Carib Scope

标签： Antigua and Barbuda

安提瓜和巴布达

  • Halo Foundation Ends Year on a Positive Note with Nationwide Anti-Bullying Resource Distribution

    Halo Foundation Ends Year on a Positive Note with Nationwide Anti-Bullying Resource Distribution

    The Halo Foundation culminated its 2025 operations with a significant nationwide initiative, delivering comprehensive anti-bullying and conflict-resolution materials to 34 educational institutions throughout Antigua and Barbuda. This extensive distribution effort, spearheaded by Bolinda Baptiste and Cuthbert Forbes, represents the Foundation’s sustained dedication to youth development and violence prevention strategies.

    This school outreach program constitutes an integral component of the Foundation’s national anti-bullying campaign, originally established in 2018 to systematically combat youth violence while fostering safer, more inclusive academic environments across the twin-island nation. Her Excellency Lady Williams, President of the Foundation, emphasized the organization’s philosophical approach: “Since initiating our anti-bullying campaign, we have maintained unwavering commitment to cultivating wholesome, compassionate environments for our youth. This year-end initiative underscores our conviction that prevention fundamentally originates through education, and that properly equipped educational institutions empower students to resolve conflicts through empathy and mutual respect.”

    School administrators—including principals, counselors, and librarians—extended enthusiastic receptions during the resource distributions, expressing genuine appreciation for the donated materials. Numerous educators highlighted how these resources would prove instrumental in facilitating dispute resolution, enhancing emotional intelligence, and promoting constructive peer interactions among students.

    Bolinda Baptiste noted the validating feedback: “The responses from educational institutions reaffirmed the essential nature of this work. By providing both educators and students with practical tools, we’re cultivating empathy, effective communication, and peaceful problem-solving capabilities from formative years.”

    The foundation’s outreach encompassed 22 primary schools and 12 secondary schools, supplemented by resources provided to the Public Library. This ensured broad accessibility to age-appropriate materials designed to encourage meaningful dialogue, mutual understanding, and respectful engagement among young community members.

    Since its inception, the Halo Foundation’s anti-bullying campaign has maintained its strategic focus on preventive measures, educational interventions, and community partnerships, reinforcing the core belief that enduring social change emerges through early intervention and consistent institutional support.

  • OPINION l Gadgets: Creating More Problems in Education

    OPINION l Gadgets: Creating More Problems in Education

    Jamaican educational leaders are raising urgent concerns about the pervasive integration of digital devices in classrooms, warning that technological overreliance may be undermining fundamental learning skills. Linvern Wright, President of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPSS), contends that gadgets frequently create more educational challenges than solutions while depriving students of traditionally acquired critical abilities.

    Wright emphasizes that technological devices often serve as distractions rather than learning aids, particularly when not properly integrated into pedagogical frameworks. He specifically highlights the decline in manual calculation skills due to premature calculator introduction and notes concerning reductions in handwriting practice, which research indicates enhances memory retention and long-term information storage compared to typing.

    These concerns find support in Mark Malabver, President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), who urges the Ministry of Education to reassess the nation’s substantial dependence on classroom technology. Malabver references emerging research indicating digital devices may be eroding students’ critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities, contradicting earlier beliefs that technology would serve as an educational “silver bullet.

    The commentary references UNESCO’s 2023 report cautioning that excessive technology use or its substitution for qualified teachers could diminish learning outcomes. While not advocating for complete technology elimination, educators stress the necessity of balancing technological benefits with preserving traditional learning methodologies that foster concentration, independent reasoning, and foundational problem-solving skills.

    Educational stakeholders now call for urgent dialogue with the Ministry of Education to establish equilibrium between technological integration and maintaining essential cognitive skill development in Jamaican classrooms.

  • COMMENTARY: Between A Rock And A Hard Place

    COMMENTARY: Between A Rock And A Hard Place

    The recent imposition of visa sanctions against Antigua and Barbuda by the United States administration represents a calculated geopolitical maneuver rather than a mere response to alleged governance failures. While surface-level justifications cite concerns over drug trafficking and weaknesses in the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), a deeper examination reveals these accusations serve as pretexts for broader strategic objectives outlined in the US National Security Strategy of December 2025.

    The 29-page security document explicitly articulates Washington’s intent to reassert the Monroe Doctrine and eliminate non-hemispheric competitors’ influence throughout the Americas. This strategic framework provides context for the punitive measures against the dual-island nation, which possesses neither military capabilities nor substantive threat capacity against the United States. With a population of merely 100,000 citizens and no history of aggression, Antigua and Barbuda’s designation as a national security threat appears strategically disproportionate.

    The administration’s actions align with documented objectives to discourage regional partnerships with US adversaries, particularly China. Antigua and Barbuda’s significant Chinese assets, including an substantial embassy presence, have positioned the nation at the center of hemispheric power dynamics. The visa restrictions function as soft power instrumentation designed to create domestic pressure compelling policy changes.

    Three primary objectives underlie the sanctions: securing a deportee memorandum of understanding, severing Chinese relations, and demonstrating US regional dominance. The characterization of Antiguan and Barbudan citizens as ‘destabilizing populations’ within security documents further reveals the administration’s perceptual framework. This situation places Antigua and Barbuda’s government in a profoundly challenging position, balancing domestic welfare against international geopolitical pressures.

  • Derelict building on Lower Newgate Street demolished as St. John’s renewal begins

    Derelict building on Lower Newgate Street demolished as St. John’s renewal begins

    The Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation has initiated a comprehensive demolition campaign targeting dilapidated and abandoned structures throughout St. John’s, marking a significant step in the government’s ongoing urban revitalization initiative. This strategic move aims to enhance public safety standards and restore the architectural integrity of Antigua’s capital city.

    Urban Development Minister Rawdon Turner identified the primary structure currently undergoing demolition on Lower Newgate Street as having remained unoccupied and structurally compromised for over ten years. The demolition protocol follows a series of formal amenity orders issued to property holders during the latter part of the previous year. These official notices provided landowners with a designated timeframe to undertake necessary repairs or address critical maintenance issues before the ministry proceeded with enforcement measures.

    The urban renewal program represents a coordinated effort between multiple government agencies to address longstanding concerns regarding structural instability, potential fire hazards, and criminal activity associated with neglected properties. Minister Turner emphasized that the initiative balances property rights with community welfare, ensuring due process while prioritizing public safety concerns.

    Government officials have indicated that additional properties across the capital meeting similar criteria for demolition have been identified for subsequent phases of the urban improvement campaign. The ministry plans to continue its systematic approach to urban renewal throughout the coming fiscal year.

  • Randy Baltimore to Open St. Philip’s North Constituency Branch Centre in Willikies

    Randy Baltimore to Open St. Philip’s North Constituency Branch Centre in Willikies

    The political landscape of St. Philip’s North constituency is set to expand with the formal inauguration of a new constituency branch center in Willikies. Randy Baltimore, the designated caretaker representative for the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), will preside over the opening ceremony scheduled for Sunday, January 18th at 3:00 PM.

    This strategically positioned facility will serve as the official St. Philip’s North Constituency Branch Centre, creating a dedicated space for political activities, community engagement, and constituent services. The establishment represents a significant infrastructure investment in local political operations, aiming to strengthen grassroots connections between the ABLP representation and the community.

    Constituency officials have circulated formal invitations encouraging public participation in the inaugural event. The opening ceremony symbolizes not merely the unveiling of a physical space but the reinforcement of political accessibility and community-focused governance in the region. The Willikies location was strategically selected to maximize outreach effectiveness across the constituency.

  • Road Upgrade Underway on Jennings Extension Road

    Road Upgrade Underway on Jennings Extension Road

    The Ministry of Works in Antigua and Barbuda has announced significant progress on its comprehensive infrastructure modernization initiative, with current construction activities concentrated along the Jennings Extension Road corridor leading to Hermitage Bay. This strategic development forms an integral component of a broader, island-wide program designed to revolutionize transportation networks throughout the nation.

    Engineering teams are executing substantial enhancements to both drainage infrastructure and road surfacing, implementing advanced engineering solutions to elevate safety protocols and travel efficiency. These improvements specifically target the reduction of flood risks and vehicular wear-and-tear, ultimately benefiting both local residents and international visitors accessing the picturesque Hermitage Bay region.

    Government officials have issued formal requests for patience and cooperation from motorists and community members affected by temporary disruptions along the construction route. The Ministry emphasizes that these short-term inconveniences will yield long-term advantages, including reduced maintenance costs and improved emergency vehicle access.

    This project underscores the administration’s dedicated commitment to developing climate-resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather events. The Jennings Extension Road upgrade establishes a new benchmark for future infrastructure projects across Antigua and Barbuda, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to sustainable development and community connectivity.

  • Prime Minister Announces Shell Beach Lots for Locals to Build Airbnb Investment Properties

    Prime Minister Announces Shell Beach Lots for Locals to Build Airbnb Investment Properties

    In a landmark move to stimulate local economic growth and empower residents, the Prime Minister has unveiled a strategic initiative allocating prime beachfront lots exclusively for citizen development. The program specifically targets the creation of investment properties for the short-term rental market, predominantly through platforms like Airbnb.

    The initiative is designed to achieve multiple economic objectives. Primarily, it seeks to decentralize tourism revenue, which has historically been concentrated in the hands of large, foreign-owned resort chains. By providing locals with direct access to highly valuable coastal real estate, the government aims to foster a new class of micro-entrepreneurs and bolster middle-class wealth.

    Eligibility for the lots will be restricted to permanent residents and citizens, with a transparent application and lottery system to ensure equitable distribution. Successful applicants will be granted long-term leases at subsidized rates, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for property investment. Accompanying the land allocation will be a state-supported program offering financial literacy workshops, hospitality management training, and small business loans tailored for the vacation rental sector.

    Analysts suggest this policy is a direct response to the soaring global demand for authentic travel experiences, which favors private rentals over traditional hotels. By strategically leveraging this trend, the government anticipates a substantial increase in local GDP, job creation in construction, maintenance, and hospitality services, and a more sustainable distribution of tourism’s financial benefits across the community. However, some urban planners have raised concerns regarding potential strains on local infrastructure, including water resources and waste management, which the government states will be addressed through concurrent infrastructure investment plans.

  • Barbados to Hold General Election on Feb. 11

    Barbados to Hold General Election on Feb. 11

    In a significant political development, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley declared the dissolution of Parliament on Saturday evening, initiating the formal process for national elections scheduled for February 11. The announcement came during a gathering with supporters in Bridgetown, where Mottley revealed she had formally advised President Jeffrey Bostic of her decision earlier that afternoon.

    The constitutional process will commence on Monday, January 19, with official writs of election to be prepared under the supervision of the Attorney General. The electoral timetable establishes January 27 as nomination day for candidates, followed by a two-week campaign period leading to polling day on February 11.

    Mottley’s announcement followed the nomination of former Democratic Labour Party Cabinet minister Michael Lashley as the Barbados Labour Party’s candidate for the City of Bridgetown constituency. Addressing party officials and supporters, the Prime Minister emphasized unity and collective effort, repeatedly invoking the party’s strength through collaboration.

    Framing the dissolution as an essential democratic practice, Mottley stated that continuing leadership requires seeking a fresh mandate from the electorate. Her remarks highlighted the constitutional normality of the process while signaling the Barbados Labour Party’s readiness to contest the upcoming general election.

  • WATCH: PM Says Gassy Dread Music Project Generated $70,000 in Royalties So Far

    WATCH: PM Says Gassy Dread Music Project Generated $70,000 in Royalties So Far

    A government-backed music project, colloquially known as the ‘Gassy Dread’ initiative, has yielded significant financial returns in its early stages, according to a recent announcement from the Prime Minister. In a public statement, the PM revealed that the venture has already generated approximately $70,000 in royalties, signaling a promising start for the cultural and economic endeavor.

    The project, which appears to fuse musical artistry with national cultural promotion, represents a strategic investment in the creative arts sector. While specific details on the musical style or the artists involved under the ‘Gassy Dread’ moniker were not fully elaborated, the announcement underscores a commitment to leveraging creative industries for economic gain. The generated royalties are anticipated to be reinvested to further support local artists and sustain the project’s momentum.

    This early financial success is being positioned by the administration as a validation of its policy to fund and promote homegrown talent and cultural exports. The PM’s commentary suggests that such initiatives are not merely cultural exercises but are viewed as viable economic projects capable of contributing to the nation’s revenue streams. The positive initial returns will likely be used to advocate for continued or expanded funding for similar programs in the future.

  • WATCH: PM Says One Nation Concert Generated Millions in Economic Activity

    WATCH: PM Says One Nation Concert Generated Millions in Economic Activity

    The Prime Minister has publicly celebrated the substantial economic impact generated by the recent ‘One Nation’ concert, citing figures that reach into the millions. In a public address, the nation’s leader highlighted the event as a significant catalyst for local commerce, underscoring its role in stimulating widespread financial activity across multiple sectors.

    Official estimates indicate the large-scale musical gathering provided a powerful boost to the hospitality industry, with hotels and short-term rentals experiencing near-total occupancy. Surrounding businesses, including restaurants, bars, retail stores, and transportation services, reported a dramatic surge in patronage throughout the event’s duration. This influx of attendees translated directly into elevated revenue streams for countless local enterprises and independent contractors.

    The government’s analysis frames the concert not merely as an entertainment spectacle but as a strategic economic initiative. The Prime Minister emphasized that events of this caliber are instrumental in job creation, from temporary security and logistics roles to sustained demand in vendor and service provision. The financial benefits are portrayed as a testament to the value of public-facing events in driving post-pandemic recovery and fostering national morale.

    Furthermore, the address suggested that the positive fiscal outcomes extend beyond immediate cash flow. The international media coverage and tourism draw are projected to yield long-term dividends by enhancing the nation’s profile as a premier destination for major cultural events. The administration positions this success as a model for future publicly-supported entertainment projects aimed at achieving dual cultural and economic objectives.