International

AG Marshall: Information & Intelligence Sharing Vital

Attorney General Dale Marshall has underscored the importance of information and intelligence sharing, and good communications at all levels, saying they are crucial.

Mr. Marshall expressed this view yesterday as he delivered remarks at the opening of the two-day CARICOM IMPACS/INTERPOL’s Eighth High-Level Meeting of the Dialogue on an Effective Multilateral Policing Architecture Against Global Threats, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

The Attorney General told his audience: “The cry from our agencies is that communication and information and intelligence sharing have become endangered species…. There is no point in investing in our regional security organisations…, which are striving to serve us well, if our domestic stakeholders are reluctant to share information and intelligence with them, that is their lifeblood.

“I go further, there is also the need for national, regional, and international agencies to work closely together to ensure that the multiplier effect of this collaboration is seen and felt.”

During the meeting, the participants will examine a Global Data Sharing Framework, and Mr. Marshall emphasised the importance of good data. He proffered the view that good data was the basis for sound analysis and making correct decisions.

He noted that INTERPOL’s National Bureaux and CARICOM IMPACS could be a formidable force in providing vital information to national law enforcement agencies.

“If we are serious about fighting crime, this is going to be a critical part of our armour. Therefore, the strengthening of the National Country Bureaux and their databases, as well as improving regional access to support small countries is crucial,” the Attorney General stated.

He identified Transnational Organised Crime as one of the biggest threats facing the Caribbean now, followed closely by the illicit trafficking in firearms. He pointed out that earlier this year, one of the regional Prime Ministers had been advised by US security agencies that his country was attracting elements of international organised crime.

“This is a wake-up call for all in the region, and certainly a cause for concern. The fact is that issues that rear their heads in one small Caribbean territory are never confined to that single geographical space. Our history and recent trends in crime show that these issues quickly jump from one island to the other. It is a feature of our common history, our close physical space as well as our political and other ties,” Mr. Marshall surmised.

In commending INTERPOL, the Attorney General pointed out that Barbados had benefitted tremendously from its relationship with the institution over the years and described it as a “stellar partner”.

President of INTERPOL, Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, and Executive Director of CARICOM IMPACS, Lieutenant Colonel, Michael Jones, also addressed the opening ceremony. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Attorney General Dale Marshall greets Executive Director of CARICOM IMPACS, Lieutenant Colonel, Michael Jones, while President of INTERPOL, Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, looks on.

International

Chinese Government Offers Scholarships For 2025

The Government of China is providing full scholarships to Barbadian students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in that country, for the academic year commencing September 2025.

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must be citizens of Barbados in good health; high school graduates under the age of 45 when applying for general programmes; be 25 years old if pursuing undergraduate studies, and under 35 years old if pursuing a master’s degree – applicants must already possess a bachelor’s degree and graduated with at least Lower Second Class Honours.

Applicants must also be under age 40 if pursuing a doctoral degree and must have a master’s degree, or hold a master’s degree or that of an Associate Professor (or above) and be under age 50 when applying for senior scholarship programmes. Applications, procedures, and the relevant rules are available from www.campuschina.org or www.csc.edu.cn/studyinchina.

For more information on the scholarships for 2025, interested persons should contact the Tertiary Section of the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training at 535-0863, or visit www.mes.gov.bb. The deadline for the submission of applications is Friday, January 17, 2025. (PR/GIS)

International

People Of African Descent Take Centre Stage At UN

The start of the Second Decade for People of African Descent was proclaimed as January 1, 2025, by the United Nations General Assembly, yesterday.

The theme of the Second Decade is “People of African descent: Recognition, Justice and Development”.

The decade will mobilise United Nations agencies and the international community more broadly to focus on the challenges faced by people of African descent around the world and to promote the respect, protection, and fulfilment of all of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

During the course of the first decade, which ran from 2015 to 2024, the UN and its member states took a number of steps to address the challenges faced and promote the contribution of people of African descent around the world.

At the national level, Barbados has been pursuing reparatory justice through the work of Special Envoy Trevor Prescod. The University of the West Indies has established a partnership with the University of Glasgow that has led to the creation of a joint master’s programme on reparatory justice.

At the regional level, CARICOM has been pursuing reparatory justice through its reparations commission, chaired by Sir Hilary Beckles and through the Prime Ministerial sub-committee on reparations chaired by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.

Upon the adoption of the resolution by the UN General Assembly, Barbados’ Ambassador to the UN, François Jackman, noted: “The facts surrounding the challenges faced by people and societies of African descent are increasingly well-known and well-understood – in part due to the higher profile these issues have assumed as a result of the proclamation of the First Decade.

“This welcome proclamation of a second decade will, however, inevitably lead to disappointment if we do not provide it and its programme of activities with the support that is required. It will therefore be essential for the international community to mobilise the necessary human and financial resources to realise the promise of this second decade.” (PR/GIS)

International

PRESIDENT XI JINPING CALLS FOR AN OPEN WORLD ECONOMY

During meeting with the leaders of major international economic organizations, President Xi Jinping noted that as each economy faces its own set of challenges, it is imperative to build an open world economy through cooperation, drive development through innovation, seize the important opportunities of the digital economy, artificial intelligence and low-carbon technology, foster new sources of economic growth, and support the cross-border flow of knowledge, technology and talent. Building “small yard with high fences,” decoupling and disrupting supply chains bring harm to others without benefiting oneself. China always believes that the world does well when China does well; and when the world does well, China will do even better. For countries, economic interdependence should be seen as a good thing that enables all to draw on each other’s strengths for mutual benefit and win-win results. It should not be taken as a risk.