that the collapse of the investment plan has significantly intensified pressure on Infantino ahead of the 2026 presidential election, raising new and serious questions about his ability to hold onto his leadership role when delegates gather to vote in March.

  • What does the forecast hold? Drier months, increased heat expected

    What does the forecast hold? Drier months, increased heat expected

    Residents of the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia are being urged to prepare for prolonged dry conditions and above-average temperatures over the closing months of 2026, as a developing El Niño pattern reshapes regional weather through the island’s traditional wet season.

    Speaking at a Wednesday press briefing hosted by the Saint Lucia Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) held at the National Workers Union Conference Room, Saint Lucia Meteorological Services Director Vigil Saltibus outlined the key risks associated with the current climate shift. El Niño, a naturally recurring ocean-atmosphere weather pattern defined by unusually warm surface temperatures across the eastern and central Pacific Ocean, is partially driving the expected deviation from typical seasonal conditions.

    “El Niño typically acts to suppress rainfall during the Caribbean wet season, and the event is also linked to higher-than-average global temperatures overall,” Saltibus explained. While the large-scale pattern reduces overall precipitation, he emphasized that dangerous weather events remain possible. Localized flooding can still develop if atmospheric instability combines with enough moisture, particularly in association with passing tropical waves, tropical storms, and upper-level troughs, he warned. Residents should remain vigilant for these events even amid broader dry conditions.

    El Niño events generally last between 9 and 12 months, and occur at irregular intervals of 2 to 7 years. Saint Lucia’s official wet season runs from June through November, but Saltibus’s forecast shows the most severe drought and peak heat will hit between September and November. This high-risk window aligns exactly with the peak of the annual Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30 each year.

    Despite the overlapping timing, Saltibus noted that El Niño typically suppresses Atlantic hurricane activity, leading to a 2026 season forecast to be near-normal to below-normal in overall activity. Official meteorological predictions call for 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes, and 1 to 3 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher) this season. As of early August, two named storms – Arthur and Bertha – have already formed and moved through the Atlantic basin.

    In response to the forecast, both Saltibus and WASCO leadership have stressed that proactive preparedness and consistent water conservation remain top priorities for communities across Saint Lucia to mitigate the impacts of the coming dry and hot conditions.

  • Tropical luxury, music and style define Soca & Wine: Lux Tropix experience

    Tropical luxury, music and style define Soca & Wine: Lux Tropix experience

    On a vibrant Friday night, The Concorde Experience played host to one of the season’s most anticipated premium Crop Over celebrations: Soca & Wine: Lux Tropix. Dozens of attendees flooded the Christ Church venue, stepping out in carefully curated outfits that leaned perfectly into the event’s tropical theme—from bold, eye-catching prints and vivid saturated hues to delicate floral-inspired ensembles that turned the entrance into an impromptu fashion showcase. As soon as guests crossed the threshold, it was clear that event organizers Hits and Jams Entertainment, in partnership with Zulu Entertainment, had poured meticulous attention into every detail to craft an elevated, premium experience for attendees.

    The entire space was transformed to match the event’s Lux Tropix branding, with custom tropical floral installations paired with glimmering gold decorative accents that set a sophisticated yet playful luxury aesthetic right from the start. To kick off the evening, every guest received a curated welcome bag featuring a branded event cup, a portable handheld fan for warm Caribbean temperatures, and a pair of foldable flats—small, thoughtful touches that signaled the event’s focus on comfort and premium value, all included with general admission. Alongside these welcome gifts, entry also granted guests access to catered food, top-shelf premium drinks, and a full night of curated soca music from a lineup of talented selectors.

    One of the first major draws for arriving patrons was the eye-catching branded red carpet and custom tropical-themed photo backdrop, which drew a steady stream of groups of friends, couples, and larger party crews eager to capture memorable shots before heading to the dance floor. Additional branded backdrops for photos lined the venue’s corridors, giving guests no shortage of spots to document their night out. The cohesive tropical luxury design carried through every corner of the unique venue, which is centered around a retired Concorde aircraft, creating a one-of-a-kind, visually striking atmosphere that set the event apart from standard Crop Over celebrations.

    Complimentary catered food was available to all guests from 3 p.m., when the event launched, through 8 p.m., stationed at the far end of the venue. Patrons gathered around cozy cocktail tables to catch up with friends, snack on catered offerings, and warm up before the night’s full musical sets got underway. The lineup featured a diverse roster of selectors including DJ Macyy Jadee, Thorny, Gully Ras, Legacy Team, DJ Energy, Pun, Akelo, and Supa Nytro. For guests looking to expand beyond the included catered menu, additional independent food vendors and extra bars were set up across the venue grounds for additional purchase.

    Notably, the lineup’s only female DJ, Macyy Jadee, traveled all the way from the United Kingdom to deliver her set to the Crop Over crowd. Throughout the entire evening, the assembled selectors kept energy levels sky-high with a thoughtfully curated blend of timeless classic soca anthems and the hottest contemporary tracks, ensuring the dance floor stayed packed and active long after the sun went down. As the event approached its midnight closing time, the venue hit peak capacity, with a throng of enthusiastic crowd members packing the space in front of the stage, dancing nonstop to the booming soca beats that filled the air. What resulted was a seamless, well-planned celebration that delivered on every promise of its tropical luxury branding.

  • Dominica Business Forum praises civil by-election debate, calls for greater youth participation

    Dominica Business Forum praises civil by-election debate, calls for greater youth participation

    A pre-election public debate organized by the Dominica Business Forum Inc. for candidates in the upcoming Roseau Central by-election has been lauded as a landmark example of constructive political engagement, despite organizers voicing disappointment over chronically low youth participation at the event.

    Hosted on July 29 at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, the discussion brought together three contenders vying for the vacant constituency seat: Ashma McDougall of the ruling Dominica Labour Party, Danny Lugay from the opposition United Workers Party, and independent challenger Sherman Boston. In an official press statement released two days ahead of the forum on July 27, the organization extended public gratitude to the three candidates, moderators and broadcast journalists Kaywana Fontaine Wilson and Mathias Peltier Jr., and the general public for their collective contributions to making the event a success. Local media outlets DBS Radio and Dominica News Online also earned praise from the forum for their work broadcasting the discussion live over radio and streaming it online, opening access to the conversation for both domestic audiences and Dominicans living overseas.

    The non-profit umbrella group, which has served as a coordinated voice for Dominica’s business community since its founding and registration in December 2012, says feedback collected from both in-person attendees and online viewers has been overwhelmingly positive. A large majority of respondents voiced explicit support for the organization to host more similar cross-party candidate discussions ahead of future elections across the country.

    For the forum, the event successfully fulfilled its core stated goal: creating a structured, respectful space where political candidates with competing ideological and partisan perspectives could come together to debate issues of critical national importance. Organizers emphasized that the polite, professional demeanor all candidates maintained throughout the discussion proved the tangible public value of constructive political dialogue. The forum added that the exchange set a strong benchmark that all future candidates seeking public office in Dominica should aim to meet.

    Despite the widespread acclaim for the debate, the organization highlighted one notable shortcoming that it says warrants urgent attention: the disproportionately low turnout of young voters at the event. In its statement, the forum expressed deep concern that a large share of the country’s young electorate missed a critical opportunity to watch leading political candidates debate the policies and issues that will directly shape Dominica’s future. To strengthen the country’s democratic processes, the group argues that targeted efforts must be made to boost youth engagement in future similar events, as higher youth participation fosters more informed civic involvement and enriches the quality of public democratic discourse.

    As a reminder, the Dominica Business Forum stressed that it remains a strictly politically neutral and non-partisan entity. Its core mandate, it says, is to collaborate with all national stakeholders across the political spectrum exclusively to advance inclusive, sustainable economic development across the island nation.