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Barbados’ Rum Hailed As Economic, Historic & Cultural Product

During the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Public Forum closing session last Friday, September 13, Barbados took the opportunity to highlight the island as the birthplace of rum and how it is an economic and cultural product for the country.

The Public Forum, which coincided with the WTO’s 30th anniversary was held in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme “Re-globalisation: Better Trade for a Better World”.

The annual event deemed one of the WTO’s largest outreach forums attracted a diverse set of stakeholders, including government policymakers, international organisations, the business community, academia, parliamentary representatives, and civil society.

One of the highlights of the Forum was the closing session focused on “Rethinking Rum: Building Sustainable Futures for the Global Industry”, in which Barbados’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, WTO and other International Organizations in Geneva, Matthew Wilson, participated.

Ambassador Wilson shared that Barbados is the birthplace of rum, and noted that like sugar, rum had a difficult history. He continued: “We can’t ignore that. It is wrapped up in a history of enslavement, colonialism, and exploitation. But the beautiful thing is how we, as a previously enslaved people, have taken this commodity and this industry and made it our own. Resilience is, after all, not a recent attribute for people from the Caribbean and people of African descent and indigenous communities. It is in our blood.”

The Ambassador also spoke of the intrinsic link between sugar, rum, and culture, which is one of the main motivators for the work that has been developed to have “Industrial Heritage of Barbados: The Story of Sugar and Rum” included in the tentative list of proposals put forward for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Another highlight of the Public Forum was the closing rum tasting event, which was organised by the Barbados and Guatemala Embassies and the WTO. Several countries in the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Indian Ocean showcased their rums, culture, and products.

Barbados had one of the “most in-demand stalls” at the event primarily because of the rum cocktails and showmanship of Bajan mixologist David Barker, whose participation was made possible by the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.’s Europe branch. The West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers Association provided the rum to the Embassy, while various ‘Bajan’ delicacies were supplied by Export Barbados.

At the event, attended by over 300 people, including the WTO Director, General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Ambassador Wilson said: “Rum is not just a drink for us in Barbados and the rest of the Caribbean. Remember that you are not just drinking a liquid. You are drinking history, culture, trade potential, and resilience.”

Rums from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mauritius, and Venezuela won in various categories in the amateur rum competition.

The WTO Public Forum, with hundreds of panels and engagement sessions, provides a unique platform for interaction among participants from around the world. Those persons get the opportunity to engage and discuss the latest developments in global trade and propose ways of enhancing the multilateral trading system, to make trade more inclusive and ensure that it benefits more people. (PR/GIS)

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Prime Minister Mottley: Choose Greatness Instead Of Violence

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has made an impassioned plea to the youth in Barbados to aspire to greatness just like the new Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF), Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Lovell, and to stay clear of a life of violence.

Ms. Mottley made the appeal yesterday after the 45-year-old Chief of Staff took the Oath of Allegiance before the President, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason and the Acting Private Secretary Juana Franklin-Leacock, at State House.

She promised to address the country later this week on matters of citizen security and referred to a discussion with the Attorney General about the unfortunate circumstances in which a young man was now facing murder charges. She said: “I thought to myself that this is truly a story of two Barbadoses.”

The Prime Minister declared that any child can achieve greatness like Lt. Col. Lovell, “once we put all of the guard rails and the rooting and the mentorship in place as was then for the majority of us”.

Ms. Mottley stressed: “That this fine gentleman has emerged and has been able, through discipline, hard work, capacity and mentorship, to rise to where he is today, as compared to others who choose a different path, is a story that I want all Barbadians to reflect upon. The choice is yours for your children and for yourself and I could not want a better metaphor, a better example, to show people what is possible in this country.”

The Prime Minister reiterated her government’s intention to expand the ranks of the Barbados Defence Force to 800 personnel by the time it reaches its 50th anniversary.

Ms. Mottley acknowledged that the problem was not young people wanting to engage in “risky things, but we have now the reality that there are tools available to people that have a disproportionate impact on our lives”.

The Prime Minister added: “I could not let today pass without highlighting what is possible. A fine young man who rises to the highest ranks in this country, or young men who want a pathway to either Coral Ridge, Westbury Cemetery, or Dodds [Prisons]; the choice is ours. I do not believe that it is a difficult choice, and I thank God that we have examples like you and others in The [Barbados] Police Service and the Barbados Defence Force and the other protective services to show what it is really like.

“The Commissioner spoke to the country and indicated that we’re dealing with a core of people, but we know that behind that core of people we have been too lapse in being able to control and to ensure that our young people are rooted, but equally, have guard rails along the pathway to adulthood and then in early adulthood,” Ms. Mottley underlined.

The Prime Minister noted that government would continue to do all that it can to steer the youth on the right path, pointing out “you will continuously hear me address what I know to be the truth, that who we are as people is 90 per cent determined by how we are raised”.

“I have every confidence that this fine gentleman and tomorrow I will be able to call him a different rank, but today, Lieutenant Colonel Lovell will help us along with the team, Commander Peterson and others, to be able to ensure that the excellent work done by Commodore Shurland, in helping to bridge the transition of the Barbados Defence Force at this very, very unique time in our history…. The Barbados Defence Force has shown that every step of the way, it has been an essential component in the governance of this country,” Ms. Mottley surmised

The Prime Minister noted that as the BDF continues to modernise its operations, she is confident that with Lt. Col. Lovell and Commander Peterson would oversee a seamless transition at a time when the country “needs the Barbados Defence Force, more than ever, to stand up and to play its role, not just in citizen security in its broadest sense, but also in the efficiency and protection of the country from cyber security, normal security”.

Meanwhile, Lt. Colonel Lovell, in brief remarks, said it was a privilege and an honour and a “humbling experience that the President, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and the people of Barbados had “reposed such a responsibility in a relatively young person”.

He continued: “I am humbled by this experience…humbled by this responsibility but I look forward to the challenges. I know I have a strong team behind me. So, as we always say, once we work together in the Barbados Defence Force, there is no obstacle that we cannot overcome, and we look forward to doing that over the next four years.”

Also in attendance were Attorney General Dale Marshall, other members of Cabinet, and senior government officials. (PR/GIS)

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Ecumenical Service For Legal Year 2024-2025 Next Monday

The Ecumenical Service to mark the commencement of the Legal Year 2024-2025 will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. Michael & All Angels, St. Michael’s Row, The City, on Monday, September 16, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Justices of Appeal, Judges of the High Court, Masters of the High Court, Magistrates, and Legal Practitioners are expected to be in attendance.

Jurors and other members of the public are encouraged to attend the service and to be seated by 8:30 a.m.

Meanwhile, the public is also advised that the High Court and the Magistrates’ Courts will sit at 1:00 p.m., on September 16. (PR/GIS)

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NCSA Celebrates Campers at Project S.O.F.T. Camp Graduation

The National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) proudly hosted the graduation ceremony of its 22^nd annual Project S.O.F.T. (Safeguarding Our Future Today) camp on Saturday September 7^th, 2024, celebrating over 40 new graduates. This transformative programme, which aims to prepare young people transitioning from primary to secondary school, continues to be a vital part of NCSA’s commitment to substance abuse prevention and youth development.

Chairman of the NCSA, Mr. Hadford Howell in his address, praised both the camp staff and participants for their hard work and dedication. He emphasized that while the programme’s name might imply softness, the work required is anything but soft. He remarked, “There is nothing SOFT about this long-standing and commendable NCSA programme. The work put in by camp staff and the children is HARD but rewarding.”

Since its inception in 2002, Project S.O.F.T. has impacted the lives of over 700 young people and their families in Barbados. In this year’s camp, participants engaged in drug education, team-building exercises, and life skills development, all designed to help them navigate the new challenges they will face in secondary school.

In his inspiring message to the graduates, the Chairman likened them to pearls—precious and valuable, offering advice using the acronym “PEARL” encouraging them to resist Peer Pressure, to draw on their families Experiences, to be Ambitious, to be Responsible and to Listen, Learn, Lead and Love as they move forward in life.

The NCSA continues to play a significant role in shaping young lives through Project S.O.F.T., and the organization looks forward to seeing the future success of its graduates. “Who knows,” the chairman added, “perhaps in a few years, you will come back to help us by being a counsellor at a Project S.O.F.T. camp.” (PR)