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Parliament Lights Up Blue To Observe UN’s 78th Anniversary

The Parliament Building was lit “UN Blue” recently to observe the 78th Anniversary of the United Nations (UN).

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, who was in attendance, pointed out that the UN is one of Barbados’ most valued partnerships, and it is on this date every year that Barbados joins the rest of the Caribbean Community in celebrating UN Day.

He said the day serves as a reminder and a renewal of the commitment made on October 24, 1945, “to unstintingly pursue the ideal of international peace and security”.

Minister Symmonds noted that since Barbados joined the UN on December 9, 1966, it has remained steadfast in its commitment to upholding the principles underpinning the United Nations Charter.

He thanked the UN for its contribution to the island’s development over the years and expressed the hope that the partnership would continue for generations to come.

“Barbados acknowledges the indelible contribution made by the UN system towards advancing the interests of all the global public goods for the small island developing states (SIDS)…. Multilateralism is an important bulwark in the execution of our foreign policy, both in terms of the pursuit of sustainable development and in terms of the safeguarding of our sovereignty,” the Foreign Affairs Minister stated.

Despite the positives achieved over the years through multilateralism cooperation, Minister Symmonds has called for a reform of some UN systems, in particular its Security Council.

He cited the Israel/Palestine conflict in which the Security Council Resolution called for a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds and that Humanitarian Resolution was defeated by a single country’s use of its veto power.

“The Council today is seemingly powerless and unjust, dominated by unresponsive and unrepresentative powers who seem inclined to abuse their dominant position instead of safeguarding global peace. Any discussion on reform must therefore consider the effectiveness and legitimacy of the UN Security Council and the need to update both its archaic composition and its imbalanced decision-making rules, so as to better reflect the world in which we all live today,” Minister Symmonds stressed.

UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean States, Didier Trebucq, noted that the world had changed dramatically since the UN was founded in 1945, and to that end, the UN has changed too, but its charter and values remain as important today as when it was first conceived.

UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean States, Didier Trebucq, in conversation with President of Barbados, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, during the 78th anniversary UN celebrations at Parliament, yesterday.

Mr. Trebucq stated: “We need to work together to make sure that it (UN) also better reflects today’s world as the largest global platform for countries to come together to discuss the differences but also to find common ground.

“So, it is in this context that SIDS, like Barbados, have a key critical platform in the UN to advocate for the needs and priorities and work with other countries to develop shared solutions for a fairer world and a protected climate. And I have to say that the Caribbean has been leading in proposing new solutions.”

The UN Resident Coordinator noted that the lighting of Parliament in “UN Blue” signals a beacon of hope throughout the island and the region, that the UN is committed to promoting its mission of peace, human rights, and sustainable development everywhere and that multilateralism remains the best hope for shared global solutions.

In addition to the flicking of the switch to light up Parliament “UN Blue”, the evening also included a toast and cake cutting element, as well as entertainment by Dr. Stedson ‘Red Plastic Bag’ Wiltshire and steel pannist Judah Goddard. (PR/GIS)

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One Family hamper drive gets $75,000 boost from Sandy Lane Charitable Trust

Christmas 2024 just got a lot brighter for the 1000 families of the One Family programme under the Ministry of People Empowerment & Elder Affairs (MPEA), thanks to a donation of BBD. 75,000.00 worth of grocery hampers from the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust (SLCT).

Representatives of SLCT, including Derrick Smith, Grand Patron and founding Trustee, Trustee Pippa Challis, and Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, were recently at One Family’s Warrens office to present the donation to the One Family Project Team. Present to receive the donation were Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel and Project Officer Lisa Holder.

Minister Humphrey commended SLCT and thanked its Board of Trustees for their ongoing work in Barbados, and specifically with his Ministry, noting that such partnerships could help break cycles of generational poverty in Barbados.

“The government of Barbados is passionate about the objectives of this One Family project, and we believe in what we are doing. We see One Family as the first initiative with the potential to break the inter-generational cycles of poverty, a purpose and objective that traditional government agencies were not designed for. Traditional approaches have not been holistic enough, and One Family gives the first real opportunity to break that poverty exchange between generations,” Minister Humphrey said.

Commenting in response, Trustee Pippa Challis said SLCT was pleased with the ongoing amazing partnership with MPEA. She said One Family had positively impacted SLCT’s work regarding due diligence and background investigations necessary to make the outreach work more effective.

“Our partnership with the One Family Programme Team is truly beneficial to both organisations, as we work towards one common goal of achieving social change. Our ability to rely on the One Family team to provide accurate, timely and reliable information means that our assistance can reach the most deserving families. Whether it is providing beds, back-to-school supplies or food vouchers, we know that we are reaching the right families. That’s why this collaboration works for us, as much as it works for you.” Mrs Challis, further commends the team on their success with the programme thus far and the amazing job they are doing.

One Family Project Manager, Nicole Daniel, said the SLCT donation would significantly boost this year’s hamper donation drive, bringing much-needed supplies and tangible Christmas cheer to the 1,000 families and hundreds of children currently served by the Programme.

“One Family is not a hand-out programme but concentrates on holistic transformation to help every family reach a stage where they can give back to their communities and Barbados.” (PR)

Caption: Pictured from left are SLCT Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, One Family Project Officer Lisa Holder, SLCT Trustee Pippa Challis, Derrick Smith, SLCT Grand Patron and founding Trustee, People Empowerment Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, and Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel.

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Men’s programmes lighting the way with support from Light & Power

Barbadian men are stepping up to mentor and inspire a new generation of male leaders to reach their full potential and light the path to a brighter future.

On International Men’s Day recently, two such organisations were recognised and supported with financial donations from the Barbados Light & Power Company (Light & Power). The Rites of Passage: Boys to Men program, led by Anthony Seale and Reverend Derick Richards of the James Street, Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church, and the Purpose 180 Foundation, founded by Nigel Jules, were both lauded for their contributions during a presentation held at Light & Power’s Garrison, St. Michael Headquarters. Both organisations spoke about the impactful initiatives they have established to support young men in Barbados.

Light & Power said it was pleased to support programs focused on mentoring and uplifting at-risk young men.

“These programs are crucial in empowering young men to reach their full potential, and Light & Power is pleased to support and partner with initiatives like Rites of Passage and Purpose 180 that actively work to create brighter futures for the next generation of young male leaders.”

Both programs focus on mentorship, character building, and equipping young men with tools to overcome challenges and achieve personal and professional growth. (PR)

Caption: Light & Power employees, including at left, Communications Advisor Adriel Richard, and to the right, Chano Belle, Manager, Finance (Supply Chain) and Curtis Brewster, Supervisor, Dispatch and Quality Control, with visiting organisation representatives Nigel Jules of the Purpose 180 Foundation (second from left), and Reverend Derick Richards and Anthony Seale of the “Rites of Passage: Boys to Men (BTM) programme” of the James Street/Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church in Barbados (at centre)

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Yearwood wins first 5k Run/Walk

Kristian Yearwood won the inaugural 5k Run/Walk to Help 5k held on Sunday. He clocked 21:36 in the running race, 2nd place went to Ralf Luther in a time of 22:05, followed by Fr. Andy Nyga in 3^rd with a time of 23:40. The top three runners in the female segment were Adeline Lamorell,27:17, Phillipa Sylvester, 30:46 and Sumaya Desai, 47:22.

The event was organized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown and is a fund raiser for church’s ministry to the poor in our community as well as to assist the Child Card Board. What started last year as a fun walk now features competitive 5k races in running and walking. The blend of race running and walking along with fun walking should see the event attacking a cross section of participants.

Anderson Maughan was the winner in the walk race in the male segment with a time of 30:59, he was followed by Anthony Phillips in 34:50 and Akil Bryan in 37:40. Angela Jackson crossed the line in 36:31 to win the female walk race she was followed by Fay Waithe in 40:42 and third place was taken by Mary Moseley in 41:57.