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标签： Dominica

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  • CRFM ministers adopt 19 resolutions, approve new aquaculture plan at 20th council meeting

    CRFM ministers adopt 19 resolutions, approve new aquaculture plan at 20th council meeting

    Caribbean fisheries, aquaculture, and blue economy ministers recently convened virtually for the 20th Regular Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), the CARICOM body dedicated to advancing coordinated regional action on fisheries management. The teleconference gathering brought together decision-makers from across the bloc to align on shared priorities and address pressing challenges facing the region’s marine sectors.

    During the meeting, delegates turned their attention to a slate of high-stakes topics central to Caribbean maritime development. Discussions spanned expanding commercial aquaculture output, updating regional frameworks to strengthen collective food security, designing climate and disaster risk mitigation strategies centered on insurance solutions, and sustaining momentum in the global fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

    A core order of business for the gathering was the election of a new Chair to lead the Ministerial Council for the 2026–2027 term. Ministers voted unanimously to appoint Hon. Randy Baltimore, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, to the top role. Baltimore succeeds Hon. Kyle Hodge, Anguilla’s Minister of Economic Development, Industry, Commerce, Lands, Planning, Water and Natural Resources, who oversaw the Council’s work over the past 12-month term. Notably, Baltimore only recently assumed oversight of the fisheries portfolio following Antigua and Barbuda’s recent national elections.

    In remarks following his appointment, Baltimore outlined his administration’s priorities for the term. “The Government of Antigua and Barbuda looks forward to working closely with CRFM Member States and regional partners to further the sustainable development of the Caribbean’s fisheries and blue economy sectors during its tenure as Chair,” he said. Antigua and Barbuda also reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to deepening regional collaboration for responsible fisheries management and sustainable marine resource use, with a core focus on improving the economic livelihoods of small-scale fisherfolk and driving innovative solutions to industry threats including climate change, IUU fishing, and fragmented ocean governance.

    With support from Ian Horsford, Chair of the Caribbean Fisheries Forum and Chief Fisheries Officer of Antigua and Barbuda, ministers worked through a packed agenda of sector-wide issues. By the close of deliberations, the Council had approved 19 binding resolutions designed to accelerate progress on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development across the entire Caribbean region. Key decisions included the adoption of a landmark five-year strategic action plan for aquaculture expansion, as well as formal endorsement of the CRFM’s work programme and operating budget for the 2026–2027 cycle.

    Delegates also received detailed progress updates on three large-scale regional initiatives being rolled out by the CRFM in partnership with member states and global development partners. These projects include the Canadian-funded Sustainable Technologies for Adaptation and Resilience in Fisheries (STAR-fish) Project, the IICA/EDF-EU Food Security Project, and the GEF/FAO/CAF/CRFM BE-CLME+ Project, which supports national blue economy planning through cross-regional marine spatial planning across the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem Plus.

    In closing remarks, CRFM Executive Director Dr. Marc Williams emphasized that the Caribbean has reached a critical turning point for ocean governance, stressing that long-term prosperity depends on integrating sustainable fisheries management, aquaculture growth, climate resilience, and coordinated ocean stewardship. “The Caribbean stands at a pivotal moment when sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, the Blue Economy, climate resilience, and ocean governance must be integrated to secure prosperity for present and future generations,” Dr. Williams said. “I encourage all Member States to maintain their strong engagement in implementing today’s resolutions and to continue supporting the CRFM as a premier regional institution for fisheries and ocean governance.”

    Reflecting on the meeting’s collective outcomes, Dr. Williams noted that the Council’s decisions on strategic priorities, budget, financial management, and staffing create a robust foundation for the CRFM to deliver tangible, lasting benefits to the millions of Caribbean residents who depend on healthy marine resources for livelihoods and food security. The Ministerial Council is scheduled to reconvene later this year at the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, which will be hosted in Jamaica.

  • COMMENTARY: Cycling for a greener future

    COMMENTARY: Cycling for a greener future

    For centuries, the bicycle has quietly reshaped human society, yet its transformative legacy often flies under the radar of popular history. Dubbed the “people’s nag” — a reference to the expensive, elite horses 19th century working classes could not access — the bicycle democratized personal travel more than 200 years ago, giving ordinary people an affordable, self-reliant way to move freely across their communities. Many observers now draw parallels between the disruptive, world-altering impact of the bicycle’s invention and the rise of artificial intelligence in the 21st century, framing the two as equally revolutionary shifts in how people live and work.

    The modern bicycle as we know it traces its origins to 1885, when 30-year-old English inventor John Kemp Starley began testing new designs in his Coventry workshop. After iterating through multiple prototypes, he unveiled the Rover Safety Bicycle: a 45-pound chain-driven model with two equally sized wheels, a design that remains the baseline for bicycles produced today. From its earliest days, the bicycle rippled through every corner of culture, leaving lasting marks on art, music, literature, and fashion that endure to this day.

    In recognition of the bicycle’s centuries-long contributions to global progress, the United Nations established World Bicycle Day in 2018, observed annually on June 3. The 2026 iteration of the event centers on two interconnected themes: “Cycling for a Greener Future” and “Advancing Sustainable Mobility and Inclusive Transport.” Both campaigns position the simple two-wheeled vehicle as a practical, low-cost solution to two of the world’s most pressing challenges: accelerating climate change and overcrowded, inequitable urban transport systems.

    Beyond its environmental benefits, global health bodies have long emphasized cycling’s far-reaching positive impacts on public health. The United Nations notes that regular moderate physical activity — including cycling — delivers extensive health benefits for people of all age groups, and even small amounts of activity offer greater gains than no activity at all. The World Health Organization (WHO) adds that building safe infrastructure for walking and cycling is also a critical pathway to advancing health equity. For low-income urban communities that cannot afford private motor vehicles, active transport like cycling cuts the risk of heart disease, stroke, several types of cancer, and diabetes, all while providing accessible mobility for work, school, and daily needs. This makes expanded cycling infrastructure both a cost-effective and equitable investment for communities worldwide.

    The bicycle’s history of advancing social progress stretches back to the 19th century, when it became a core tool for women’s liberation, granting women unprecedented mobility and personal autonomy at a time when strict social norms restricted their movement. Today, that legacy of inclusion continues through adaptive bicycle designs that make cycling accessible to people of all physical abilities. The bicycle also helps expand access to critical public services: by offering low-cost transport, it makes education, healthcare, and economic opportunity more reachable for marginalized and vulnerable populations across the globe.

    The shift toward prioritizing cycling in public policy gained new momentum after the COVID-19 pandemic, which reshaped global transport needs and prompted many cities to reimagine their mobility systems as part of “build back better” recovery efforts. In March 2022, the UN General Assembly codified this momentum with a resolution calling for the integration of bicycling into mainstream public transport systems to advance sustainable development. The resolution reaffirms the bicycle’s role as a tool of sustainable transport that encourages sustainable consumption and production, and delivers tangible benefits for climate action. It also commits national governments to promote cycling for all segments of society — across ages, rural and urban communities — and foster a widespread culture of bicycling worldwide.

    As communities around the globe observe World Bicycle Day 2026, organizers call on people everywhere to take actionable steps to support the day’s goals: opt for cycling over motorized transport when possible to cut carbon emissions and boost personal health, and advocate for protected, safe cycling infrastructure in local communities. Far more than just a machine for getting from point A to point B, the bicycle stands as a unifying symbol that connects people, communities, the health of the planet, and shared global progress. In the words of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bicycle.”

    This commentary was written by Wayne Campbell, an educator and social commentator focused on how development policy intersects with culture and gender issues. All views expressed in this piece are the author’s alone and have not been independently verified.

  • VIDEO: Bush fire at Tarreau

    VIDEO: Bush fire at Tarreau

    A wildfire has broken out in the Tarreau region, with flames spreading across bush land as of early this evening, according to initial on-site reports. The emergency situation, captured in on-the-ground video footage, shows active flames moving through dry vegetation in the area. Local authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the size of the blaze, potential causes, any reported injuries, or structural damage to nearby properties. Emergency response teams are expected to be deployed to assess the situation and contain the spread of the fire as quickly as possible. Residents in surrounding communities are being urged to stay alert for updated evacuation orders and safety guidance from local officials.

  • STATEMENT: CARICOM congratulates Trinidad & Tobago on its election to the United Nations Security Council, 2027-2028

    STATEMENT: CARICOM congratulates Trinidad & Tobago on its election to the United Nations Security Council, 2027-2028

    On Wednesday, 3 June 2026, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government issued a formal statement from the organization’s Secretariat based in Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana, extending warm, heartfelt congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago following the country’s successful election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term. The election, held the same day the statement was released, saw Trinidad and Tobago secure overwhelming backing from the United Nations’ global membership of member states. According to CARICOM’s leadership, this broad, cross-regional support is a clear reflection of the widespread confidence the international community holds in Trinidad and Tobago’s decades-long dedication to upholding multilateral cooperation, advancing global peace and security, and defending the core principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. CARICOM emphasized that the election outcome is not just a landmark personal achievement for Trinidad and Tobago, but a moment of collective pride for the entire 15-nation Caribbean bloc. The regional body further noted that Trinidad and Tobago will bring a much-needed, distinct perspective to the Security Council’s deliberations, centering the experiences and priorities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Low-lying Coastal Developing States, a group disproportionately vulnerable to global shocks ranging from climate change to geopolitical instability. CARICOM leaders expressed full confidence that Trinidad and Tobago will leverage its new seat to advocate vigorously for policy solutions that address the unique threats to peace and stability facing the Caribbean and other similarly vulnerable regions across the globe. In closing, the Caribbean Community reaffirmed its unwavering support for Trinidad and Tobago as it prepares to take on this critical global responsibility next year, and confirmed that the entire bloc stands ready to work closely with the country to advance the collective interests of the Caribbean region within the framework of the United Nations system.

  • United Progressive Party leadership calls for greater transparency on international airport project

    United Progressive Party leadership calls for greater transparency on international airport project

    As Dominica pushes forward with construction of its new flagship international airport, scheduled for completion in 2027 under the leadership of lead developer Montreal Management Consults Development Ltd (MMC), the country’s main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) is intensifying calls for full governmental transparency around the megaproject’s long-term financial outlook.

    Led by party head Joshua Francis, the UPP has stressed it does not oppose infrastructure expansion that would boost the island nation’s global connectivity and support economic growth. Instead, the opposition says Dominican citizens deserve full access to details about the potential fiscal risks of a project of this scale, particularly given the unique economic vulnerabilities small island developing states face.

    In a formal press release outlining its concerns, the UPP flagged a suite of interconnected global economic headwinds that could threaten the airport’s ability to operate without ongoing public funding: persistent global inflation, rising aviation and operational overhead costs, volatile post-pandemic tourism demand, and systemic economic fragility common to small island nations. The party warned that without sustained, robust economic growth across Dominica’s key sectors, local taxpayers could ultimately be forced to cover ongoing operational shortfalls through public subsidies.

    To underscore its argument, the UPP pointed to the well-documented experience of Argyle International Airport in neighboring St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a similar large-scale infrastructure project built to drive tourism growth. Originally designed to handle between 1.2 million and 1.5 million annual passengers, Argyle has consistently fallen far short of its traffic projections. Official data from the airport’s early years shows just 185,224 passengers in 2017, 189,324 in 2018, and 203,465 in 2019, and the UPP says recent numbers remain a tiny fraction of the airport’s intended capacity. The opposition added that public records and government budget documents confirm St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ government has repeatedly allocated public funds to cover the airport’s maintenance and operational gaps.

    Against that regional precedent, the UPP says the Dominican government must answer critical unaddressed questions before moving further with construction. These include how ongoing operational costs for the airport — including staffing, maintenance, runway repairs, security, and debt repayment — will be covered if passenger volumes fail to hit projections, whether covering those gaps will lead to higher taxes, increased user fees, or expanded national public debt, and whether a comprehensive independent feasibility assessment and long-term cost-benefit analysis have been completed and made available for public review.

    The opposition emphasizes that Dominican residents must receive clear, unambiguous answers before the country commits future generations to what could be crippling, unsustainable long-term financial obligations. The UPP holds that all large-scale national infrastructure projects should be rooted in transparent planning, prudent fiscal management, realistic growth projections, and guardrails that protect taxpayers from excessive debt exposure.

    To enable informed public debate around the project, the UPP is formally requesting the Dominican government publish a full set of key planning documents, including the complete economic feasibility study, long-term operational cost estimates, passenger and tourism demand projections, debt-servicing schedules, projected annual subsidy requirements, and contingency plans for scenarios where revenue falls short of forecasts.

    In closing, the UPP stated that national development initiatives should be guided by evidence-based economic planning and public accountability, not short-term political priorities. The party reaffirmed its commitment to responsible infrastructure development, greater government economic transparency, and protecting Dominica’s long-term fiscal stability.

  • US political commentators denied entry to United Kingdom following visa revocations

    US political commentators denied entry to United Kingdom following visa revocations

    A political firestorm has erupted in both the United Kingdom and the United States after UK Border Force authorities revoked the Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) of two well-known left-wing American political commentators, barring them from entering the country ahead of high-profile scheduled speaking events.

    Hasan Piker, a popular Twitch streamer and progressive political analyst, and Cenk Uygur, co-founder and long-time host of the groundbreaking online news program *The Young Turks*, were slated to appear as keynote speakers at the newly launched SXSW London festival, alongside a separate public lecture at the University of Oxford. Both commentators took to social media platform X over the weekend to confirm they had been blocked from boarding their flights to the UK after their approved travel documents were suddenly cancelled.

    Both men have directly tied the entry ban to their long-standing, vocal criticism of the Israeli government and its military campaign in the Gaza Strip. In a viral post on X, Uygur condemned the decision, arguing that it represented a troubling infringement of free expression for Western citizens. ‘I tried to get on a flight to London to attend SXSW London and give a speech at Oxford. I’ve been banned for criticising Israel. Are we free any more? This is oppression of western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country,’ he wrote. Piker echoed the accusation in his response, claiming the revocation was coordinated at the request of the Israeli government. ‘The UK has revoked my visa as well. All at the behest of Israel. The west is betraying ‘liberal values’ for a genocidal fascist foreign government,’ Piker wrote.

    To date, the UK Home Office has declined to publicly share the specific reasoning behind the decision to revoke the pair’s ETAs. UK official guidance outlines that travel authorisations can be cancelled at any time if border authorities judge an individual poses a potential threat to UK public good or national security.

    The ban has drawn both praise and condemnation across UK political circles. Labour Member of Parliament David Taylor, who previously publicly called for UK authorities to bar Piker from entering the country, hailed the decision. Writing on X, Taylor argued: ‘There’s no reason to open our doors to those who seek to spread hate and division, especially to those who’ve supported a proscribed terror group.’ The Community Security Trust (CST), a UK-based Jewish community organisation that tracks antisemitism and provides security for Jewish community events, also welcomed the outcome. While the group acknowledged that legitimate political criticism of the Israeli government is protected speech, it argued that Piker’s past public remarks crossed the line into antisemitic rhetoric.

    Critics of the entry ban, however, have decried the decision as a dangerous overreach that undermines core principles of free speech and open political debate. Green Party of England and Wales leader Zack Polanski described the visa denials as ‘a really grim decision,’ while Akiko Hart, director of the UK-based civil liberties group Liberty, called for full transparency from the Home Office regarding entry restrictions that limit political expression.

    A spokesperson for SXSW London confirmed the cancellation of the pair’s appearances in an official statement to the BBC, noting that immigration decisions fall entirely under the remit of UK Home Office authorities. The organiser reaffirmed the festival’s commitment to hosting open, inclusive dialogue featuring a broad range of diverse political perspectives.

    This latest entry ban follows a string of recent controversial decisions by UK authorities to bar high-profile foreign nationals from entering the country on public interest grounds. Recent bans have included American rapper Kanye West, who was barred over a history of antisemitic comments, multiple international political activists, and a group of extreme right-wing figures ahead of a major London demonstration held last month.

  • Discover Dominica Authority appoints new Destination Marketing Manager

    Discover Dominica Authority appoints new Destination Marketing Manager

    The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), the governing body behind the Caribbean island nation’s tourism development, has announced the appointment of seasoned Caribbean tourism executive Wendy Lake to the role of Destination Marketing Manager, with her tenure officially starting on June 1, 2026.

    In an official press release published by the DDA, the organization laid out the core priorities of Lake’s new role: leading the design and execution of high-impact strategic marketing projects that will elevate Dominica’s standing on the global travel stage and drive consistent, sustainable growth in annual visitor arrivals to the island.

    Lake brings 16 years of hands-on industry experience across the Caribbean tourism sector to her new position. Her professional background spans a diverse range of critical tourism marketing functions, from crafting cohesive destination branding identities and conducting in-depth market trend analysis to building productive stakeholder relationships and developing hyper-targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with core traveler segments. Over the course of her career, she has partnered extensively with both public sector tourism agencies and private sector hospitality businesses to deliver successful tourism infrastructure projects and large-scale promotional initiatives.

    Academically, Lake boasts a robust credential set rooted in marketing and business management, all earned from the University of the West Indies’ St. Augustine campus in Trinidad. She graduated with distinction with a Master of Science degree in International Strategic Marketing, and holds an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Management Studies with a supplementary minor in Economics. She also completed professional certification in Administrative Professional Secretaryship from the same institution.

    The DDA emphasized that Lake’s cross-cutting experience across tourism operations, end-to-end project management, and destination marketing has given her a nuanced, highly practical understanding of shifting global travel market conditions and evolving consumer travel preferences — a skill set that is increasingly valuable in a post-pandemic global tourism landscape.

    In her new role as Destination Marketing Manager, Lake will take charge of the DDA’s central marketing team. She will lead core organizational priorities focused on refining Dominica’s national tourism brand, expanding mutually beneficial trade partnerships with global travel industry stakeholders, and rolling out data-driven marketing strategies across the island’s key source tourism markets. Her key responsibilities will also include amplifying Dominica’s appeal to international leisure travelers and coordinating all promotional activities across both regional Caribbean and global markets.

    Lake’s appointment comes at a time of growing momentum for Dominica’s tourism sector. Global traveler interest in the island has risen steadily in recent years, driven by rising demand for nature-focused, wellness-centered, and adventure tourism experiences — a trend the DDA has actively capitalized on through ongoing international marketing investment.

    Marva Williams, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Tourism at the Discover Dominica Authority, extended a formal welcome to Lake upon her appointment, and expressed strong confidence in her ability to help the DDA advance its core organizational objectives.

    “Wendy’s appointment brings invaluable marketing leadership to our team as we work to sharpen Dominica’s competitive edge in the global tourism market,” Williams noted in her statement. “Her deep industry insight and collaborative working approach will be instrumental in building impactful cross-sector partnerships, strengthening our global brand presence, and positioning our destination effectively in a fast-changing global travel market.”

    For her part, Lake shared her excitement about joining the DDA team and contributing to the ongoing growth and evolution of Dominica’s tourism sector.

    “I am excited and truly honoured to begin a new chapter as Destination Marketing Manager with Discover Dominica Authority,” Lake said. “I look forward to contributing to the promotion and marketing of beautiful Dominica, showcasing its rich culture, breathtaking natural beauty, authentic one-of-a-kind travel experiences, and warm, welcoming people to the whole world. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to work alongside the DDA team and our local and international stakeholders to strengthen the destination’s global visibility, foster meaningful long-term partnerships, and support the continued sustainable growth of tourism in Dominica.”

    Looking forward, the DDA reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to rolling out strategic marketing initiatives that will strengthen the destination’s global competitiveness, boost annual visitor arrivals, and create long-term, sustainable economic benefits for the island’s local tourism and hospitality industry.

  • Flow says it has invested over US$1 million to address network interference in northern Dominica

    Flow says it has invested over US$1 million to address network interference in northern Dominica

    Caribbean telecommunications provider Flow is moving forward with a $1 million-plus investment purpose-built to resolve persistent mobile connectivity interference that has degraded service for communities across northern Dominica, the company announced in an official press statement.

    The issue first came to light several months ago, when Flow’s network monitoring systems flagged unusual performance dips in coverage across the island’s northern region. After weeks of comprehensive technical investigations, the firm traced the root of the disruption to external radio frequency interference originating from a mobile network operator based in neighboring Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory.

    From the moment the interference was confirmed, Flow mobilized to mitigate immediate customer impacts, rolling out temporary network adjustments, 24/7 monitoring and iterative testing to keep service as stable as possible while developing a permanent fix. As the centerpiece of its long-term resolution strategy, the company has procured custom-built network upgrade equipment and specialized technical tools that carry a total price tag of more than $1 million. The new hardware is scheduled to arrive in Dominica between June 5 and June 15, 2026, with full installation and testing to follow immediately after delivery. Once the upgrade is fully commissioned, company officials project the solution will completely eliminate the ongoing interference and restore service quality to normal levels for all affected northern communities.

    Beyond fixing the current disruption, Flow emphasizes that the investment will also boost overall network resilience across Dominica, cutting the risk of similar cross-border interference events from impacting customer service in the future. This proactive step, the company notes, underscores its commitment to delivering reliable connectivity even for challenges that originate outside of its own managed network infrastructure.

    Flow has not worked in isolation to address the issue: the provider has partnered closely with Dominica’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) and the regional Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) from the earliest stages of the investigation. Company representatives praised the ongoing collaboration between local and regional regulators, noting that coordinated multi-stakeholder engagement is critical to resolving transboundary telecommunications issues. While the in-country network upgrade will resolve immediate customer impacts, Flow confirmed that ongoing diplomatic and regulatory engagement with French authorities remains in progress to secure a permanent, long-term solution that addresses the interference at its source.

    “From the moment we identified this issue, our teams have worked around the clock to find a fix,” shared Sharon Jemmott, Country Manager for Flow Dominica. “We know how critical consistent, reliable connectivity is for our customers, whether they’re connecting with family, running a business, or accessing emergency services. Even though this problem started outside of our network, we refused to wait for a third party to act. We’ve invested heavily in a solution, collaborated closely with regulators and regional partners, and stayed focused on delivering the high-quality service our customers expect and deserve.”

    Flow says it will publish regular public updates as the equipment arrives, installation progresses, and the solution goes live. The company also extended its gratitude to affected customers for their patience, understanding, and continued trust as the resolution process moves forward.

  • Local schools and college to receive copies of new Caribbean World War II book

    Local schools and college to receive copies of new Caribbean World War II book

    A landmark initiative centered on expanding access to regionally focused historical literature is set to roll out in Dominica next week, as 10 local secondary schools and the Dominica State College prepare to receive donated copies of a newly released work by Dominican author Clement Richards. Titled *Sea Wolves in Warm Waters: The U-Boat Battle in the Caribbean*, the book is Richards’ second published title, coming just one year after his 2025 debut *Indian Warner: Son of Two Worlds*, according to an official press statement from Dominica Bookshelf.

    Unlike many mainstream historical accounts of World War II that marginalize the Caribbean theater, Richards’ latest work dives deep into a largely unexamined chapter of regional history: the active operations of German U-boats in Caribbean waters and the far-reaching impact that the transatlantic conflict had on local communities. For Richards, filling this gap in public knowledge is a critical academic and educational mission. “This is a very important segment of recent Caribbean history that is generally overlooked or forgotten,” the author explained. “The book is an attempt to inform and educate readers in the region and beyond about its importance and significance.”

    The cross-border donation project is a collaborative effort between the Maryland-based U.S. law firm Law Offices of Gabriel J. Christian & Associates LLC and the non-profit Rebuild Dominica Organization. Beyond just distributing books, the initiative was designed to advance core educational goals across Dominica: boost public awareness of underrepresented Caribbean history, and encourage young learners to engage with literary and historical work created by local and regional Caribbean authors.

    The formal handover ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Archives Unit on Kennedy Avenue in Roseau, the capital of Dominica. The event will feature a full program of speakers and activities: opening and introductory remarks from author Clement Richards, a pre-recorded video presentation from lead donor Gabriel Christian, and a keynote address from Prince St Jean, Officer-in-Charge of the Dominica Library and Information Service. To bring the book’s content to life during the ceremony, a student from St. Martin Secondary School will deliver a featured reading of an excerpt from *Sea Wolves in Warm Waters*, and a representative from Pierre Charles Secondary School will offer acceptance remarks on behalf of all receiving educational institutions.

    Looking ahead, event organizers have outlined ambitious long-term hopes for the donation. Beyond expanding immediate access to historically accurate, locally rooted historical literature that centers Caribbean experiences and perspectives, they expect the initiative to push for broader curricular change across Dominican schools, encouraging greater integration of works by Dominican and Caribbean authors into regular coursework. Ultimately, the project aims to help current generations of Dominican students develop a more nuanced, informed understanding of their nation’s place in both Caribbean regional history and broader global history.

  • Ministry of Education invites public to TVET showcase 2026

    Ministry of Education invites public to TVET showcase 2026

    Ahead of its launch next week, Malaysia’s Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence has issued a public call for widespread attendance at the 2026 TVET Showcase, an event crafted to reshape public understanding of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) across the country.

    Scheduled for June 5, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the ground floor of Government Headquarters, this year’s gathering centers on the transformative theme: “TVET for Excellence: Showcasing Skills, Breaking Stigmas, Building Futures.” Unlike generic education fairs, the showcase is intentionally designed to center the tangible achievements of TVET students, putting their on-the-job competencies, creative problem-solving, and innovative projects front and center for community visitors.

    According to an official press release from the ministry, attendees will be able to explore a wide array of interactive displays spanning key vocational sectors. These include hands-on exhibits from agricultural technology, commercial garment production, culinary arts and food nutrition, custom woodworking, and dozens of other specialized technical disciplines. Each showcase is structured to highlight the real-world, actionable knowledge and skills that students gain through structured TVET programming — skills that directly align with in-demand jobs across Malaysia’s evolving economy.

    Beyond displaying student work, the event carries a broader policy and social goal: to underscore the critical role that TVET plays in preparing people for successful careers. For many years, vocational education has carried unfair social stigma that frames it as a “second choice” for students who cannot pursue university degrees. The showcase aims to counter that myth by demonstrating that TVET equips learners with the specialized tools they need to secure stable employment, launch their own small businesses, and build sustainable long-term professional and personal growth.

    The ministry has extended a targeted invitation to a broad cross-section of the public, including current TVET students, prospective learners, parents, K-12 and post-secondary teachers, and all community members. Organizers note that public attendance not only supports student participants but also reinforces national efforts to nurture a culture of skills development, innovation, and excellence in vocational training — a key pillar of Malaysia’s workforce development strategy for coming years.