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The Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS) received its Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Media Awards on Monday, after winning in three categories at the recently held CBU Caribbean Media Awards in Trinidad and Tobago.

They were presented by CBU Secretary General, Sonia Gill, at the CBU Secretariat in Barbados.

The BGIS won in the categories: Coverage of the COVID-19 Pandemic with “COVID Stories 246 – Not The Common Cold”; Best Public Service Spot with “COVID-19 Contact Types Explained”, and Coverage of the COVID-19 Pandemic (Digital) – “COVID-19 Story: The Mathematics of a Virus”.

Winners in the category Coverage of the COVID-19 Pandemic were: Shamkoe Pilé, Sharon Austin-Gill-Moore, Joel Bowen, Carl Allman, and Ian Inniss. The recipient of the award for Coverage of the COVID-19 Pandemic (Digital) was Esther Jones, while Paula Harper-Grant and Mikul Elcock won in the Best Public Service Spot.

Staff of the Barbados Government Information Service pose with their CBU Awards and CBU Associate Member certificate. *Back row, standing, left to right* – Joel Bowen; Esther Jones; Mikul Elcock; Sharon Austin Gill-Moore; Shamkoe Pilé, Eyvette McClean and Paula Harper-Grant while seated are Acting Chief Information Officer, Ian Inniss and CBU Secretary General, Sonia Gill.

Speaking during the brief presentation ceremony, Acting Chief Information Officer, Ian Inniss, noted that although the BGIS was not present at the first in-person awards ceremony coming out of the pandemic, it was a pleasure for the BGIS to have learnt that “we were winners in three categories, and narrowly missed out on one”.

Mr. Inniss added: “When you think of the fact that out of 258 submissions, BGIS was up there alongside CCN TV6, RJR Gleaner, Great Belize Productions and other regional entities, it speaks volumes about the quality of work produced within the department.

“It is also testimony to the effort that members of the department would have put in during the pandemic, when others were sleeping at night and in those times when others were in lockdown. Over that period, the members of the department were constantly working…. So, having won the three awards, I can only but have praise for members of the department at this time.”

Secretary General Gill pointed out that the Caribbean Media Awards was approaching three decades of service to the region, and the CBU, which was established in 1970, was always about development of the region through media practice and the development of media practitioners.

She continued: “One of the key ways to recognise excellence and to encourage it is to have awards such as these. In the years between 2019 and 2022, the recognition had to be purely virtual, but at no point has the CBU ever lowered the rigour of its assessment of the entries…. More than 300 entries were received and the determination was made about which ones would even be eligible for nomination, and for consideration by our expert panel of judges….

“These categories in which the Barbados Government Information Service has been successful are particularly important. The CBU Awards do not just look at best technical aspects, in terms of the production, or the publication or the writing; those are very, very important, and if that bar is not met, then it can’t go forward. But we have also always integrated thematic categories, and for the past three years, looking carefully at the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, has been very important to the CBU. What these winning entries demonstrated was not only excellence in their production and conception and in their execution, but also in addressing the real needs of audiences identified.”

During the presentation ceremony, the BGIS also received its certificate, acknowledging it as a CBU Associate Member.

The Starcom Network Inc. was the only other Barbadian entity which received a Caribbean Media Award. The company won Best Documentary Programme (Radio) with the entry “Fighting Crime”.

The winners of the Caribbean Media Awards were announced during the 53rd CBU General Assembly in August. This year’s judges were Enrico Woolford (Chief Judge), Dr. Sh

aron Marshall, Dr. Yvonne Weekes, Zadie Neufville, and Andrew Millington. (PR & pic GIS)

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Remembrance Day Parade On November 10, 2024

Barbados will remember the servicepeople who lost their lives during World Wars I and II, with the customary Remembrance Day Parade and a short inter-denominational service at the Cenotaph, National Heroes Square, The City, on Sunday, November 10.

The parade will commence at 8:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on national television and radio.

Several armed and unarmed uniformed groups will be on parade, including the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Legion, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides.

Wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

The service will be followed by an informal inspection of veterans and a march-past by uniformed groups. Members of the public desirous of attending the event are asked to collect tickets from the receptionist at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St. Michael, from Monday, November 4, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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Key Reminders When Considering Investment Opportunities

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reminding the public to exercise caution when considering investments in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes. While MLMs may present themselves as legitimate business opportunities, some can be risky or even illegal, leading to significant financial losses.

Here are some key things to consider before making any investments:

1. Research the Company/Person(s): Thoroughly investigate the background, business model, and reputation of any of the company or persons involved. Verify whether the company or persons associated with the investment are registered and regulated by relevant authorities like the Financial Services Commission.

2. Understand the Business Model: Genuine businesses generate revenue primarily through the sale of products or services, not recruitment of participants. Be wary of models that emphasise recruitment over product sales.

3. Check for Red Flags: Promises of high returns with little effort, emphasis on recruiting others, or pressure to make large upfront investments are warning signs.

4. Consult with Experts: Seek advice based on your financial goals and wherewithal from regulated individuals or companies set up to provide such guidance.

The public is urged to approach all investment opportunities with caution and conduct their due diligence to safeguard their financial well-being.

It is an offence for persons not registered or licensed with the Commission to offer investment advice, sell financial products or deal in securities.

The public is encouraged to notify the Commission of any situations where entities or individuals engage in these practices without being duly registered and/or licensed. (PR/GIS)

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Barbadians Continue To Benefit From UNESCO Training In Cuba

Barbadians continue to benefit from UNESCO training courses in Cuba, despite the country experiencing an island-wide blackout from Friday, October 18.

Three Barbadians are currently in Cuba participating in the Caribbean Cultural Training Hub of the UNESCO Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, which was organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, and funded by the European Union.

Historian and Genealogical Researcher, Stacia Martindale, is participating in the course Designing Small Businesses in Heritage Tourism Destinations, while Landscape Architectural Technician, Kodi Husbands, and Assistant Coordinator and Researcher of the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Rhianna Smith, are participating in the course Introduction to the Management of Integrated Development of Historic Centers.

They shared their experiences of being in Cuba and about the courses they are studying.

Ms. Martindale said: “So far, the experience has been very amazing. I’ve been loving the culture of Cuba and the general experience in class.

It’s really been exciting for me. It’s my first time in Cuba. I think I know quite a bit about Cuba just because I’m really interested in History. I’m actually a History teacher, so to come here, where that history has happened, is really, really exciting for me.”

Mr. Husbands, who is on his second visit to Cuba, shared that the first time he visited was on a vacation. “It really resonated with me. I got to understand the culture a lot more [and] I was able to identify with the people after speaking to them about their experiences and how they live. That’s what inspired me to continue working in sustainable architecture and design, and cater for society and the people, rather than doing it for money.

“So far, I’ve found different methods or techniques and practices which can be useful for back home in my field of architecture. And different ways I can further develop my country, whether it’s towns like Bridgetown, Speightstown, or Oistins. Or even smaller communities like in the East Coast, or in St. George or more rural areas as well,” he remarked.

It is also the second time for Ms. Smith, who previously benefitted from a course in June, this year, at the prestigious International Film and Television School of San Antonio de Los Baños, on the outskirts of Havana.

“This experience has been a lot different compared to when I was in San Antonio. Havana is a lot more active and has a lot more to see. And so, I’ve been able to immerse in the culture in ways that I was not able to the first time around,” Ms. Smith said.

She added: “We have been having some tours where we have been seeing examples of not only the restoration of historic sites and buildings, but also the repurposing of those buildings for uses that really fit the community. For instance, earlier this week we visited a daycare. But it was a day care for the elderly which doubles as a day care for babies, and so on.

“And so, what they are trying to do is to integrate those two generations and, of course, develop a consciousness of caring for the elderly. Things like that have led me to conclude that it’s been nothing short of inspiring so far, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where things go.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Rhianna Smith, Barbados’ Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Sharon Marshall; UNESCO Director Anne Lemaistre; Stacia Martindale; and Kodi Husbands pose for a photograph