Carib Scope

标签： Barbados

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  • Ishmael: Littering raises flood risk during hurricane season

    Ishmael: Littering raises flood risk during hurricane season

    As Barbados prepares for the official start of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season on June 1, a top health official is sounding the alarm over a preventable public hazard that is worsening flood risk across the island nation: widespread indiscriminate littering and unregulated illegal dumping.

    Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Davidson Ishmael emphasized that cross-government interagency preparedness drills were completed well ahead of the season’s arrival to coordinate response plans, but individual public action remains a critical missing piece in the country’s flood mitigation strategy. Speaking out about his own observations of negligent waste behavior as a Barbadian citizen, Ishmael called for a radical shift in how residents approach community cleanliness and personal responsibility for waste disposal.

    “I remain deeply concerned by the careless littering I see every day across the country,” Ishmael stated. “I watch drivers toss trash out of car windows while moving down the road. I have even seen people drop food wrappers directly on the ground just steps outside their own front porches.” He explained that this casual negligence has dangerous downstream consequences: discarded debris rarely stays in the spot it is dropped. Wind and rain carry waste into storm drains, where it accumulates to clog the island’s water runoff infrastructure.

    Contrary to common assumption that severe flooding only accompanies major hurricanes, Ishmael noted that even weak, passing weather systems that bring heavy rainfall can trigger destructive flooding when drains are blocked by plastic, food wrappers, plastic bags, and other improperly discarded waste. “When drainage systems are blocked, what should be a harmless, easy runoff of rainwater becomes dangerous flooding,” he explained. “That flooding can trap residents in their homes, preventing them from moving in and out, and causes widespread damage to personal property – everything from personal vehicles to residential structures.”

    To help residents and community groups properly dispose of large waste items that often contribute to clogging and illegal dumping, Ishmael highlighted two ongoing government initiatives that are available year-round to reduce community waste buildup. The first is a free coordinated bulk waste collection service run by the country’s Sanitation Service Authority (SSA). For large unwanted items such as old mattresses, bed frames, and out-of-use household appliances that cannot be disposed of through regular weekly collection, residents or community groups can coordinate with the SSA to schedule a dedicated collection day. Teams will collect all pre-organized bulk waste from a designated central location using specialized heavy equipment at no additional cost to residents.

    The second available resource is a commercial skip rental service also operated through the SSA, designed specifically for organized community clean-up events. Ishmael explained that any neighborhood planning a clean-up drive can rent a skip from the authority, fill it with collected waste over the course of the event, and the SSA will then transport the full skip and its contents away after the activity concludes.

    Beyond pre-season preparation, Ishmael also outlined the SSA’s core role in post-storm recovery, noting that the agency is on standby to mobilize immediately to clear accumulated debris and waste from impacted communities following any hurricane or severe storm. He also reminded residents to address another common preventable hazard ahead of the season: securing loose outdoor items that can become dangerous airborne projectiles during high winds. This includes galvanized metal sheeting – which is commonly used for property fencing, outdoor sheds, and even small animal enclosures across the island – which should be tightly secured with nails and additional bracing where needed. Residents are also advised to remove or secure any loose lumber or other loose materials stored around residential properties well before any severe weather arrives to eliminate avoidable safety risks.

    Ishmael’s remarks come as part of broader national public outreach to encourage individual preparedness ahead of what forecasters have predicted could be an active Atlantic hurricane season, stressing that collective small changes in public behavior can drastically reduce the risk of preventable damage and disruption.

  • Protest being held in support of Cuba

    Protest being held in support of Cuba

    On a coming Saturday, Cuban solidarity activists based in Barbados are set to hold a two-hour public demonstration outside the United States Embassy located in Wildey, St. Michael, to voice their fierce opposition to Washington’s long-running restrictions on the island nation of Cuba.

    Lalu Hanuman, coordinator of the local advocacy group the 13th June 1980 Movement, laid out the core grievances driving the protest. According to Hanuman, the demonstration is specifically organized to condemn what the group frames as the illegal and unethical economic blockade that the United States has imposed on Cuba for decades. In recent months, Hanuman notes, the blockade has severely restricted Cuba’s ability to import critical fuel supplies, which power essential public services ranging from public hospitals and schools to core community infrastructure that residents rely on daily.

    The activist, an attorney by profession with a long record of social advocacy, detailed the devastating human cost of the ongoing restrictions. He explained that the blockade has already pushed Cuba into a humanitarian crisis, with preventable deaths occurring among patients waiting for urgent surgical procedures, and a sharp upward turn in the country’s infant mortality rate that reverses years of public health progress. Beyond the immediate impact of the fuel shortage and broader economic restrictions, Hanuman also called attention to past violent actions by American forces in regional waters, which he says have resulted in the deaths of more than 200 people after boats were targeted and blown up across the Caribbean and Pacific.

    Hanuman is urging all Barbadians who oppose the ongoing blockade and its humanitarian fallout to join the picket, which is scheduled to kick off at 10:00 a.m. local time on Saturday. The demonstration aims to amplify regional calls for an end to the decades-old trade and financial restrictions that have disproportionately harmed ordinary Cuban citizens for generations.

  • FOD seeking major overhaul of public transport system ​

    FOD seeking major overhaul of public transport system ​

    Barbados’ main opposition organization Friends of Democracy (FOD) has launched a far-reaching engagement project targeting long-standing systemic flaws that have undermined safety, professional standards and service consistency across the island nation’s public transport sector.

    Moving beyond traditional partisan criticism, FOD has launched a series of targeted consultations with three key stakeholder groups: daily commuters, established licensed transport operators, and senior industry representatives. The goal of these discussions is to collect on-the-ground insights into the deep-rooted challenges facing the sector, which will inform a concrete, long-term policy blueprint for reform. Jamal Martindale, FOD’s spokesperson for Transport and Works, emphasized that the initiative prioritizes actionable solutions over political rhetoric in a public statement shared this week.

    Early conversations have already centered on one non-negotiable priority: a full overhaul of existing safety protocols to protect both passengers and transport workers. Martindale drew particular attention to the growing proliferation of unlicensed “pirate” transport operators across the island, a trend that creates major public safety gaps due to a lack of legal oversight and valid insurance coverage.

    “Illegal passenger transport must be understood first and foremost as a public safety issue,” Martindale explained. “Passengers who step into unlicensed vehicles often don’t realize they are exposing themselves to catastrophic risk if an accident happens, especially when there is no valid passenger liability insurance in place. Every Barbadian has the right to know that when they board a public transport vehicle, they are riding with a properly licensed, regulated, and insured service.”

    Safety is a two-pronged crisis, Martindale added, noting that legitimate licensed operators face growing threats to their personal security. Drivers and conductors of public service vehicles (PSVs) have reported a sharp, worrying increase in criminal targeting, particularly during late-evening and overnight shifts. Reports of robberies, physical assaults, and other criminal acts against on-duty transport staff have become far too common, he said.

    “We cannot ignore the safety concerns that licensed operators deal with every single day. Reports of robberies, assaults, and other criminal activity continue to harm drivers and conductors, especially when they work evening routes,” Martindale said. “These valid concerns must be taken seriously if we are going to build a safer, more reliable transport system that works for everyone.”

    To address these overlapping safety threats, FOD is calling for urgent modernization of the public transport network’s core security infrastructure. The group is pushing for expanded, high-resolution surveillance systems across high-risk routes and terminals, stronger collaborative security partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, and more robust, fast-acting emergency response mechanisms for operators facing crisis.

    Beyond beefing up general security, FOD argues that accelerating the rollout of contactless, digital fare collection systems will cut down on the amount of physical cash carried by PSV crews, a key factor that makes operators targets for robbery. This simple policy shift, the group says, would act as a powerful deterrent to would-be criminals.

    In addition to physical security, early consultations have revealed widespread demand for higher professional standards across the entire sector. In response, FOD is lobbying to mandate standardized, ongoing training programs for all public transport operators and vehicle owners. The proposed training curriculum would cover a wide range of critical competencies: customer service, emergency first aid, de-escalation and conflict resolution, passenger assistance, basic financial literacy, and public safety awareness.

    “Public transport operators are often the first point of contact for thousands of Barbadians every single day,” Martindale noted. “Because of this vital public role, they need to have all the necessary skills to serve our citizens professionally, safely and effectively.”

    FOD’s review also highlighted a stark equity gap in service distribution across the country. While high-traffic, lucrative urban corridors enjoy frequent, reliable service, rural and geographically peripheral communities are chronically underserved – a problem that grows even worse during off-peak hours, leaving many residents stranded for work, school, or medical appointments. The opposition group stresses that any future restructuring of the public transport network must be rooted in empirical data to guarantee equal access to service for all Barbadians, no matter where they live.

    When it comes to addressing the crisis of unlicensed pirate operators, FOD says it is encouraged by the cooperative stance of existing regulated industry stakeholders. Rather than pushing for a harsh, punitive crackdown on informal operators, the group supports a structured, supportive framework to help unlicensed drivers enter the regulated system through legalization.

    “We are encouraged by the willingness of industry stakeholders to work constructively with individuals currently operating outside of the regulated system,” Martindale said. “We support efforts to help these operators become licensed, insured, and compliant with the law, so that they can contribute positively to the national transportation network while upholding the safety of the travelling public.”

    FOD confirmed that it will ramp up consultation activities across Barbados over the coming weeks, as the group works to finalize a full, comprehensive policy framework for public transport reform. “The men and women who transport thousands of Barbadians to work, school, medical appointments, and back to their homes every day play a critical role in our national economy and in the daily lives of our citizens,” Martindale said. “They deserve our recognition, our full support, and a transportation system that truly works for everyone.”

  • Misinformation posing growing threat to public health – BAMP

    Misinformation posing growing threat to public health – BAMP

    Low public health literacy has emerged as one of the most pressing public health challenges facing Barbados, the president of the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) has warned, noting that misinformation around lifestyle conditions is driving dangerous health complications across the island nation.

    In an exclusive interview with local outlet Barbados TODAY, BAMP President Dr. Lynda Williams explained that health literacy – the public’s ability to source, evaluate and understand accurate health information – remains a systemic failing in Barbados, with distrust in official health sources growing dramatically in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “In the post-COVID period, we’ve seen a huge rise in skepticism and cynicism around official health information and institutional sources,” Williams said. “A large share of the population now gets most of their health guidance from unreliable platforms, from YouTube to random Google search results, and most people lack the skills to tell evidence-based information apart from harmful falsehoods. This leads to dangerous misconceptions around everything from basic health to the importance of adhering to prescribed medication.”

    Williams noted that widespread reliance on unvetted online sources was a major driver of care avoidance and vaccine hesitancy during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak. While some recovery has been observed in recent years, the aftermath of that period continues to impact population health.

    “We are starting to see positive shifts: more parents are bringing their children in for routine vaccination, and more people are coming forward for preventive health checks,” she said. “We had a two-year lag where care was delayed, and as a result we’ve seen a sharp increase in late-stage cancer diagnoses, because people put off routine screenings that catch the disease early. We are now slowly getting back to pre-pandemic patterns of care, but the damage from those delays will be felt for years.”

    Addressing the health literacy gap remains an urgent priority, particularly for younger generations, Williams stressed. She argued that building health literacy must begin in childhood to equip people with critical evaluation skills long before they encounter misinformation online.

    “Health literacy is one of the biggest barriers we face in Barbados right now. To overcome it, we have to start with children, teaching them from an early age how to spot reliable health information and identify when claims are misleading or dangerous,” she said.

    Williams urged Barbadians to prioritize health guidance from trusted, evidence-based institutions and practicing medical professionals rather than relying exclusively on unmoderated online content. She named the World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Barbados’ own Ministry of Health and Wellness as credible starting points for health information, and encouraged people to discuss any online claims they encounter with their personal physician.

    The BAMP president warned that many circulating health falsehoods carry life-threatening consequences, pointing to a recent viral example spread across Barbadian social media that claimed salt could cure hypertension – a claim that is entirely unsupported by medical evidence.

    “It was completely wrong, but because the person posting the video wore a white coat to look legitimate, many people believed it,” Williams said.

    She emphasized that anyone considering following health advice found online should first confirm it with a qualified medical provider, rather than trusting guidance from friends or anonymous online creators.

    “Your friends have good intentions, but they don’t have medical training, and we also see a huge amount of misleading advertising for supplements and unproven health products here in Barbados that confuses people even more,” Williams added. “These misleading claims erode public understanding of common conditions from asthma to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and leave people unaware of how critical early treatment is to prevent fatal outcomes.”

    The challenge of improving health literacy has grown even more pressing as Barbados continues to grapple with a rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Williams noted.

    Her comments came during BAMP’s annual medical education conference, held this year under the theme “Navigating Non-Communicable Diseases from a Caribbean Perspective.” At the event, hundreds of regional medical professionals gathered to discuss a wide range of NCDs beyond the commonly cited diabetes and hypertension, including adult and childhood obesity, asthma, COPD, kidney disease, strokes, heart attacks, and heat-related illnesses driven by climate change.

    Williams added that the conference was not only focused on refining clinical treatment options for these conditions, but also on building a collective advocacy push for public health policy changes that can reduce the national burden of chronic disease and improve long-term health outcomes for all Barbadians.

  • Wanted: Tonio Thelstone Garnes, also known as ‘Blacka’ or ‘Darkman’

    Wanted: Tonio Thelstone Garnes, also known as ‘Blacka’ or ‘Darkman’

    Law enforcement authorities in Barbados are calling on members of the public to lend their support to an ongoing manhunt for a suspect identified as Tonio Thelstone Garnes, who goes by the aliases ‘Blacka’ and ‘Darkman’. Garnes is currently wanted by police for questioning in relation to a series of serious criminal investigations, prompting the official appeal for community assistance.

    According to public statements released by the Barbados Police Service, the suspect’s last confirmed residential address was on King William Street in the parish of St Michael. Investigators have released a detailed physical description to help members of the public identify him: Garnes stands roughly five feet 10 inches tall, has a slim physique, and a dark complexion. Two distinct tattoos mark his body: an image of a firearm inked onto his right bicep, and the name ‘Nickolett’ tattooed on the right side of his neck.

    Police officials have issued a direct request for Garnes to turn himself in voluntarily at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters located within the Oistins Police Station. They have confirmed that he is permitted to be accompanied by a legal representative of his own choosing when he surrenders.

    For members of the public who may have information related to Garnes’ current location, law enforcement has provided multiple confidential and public contact channels. Tipsters can reach the Oistins CID directly at either 418-2609 or 418-2612, call the national police emergency hotline at 211, contact the independent Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 1-800-8477, or visit any local police station in person to share information.

    In a critical reminder for the public, authorities have emphasized that intentionally hiding or providing aid to a person wanted by police constitutes a serious criminal offense under Barbados law. Individuals found guilty of harbouring a wanted suspect can face formal prosecution and corresponding legal penalties.

  • BIMAP to launch hands-on workplace safety training

    BIMAP to launch hands-on workplace safety training

    Starting this September, Barbadian workers across multiple industries will gain access to new specialized hands-on training focused on hazardous waste management and industrial workplace safety, launched through a multi-party partnership between the island nation’s National Transformation Initiative (NTI), the Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP), and global U.S.-based online learning platform Coursera. The collaboration was formalized Thursday during an official agreement signing that marked a key step forward for the country’s efforts to upgrade workplace safety standards.

    BIMAP Executive Trustee Andrea Burgess outlined the unique structure of the upcoming programme in comments following the signing, noting that certified expert facilitators and purpose-built safety equipment will be brought in from Canada to support in-person instruction. Unlike generic safety training, this curriculum is designed to build proactive, preventive skills to help workers respond to on-site emergencies involving hazardous materials, with the end goal of creating safer work environments that reduce preventable accidents and harm.

    Burgess explained that the new initiative builds on a 2021 online-only safety training pilot BIMAP previously ran. This updated iteration combines flexible online foundational learning from aligned Coursera courses with intensive, in-person practical skill-building that was missing from the earlier remote programme. The hands-on component, led by BIMAP’s trained team, will allow workers to practice using safety and hazardous waste treatment equipment directly, rather than only learning through theoretical online modules.

    Addressing ongoing public concerns about elevated workplace fatality risks and weak safety protocols in Barbados’ construction sector, NTI Director Dr. Allyson Leacock emphasized that the partnership was built to align with the real-world needs of the island’s workforce. The training is designed to equip all levels of staff, from front-line on-site workers to senior executives and frontline supervisors, with contextually relevant knowledge that lets all employees complete their daily tasks safely and effectively.

    Leacock added that this September safety training is just one component of a broader, industry-focused workforce development agenda BIMAP is rolling out across Barbados later this year. Burgess noted that BIMAP has identified a growing national demand for practical, skills-first workforce training across a range of critical industrial areas, not limited to workplace safety – extending to advanced equipment operation, cutting-edge industrial technology, and ongoing upskilling to match evolving workplace needs.

  • NTI, BIMAP, Coursera seal partnership to boost skills, jobs

    NTI, BIMAP, Coursera seal partnership to boost skills, jobs

    On Thursday, three organizations – Barbados’ National Transformation Initiative (NTI), the Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP), and U.S.-based for-profit online learning platform Coursera – formalized a five-year strategic partnership designed to reshape the Caribbean nation’s education system and workforce development landscape.

    The new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) cements a collaboration that has already delivered tangible results for Barbadian workers and learners since NTI first partnered with Coursera in May 2021. BIMAP was the first domestic institution to embrace the initiative, integrating Coursera’s global digital content into its local training programs from the earliest stages.

    Reflecting on the partnership’s growth to date, NTI Director Dr. Allyson Leacock highlighted the rapid expansion of access and uptake: from just 1,600 completed certifications in 2021, the initiative has now crossed 60,000 certifications, with more than 201,000 total course enrollments and over 51,000 active learners on the national platform co-integrated with Coursera. Under the new expanded agreement, the partners will roll out a customized 40-hour digital training protocol to upskill public sector workers, with the goal of building a forward-thinking public service that leads change rather than falling behind.

    Dr. Leacock emphasized that boosting national productivity is the central mission of the expanded collaboration, framing the work as critical to Barbados’ long-term sovereignty and economic resilience. “For a small nation like ours with no natural oil reserves and limited land area, productivity is not just a metric on a spreadsheet – it is national sovereignty. It lets us hold our own on the global stage and pay our own way. For individual workers, productivity means dignity: it is the difference between a family just getting by and a family getting ahead,” she explained.

    She noted that the partnership aligns directly with the government’s “Mission Barbados” national development agenda, centering worker empowerment and inclusive digital transformation. “A truly fully digital Barbados is not just one with fancy technology. It is one where no one is left behind,” Dr. Leacock added.

    One of the key lessons the NTI learned over its first five years of collaboration with Coursera is that standalone certification is not enough to move the needle on employment outcomes. For too long, many Barbadian workers’ learning journeys ended with a certificate, never translating to better jobs, higher wages, or new small business opportunities. Dr. Leacock noted that education providers and employers have long operated in separate spheres, and the NTI is positioned to bridge that communication gap. The new five-year agreement aims to close this divide by directly linking upskilling programs to tangible workplace opportunities.

    “NTI and Coursera bring world-class digital learning content to the table, but BIMAP brings connections to the local business community, employers, small business owners, and on-the-ground real-world workplace challenges that need solutions,” Dr. Leacock explained. “Together, we close the loop: turning learners into earners, skills into jobs, and completed courses into meaningful contributions from active Barbadian citizens.”

    To kick off the expanded partnership, Dr. Leacock announced three pilot initiatives that will launch and wrap up within the first 90 days. The pilots include upskilling a local coconut vendor to grow their roadside trade into a linked value-added segment of Barbados’ tourism development program, leadership training for frontline retail supervisors to help them manage whole teams rather than just individual shifts, and hands-on hazardous waste disposal and industrial safety training for frontline workers, hosted on BIMAP’s real training equipment to ensure workers can return home safely every day. The partnership will also explore practical applications of artificial intelligence to boost local productivity and solve everyday industry challenges.

    BIMAP Executive Trustee Andrea Burgess outlined the institute’s key contributions to the collaboration: its existing relationships with local and regional employers, expert training facilitators, hands-on practical training infrastructure, and decades of regional development expertise. “We are ready to serve as a core part of this delivery engine for national transformation, and eventually regional and even international transformation, all with a constant focus on improving productivity. Our shared goal is to help Barbadian learners move from learning to earning through the combined strength of NTI, Coursera, and BIMAP,” Burgess said.

    Burgess explained that under the new agreement, Coursera content will be progressively integrated directly into BIMAP’s credentialed programs, rather than operating as a separate standalone offering. “This integration lets learners benefit from both global cutting-edge expertise from Coursera and local contextualized facilitation, assessment, and workplace connection from BIMAP,” she noted. The integrated model offers multiple flexible pathways: Coursera courses can count toward full BIMAP degree programs, serve as prerequisite preparation for program entry, or allow learners to waive foundational coursework and shorten their time to completion, depending on alignment of learning outcomes.

    Jennifer Campbell, special advisor for higher education at Coursera, reaffirmed that expanding accessible learning opportunities for all remains the platform’s core mission. “What stands out to me is seeing how lives are being transformed: from learners who took a chance on a new course to faculty who have embraced new training models. Right now, every single person in Barbados has access to these opportunities, and it is an honor for Coursera to be part of this work,” Campbell said. She also pledged that Coursera will continuously update its content to reflect global labor market demands, emerging technologies, and the latest skills data to ensure it remains relevant to Barbadian workers’ needs.

  • Junior Monarch attracts 47 entrants

    Junior Monarch attracts 47 entrants

    Barbados’ iconic showcase for young Caribbean musical talent is gearing up for a milestone 2026 edition, as the 2026 Scotiabank Junior Monarch Competition draws a record-breaking field of participants to mark double anniversaries for the event’s organizers. This year, the National Cultural Foundation (NCF)—the country’s primary arts development body—is celebrating 40 years of nurturing emerging creative talent, while title sponsor Scotiabank commemorates 70 years of operations in Barbados. Against this celebratory backdrop, 47 up-and-coming artists submitted entries across the competition’s two core categories: calypso and soca, marking a noticeable increase in participation from the 2025 edition.

    The semi-final performance order draw was held Thursday at Scotiabank’s Warrons location, where 26 advancing artists picked their slots for the upcoming competition later this month. Ayesha Butcher, NCF music officer and producer of the competition, broke down the breakdown of entries and advancing contestants: 33 total submissions came in for the calypso category, while 14 artists entered the soca division. After preliminary judging, 13 calypso semi-finalists (plus one alternate) and 13 soca semi-finalists moved forward to the next stage of competition. “These young artists have been working assiduously behind the scenes in preparation for their first public performance with the band,” Butcher shared ahead of the contest’s first public events.

    Contestants will make their first public appearances alongside a full live band this Saturday at the Scotiabank Junior Monarch Tent, hosted at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed starting at 6 p.m. A second public preview event is scheduled for the same venue and time on June 20. Semi-final rounds will officially kick off at Carifesta Hall on June 28 at 6 p.m., with the competition concluding on July 18, when finalists will take the stage to compete for the coveted Junior Monarch titles in both categories. The confirmed semi-final performance order has been locked in: for calypso, the running order is Sabiah, Potent, Bit Bit, Yonte, Master Kajae, Lil E, Chelsea, Andrea, N’Kyla, Ozzydeartiste, Queen A, Willy B and Slay; for soca, the order is Keytrin, Leilani, Zarie B, Lil Stathis, Tempo, ROH, Niara, Khaleesi, A.J., Ranesha, Empress K, Talisia and Aurora.

    In opening remarks at the draw event, NCF chief executive Carol Roberts congratulated all advancing contestants and framed the competition as far more than a search for a winner. “It takes immense courage to stand under the lights, to hold a microphone, and to share your perspective with the world. It’s not easy, and you do it, and for that, you are a winner,” Roberts told the young artists. “My advice to you is this: Use this platform, not just to compete, but to learn, to connect and to find your authentic voice. Listen to your mentors. Respect your fellow artists, support each other, cherish every moment of this journey and have the time of your life.”

    Roberts emphasized that the 40-year competition has built a far-reaching legacy that extends beyond the stage. “We see a cultural academy of young people who started on the junior monarch stage, and they’ve grown all of them into ambassadors of our culture,” she said. She also paid tribute to Scotiabank’s unprecedented long-term support of the program, noting the bank has partnered with the Junior Monarch competition for 31 of its 40 years of existence. “For the vast majority of these 40 years, you’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with us, and you’ve proven time and time again that your commitment extends far beyond corporate visibility. It is a profound, enduring investment in the youth of Barbados because you understand that when you sponsor Junior Monarch, you’re not just funding a competition, you’re funding the voices of tomorrow,” Roberts said.

    Following the semi-final draw, Scotiabank formally presented NCF with a $73,000 Bds donation to support the 2026 competition. Lana Fingall, Senior Relationship Manager and Team Lead for Offshore Banking at Scotiabank, framed the partnership as a core part of the bank’s commitment to Barbadian youth and national culture. “There’s no better expression of that commitment than our long-standing support of the Junior Monarch Programme, which we have proudly sponsored for over 25 years. Our continued partnership with the National Cultural Foundation reflects not only our belief in this programme, but our confidence in the young people of Barbados, their talents, their voice and their potential,” Fingall said.

    Fingall explained that youth empowerment is a central pillar of Scotiabank’s global and local social impact strategy. “We believe that when young people are given the right opportunities, guidance and support, they can truly thrive and in doing so uplift their families, communities, and the nation as a whole. Through initiatives like Junior Monarch, we are not only supporting artistic expression. We are helping to shape confident, capable, and resilient young leaders,” she said. She also highlighted the bank’s ScotiaRISE initiative, a global program focused on building economic resilience for young people, noting the program prioritizes investments that help emerging generations prepare for their futures with confidence.

    Touching on the place of the Junior Monarch competition within Barbados’ annual Crop Over festival, Fingall noted that the event is far more than a precursor to the national celebration. “Crop Over is more than a festival; it is a celebration of identity, heritage, and national pride. But the future of our culture depends on how well we engage and empower the next generation today,” she said. “The Junior Monarch competition gives our young people a platform to be seen, heard, and celebrated, ensuring that the rhythms, stories, and spirit of Barbados continue to evolve and thrive. Each year, these young artists bring fresh perspectives, full creativity, and authenticity that inspire us all. They remind us that culture is not static.”

  • ‘Beyond Words’ to open doors through French language exchange

    ‘Beyond Words’ to open doors through French language exchange

    The Eden Lodge Youth Charitable Trust, a community-focused nonprofit based in Barbados, has unveiled an innovative cross-cultural language exchange program called Beyond Words, which brings international university students directly into local classrooms to boost language proficiency and connect young people across borders.

    Details of the new initiative were shared publicly at a press briefing hosted Thursday at St Paul’s Primary School on Brittons Cross Road, where the trust’s public relations lead Billie-June Langdon explained the program originated from a planned internship for Luxon Warner, a business student at EXCELIA Business School based in Orléans, France. Recognizing that Warner’s placement through the French Humacité Programme represented more than just a standard internship opportunity, the trust designed the Beyond Words initiative to advance a set of core goals: expand accessible cultural exchange opportunities, empower youth to engage globally, drive inclusive community development, build global awareness among local students, and foster authentic, long-lasting connections between young people from different cultural backgrounds.

    In its pilot first year, the program has partnered with two Barbadian schools: St Paul’s Primary School and St Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School. Warner has led customized conversational French classes at both institutions, adapting content and activities to match the varying age groups and language proficiency levels of participating students.

    Andrew Lokey, a modern languages teacher at St Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School, noted that the program’s impact extends far beyond basic language instruction. Over the four-week pilot, Lokey observed that the shared age proximity between the 20-year-old French visitor and the 15 and 16-year-old secondary school students created a natural, relaxed camaraderie that enhanced learning far beyond what a standard curriculum can offer.

    Lokey emphasized that access to a native French speaker gave students an immersive experience impossible to replicate in a traditional, teacher-led classroom. “Students got to hear and practice natural, authentic conversational French in real time, which is an irreplaceable learning tool,” he explained. The program also delivered tangible academic benefits for students preparing for their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, with Warner able to walk students through complex grammatical concepts in clear, detailed terms that reinforced their exam preparation.

    Most notably, Lokey observed a marked improvement in student engagement and confidence. Even students who had previously shown limited interest in French became more motivated to practice and improve their skills week over week, with Warner’s consistent encouragement driving measurable progress.

    For Warner himself, the exchange has been just as transformative. Calling the experience his first extended stay in a foreign country, he explained that stepping outside his comfort zone – navigating daily life independently without family nearby – helped him grow personally and professionally. While helping Barbadian students build their French skills, Warner also worked to improve his own English proficiency, noting that daily interactions with local students and staff helped him overcome initial nervousness about speaking in a new language. He expressed hope that he would return to Barbados to continue the program in the future and extended his gratitude to the Eden Lodge Youth Charitable Trust for the opportunity.

    At St Paul’s Primary School, the pilot program introduced French to young learners through dynamic, activity-based methods that made the new language fun and accessible. Eleven-year-old Class Four student Davonte Jordan shared that the interactive lessons – which included vocabulary games for weather terms, body parts, and city locations, as well as a French-language version of Simon Says that got students moving around the classroom – made learning feel engaging rather than intimidating. The positive early experience has already sparked a lasting interest: Jordan said he plans to continue studying French when he moves on to secondary school.

    St Paul’s Primary Principal Joan Collymore praised the initiative for the unique opportunities it brought to her students. “Over the course of the program, our students benefited tremendously from conversational classes led by Luxon. The lessons were engaging, well-received, and his consistent enthusiasm kept kids inspired from start to finish,” Collymore said. While the pilot program ran only a few weeks, she added that it delivered long-term value, creating meaningful learning experiences and strengthening the critical partnership between the school and local community to support the development of well-rounded, globally aware students.

    Organizers of Beyond Words noted that the initiative aligns with the Eden Lodge Youth Charitable Trust’s core mission of youth empowerment, expanded educational access, and community service. The pilot program has already demonstrated that targeted international collaboration can not only improve language learning outcomes for students but also build confidence, cross-cultural understanding, and genuine people-to-people connections between young people from different parts of the world.

  • Jazz and golf fest ‘boosts tourism appeal’

    Jazz and golf fest ‘boosts tourism appeal’

    Ten years after its humble debut, the Barbados Jazz Excursion and Golf Weekend has emerged as a transformative cultural and economic asset for the Caribbean island, drawing high-value international travelers and cementing Barbados’ reputation as a world-class experiential travel destination, industry officials announced ahead of the 2024 milestone edition.

    This year’s 10th anniversary gathering is scheduled to run from October 8 to 12, building on a decade of growth to showcase Barbados’ unique blend of world-class culture, warm hospitality, and premium leisure offerings that set it apart from traditional holiday destinations. Speaking at the official media launch held at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle, Anderson King, Marketing Director of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), emphasized that the festival is far more than an annual entertainment event—it is a case study in what collaborative partnership can achieve for a destination’s global brand.

    “We’re celebrating far more than an event,” King noted at the launch. “We are celebrating what is possible when creative vision, strategic partnerships, and a shared belief in Barbados come together to create experiences that resonate on a global stage.”

    King pointed to shifting global travel trends that have shaped Barbados’ modern tourism strategy: today’s travelers no longer settle for generic beach vacations. Instead, they prioritize authentic, immersive experiences that let them connect with local culture, communities, and heritage. The Barbados Jazz Excursion was tailor-made to meet this demand, weaving together live jazz music, recreational golf, award-winning local cuisine, Caribbean heritage, luxury hospitality, wellness programming, and community engagement into one cohesive, memorable experience—aligning perfectly with BTMI’s long-term growth goals.

    The festival also highlights the ripple benefits of cross-sector collaboration across the visitor economy, King explained. Bringing together government tourism agencies, private sector businesses, international airlines, local hotels, cultural attractions, independent restaurants, transportation providers, and world-renowned artists creates shared economic gains that extend far beyond the event weekend. “Tourism succeeds when we work together, and the Barbados Jazz Excursion continues to demonstrate the extraordinary results that collaboration can achieve,” he added.

    Over its first decade, the festival has built steadily growing international appeal, drawing the majority of its attendees from Barbados’ core source markets: the United States, Canada, and neighboring Caribbean nations. King highlighted the outsized importance of the U.S. market, which has become Barbados’ largest source of international visitors, recording a remarkable 60% increase in arrivals over the past three years, with projections set to hit nearly 250,000 U.S. visitors in 2025. The event’s annual scheduling over the U.S. Columbus Day holiday weekend makes it an attractive long getaway option for North American travelers, who can combine world-class jazz and golf with Barbados’ iconic hospitality.

    King also noted that the festival has built exceptional brand loyalty, with a large share of attendees returning year after year. Many of these repeat visitors go on to become informal brand ambassadors for Barbados, encouraging friends, family, and travel groups to book trips to the island.

    Veteran jazz saxophonist Elan Trotman, the founder and creative force behind the festival, reflected on the event’s extraordinary 10-year growth trajectory. What began in 2014 as an intimate gathering of family and friends near the iconic Crane Resort has steadily expanded into one of Barbados’ top annual tourism and entertainment events.

    “Today I proudly celebrate a major upcoming milestone of ten years presenting this event,” Trotman said. “What began in 2014 as a small gathering of family and friends … has grown into one of Barbados’ premier tourism and entertainment events, attracting thousands of visitors in the last decade, while directly supporting our Head Start Music programme.”

    For this year’s milestone 10th anniversary edition, organizers already expect at least 150 in-house guests at the Wyndham Grand, with Grammy Award-winning R&B legend Jeffrey Osborne headlining the festival’s flagship Concorde Experience concert on October 11.