One judge and ten magistrates were presented with Mediation Certificates on Friday, September 24, at the conclusion of the Canadian Government funded IMPACT Justice Project’s Mediation Workshop for Judicial Officers.

At the workshop’s closing and certificate presentation ceremony, Justice Barry Carrington and the island’s 10 Magistrates received high praise from St. Lucia-based Mediation Trainer, Urban Dolor for their commitment to the training, enthusiasm and willingness to embrace the new concepts of mediation which many of them are eager to start using in their courts.

The closing ceremony, marked the end of five days of intense basic mediation training which was held in two segments, the first from July 28th to 30th and the second from September 23 to 24.

Professor Velma Newton, CBE, SCM, Regional Project Director of the IMPACT Justice Project chaired the closing and in her closing remarks thanked the participants for taking the time to participate in the face to face sessions. She noted that the training was only the second such workshop organised by IMPACT Justice for Judicial Officers, the first being for Parish Court Judges in Jamaica in 2018.

Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes closed the proceedings by delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the participants. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the Director and staff of the IMPACT Justice Project for organising the workshop, and commended the trainer and coaches, Miles Weekes, Anthony Howard and Victor Felix for an enjoyable and informative workshop.

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The topics of discrimination and citizen’s rights took centre stage as public discussions surrounding a draft “Charter for Barbados” continued on Thursday.

The open forum, which saw several members of the Republican Status Transition Advisory (RSTAC) Sub-committee on Fundamental Principles, Rights and Freedoms, including the subcommittee’s chair, Chereda Grannum; Co-Chair of the Charter Committee, Senator Rev Dr John Rogers, and Dr Deryck Murray, Director of The Centre for Hybrid Studies (CHyS), received strong interest surrounding the topic of discrimination within Barbadian society, particularly surrounding homosexuality.

In responding to a question as to why sexual orientation was included in the charter under the category of requiring protection from discrimination, Dr Murray acknowledged that although the topic was complex, with various views from a wide cross-section of society, discrimination in all forms must be cited and protected under a nation’s laws.

Dr Murray said: “Usually what it is, is that you have personal prejudices; you can afford to have your personal prejudices, no person can stop you from saying you don’t want to be associated with someone who is gay… but then to raise that to the level of preventing that person from finding work, or getting education, or living life without interference is problematic.

“We must remember in Barbados we have a history of enslavement, and we more than most people should be extremely sensitive to any issue on discrimination on any grounds whatsoever because we know what it is to have a legacy of being considered sub-human,” he explained.

Dr Murray said that sexual orientation should be outlined in the charter which is seen as a philosophical statement of the general public that is then used to anchor a country’s constitution and guide how all citizens should be treated.

On the subject of Government not mandating COVID-19 vaccines for citizens, Dr Murray, the last head of the now defunct Commission on Pan-African Affairs, supported the move and saw it in line with Barbados imminent shift to a republic.

He said: “I think that our government made the correct decision in not insisting that vaccines be mandatory, and what that says, is that in a charter we would want to say something like it’s only in the most extreme of situations or crises, that we would go the route of doing something like that, in terms of infringing on your individual right over your body.

“You should be very careful… we should have a very high bar in infringing some of these rights. If you have to reflect that position in a charter, that minimum we would not go in terms of infringing on human rights, and also demarcating what would be the extreme conditions under which we would allow infringement of those rights, how would we shape that language in the charter… That is what I think we should reflect on, on what would be in the charter.”

During the discussion, international human rights advisor Michelle Brathwaite also cited the topic of poverty within societies as an often ignored situation which, at its core, goes against the basic human rights of most nations.

For her, addressing poverty in the current charter, and possibly the Constitution should be considered a priority.

She said: “I frequently have discussions with others about whether or not poverty is a human rights violation; to the extent that we are defining poverty as a lack of access to quality education, a lack of quality access to health care, and to be sure governments and the state have an obligation to provide the minimum essential levels of those kind of rights.

“Eradicating poverty has to be a priority because poverty undermines many of the rights that we protect in the Constitution and our laws.”
(SB)

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Officials of the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) and the Barbados Diabetes Foundation have renewed an agreement that will see elderly residents having more affordable access to some health services.

On Friday, the International Day of Older Persons, the two organisations signed the two-year agreement, paving the way for the more than 22,000 BARP members to have access to diabetes-related health services including podiatric care at a discounted rate.

During the virtual signing ceremony, President of BARP Marilyn Rice-Bowen and Manager of the Barbados Diabetes Foundation Dwight Edghill highlighted plans that both organisations would be carrying out to help improve the lives of the elderly in Barbados.

“We do view this partnership with the Barbados Diabetes Foundation as pivotal as they seek to offer medical support and other requisite services to members of BARP who are diabetic,” said Rice-Bowen, pledging that BARP would continue its education campaign.

“We want to reduce the incidents of non-communicable diseases in this country and the Barbados Diabetes Foundation has extended this service to us and we have embraced it because we need healthy people, persons who are aware of their status so that they can take better care.

“So today as we celebrate older persons under the theme Digital Equity for All, I want to advise all residents of Barbados please, stay safe. We will continue to support you but your health responsibility is in your hands,” said Rice-Bowen.

Pointing to the latest Health of the Nation Survey, which showed that Barbados had some 20 per cent of the population or close to 60,000 people living with diabetes, Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Diabetes Foundation Cally Boyea said “The scary thing about diabetes is that it affects just about every part of the body.”

However, pointing to the blindness and the roughly 300 amputations per year as a result of the disease, Boyea said the agreement with BARP should result in more people doing early checks so they could prevent these situations from happening.

He said they were hoping to use the relationship with BARP to extend the multi-disciplinary care in terms of podiatry and retina screening,” he said.

Edghill of the foundation said that association would seek to become more proactive, adding that it has already sought donations and would be installing two pieces of medical equipment to help individuals with early detection of problems with their feet and eyes.

The first piece of equipment, he said, should be introduced towards the end of this year to detect issues relating to the eyes in people with diabetes, while the second piece would be introduced early next year.

“Too many Barbadians who live with diabetes or suffer with hypertension do not know the damage that is going on with their feet. What we are doing is trying to give everyone that early detection. Early detection can cause early repair and prevention,” said Edghill, who added that BARP members would also be able to enjoy special benefits.
(MM)

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The business community has thrown its support behind the planned UN Global Compact Local Network for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, indicating that greater efforts are needed in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the Chamber of Commerce president Anthony Branker.

The UN Global Compact is a movement that aims to organize the coming together of sustainable businesses and stakeholders, supporting them to do business responsibly by “aligning their strategies and operations with the principles of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.”

It also provides support for companies to take action towards achieving the UN SDGs, while focusing on collaboration and innovation

The officials have also agreed that this network of private sector businesses will allow for more sustainable business practices and tackling of major issues that affect the region including the climate crisis.

Branker said collaboration will be a key element of business sustainability, adding that unity, strategic collaboration and combined advocacy remained a critical element of the Chamber of Commerce.

He was addressing an UNCTAD 15 side event on Friday, in which the theme Paving the way for the UN Global Compact local network for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean was discussed, with the focus on advancing the regional private sector growth through partnership.

He said: “As the world largest corporate sustainability initiative, the UN Global Compact supports private sector growth and development, promotes more responsible investment and is therefore well positioned to assist Caribbean businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to make the successful transition to sustainable enterprises.

“This will help us in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean build stronger societies and secure the economic resilience we desperately need for the benefit of our eco-system.”

He continued: “We have been fighting a difficult battle with both the global pandemic and climate change. As a region that has repeatedly seen first-hand the devastation and the stress from escalating natural disasters and indeed are still groaning under the financial strain and fallout from this historic health crisis, we must support and encourage and buy-in to sustainable business development practices and ensure that the concept of responsible business moves to a speedy and viable reality.”

He said it was evident that applying responsible business practices was beneficial to firms and strengthening partnerships increased operational efficiencies.

The chamber’s leader said he was therefore calling on fellow business leaders in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean to “answer the call from the United Nations to join the new local chapter of the Global Compact movement”.

Sanda Ojiambo, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact described the movement as “a call to action”, adding that collaboration among entities will play a critical role in the region achieving sustainability.

“There is fragility in terms of climate, eco-tourism, business development, trade development and agriculture, but we also know that the private sector can play a key role in climate action, in ensuring that businesses are responsible and ensuring that businesses play a key role in developing sustainable business practices,” she said.

Ojiambo and Didier Trebucq, the UN’s Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, co-signed a letter of intent signalling their commitment to establishing the UN Global Compact Local Network for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

She promised that over the coming years they would work together towards “creating awareness, recruiting businesses, driving activities to set a firm foothold for the UN Global Compact and the development of the Caribbean Global Compact network”.

Ojiambo highlighted the network’s five strategic elements – the expansion of business participation, stronger and more active engagement with UN partners, harnessing of the collective power of the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector; making sure that companies are accountable and demonstrate progress from being part of the compact in adopting more sustainable business practices, and making sure that the impact from being in the programme is seen and reported.

There are currently over 14,050 companies across 162 countries that are a part of the UN network.
(MM)

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Author and educator Dr. Yvonne Weekes has amalgamated her years as a cultural practitioner and invaluable knowledge of the Arts to produce a groundbreaking resource for Theatre Arts students.

On realising there was a void of academic material which reflects the Barbadian and Caribbean way of life for students who study Arts, the lecturer at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus stepped forward and opted to produce the book: Voices: Monologues and Plays for Caribbean Actors.

The book, which was officially launched on Friday, September 23, via Zoom, offers students across the Caribbean and the world insight into the history of the region and what sets it apart from the rest of the world. The monologues were skillfully written to highlight life in the Caribbean with many
of the islands chronicled.

The publication is interactive with links to videos of live on-stage performances. It also contains over 70 questions to assist teachers with analysing the texts.

Dr. Weekes said the book was long in coming since there was a lack of current authentic Caribbean teaching resources.

“A theatre graduate came into my office and told me that he had to prepare a three-minute audition piece for an NCF local folk concert, a production that commemorates the 1937 riots in Barbados.

“I gave him a text of monologues which I had purchased several years earlier. A week later he returned the book and with great dejection stated that none of the monologues spoke to him as a young Caribbean performer.”

Dr Weekes added: “That same week David Edgecombe, a lecturer in Theatre at the University of the Virgin Islands, and I were discussing the state of Caribbean theatre. Ironically, he was lamenting the scarcity of scholarly and creative new works being produced by Caribbean playwrights and academics.

“These incidents prompted me to take up the challenge of producing an actor’s resource in order to provide historical, rich, dramatic monologues for research and exploration of their Caribbean identity.”

She thanked publishers House of Nehesi Foundation Publishing, writers, editors and all who helped to make the book a reality.

The author offered special thanks to The UWI and the National Cultural Foundation for affording her much-needed financial aid.

Dr Weekes is currently in talks with the Caribbean Examination Council in order to get the book on their syllabus. CXC Pro-Registrar and Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eduardo R. Ali was present at the launch and accepted a copy of the book virtually.

Meanwhile, senior teacher in Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Shaurna Miller, endorsed the book and praised it as a truly invaluable Caribbean effort and publication.

Head of the Performing and Creative Arts Department at The UWI, Andrew Millington, said the UWI was pleased to witness the completion of the book which he described as “critical”.

“This piece of work to my mind is not just a simple example of creative expression, good writing, excellent research and vision, but I want to press upon you the thought and the idea that this really is a monument to Caribbean civilisation. In terms of our nation-building process students now have a publication that they can peruse, that they can experiment with even on their own. The work is critical.”

NCF Marketing Officer Ashley Dyall said the Foundation did not hesitate to get on board when Dr. Weekes first approached. Dyall said it was important to ensure that students were given the tools that aid them in reflecting a true Caribbean aesthetic.

“The organic relationship between cultural identity and artistic creation has long been known to be a significant phenomenon in the shaping of our Caribbean society. It is a fact that the Arts, as products of not only creative imagination but that of documented Caribbean stories are fundamental to the understanding of our society today and as we continue to operate.”

Both The UWI and NCF lauded Dr Weekes for her identifying the void and then working tirelessly to fill it.

The book is available to teachers of Theatre Arts and for sale on Amazon in the E-book format while physical copies will be available for purchase and The UWI Book Source come mid-October. (PR)

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One of the Government’s top economic advisors has suggested that CARICOM adopts the concept of passporting to attract billions of dollars which he said could pay for climate change resilience and adaptation projects across the region.

Professor Avinash Persaud, who is also the chairman of the CARICOM Commission on the Economy, put forward the idea on Thursday during a virtual lunchtime chat on climate change finance at the Shridath Ramphal Centre of the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill.

The expert on institutional investing suggested that private sector “intermediaries” could be used to “objectively” identify the projects for investment based on a new ranking system and that it could be started by using “some government pension fund money, social security money”.

He called on nations on the frontline of climate change to form alliances to better “fight” for resources and tap the almost $2 trillion (US$1 trillion) he said was waiting to be invested in large sustainable projects.

He said: “One of the things we are trying to do currently is come up with a way of ranking investments based on their climate resilience as an individual investment and how an individual investment impacts the resilience of the country. If we can develop that kind of index then it will allow us to tap that huge amount of investment, that one trillion dollar that wants to invest.”

Stating that traditional investment options were too small to attract major international investors, Professor Persaud said the Caribbean needs to find “intermediaries” that would “gather these small projects together into one group of project and be able to commit to the international investors that all of the projects here meet a sustainability criteria and you can invest in them all together”.

“So you need local people who will monitor and collect and vouch for the credibility of these investments and then go to the outside world,” he said.

He said to further attract international investors “make them get an automatic [passporting] if they commit to only investing in sustainable projects”.

Pointing out that many Caribbean countries already allowed firms to invest if they were operating in another Caribbean territory, Persaud said “it would be great” if the concept of passporting was employed, something similar to what obtains in the European Union bloc.

“It would be great to have a single CARICOM passport for those funds,” he said.

Passporting is a concept that would allow companies registered in one CARICOM state to do business seamlessly in another CARICOM state without requiring additional authorization.

This concept would do away with trade barriers and make it also easier for investments to move across the region.

Persaud said it was time for the region to join forces with other countries battling the climate crisis and share their experiences.

“So I am talking about a group of allies that are much bigger than small island states – bigger in terms of number, quantities and force and are much more powerful groups,” he said while singling out Africa as one region that was also severely affected by the climate crisis,” said the economist. 

“We need to find a way of claiming a greater stake in limited resources. I don’t think we are going to do that by saying ‘we are small island developing states’. I think we will do that by forming allies and coalitions with those on the frontline of climate change and we need to use that being on the frontline to create knowledge, expertise and intellectual property on how the world adapts to something we will all face.”

He said while there has been a lot of focus on climate change with “a lot of sound and fury and activism” over the years, there has not been a lot of progress towards meaningful change.

Professor Persaud said: “If we can persuade the world that the frontline needs investment for adaptation; one thing that will appeal to them, the northern countries and developed countries, is that their technologies will be used. They like the idea of lending to developing countries in order for us to buy their technologies. 

“I think that is going to perhaps be the quid pro quo for getting concessionary funding from the developing world,” said Persaud. “We need to create a research institute on how we adapt to climate change. We need to build that into a knowledge that we own, an intellectual property that we own and that we export.” (marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb)

EDITOR’S NOTE

Please note a correction has been made to the above story.

It was incorrectly reported that Professor Avinash Persaud suggested a citizenship by investment programme to attract financing to help countries fight climate change.

Barbados TODAY clarifies that Professor Persaud proposed the concept of passporting to attract international investors to boost the region’s response to climate change.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused. 

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Police personnel from Hastings / Worthing Police Station are investigating a suspected hanging in Christ Church.

Police said the incident occurred around 9:50 p.m. on Friday at Dules Marisol Apartments, St Lawrence Gap.

The deceased, an Irish woman, was staying at the apartment with a male companion, according to police.

Police said the investigations are at a sensitive stage and they will update accordingly.

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Women served at Jabez House are set to benefit from critical computer skills training following a donation of just over US $16,000 by the Sandals Foundation.

Jabez House’s new Digital Empowerment Initiative is now set to enroll participants following funding from the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International which has covered the acquisition of 12 laptops, three digital tablets, and fees for tutors.

The foundation’s support also assists with administrative needs of the training programme.“Developing competence in digital literacy provides new opportunities,” said Shamelle Rice, founder and director of Jabez House.

“Many of the ladies have cellphones and tablets, but no real training or exposure to information technology, computer use, or how they can maximise on the digital space – especially for business purposes.

Skills in these areas can help them leverage opportunities, empowering them to open doors of alternate revenue streams,” she added.

The programme will introduce students to Google Suites, Basic English language with Microsoft Office, as well as Microsoft Office for Business.

It will also explore ways to monetise social media, digital production creation and social media for entrepreneurs and business such as page creation, management and advertising.

In presenting the learning resources, David Hinds, Public Relations Manager at Sandals Royal Barbados, reinforced the commitment of the Sandals Foundation to support programmes that empower the community’s marginalised.

“Empowering women, empowers families, communities and by extension, nations. We are immensely grateful to the Jabez House team and their efforts in helping their beneficiaries develop the confidence needed to aspire and reach their highest potential.

In today’s digital society, the world is literally at our fingertips. We consider it our duty to support this digital training programme to help more women develop the competence to thrive,” said Hinds.

Through its Women Helping Others Achieve (WHOA) programme, the Sandals Foundation has supported numerous initiatives of Jabez House, touching the lives of more than 100 women.

Areas of collaboration include an agricultural skills training programme, the 2018 Go Getter Initiative which provided vocational training inclusive of hairdressing, makeup artistry, cakes and pastry-making as well as information technology for business and business etiquette. The organisations have also partnered on Jabez House’s annual Feed A Family Food Drive and outreach.

Women’s equality and empowerment is goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) towards achieving an inclusive world by 2030. It is also viewed as a critical milestone in achieving all other SDG targets. (PR)

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Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) is well on its way to achieving its sustainable banking objectives as part of its commitment to the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), the Principles of Responsible Banking.

The regional banking giant signed up to the global initiative on September 25, 2020 and have since taken up a leadership role throughout the region with the aim of creating more sustainable communities for the benefit of both present and future generations of the Caribbean.

“Republic’s commitment to the environment is real and is laid out in the Principles for Responsible Banking, which builds upon the key takeaways of the 2015 Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” says Nigel Baptiste, president and CEO of RFHL.

Most recently, the Group, through Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited, financed four wind turbines in Ashford, St. John, Barbados through a partnership with Panava Energy Limited.

Pavana Energy Ltd, a Barbados-based renewable energy company pioneering the development of clean energy projects, has launched a four-megawatt wind turbine facility on that island’s eastern coast, through funding from Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited.

The facility has the capacity to generate electricity that can provide the power needs of between 500 and 1,000 homes annually.

The Bank has become Pavana Energy’s main financing partner for the green energy installation, which features four state-of-the-art wind turbines situated at Ashford, St John.

They generate electricity to be sold to the Barbados Light & Power Company under a long-term, binding contract.

John Clarke, General Manager of Credit & Enterprise Risk at Republic Bank, who guided the arrangement, explained: “This project is very much aligned, not just to the principles committed to by Republic Group – Republic Bank Financial Holdings, but more specifically for Republic Barbados, where among the principles we have adopted is affordable and clean energy.”

“There is a dependence right now on solar as the main source of renewable energy production, but countries which are switching from traditional sources to renewables tend to want to rely on more than one form of renewable energy, and so, the wind is another way to diversify the sources of renewable energy.”

Omar Allahar, a civil and structural engineer and the Executive Chairman of Pavana Energy Ltd., praised the team at Republic Bank for the support they provided, moving his clean energy plan from an idea to a viable business development.

“I would recommend anyone interested in renewable energy financing to choose Republic Bank. They will explain any challenges and all the benefits, along with the ways to go about financing these projects in an economic fashion.”

Baptiste added that it is the Group’s intention to be “the cheerleader” of the Principles of Responsible Banking in the Caribbean, encouraging other institutions to follow suit. (PR)

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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will open the fifteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD15) in Bridgetown, Barbados on October 4.

The conference, hosted by the Government of Barbados, will be held in a virtual format with events in Barbados, Geneva and across the world until October 7 under the theme “From inequality and vulnerability to prosperity for all”.

“The UN Secretary-General’s opening of UNCTAD’s 15th quadrennial session signals the great importance that the United Nations places on addressing the urgent trade and development needs of developing countries as they work to recover from the COVID-19 crisis,” said UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan.

UNCTAD15’s opening ceremony on 4 October will feature welcome addresses by President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados and Grynspan, among others.

Guterres will deliver a keynote address on the urgent work required to accelerate global economic recovery and help all countries – especially developing countries – make progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Heads of state and government, senior UN officials, leaders of intergovernmental organizations, top trade experts, prominent development principals and thinkers from around the world will share their vision of the solutions required, including the role of trade, in forging a more inclusive and sustainable way forward.

High-level segment

In UNCTAD15’s high-level segment, world leaders will analyse global vulnerabilities and inequalities and how to build a more prosperous trade and development path.

It will also comprise ministerial round-table discussions on scaling up financing for development, reshaping global and regional value chains, harnessing frontier technologies for shared prosperity and supporting productive transformation for greater resilience in a post-pandemic world.

With economies all over the world ravaged by COVID-19, the landmark event will offer UNCTAD’s 195 member States an opportunity to devise new ways to ensure trade delivers for all and can address the massive unmet trade, finance, investment and technology needs of developing countries.

The quadrennial UN event is the highest decision-making body of UNCTAD. It sets priorities for the next four years and formulates global policy recommendations on trade and development.

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The Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory identified 183 new cases – 89 males and 94 females – of COVID-19 on Friday, October 1.  There were 2,199 tests conducted.

Of the positive cases, 34 persons are under 18 years, and the other 149 are age 18 and older.

There are 1,075 people in isolation.

Since March 2020, Barbados has recorded 8,792 confirmed cases (4,312 males and 4,480 females) of COVID-19, and 78 deaths.

The public health laboratory has performed 322,476 tests.

To date, 137,138 first doses have been administered under the National Vaccination Programme for COVID-19.

The number of persons who have received their second dose has moved to 106, 679.  This figure represents 39.4 per cent of the population who are now fully vaccinated against the virus. (BGIS)

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SOURCE: Antigua Newsroom – Some public servants chose to give up their jobs rather than complying with the government’s mandate to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

“In some cases, you would have had resignation letters already submitted. So, persons who were employed only up to yesterday have indicated that they no longer wish to be employed, which means they have created a vacancy,” Cabinet Secretary Konata Lee said on Friday.

Friday was the first day of unpaid leave for unvaccinated public servants, not covered by exemptions to the policy.

Cabinet had earlier announced that it would hire temporary workers to fill any gaps created when the measure took effect on October 1.

Lee said as a result of the resignations, people who applied for the temporary jobs “may have an opportunity to be employed right away.”

On the other hand, employees who qualify for medical and religious exemptions or receive authorization to work from home will not suffer any loss of pay for not taking the vaccine.

Nevertheless, Lee said many people who applied for the exemptions were still awaiting responses since “the government has not yet updated the regulation to process the requests.”

“The process was not fully implemented during the past two weeks but the forms will be available come Monday,” he revealed and added that people would be able to download the forms from the government’s website.

“I know persons will be concerned whether or not they will be penalized for not having submitted their forms because they were not available at the time, but they have so far submitted the application in writing.

So, there is already an indication that they would have expressed their intention to apply for a medical or religious exemption, so that will be taken into account and they won’t be penalized by way of non-payment as a result of that,” he assured.

Although several workers remained at home, Lee said attendance on Friday was “normal.”

“I know they might have been minor disruptions where people might have perceived that but as of today, there were no major disruptions across the public service,” he explained.

The Cabinet Secretary said the government was monitoring the number of public servants who have so far taken the vaccine.

“The numbers range anywhere from 50 to 100% vaccination in some offices. So, this is really good, which means there will be less persons out of office… and less disruption across the public service,” Lee said.

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Vaccines will be administered at a few sites this Sunday, October 3.

The venues and operating times are as follows:

Vaccination Centres:

• Building No. 2 Harbour Industrial Park, St Michael – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Mile-and-a-Quarter Seventh Day Adventist Church, Mile-and-a-Quarter, St. Peter – 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Community Pop-up Clinic:

• The Alleyne School, Belleplaine, St Andrew – 1 to 5 p.m.

Mobile Unit –10 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

• Pebbles Beach, St Michael
• Cost U Less, Welches, St Thomas

All three vaccines – AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Sinopharm – will be available at all of the listed sites.  Students 12 to 18 years may visit any centre or pop-up clinic to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Persons who wish to receive their first dose are advised to walk with their identification card.  Those eligible for second doses should also travel with their blue vaccination card. (BGIS)

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A 52-year-old Barbadian woman is the island’s 79th COVID-19 casualty.

She passed away Saturday afternoon after spending nine days in isolation.  She had comorbidities and was unvaccinated.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, extends condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. (BGIS)

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Barbados has boosted its supply of COVID-19 vaccines with a second shipment of Sinopharm vaccines from the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

The consignment of 30,000 doses arrived at the Grantley Adams International Airport on Friday, and were officially handed over to the Ministry of Health and Wellness. They were purchased under the National Vaccination Fund, which was established earlier this year by Government.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Janet Phillips, and Co-Coordinator of the National Vaccination Programme, Major David Clarke, were on hand to receive the vaccines, along with China’s Ambassador to Barbados, Yan Xiusheng.

Speaking with the Barbados Government Information Service after the handover, Dr George said the uptake has been satisfactory.  He disclosed that 4,171 persons had been fully vaccinated with Sinopharm as at October 1.

This vaccine is given in two doses, with a three to four-week period between each dose.

Dr George added that this purchase of additional vaccines would allow for at least another 30,000 persons to be vaccinated against the highly contagious novel coronavirus.

The first batch of 30,000 doses of Sinopharm, which arrived on the island in June, was donated to Barbados by the Chinese government.

The Chief Medical Officer maintained that the vaccines had a good safety profile, and were “comparable with respect to their efficacy against many of the circulating variants”.

He also reiterated Government’s commitment to providing Barbadians with COVID-19 vaccine options. (BGIS)

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The Vector Control Unit will carry out its fogging programme in the western and southern sections of the island this week.

The team will be in St James on Monday, October 4, at Deans Town Terrace, Walcott Avenue, Jackman Avenue, Beckles Gap, Gilkes Village, Buccaneers Terrace, Apes Hill Development, Westmoreland Lancaster 2, and environs.

Risk Road, Vaughn Road, Lashley Road Seaview, Nicholls Road, Webster Road, Mahogany Avenue, Upper Halcyon Heights and neighbouring districts will be sprayed on Tuesday, October 5.

The fogging team will move into Christ Church on Wednesday, October 6, and target Rendezvous View, Rendezvous Ridge, Fairways, Amity Lodge, Worthing, Bamboo Road, Craigg Road, Beckles Road, Harmony Hall and surrounding areas.

St Lawrence Gap, Dover, Bath Village, Graeme Hall Park, Graeme Hall Terrace and environs will be visited on Thursday, October 7.

The team will return to St James on Friday, October 8, and fog several communities, including Jamestown Park, First and Second Street, Cherry Avenue, Frangipani Row, Carnation Row, Orchid Row, Oleander Row, Poinsettia Avenue, and Plumbago Avenue.

Fogging will be conducted from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. each day. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter.

The public is reminded that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the control of the Vector Control Unit. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time.

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Founder and chief fashion designer of her self-named fashion company, Shanice Taylor, has officially launched her brand on the international stage.

The local designer’s work reached new heights in 2021, after Barbadian-born international sensation Rihanna wore one of her pieces and it immediately went viral globally on social media.

During Thursday’s brief media launch, Taylor and her brand strategy team from G&A Communications Inc, revealed the new logo for her recently started design company, and also showcased a new, sleek website where customers can view Taylor’s current collections, and also see sneak peaks into future works.

CEO & Chief Brand Strategist with G&A Communications Inc., Devin Griffith, spoke to the process of the collaboration.

“Transmutable Innovation©, G&A’s unique process methodology was leveraged to craft the Shanice
Taylor brand.

“So it was important for us to get to know Ms Taylor and understand her motivations and what makes her tick – before we even put pencil to paper we had long talks with her to understand her unique story,” he said.

Griffith added: “The key to a successful brand is authenticity and purpose, so establishing Shanice’s brand rubric was an imperative for us.”

In reminiscing on the moment her piece went viral after Rihanna’s best friend, Melissa Forde, gave the pop star a crochet piece designed by Taylor, which led to her being featured in Vogue Magazine, she
gave thanks for the support she has received thus far in her new venture, and expressed excitement about what is to come.

“It’s an historic movement in my life, I am being thankful for every moment. The pandemic was very vicious on all of us, but it was a bit generous to me because I got a chance to meet Melissa and share
one of my pieces with Rihanna, so that was a great moment for me.

“The brand launch today is a dream come through, because of the potential of opportunities it will create. Several people and organisations have jumped on board to help me in today’s opportunities and I wish to say a big thanks to all of you.”

When asked what was immediately on the horizon for her and the new brand, Taylor and her team teased an upcoming collection for the winter season, of which prospective buyers can look out for on her new website, designbyshanicetaylor.com. (SB)

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Twenty-nine-year-old Tara Mayers is the debut author of the book Kingdom Budgeting for Women.

The book which she penned this year was created to help women propel their lives forward.

“Kingdom budgeting for women was penned to share the tool of budgeting with women as a way to propel their lives  forward. Even though the book was written for females, it doesn’t exclude males. The information is for he or she who wants to share in this journey.

“The kingdom aspect seeks to use kingdom principles in a practical way so that we all can see the fruits of our labour. It teaches discipline and sowing seeds. It embraces investments and seeks to charter a
new course of life in our finances. It is a must read,” she said.

Mayers who is a graduate of the Combermere School and holds a Bachelors of Humanities in Spanish and French said her book Kingdom Budgeting for Women is being released this month and persons can follow @houseofem.power for updates.

But did Tara always know that she wanted to be an author?

The answer to that surprisingly is no.

“No. Writing was not on my mind in the earlier years as I was more so involved in fashion and designs which are my passions. I also own a décor business,” she said.

The qualified educator who holds a Diploma in Education from Erdiston Teacher’s College said one of the takeaways persons can get from her book is how to become better at budgeting.

“The takeaway definitely will be to keep trying at budgeting. It may be hard at first but keep trying. Bit by bit it will get easier, and you will be able to see changes and track improvement. I want women to tell another woman to purchase this book for a young woman who needs it.

“As this book touches on budgeting using kingdom principles, it encourages pray as well to each on how to write out one’s budget. It includes how to plan for supermarket trips and how to meal plan. It really is an everyday essential and guide. The writing process was completed in a year,” she said.

(Write Right PR Services)

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Governor General Dame Sandra Mason has heralded the values buttressed at her alma mater, the University of The West Indies (The UWI) as one of the major reasons for her success in life.

During a special convocation ceremony at which The UWI conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree in recognition of her outstanding contribution to public service, Dame Sandra emphasised that values such as integrity, intellectual freedom, excellence and civic responsibility were among the core values, which encompasses the university’s mandate.

In 1970, Dame Sandra was a student in the first cohort of the law faculty at Cave Hill. Since that time she has navigated a successful career, rising from an attorney, magistrate and judge. Now she sits at the pinnacle as Head of State. Quite recently she was nominated by Cabinet to serve as the first President as Barbados moves to become a republic by November 30.

Paying tribute to her family and colleagues, whom she noted had all played a significant role in her development, the GG expressed how deeply honoured and proud she was to be a product of the vision for The UWI. According to her, that vision rests in the understanding that to continue to fulfill the vision of bringing light, liberty and learning to our people it needed to definitively proclaim our Caribbeaness.

“The time had come for our people to go further and set about bending the history of the arc of our imposed postcolonial legal tradition, towards a jurisprudence more germane to us as an emancipated people. And it understood in order to do this we could no longer be found loitering on the doorsteps of the legal institutions of our erstwhile colonial masters. I proudly stand here today as a product of that vision and for that I thank the University of the West Indies,” Dame Sandra stated.

“Let me reiterate that we, the graduates of the Faculty of Law, owe this great institution an immeasurable debt of gratitude. In 1986 [National Hero the Right Excellent] Mr. [Errol] Barrow spoke of success and if for present purposes we want to equate success with having received our money’s worth and getting to know each other better, then it is indeed a time for rejoicing. But our gratitude is not measured by this or by the mass of book learning that we manage to assimilate. It is more because attendance at the University of the West Indies results in a complete education underpinned by the listed core values which guide the university’s mandate. The values of integrity, intellectual freedom, excellence civic responsibility, accessibility, diversity and  equity. Vice-chancellor the University of the West Indies has once again given me the cause for rejoicing and I am revelling in it,” she said.

Among those gathered in the intimate setting at Government House on Saturday evening was Dame Sandra’s son Matthew, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles,  Principal of the Cave Hill campus Professor Clive Landis and other friends and colleagues.

In his welcome, Sir Hilary described the affair as an historic moment of celebration, freedom and time to reflect the journey of Dame Sandra’s life.  A life that began in a small village in the rural parish of St Philip. Sir Hilary maintained that small villages produce enormous minds that are ready to take on the world because within them is embedded African sensibilities like respect for family, love of your neighbour, conversations about the future, respect for discipline and respect for elders. This he believed laid a solid foundation for Dame Sandra as “a legal mind, the ideal citizen, a consciousness forged around the principle of service”.

“It was that mentality that found its way to the Cave Hill campus and enabled our Dame to be in the first cohort of law students 50 years ago at the Cave Hill campus. One of the finest law faculties globally. And so our Dame was there at the beginning, today 73 years later our university is celebrating its journey to the top of the finest universities systems in the world. We are now ranked in the top 1.5 per cent of the best universities in the world from a field of some 30, 000. We are the number one in the  Caribbean from a field of over 150 and we are in the top one per cent of the best universities in the Caribbean and Latin America from a  field of some 5,000.

“This journey of citizen and campus and university has been the struggle for the creation and perfection of democracy within our Caribbean. There is no university in the world that can say it has a finer record of commitment to social justice as our university of the West Indies. We have been here from 1948 fighting for democracy, fighting for decolonisation, fighting for independence, fighting social justice, fighting for equal rights for women, fighting for justice in all of our institutions and now today pushing forward even forward the decolonisation of our economies and societies,” Sir Hilary said.

“This has been the journey of our university. This is a journey away from the scaffold in which this island was wedded to imperialism in 1627 by  the British. An island dedicated to the service of King Charles the second who also declared in 1636 that all black people on this island will forever be chattel, chattel slaves … What a moment this is. History hurrying to the future. A woman held aloof. A UWI woman from a fine university. A university that is elite but rejects elitism. Our honouree graduate, solid, scholarly and serene. This is an historic moment.” (KC)

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Barbados recorded another COVID-19 death today, Sunday, October 3, bringing the number of persons who have died from the virus to 80.

The latest casualty is a 64-year-old man of St Lucian nationality.  He died this morning in primary isolation at Harrison’s Point Isolation Facility, where he had been for seven days.  He had no known pre-existing illnesses and was unvaccinated.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, extended condolences to the loved ones of the deceased.  (BGIS)

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