标签： Grenada

In a demonstration of community solidarity and inclusive values, the Rotary Club of Grenada organized a specially curated Movie Day for students from the Grenada School for Special Education on March 19th. The event, held at Movie Palace cinema at 10 AM, served as both a term-ending celebration and a meaningful observance of World Down Syndrome Day (March 21st).

Students experienced a morning of cinematic enjoyment with a featured animated film presentation in a fully accessible environment. The outing provided valuable social engagement opportunities beyond the traditional classroom setting, fostering an atmosphere of excitement and shared community participation.

This initiative embodies Rotary International’s core philosophy of ‘Service Above Self’ and reflects the organization’s sustained commitment to creating inclusive spaces where all individuals receive recognition and support. By facilitating social experiences for students with diverse abilities, the club actively promotes dignity, equality, and community belonging.

The event was realized through the generous sponsorship of Movie Palace, which provided complimentary film access along with refreshments including popcorn and beverages for all attendees. This collaborative partnership highlights how community organizations and businesses can jointly create positive social impact.

World Down Syndrome Day represents a global awareness campaign advocating for the rights, inclusion, and wellbeing of individuals with Down Syndrome. This genetic condition, resulting from an additional copy of chromosome 21, presents both unique challenges and strengths. Community initiatives like the Movie Day event serve to celebrate abilities while promoting broader societal understanding and acceptance.

The Rotary Club of Grenada maintains an ongoing collaborative relationship with the Grenada School for Special Education, consistently developing programs that empower and inspire students with diverse needs. Through such compassionate outreach, the organization continues strengthening community bonds and fostering environments where every member feels valued and included.

On the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the Caricom Reparations Commission issued a powerful declaration honoring the approximately 15 million African men, women, and children who suffered through centuries of chattel enslavement in the Americas. The commission memorialized both the profound suffering inflicted during the Middle Passage and the systemic brutality that denied basic humanity, while simultaneously celebrating the courageous resistance and defiance that ultimately challenged this racialized system of European domination. The commission framed its contemporary advocacy within the Caricom Ten Point Plan for Reparations, presenting it as the continuation of historical freedom struggles. It explicitly characterized transatlantic slavery as crimes against humanity—comprising racialized enslavement, human trafficking, and genocide—that were deliberately engineered to fuel European economic expansion while systematically underdeveloping Africa and the Caribbean. The commission welcomed the African Union’s declaration of a Decade for Reparations (2026–2035) as a pivotal framework for enhanced collaboration between Africa, the Caribbean, and the global diaspora. This announcement signals a strategic unification of the global reparations movement around principles of historical truth, moral accountability, and legal rights. The commission concluded by urging the international community to take concrete action toward repairing enduring legacies of exploitation, asserting that justice for victims of African enslavement constitutes justice for all humanity.

Grenada’s vocational training landscape is set for a significant transformation with the launch of the Work and Learn: Hospitality Apprenticeship Programme, a collaborative initiative between the Grenada National Training Agency (GNTA) and the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA). Funded by Canada’s Local Engagement and Action Fund (LEAF), this pioneering program represents a strategic investment in human capital development within the nation’s crucial tourism sector.

The comprehensive training framework will certify 45 hospitality professionals across three specialized disciplines: 8 pastry chefs, 17 bartenders and mixologists, and 20 housekeeping supervisors. The program combines theoretical instruction at either T A Marryshow Community College or the Point Salines Hotel with practical, hands-on training at participating hospitality establishments. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Level 3 Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ), a regionally recognized credential that enhances both employability and career advancement prospects.

Arlene Friday, CEO of GHTA, emphasized the program’s transformative potential: “This apprenticeship program represents a quantum leap in our commitment to cultivating a skilled workforce for Grenada’s hospitality sector. By equipping our employees with industry-recognized certifications, we are simultaneously creating pathways for personal advancement while elevating service standards across our tourism industry.”

Dr. Kemoy Edwards, CEO of GNTA, highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative: “Our partnership with GHTA, bolstered by Canada’s support through LEAF, demonstrates the powerful synergy that emerges when institutions unite to address skills gaps. This program establishes a replicable model for sector-wide workforce development that can drive sustainable economic growth.”

Abebech Assefa, Head of Cooperation at the High Commission of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, stated: “Canada takes pride in supporting this initiative through LEAF, reflecting our dedication to inclusive economic growth through strategic investments in human capital development. This partnership with Grenadian institutions and private sector stakeholders strengthens hospitality workforce capabilities while creating meaningful opportunities that foster long-term resilience and shared prosperity.”

The nine-month program, scheduled to commence in April 2026, incorporates principles of environmental sustainability within hospitality operations and prioritizes inclusion by targeting underemployed youth aged 18-35, with particular emphasis on women and marginalized communities.

A significant academic celebration recently unfolded as McMaster University honored the profound contributions of Grenadian and broader Caribbean figures to Canadian society. The event served as a platform to recognize the enduring legacy of individuals who have shaped cultural and social landscapes.

Among those celebrated was the late Nicholas Brathwaite, a former Prime Minister of Grenada remembered for his pivotal role in the nation’s political development. The ceremony also paid tribute to Jean Augustine, a trailblazing Grenadian-Canadian politician who became the first Black woman elected to Canada’s Parliament, setting a precedent for future generations.

Contemporary voices were equally highlighted, including Lincoln Depradine, an accomplished journalist and cultural commentator whose work with publications like The Caribbean Camera has documented the Caribbean diaspora experience. The arts were represented through figures like Keziah Gibbs and the PETNA Foundation, organizations dedicated to preserving and promoting Caribbean artistic expression and cultural heritage.

University officials, including representative Susan Tighe, emphasized the institution’s commitment to diversifying academic narratives and acknowledging the multicultural fabric that strengthens both academic discourse and national identity. The event underscored the importance of recognizing immigrant contributions to Canada’s development, particularly from Caribbean nations that have maintained strong cultural ties while fostering integration and success in Canadian society.

Grenada’s Ministry of Education has initiated a comprehensive national program to address critical literacy gaps among young learners, following concerning data revealing that over one-third of students perform below required standards in Minimum Competency Tests. Education Minister David Andrew announced the initiative during a Post-Cabinet Briefing, emphasizing its far-reaching implications for educational attainment, employment prospects, and overall quality of life.

The program, developed in partnership with SUMMA (the Education Research and Innovation Laboratory for Latin America and the Caribbean), targets foundational learning at the primary level, specifically focusing on students from kindergarten through Grade 4. Minister Andrew stressed that strengthening early literacy is essential to prevent long-term academic challenges, noting that proficiency in reading and writing at the primary level reduces the need for remedial interventions later in students’ educational journeys.

This initiative builds upon the Antigua Commitment to Literacy, a regional framework established by education ministers from 11 Latin American and Caribbean countries in collaboration with SUMMA and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Preliminary groundwork has already commenced, with technical teams conducting visits to schools across Grenada to engage stakeholders and prepare for implementation.

Central to the program’s strategy are comprehensive teacher training and curriculum redesign tailored to regional needs, incorporating modern methodologies to enhance how foundational skills are taught and acquired. The collaboration is projected to span three to six years, with a planned rollout beginning in September 2026.

Significant financial backing has been secured through a partnership with the Global Partnership for Education, which will match local fundraising efforts dollar-for-dollar. Grenada has already obtained nearly US$500,000 in private sector commitments, reaching halfway toward its initial US$1 million target and potentially accessing up to US$2 million in matched funding.

Minister Andrew expressed strong encouragement regarding private sector support, highlighting that Grenada’s approach has attracted international attention as a potential model for similar small states. Additional fundraising continues as the Ministry of Education prepares for the program’s official launch in the coming months, with ongoing stakeholder engagement and resource mobilization efforts.