标签： Barbados

The Government of Barbados has announced a comprehensive suite of legislative and policy reforms aimed at bolstering the island’s creative industries. Spearheaded by Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, the initiative includes the modernization of the Cultural Industries Development Act, the introduction of new film incentive legislation, and the development of a National Cultural Policy. These measures are designed to unlock the economic potential of the creative sector and provide robust support for filmmakers and cultural practitioners. Senator Munro-Knight revealed these plans during the launch of The Space, a new creative production hub by On Brand Global, in Christ Church. She emphasized that the reforms aim to modernize the legislative framework and align it with the current needs of the industry. The minister highlighted that consultations are ongoing to finalize the film incentive legislation, which will include provisions for local and regional productions, as well as the establishment of a special endowment fund. Additionally, the National Cultural Policy, developed after months of consultations, underscores the creative industry’s inclusivity, particularly in employing women and young people. Senator Munro-Knight also noted the sector’s resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a 14% growth. She stressed the need to fully recognize and harness the untapped potential of the creative sector, stating, ‘We need to do better to recognize the power that lies within.’ The launch of The Space coincides with the implementation of full freedom of movement provisions under the CARICOM Single Market, further enhancing regional collaboration in the creative industries.

Barbados’ creative industry has taken a significant leap forward with the inauguration of The Space, a state-of-the-art production hub designed to empower local talent. Located in Landsdown, Christ Church, and developed by On Brand Global, this innovative facility offers production studios, podcast rooms, and collaborative workspaces tailored to the needs of content creators, filmmakers, and artists. Co-founder and Managing Director Dana Best emphasized that The Space aims to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity by providing access to professional resources that are often financially out of reach for many creatives. ‘Talent is everywhere, but opportunity needs infrastructure,’ Best remarked. ‘The Space exists to be that infrastructure—practical, professional, and proudly Barbadian.’ Beyond its physical offerings, the hub will focus on fostering community partnerships, delivering skills training, and providing mentorship opportunities for emerging creatives. Best envisions The Space becoming a thriving ecosystem where ideas are transformed into professional outputs. ‘We want to help people move from concept to completion,’ she explained. Over the next year, The Space plans to host workshops on digital storytelling, sound engineering, and brand strategy, alongside networking events to connect local talent with regional and international partners. Additionally, a digital platform will be launched to showcase the work produced at The Space, amplifying its global reach. Senator Shantal Munro-Knight, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for culture, praised the initiative as a ‘timely and transformational’ investment in Barbados’ creative economy. ‘This is not just a building; it is a platform for possibility,’ she said. ‘It validates the contributions of creatives to national development.’ The Space represents a new chapter for Barbados’ creative sector, with Best hoping it will inspire a wave of collaboration and excellence. ‘We have the talent, the ideas, and the drive,’ she concluded. ‘Now, we finally have a home to bring it all together.’

The second edition of the Level Up Concert, organized by the Pleion Foundation in partnership with the National Peace Programme, took place last weekend at Freedom Square in The City. This event provided a vibrant platform for talented youth to showcase their skills while promoting a message of peace and positivity. The concert, themed ‘Be You,’ encouraged young attendees to embrace their individuality, self-worth, and positive values through various creative expressions, including instrumental performances, dance, and vocal acts spanning multiple genres. Participants, aged 11 to 19, took center stage, demonstrating the transformative impact of the Foundation’s initiatives. Sheldon Jones, Director of the Pleion Foundation, emphasized the event’s mission to create a positive space for youth development. ‘We aim to inspire young people to live lives of love, positivity, and devotion to higher principles,’ Jones stated. The Foundation, headquartered on Roebuck Street, offers a range of free programmes such as Boys to Men, Girls to Women, Youth Excel, and Children of Destiny, catering to participants as young as five years old. These initiatives focus on mentorship, leadership, and life skills, helping youth navigate life’s challenges. During a live interview segment, participants shared how the programmes have positively influenced their lives. Jones also encouraged parents to enrol their children, highlighting the accessibility and benefits of the programmes. ‘It’s absolutely free, and participants leave with a full mind and a full stomach,’ he added. The Level Up Concert continues to serve as a beacon of hope and empowerment for the younger generation.

Since 2009, the Small Business Association (SBA) of Barbados has been instrumental in training fifth-form students through its schools’ programme, a commendable initiative that has now reached new heights with the introduction of the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Small Business Entrepreneurship Level 2. This qualification, developed in collaboration with industry partners, was recently rolled out to 75 secondary school students, with 68 successfully completing the programme and earning their certification. This marks a significant milestone in the local education system, as it provides students with a nationally recognised credential in entrepreneurship for the first time.

The NVQ is designed to address the practical demands of running a business in Barbados today. Its eight mandatory units cover essential areas such as retail products and services, small business planning, financial management, business technology, sustainable operations, workplace communication, health and safety, and cultural diversity. For students like Maria, a 17-year-old from Speightstown who sells handmade jewellery online, the NVQ offers a structured pathway to refine her business skills and gain formal recognition for her entrepreneurial efforts.

This initiative is particularly impactful given the dominance of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Barbados’ private sector. Research indicates that MSMEs account for 92.2% of formal enterprises and nearly 48% of private-sector employment. The NVQ bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world business practices, equipping students with the skills needed to succeed in the economy. It shifts the narrative from theoretical knowledge to demonstrated competency, empowering students to confidently pursue entrepreneurial ventures.

Barbados’ approach stands out regionally. While countries like Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago offer vocational qualifications in entrepreneurship, these are typically targeted at post-secondary or adult learners. The Barbados NVQ, however, engages secondary school students directly, fostering entrepreneurial thinking at an early age. This early intervention model positions Barbados as a regional leader in youth-focused entrepreneurship education.

The NVQ is more than just a credential; it is a launch pad for the next generation of business leaders. It equips students with tangible skills, real-world relevance, and regional mobility, enabling them to create businesses, drive innovation, and build prosperous futures. For policymakers and business partners, the NVQ is a call to action to provide the necessary resources, investment, mentorship, and opportunities to support these young entrepreneurs. This initiative underscores Barbados’ commitment to youth, innovation, and economic growth.

In the wake of a recent accident outside Lester Vaughan School that left over two dozen students and a driver injured, retired traffic court magistrate Reverend Graveney Bannister has called for immediate and comprehensive reforms to Barbados’ Public Service Vehicle (PSV) system. Speaking to Barbados TODAY, Rev Bannister, an Anglican cleric, emphasized that the current culture of lawlessness among PSV operators will persist unless stricter penalties are enforced and vehicle owners are held accountable. He described the PSV culture as ‘unruly’ and ‘disrespectful,’ stressing that reform must extend beyond driver training to address systemic issues. Rev Bannister highlighted the need for enhanced law enforcement, faster judicial processes, and a centralized national database to track traffic convictions across jurisdictions. He argued that such a system would prevent repeat offenders from evading consequences by moving between districts. Additionally, he proposed revising the Road Traffic Act to impose harsher penalties for dangerous driving and mandatory retraining for disqualified drivers. Rev Bannister also urged parents to encourage their children to use safer Transport Board buses and called for closer monitoring of students’ movements to reduce risky travel habits. The former magistrate’s recommendations come amidst longstanding public criticism of PSV operators for reckless driving, overcrowding, and playing loud, vulgar music. The tragic 2015 incident, where a 14-year-old girl lost her forearm in a ZR bus accident, underscores the urgent need for systemic change. Rev Bannister concluded that reform must be systematic and sustained to ensure the safety of all road users.

In the wake of a recent accident involving a ZR vehicle near Lester Vaughan School, Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne has urged the government to impose restrictions or outright bans on music played in public service vehicles (PSVs). Thorne emphasized the need to shield children from explicit lyrics and degrading content during their daily commutes, arguing that such exposure undermines their dignity and moral development. Speaking during a parliamentary debate on the Copyright Bill, he called on the administration to prioritize the protection of young citizens over popular opinion. ‘Public transport should not serve as a platform for disseminating inappropriate music,’ Thorne asserted, suggesting the government consider removing music entirely from PSVs. Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams countered Thorne’s remarks, stating that the government is neither complacent nor indifferent to the challenges within the PSV industry. Abrahams revealed that ministers had discussed the accident and agreed to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to improve safety and regulation. He also criticized Thorne for politicizing the issue, emphasizing that the incident is a national concern requiring collective action. While the government has already passed legislation to strengthen the Transport Authority, Abrahams acknowledged the need for stricter enforcement to address ongoing issues in the sector.

In the wake of a harrowing accident involving a ZR route taxi carrying schoolchildren, child rights advocate Faith Marshall-Harris has called for immediate government intervention to tighten regulations within the public service vehicle (PSV) industry. The incident, which occurred outside The Lester Vaughan School, saw the vehicle overturn, injuring several students and prompting a mass casualty response. Marshall-Harris, a member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, expressed deep concern over the persistent failure to safeguard schoolchildren from reckless operators, describing the situation as having reached a critical juncture. She recounted her decade-long advocacy for improved safety measures, lamenting the lack of progress despite repeated warnings. The recent crash, involving 25 students and the driver, should serve as a pivotal moment for change, she emphasized. Marshall-Harris also highlighted troubling reports of PSV operators engaging in dangerous behaviors, such as consuming illegal substances while on duty. She urged authorities to use this tragedy as a ‘teachable moment’ to implement stricter oversight and enforcement mechanisms. Her plea was supported by the National Council of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA), which expressed solidarity with the affected families and called for urgent action to prevent future incidents.