Local

Barbados Signs A Cooperation Agreement With The IOM

A Cooperation Agreement between Barbados and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been signed to establish an IOM Country Office for the Caribbean in Barbados.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, and IOM’s Regional Director for Central and North America and the Caribbean (UN Migration), Michele Klein-Solomon, initialled the agreement this morning in the Ministry’s conference room, Culloden Road, St. Michael.

Minister Symmonds expressed the hope that the establishment of the IOM’s Country Office would assist Barbados and CARICOM in developing a well-managed migration policy and migration strategies.

“This agreement sets out the framework for a closer relationship between Barbados and the International Office of Migration. It is, in my view, part and parcel of efforts at the national, regional and hemispheric levels to create conditions for safe, orderly, humane and regular migration,” he stated.

The Minister further noted that the signing of the agreement “has immense potential to continue to help the Caribbean community to harness the benefits of regular migrations even as we confront the challenges of our time”.

He listed among these challenges, migration triggered, for example, by climate emergencies caused by the impact of hurricanes and migration triggered by civil instability in the region. “Both of these examples have the potential to destabilise small island developing states and, of course, here in Barbados,” said Minister Symmonds.

Agreeing with the Minister that a well-managed migration policy is necessary, Ms. Klein-Solomon stated: “It is beautiful to hear… the notion that safe, regular, orderly and humane migration, when well managed can bring tremendous benefits not only to migrants and their families but to communities, and foster economic and social growth and development.

“But we need to be mindful that it needs to go into safe, regular and orderly means and not be left to the smugglers and other criminal organisations that take advantage of people’s desperation, and exploit in a way that is harmful, not only to individuals, but to the social fabric and communities. I couldn’t agree more.”

She noted that the IOM is committed to supporting Barbados in its own reflection on how migration can contribute to its sustainable development, to green economy transition, to alleviating the impact of immigration of skilled workers and to engaging with the diaspora.

In addition, Ms. Klein-Solomon mentioned that the IOM believes regional integration can help build resilience and promote sustainable development in ways that cannot be achieved alone, and that migration has a role to play in the integration process.

Barbados will not only host the IOM’s Country Office but also part of the Coordination Office for the Caribbean, with the Caribbean Coordinator, Patrice Quesada and a team of experts in different fields of migration governance.

Barbados was admitted to the International Organization for Migration as its 175^th member on November 30, 2022. The IOM was established in 1951. As part of the United Nations System, it is the leading inter-governmental organisation promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, with offices in over 100 countries. (PR/GIS)

CAPTION

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds and International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Director for Central and North America and the Caribbean (UN Migration), Ms. Michele Klein Solomon, exchange the signed Cooperation Agreement to establish an IOM’s Country Office for the Caribbean in Barbados.

Local

SANDALS BARBADOS RECEIVES (CARPHA) AWARD

Sandals Barbados is the proud recipient of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Healthier Safer Tourism (HST) award.

The presentation was made recently at the Ministry of Health and Wellness office located in the Frank Walcott Building, St. Michael, Barbados.

Accepting the award for the Luxury Included Resort was General Manager Bruno Couesnon.

In his brief remarks Couesnon thanked every one of the team members who contributed to the resort’s recent accolade.

“It’s always nice to win awards; but it takes a team effort to achieve the results for which we are being recognized, today. The health and safety of our guests and team members are important to us and it is great to be selected and celebrated by CARPHA for doing our part and succeeding,” said Couesnon.

Executive Director of CARPHA Dr. Lisa Indar commended the hotel for achieving this internationally recognized award and praised its commitment to health and safety procedures.

“The 2019 Covid pandemic led to global shut down of tourism but it also demonstrated the resilience of the Caribbean by being able to bounce back. Part of that bouncing back was to be able to create a healthier and safer tourism experience and the reason you are here today is by being part of the tourism health programme and implementing proactive measures,” said Dr. Indar.

Some of the benefits of this award include being regionally and internationally recognized for healthier safer tourism endorsed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The award is the only traveler’s health award where compliance is assessed – it is measurable and verifiable, ensuring the safety of the tourist facility, staff and guests. It also gives a comparative, marketing advantage and gives value to the quality of service.(PR)

CAPTION: Sandals Barbados General Manager General Manager Bruno Couesnon (L) accepting the CARPHA award from Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George

Local

Data in Action: Youth Data Literacy as a Tool for Change workshop

In an era increasingly shaped by data, equipping young people with data literacy skills is essential for fostering informed decision-making and effective advocacy.

This perspective was shared by De-Jane Gibbons, UNFPA Liaison Officer for Barbados and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), during the launch of the Data in Action: Youth Data Literacy as a Tool for Change workshop. The event, hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), took place on Tuesday at UN House.

Addressing the young participants, Gibbons underscored the critical role of data in shaping impactful social policies and emphasized the need for citizens in the region to grasp its importance.

“We all understand that we live in a world driven by data [and] by information. It’s all around us in everything we do. From tracking climate change to addressing community needs, data enables us to understand challenges and, more importantly, to create meaningful solutions. This workshop is more than speaking about numbers and spreadsheets, it’s about telling stories, making informed decisions, and amplifying your voice… it’s about turning insights into action, and action to impact the communities that we serve.

“We want to emphasise the role of data in strengthening advocacy efforts to shape government policies and to cultivate community empowerment across the Eastern Caribbean,” she stated.

The initiative is one of several by the UN aimed at reinforcing advocacy efforts, shaping policy, and empowering communities across the Eastern Caribbean. Gibbons highlighted that supporting youth data literacy is particularly crucial in an era where misinformation is widespread. She also stressed the importance of young advocates accessing reputable data sources to strengthen their efforts.

Local

Barbados Joins Celebrations To Mark Japan Emperor’s 65th Birthday

The cultural relationship between Barbados and Japan, as well as efforts to deepen and strengthen bilateral ties, will continue.

This was expressed by Minister of Training and Tertiary Education, Sandra Husbands, during a reception hosted, last Friday, by the new Ambassador of Japan to Barbados, Miyasaka Yusuke, to celebrate the 65th birthday of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito.

Government and private sector officials and members of the diplomatic corps participated in the event, including the President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw.

Minister Husbands, who offered congratulations to Emperor Naruhito on behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, said: “I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to His Majesty and the people of Japan on this joyous occasion. May this day be a reflection of peace, prosperity, and continued progress for your great nation.”

She noted that the Emperor’s characteristics personify not only its people but the bilateral relationship that exists between Barbados and Japan.

“His Majesty the Emperor has come to personify the very best characteristics of the people of Japan. Respect the pursuit of common ground and advocacy for peace. These same characteristics underpin the bilateral relationship between Barbados and Japan. Though geographically distant, Japan and Barbados share a deep commitment to democracy, economic development, innovation and environmental sustainability.

“Over the years, our bilateral relations have flourished, rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and cooperation in various fields, and we continue to pursue deeper engagement and strengthened cooperation,” Minister Husbands stated.

She also spoke of the “strong” bilateral areas that exist between the two countries. These are cooperation in disaster resilience, fisheries, renewable energy, education – Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme, sports, arts, and cultural exchanges, and most recently the donation to the Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness.

Ambassador Yusuke highlighted the deep friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations.

He said: “Since my arrival in Barbados, I have been deeply impressed by the beauty of this country, the warm hospitality of its people and the vibrancy of its culture. It has been a privilege to experience the spirit of this remarkable island through my encounters with the people of Barbados. I have come to appreciate the deep connection between our two nations, not only our shared values but also in our commitment to resilience and cooperation. This year, we commemorate the 58th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Barbados, a partnership built on mutual understanding and collaboration.”

As part of the evening’s celebrations, attendees were treated to specially curated Japanese food prepared by Japanese Chef Sakamoto, and Japanese wines and spirits. There were also origami, calendars, clothing, and artwork exhibits.

On May 1, 2019, Naruhito, the former Crown Prince, acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne, officially becoming the 126th Emperor of Japan.

Barbados and Japan established diplomatic relations on August 29, 1967. (PR/GIS)