On the one hand, this has been a wonderful year for children in Barbados in that laws such as the Child Protection Act have been passed that afford the most vulnerable enhanced protection. In addition, legislation has ensured that those who have strayed will be rehabilitated and reintegrated humanely through the provisions of the new Child Justice Act. These achievements have been internationally acknowledged.

But sadly, this year has also seen pushbacks against children’s rights from some misguided persons in our community. There was also little recognition that children’s rights are synonymous with parental rights, and that one cannot exist without the other.

Acknowledging and supporting human rights and, therefore, children’s rights accord with our Christian values. While it is accepted that not everyone is so persuaded, I know that the majority of Barbadians subscribe to those values. The bedrock of Christianity, as I understand it, is respecting and valuing all human beings. And the Messiah of our religion repeated this over and over again: teaching non-discrimination, teaching how we accept others, flaws and all – those with disabilities, the prince and the pauper alike. He also emphasised that the least among us must be accorded respect, and pointed out that even the little children must be allowed to come to Him and be able to participate in His teachings.

It is fitting, therefore, for us to be mindful of this in this particular season while celebrating His birthday and the new year. Let me therefore wish peace, love and goodwill to all men, women and children.

Faith Marshall-Harris is an attorney-at-law/legal consultant, and expert – UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

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The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) is advising the public of a deterioration of marine conditions around Barbados due to northerly sea swells from Sunday until Thursday.

The strengthening of a mid-latitude cyclone in the central Atlantic is expected to generate northerly sea swells across Barbados and the region. Swells of 1.5 to 2.5 metres are likely to impact the coastal waters of Barbados during this swell event.

There are no watches or warnings in effect for Barbados for this marine event.

Potential Impacts

Choppy sea conditions mainly along the western coastlines of Barbados are expected from as early as Sunday night and expected to last until the morning of Thursday.

These conditions are predicted to peak from Monday into Tuesday.

What you should do

Marine users are encouraged to follow the advice and warnings provided by the National Conservation Commission and their lifeguards. Additionally, users should monitor the BMS, DEM and GIS websites and their respective social media pages along with the local media networks for further updates over the coming days.

This information statement was issued at 12 p.m. on Sunday and will be updated at 12 p.m. Tuesday. (BMS)

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Kevin Wickham (settlers) has 135 runs in three games and has yet to lose his wicket.

Dario Cumberbatch took two early wickets for settlers as they defeated Guardians.

• 12 p.m. Titans vs Warriors.
• 2:30 p.m. Voyagers vs Pelicans.

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Members of The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) are on the scene of a shooting incident that occurred at Worthing, Christ Church.
(more details as they come to hand)

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Former Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leader Dr Ronnie Yearwood has blasted the party’s leadership for a “silly and unfounded” move to sideline key members after former government minister Michael Lashley and member Walter Maloney were issued forfeiture letters citing breaches of the party’s constitution.

The letters, dated December 28, 2024, and citing Section 29 of the DLP’s constitution, claim that both men forfeited their seats on the Executive Council due to several consecutive absences from meetings without prior leave.

Dr Yearwood shared his belief that the action is indicative of a broader trend within the DLP to alienate members with youth, talent, and expertise, leaving the party weakened and out of touch.

“There is no grounds for it,” he said.

“You’re trying to remove, get rid of the youth, talent, and expertise of the party. What are you going to be left with at the top end of the party if you keep going this way?” Dr Yearwood questioned.

He further criticised the DLP for prioritising internal politics over meaningful community engagement.

He said: “Politics can’t be about titles and who sits on councils . . . councils that the average Barbadians care less about. It’s about community and it’s about people. It’s definitely not about sending unfounded letters to people over the Christmas period to kick them off councils, people who actually do work in their communities or are experts in their areas.”

Dr Yearwood also contrasted the DLP’s approach with his own focus on community projects, highlighting a recent Christmas party held in St John and other charitable efforts.

“There is an old saying—they will do until they undo,” he added, warning that the party’s actions could backfire.

Political observers have also weighed in on the issue, describing the forfeiture letters as part of ongoing infighting within the DLP.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY, political scientist Devaron Bruce labelled the decision a continuation of the party’s internal discord and a missed opportunity to unify ahead of upcoming elections.

“You would have hoped that given the turmoil that the party faced over the last year that you would begin to see olive branches being extended to individuals within the party, particularly the outstanding members like Lashley, one of the best-performing candidates since 2021,” Bruce said, adding that Lashley’s “rebranding and political capital in a favourable seat” make the decision perplexing.

Questioning the DLP’s broader objective, the political analyst said: “What is the strategy if you’re going to sideline and isolate one of your strongest members known publicly and within his constituency?

“It just seems as though the DLP is in an unrelenting mode that has no strategic end, and it’s either my way or the highway under Ralph Thorne. I don’t see that heading in a direction that would be successful electorally,” Bruce noted.

Political scientist Peter Wickham described the actions as unwise and further argued that the forfeiture letters reflect a deliberate strategy by the DLP’s leadership to sideline perceived dissenters.

“This is all part of an ongoing attempt of the DLP to sideline persons that don’t appear to be loyal to the new leadership,” he said. “So Lashley is one such person, and they are using the rules and regulations of the organisation to essentially push him to one side delicately.”

Further acknowledging Lashley’s political influence, Wickham said: “I think it’s highly unwise given the level of support he carries in St Philip North. Either he needs to be the candidate or support the candidate. This is not the way to go about getting that support.”

Sharing on Maloney’s forfeiture, he added: “I suspect that in taking down Lashley, he was one of the bricks that fell.”

Barbados TODAY reached out to DLP leader Ralph Thorne, Michael Lashley, and Walter Maloney for comment but none was immediately available up to the time of publication.

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb

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A young man was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) with multiple gunshot wounds on Monday morning, following a shooting incident at Rendezvous, Christ Church.

The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) has not released the name of the victim who is said to be in his 20s. He was outside an establishment in the area around 11:17 a.m. when he was shot multiple times by unknown men.

“He fell to the ground with several injuries to his body and the men then drove away in a white motor car, registration unknown,” Inspector Rodney Inniss, TBPS’ communications and public affairs officer, said in a press release.

The victim was transported to the QEH by private motor car.

Inspector Inniss said investigations are continuing into this matter.

Police are asking anyone who can provide any information that can assist with these investigations to call the Hastings/Worthing Police Station at 836-0991 or 836-0992, Police Emergency 211, Crime Stoppers at 1800 TIPS (8477), or the nearest police station.

Lawmen assured the public that all information received will be kept “strictly confidential”.

(BT)

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The government is fast-tracking its plans to transform thousands of derelict buildings and vacant lots into new housing schemes in the new year, Minister of Housing and Lands Dwight Sutherland has revealed to Barbados TODAY.

The initiative aims to convert at least 25 000 idle properties into much-needed housing solutions, potentially easing the backlog of 18 000 applications at the National Housing Corporation.

Sutherland acknowledged there were delays in rolling out the programme but insisted that in a matter of months, it would come on stream.

“We have across the country a lot of land owned by various plantations that are within the state. We believe these are the areas, the vacant lots, that we can look at because we have services there already and we do not have to put in for infrastructure costs. [We want to] utilise these lots to build houses,” he said, adding that a paper on the plan would soon be brought before Cabinet.

Sutherland first announced the derelict buildings and vacant lot transformation project in August 2023. Back then, he said there were well over 25 000 derelict and vacant lots island-wide and a new state-run enterprise would be established to transform the derelict properties into housing solutions.

He noted that this would be a major game-changer in housing as there were more than 18 000 applications before the National Housing Corporation.

The minister also said then that this project would include public derelict properties as well as private ones, adding that a $700 000 grant from the Inter-American Development Bank would be utilised to kick-start the programme.

Sutherland vowed the project would gain traction soon: “We are bringing on someone; I don’t want to pre-empt Cabinet to say who the person is, but we are soon to go to Cabinet. There would be a paper to bring on someone who will champion the derelict and vacant lot project . . . . So it is live, it is on the cards.”

Asked about the delays, the minister said: “In all fairness, we had so many low-hanging fruits we had to address like getting the East-West project on track [and] addressing HOPE…. Now we are back to the derelict and vacant lot project. So, you

should see some action there in 2025.”

Sutherland added that the derelict buildings and vacant lots programme will start in the urban corridor first and work in tandem with the plans to transform communities in Mason Hall Street and Green Fields in The City.

He also noted that more people will be moved in the Rock Hall relocation project in St Philip in the new year.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb

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Motorists have demanded urgent intervention from relevant authorities to tackle the growing threat of excessively bright vehicle headlights, which they claim are turning night-time roads into perilous obstacle courses.

Taxi drivers, delivery workers, and elderly motorists alike report near-misses and reduced working hours due to the blinding glare from LED and high-intensity headlamps, sparking calls for stricter regulations and enforcement. The blinding lights are causing near accidents and forcing some drivers to avoid the roads altogether, they said.

A taxi operator in Bridgetown who gave his name as Michael told Barbados TODAY that the issue has affected his livelihood, threatening shorter working hours.

“It affects you so bad that even on a night now you don’t feel like working,” he said. “The bright lights will actually blind you. When you see them coming, you have to slow down or even stop.”

Michael added: “The authorities need to crack down because some of them willfully put in the bright lights, and even when dimmed, they’re still too bright. It’s real bad.”

Fellow taxi operator Junior echoed similar frustrations: “The lights are extremely bright and it seems as though they can’t dim.

“At night, when you see those lights, you have to focus to the left to avoid hitting someone because they’re really bright. I don’t know how they’re going to combat that, but they have to look into it.”

Also voicing his annoyance was delivery driver Graham Licorish who described as disgusting the disturbances caused by these lights during after-dark driving.

“It’s one of the most disturbing things when you really look at the way how motorists handle the lights at night,” he said.

“When these lights hit you, you’ve got to pull up, and it’s so dangerous because the vehicle behind could easily run into the back of your car. It’s very, very offensive,” Licorish said.

He said he has had many close calls, narrowly avoiding crashes from blinding headlights which he stressed were a serious hazard on the road.

“The government should ban them because even pedestrians find it difficult to see, [when the lights shine on them]. They need to carry out some kind of survey to see how dangerous it is. I believe they should put an end to some of these lights,” he said.

The dangers posed by these bright LED headlights are not unique to Barbados as drivers globally are raising similar concerns.

Recent reports in Canada have highlighted how such lights impair visibility for oncoming motorists, further increasing the risk of accidents.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported the issue has sparked debates on the safety of modern headlights and their regulation.

The CBC further noted comments from experts who shared that headlight glare has become a serious issue across North America with vehicles transitioning from warmer old-style halogen lights to newer LED headlights which create a more intense, concentrated gleam that’s “bluer and can force people to squint in discomfort”.

Similar concerns among elderly drivers locally have prompted the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) to partner with a private taxi company to launch a shuttle service operating between 6 p.m., and 6 a.m., for its members.

During the launch event back in November, BARP President Marilyn Rice-Bowen also bemoaned the issue of “night blindness” caused by these problematic LED headlights.

But the motorists are urging the government to implement a comprehensive solution that will address the issue for all road users at night.

(SM)

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Four West Indies players were included as ESPNcricinfo named its teams of the year for 2024 on Monday. Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, and the lone women’s player, Hayley Matthews, all made the cut.

The year’s headline events – the men’s and women’s T20 World Cups – saw ball dominate bat, and as a result, two bowling stars each from the championship-winning teams make the T20 XIs: Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh for India, Amelia Kerr and Rosemary Mair for New Zealand.

Over 1600 men’s T20s were played in 2024. Pooran was the year’s top run-getter by some distance, and he struck at nearly 160. Andre Russell’s sustained all-round chops also found him many takers. Bumrah, Singh, and Tilak Varma represent India.

South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs, Australia’s Travis Head, England’s Phil Salt, Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana,  Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan complete a cosmopolitan lineup.

In addition to being the year’s top run-getter and joint second-highest wicket-taker, Matthews also led West Indies to the World Cup semifinal and Barbados Royals to the WCPL title, while also stepping in as captain briefly for WBBL champions Melbourne Renegades – which makes her the captain of the Cricinfo team.

The player of the final and player of the tournament at the Women’s T20 World Cup, and the leading wicket-taker of the year, Kerr was one of three near ever-presents in the voting for the women’s T20 XI, alongside England’s Sophie Ecclestone and Australia’s Ellyse Perry.

Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, and Shabnim Ismail (South Africa), Beth Mooney (Australia), Nat Sciver-Brunt (England), (South Africa), Deepti Sharma (India), and Mair are all included.

Seven players in the men’s ODI XI come from either Sri Lanka or Afghanistan, who, along with West Indies, were the only Full-Member teams to play 12 or more matches this year. The Sri Lankans are Wanindu Hasaranga, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, and Charith Asalanka. Afghanistan has Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Mohammad Nabi.

West Indies middle-order batter Rutherford and England’s Liam Livingstone are joined by Bangladesh’s Taskin Ahmed and Pakistan’s Haris Rauf.

Bumrah was one of two unanimous choices for the men’s Test XI, as voted for by ESPNcricinfo staff, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, who laced his first full year in international cricket with two double-centuries against England and 161 in Perth, all in wins.

Ravindra Jadeja joins his India team-mates as the spin-bowling allrounder, with Englishmen Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, and Jamie Smith, New Zealanders Rachin Ravindra and Matt Henry, Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis, and Australia’s Josh Hazlewood.

(ESPNCricinfo)

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Hosein Akeal Hosein bowled a tidy four-over spell to help the Sydney Sixers continue their unbeaten start to this season’s Big Bash League with their fourth win in a row, a comfortable eight wicket victory over the Brisbane Heat at the Brisbane Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Hosein took 1-26 from his four overs with the new ball to help restrict the Heat to 138-9 from their 20 overs after Sixers captain Moises Henriques won the toss and chose to field.

Nathan McSweeney, recently dropped from the Australia Test team, was the top scorer for the Heat with 34 while Jimmy Peirson and Paul Walter made 24 and 22, respectively.

Left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis was the best bowler on the day for the Sixers with 4-32 while Hayden Kerr and Todd Murphy had 2-19 and 2-25, respectively.

Josh Philippe then made an unbeaten 41-ball 66 to help the Sixers chase down their target in just 16.1 overs.

Kurtis Patterson made 32 from 20 balls while skipper Henriques made 29* as the Sixers finished 142-2, securing their fourth win in as many games.

Xavier Bartlett and Paul Walter took the wickets to fall.

The Sixers will next play Shai Hope’s Hobart Hurricanes on New Year’s Day.

(SportsMax)

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Barbadians are being warned to stay vigilant as a surge of sophisticated phishing scams circulates on social media, luring people aged 18 to 45 with false promises of a $50 000 government grant. Officials and experts urged the public to verify online information and avoid falling prey to cybercriminals.

Phishing involves deceiving people into providing sensitive information, such as personal or financial details, through fraudulent emails, texts, or websites.

In a recorded statement on Monday, Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn urged online users not to click on suspicious links they encounter on the Internet or social media.

A WhatsApp message purporting to be from the government has been making the rounds, asking people aged 18 to 45 to click a link to become beneficiaries of a stimulus programme. The message claims unemployed Barbadian citizens are eligible to receive a $50 000 grant to compensate those affected by “a crisis”. It also states that funds have already been distributed.

The programme mentioned in the messages is labelled as the Barbados Youth Empowerment Fund Programme 2024, and the Barbados Coat of Arms is included in the message’s layout.

In response to this phishing attempt, Straughn said: “I simply say to Barbados do not fall victim to misinformation, otherwise known as people telling lies. However, in light of all these scams in recent times, I ask persons not to click the link nor provide any information to these criminals because you do not know the real motives of the persons behind these initiatives.

“Telling lies in of itself is not a crime. However, telling lies to solicit information for unauthorised usage is indeed a crime, especially financial crime. This is just plain old fraud,” he added.

Economist Jeremy Stephen also urged Barbadians to confirm the authenticity of online information from reputable sources before submitting personal data.

He noted that over the past several years, Barbados has become an easy target for attackers and hackers, with this latest development being a continuation of prior incidents.

Economist Jeremy Stephen. (FP)

Stephen said online scams surged significantly after data from the preliminary voters’ list was leaked ahead of the January 2022 election.

He said: “The most valuable thing isn’t the disruption; it is what they are trying to disrupt for, and that is information,” Stephen told Barbados TODAY, referring to various cyberattacks on government agencies, including the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA), the Immigration Department, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and the Barbados Licensing Authority.

“There is a bunch of information like email addresses that would have gone onto the dark web, and people interested would have bought that information and used it to target people in the country. We would be viewed by savvy Internet users as unsophisticated, not being able to identify when a scam.

“They know that these email addresses are for Barbadians; they have an idea of the ages because the ages of the victims would be attached to that voters’ list, BRA, and other government agencies. So in the near term, you should expect that all these scams will continue to happen. It would be wise for the average Bajan to always verify. If you see anything that may appear to be connected to the government, call the Ministry of Finance or the Government Information Service (GIS). Any official government notice is usually issued through them. If GIS cannot confirm that it exists, then it does not.”

Stephen explained that these scams, while not new, have adopted a more modern format and typically involve two stages to gain access to victims’ financial details and account passwords.

“Think of these scams as two-stage attacks.,” he said. “The person (attacker) needs information that is credible and can lead you to a target that is vulnerable. Because of the hacks, the people who were selling the information had valuable data from people in a small country who are unsophisticated when it comes to these types of attacks. Barbadians have never really been victims in this way before, and it is clear the country doesn’t have safeguards set up, even in its government.

“The next step is to make an offer financially and hope that somebody bites. So these scams have always been around. They used to be letters that would pop up in your mailbox back in the day called chain letters. It would ask you to send on the letters, a way to collect addresses to scam people. Then you had the Nigerian prince scam through the postal service before they moved to your email. People would claim to need money, saying they were a Nigerian prince and would pay you back.”

The economist warned Barbadians to expect future scams asking for passwords and employing tactics such as fake password reset requests.

He said: “You may find a few of them, sooner rather than later, sending a password request. They would claim that you have reset a password and get you to click a link, inadvertently giving them the ability to reset your password. It would be redirected to their email, and they could take over your email address. Then they could use that to reset your banking information.”

Noting that scammers often send emails pretending to be from reputable businesses or organisations, Stephen advised using a hardcopy phonebook to verify contact numbers provided in those emails.

He also called for a tighter cybersecurity programme across all government agencies. 

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb

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In an impassioned plea, Hermione Eileen Parris, possibly the oldest living Barbadian at age 108, has urged parents to instil religious values in their children as a remedy for rising youth violence. 

Speaking to Barbados TODAY on Monday, a day after her birthday celebration, Parris, of Moore’s Land, St John, expressed deep concern over the moral decline among young people, particularly young men.

Parris told the nation’s parents that children needed to learn about the importance of morals and have respect for their fellow human beings.

She said: “When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother in St Philip and we had to go to Sunday School. We had to recite a bible verse and we would be in the house of God. And if it so be that you got to go to night service, we had to go along and learn the word of God,” she said. “But today,  we asking the children if them want to go to Sunday School and if they say ‘no’, they stand home. If you take God’s word out of the children, what are you going to expect? This is what happening with the young mothers today. They dress and go long to church and leave the children home to do what they want to do. When it happens like this, anything can happen. Then you will cry or have to get a lawyer, sometimes without having money to pay he. So parents have to help the children and lead them right. These days are far different to the days that gone by.”

Parris also said parents needed to be more involved in their children’s lives and find out about the company they kept.

Parris, the eldest member of her community, mothered many children there and in neighbouring Pool Land, where she lived previously.

She and her husband Richard Parris, who died in 2007 at the age of 92, had seven children, three of whom are now deceased.

She has too many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren to recall, she added.

She celebrated the milestone on Sunday with many neighbours, relatives and friends, and a special service was held at her house by the Tichbourne Apostolic Faith Church.

Parris does not have any ailments or non-communicable diseases and she moves around her home at will.

She has a sharp memory, enjoys a hearty laugh and likes to watch the news.

Parris said it was God that allowed her to live another year and she was grateful to be in her condition. 

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb

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The PGDFF Caribbean Youth Advocacy Seminar Series, sponsored by Massy Foundation Barbados Inc., has launched a transformative initiative aimed at empowering young people.

The seminar series focused on equipping youth with essential life skills while addressing critical areas such as mental health, healthy eating, financial literacy, and building self-confidence.

Held at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Barbados Community College, with the Barbados Youth ADVANCE Corps (BYAC) Cohort, the event brought together facilitators who highlighted the importance of these skills in both personal and professional success.

Designed to educate and engage, the sessions included practical exercises to help young people apply these life skills in their daily lives.

Dr Don-Marie Holder, Acting Director of the Office of Student Services & Development at UWI Cave Hill, praised the seminar series for its impact on students.

“Through this series of workshops, our students were provided with practical tools to enhance their physical and mental well-being, professional growth, and financial stability,” she said. “To commemorate World Mental Health Day, we focused on helping our students build confidence and be the best version of [themselves]. These sessions offer a transformative path towards a more balanced and successful life.”

Dr Holder also noted the event’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #13 on Climate Action, noting a keynote address that encouraged students to think about how they could take action to address the climate crisis.

UWI student Jaden Downer shared his experience, saying, “The workshops were super informative and inspiring. As an aspiring future entrepreneur, the workshops gave me some great insights I didn’t know I needed, whether it be learning about money, health, or personal development.”

He particularly enjoyed the ‘Making Your Money Work for You’ workshop.

“My greatest takeaway from these is that learning is a never-ending journey. I’m definitely looking forward to attending future workshops,” Downer added.

The BYAC also expressed appreciation for the seminar series.

“It was indeed heartwarming to see the intended plan become reality. All the topics discussed were adequately executed, and the overall goal was achieved,” said a BYAC representative.

The diverse speaker lineup was also commended.

(PR)

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Two hundred hampers containing food and sanitary items were distributed to communities across Barbados on Saturday, as the Rotary Club of Barbados South continued its annual Christmas giving tradition, albeit at a reduced scale due to funding constraints.

Members of the club, alongside Rotaractors from South Barbados and other volunteers, gathered at 6 a.m., at Guardian Group Headquarters, Collymore Rock, to pack the seasonal donations.

President-elect Jacklyn Broomes, who led this year’s initiative, noted that 2024 had proved “one of the more challenging years in obtaining corporate sponsorship”, though she expressed gratitude to those sponsors who had supported the project.

The Christmas hamper distribution, which began in 2006, typically provides up to 250 packages annually.

“The Rotary Club of Barbados South has been conducting this event annually as a way to give back to the less fortunate,” said Club President Terry Hall, explaining that recipients are selected from a list developed by club members in consultation with community social care partners.

The organisation’s charitable work extends beyond the festive season, with similar hamper distributions taking place on both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. The club also partners with the Rotary Club of Barbados West to provide 110 meals monthly to homeless people in Bridgetown, whilst supporting the Barbados Red Cross’s Meals on Wheels programme, delivering food to housebound elderly residents.

(PR)

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This year has seen numerous instances where inadequate compliance controls dominated news cycles, particularly regarding data breaches. However, what often remains unaddressed is how boards of management respond to these compliance lapses and what accountability should look like going forward. More importantly, what new responsibilities do these enlightened boards have in raising awareness, implementing new controls, and ensuring their organisations establish robust reporting mechanisms?

As someone who has received numerous marketing advertisements from regional tertiary institutions promoting short courses on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) training—with some including elements of risk management—these developments are encouraging but insufficient. These courses remain optional and are often excluded from core degree programmes. This raises an important question: Is the absence of general compliance—including AML, cybersecurity, data privacy, and corporate governance—as a core component in university-level business programmes contributing to the governance issues we see today?

Boards and the need for evolving knowledge

Boards are not omniscient entities within organisational structures. Their ability to manage effectively is tied to their scope of knowledge. I’ve seen firsthand how governments structure statutory corporations by appointing board members whose skills are meant to complement management. However, in today’s global business environment, compliance has become a critical requirement, and boards must embody new skills and competencies that encompass the four pillars of compliance: cybersecurity, data privacy, AML, and corporate governance.

Why cyber and data privacy compliance matter

Cybersecurity and data privacy compliance have become crucial aspects of board governance for several reasons:

• Strategic Risk Management: Boards have a fiduciary duty to oversee major risks, and cybersecurity threats represent some of the most significant challenges to business continuity, reputation, and financial stability. A single data breach can result in massive financial losses through fines, legal settlements, and reputational damage.

• Regulatory Obligations: Directors face increasing regulatory obligations around data protection and privacy, from GDPR in Europe to PIPEDA in Canada and the Data Protection Act in Barbados. Boards must ensure their organisations comply with these evolving requirements to protect shareholder value. The major breach at the Barbados Revenue Authority serves as a stark example of how such failures erode public trust.
• Stakeholder Trust: Boards are responsible for safeguarding sensitive data related to customers, employees, and business partners. As organisations digitise operations and leverage data for competitive advantage, cybersecurity and privacy considerations must be integrated into strategic planning.
• Personal Liability: Board members face personal liability and reputational risks if they fail to exercise proper oversight of cyber risks and privacy compliance. Courts and regulators now expect active engagement from boards on these issues.

Education’s role in governance failures

Despite the growing importance of digital governance, traditional MBA programmes still focus heavily on traditional topics such as finance, marketing, and strategy. Cybersecurity and data governance are often relegated to electives or brief modules in IT management courses. This approach leaves business leaders unprepared to tackle the governance challenges posed by the digital age.

Educational institutions must do more to integrate compliance education into business curricula. The solution lies in embedding these topics into core courses such as strategic management or operational resilience. These programmes should teach students about key areas such as:

• Operational Resilience: Ensuring business continuity under cyber threats through robust backup systems, incident response plans, and continuity measures.
• Resource Allocation: Balancing investments in cybersecurity with other business needs while maintaining adequate protection.

Shared regional challenges

The Caribbean faces unique challenges in addressing these issues, as our shared educational structures often mirror each other. This common foundation, while typically a strength, becomes a liability when boards lack proper cybersecurity understanding. Limited knowledge at the board level increases risks by impeding digital transformation in several ways:

1. Misunderstanding Risks: Boards without cybersecurity knowledge often overestimate the risks of new digital initiatives while underestimating the dangers of outdated systems.
2. Resistance to Digital Transformation: Viewing cybersecurity investments solely as expenses rather than strategic enablers of growth can hinder competitive survival. Ironically, resistance to digital transformation increases cyber risk by maintaining vulnerable systems.

The Path Forward

To prepare business leaders for the digital age, educational institutions must fundamentally rethink their approach to business education. While short courses and optional training programmes have value, they cannot replace the comprehensive integration of compliance education into core curricula.

Recommendations for educational institutions:

1. Integrate compliance into core courses: Ensure subjects like cybersecurity, data privacy, and operational resilience are embedded in strategic management courses.
2. Develop standalone programmes: Create degree-level programmes that focus exclusively on digital governance and compliance for future leaders.
3. Engage industry experts: Partner with professionals to provide practical insights and real-world applications of compliance in business contexts.

As the Caribbean continues its digital transformation journey, the success of both public and private organisations will increasingly depend on boards that understand and actively engage with compliance and cybersecurity governance. The cost of maintaining the status quo—where these critical competencies remain outside core business education—is unsustainable.

Educational institutions must take the lead in bridging this knowledge gap. By equipping tomorrow’s board members and business leaders with the fundamental skills needed for digital governance, we can ensure that our region thrives in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Steven can be reached at Mobile: 246-233-0090; Email: steven@dataprivacy.bb

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The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training has advised that the CXC English ‘A’ Examination, scheduled for Monday, January 6, 2025, at 9 a.m., will take place at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI), Wildey, St. Michael, and not the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex.

Parents, students, and teachers are urged to take note of the change of venue. (BGIS)

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As Barbados enters 2025, two Pentecostal Church leaders and the head of the Adventist Church here have urged the nation to return to its moral roots and confront rising crime levels, calling for collective action, stronger family values, and a renewed commitment to faith.

Reverend David Durant, senior pastor of Restoration Ministries, expressed his hope that 2025 would be a year filled with boundless opportunities, success, and joy for every individual.

“I wish this new year will greet everyone with many open doors, full of endless opportunities and possibilities for remarkable success. May each one experience joy unspeakable and be blessed with many memorable and unforgettable moments that will add virtue to their lives,” he said.

In his New Year’s message, Pastor Anthony Hall, president of the East Caribbean Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, began by wishing everyone a “happy, productive, and successful 2025,” acknowledging the importance of optimism and hope as the new year begins.

Senior Pastor of Mount Zion’s Missions, Reverend Lucille Baird, said her first wish for 2025 is a spiritual revival for Barbados. She believes the nation must turn back to God, whose guidance has shaped the country for over 300 years.

She said: “I would really wish that we would recognise him as God. I’m concerned that there are so many persons out there that have become Godless. So many people are not believing in God who can guide and direct us, and that’s a very frightening place to be as a country because the nation and the people that reject God will be in trouble.”

The year, 2024, saw an increase in criminal activities, resulting in a record number of murders and several hit-and-run accidents that are yet to be solved.

When Barbados TODAY spoke to the religious leaders, all expressed concern about the crime levels in the country.

Rev. Baird appealed to Barbados to return to the morals that once guided the nation.

“I’d like to see a return to the values and the morals and the principles that our fore-parents shared with us and taught us and we learned in school, and I like to see praise return in school as part of the programme.”

She added: “We all together as a people will want to see the end of the violence and the crime in Barbados,” she said adding, that the number of murders recorded in the country “is too much. This is the highest that we’ve ever had, and it breaks my heart as a mother to see our sons taken in the streets in the bloodshed.”

Rev. Baird appealed to families to return to the moral teachings and to restore the family structure.

“I think because we don’t have the family structure that we used to, the extended family of grandmother and community person helping to raise the children. A lot of single parents, and single mothers are parenting their children for fathers. I think that’s causing a lot of problems because we do need the father in the home, even though we’re having mothers doing their best. There’s something that mothers cannot give that fathers will give,” she said.

She called on communities to look out for each other as they used to.

The reverend who has worked with youth and prison inmates for several years, called for harsher penalties for crimes, particularly to deter youth from engaging in criminal activity, and stressed the need for a justice system that better addresses crime and discourages impunity.

“We need to have harsher penalties in the justice system so that it’s a deterrent to the youth who want to commit crimes and want to use guns as weapons on their own people”, she said and called for an improvement in the nation’s education and healthcare systems.

Rev. Durant expressed his desire for fewer criminal activities.

“We also would like to see a reduction in crime and violence, and the nation coming to a place of greater stability, peace, love for each other. There they can rise to a higher level of prosperity, not only economically but also in the area of industry.”

Pastor Hall of the Seventh-day Adventists, said he was “concerned about issues of morality and crime, integrity and so on within the society, and we are hoping that the new year will provide us with an opportunity to re-evaluate where we are, how we live, our obligations to God and family and others, and that we can strengthen the particular institutions of society that really matter”.

He added: “Focus on personal well-being, mental health and wellness, family life, and education.”

He also expressed concern for the marginalised in society: “We should try to tackle issues related to poverty, issues related to people who are marginalized or are somehow or another on the sidelines and not getting the best of the community. I hope that we can tackle those real issues in the upcoming year and that we can move everybody forward. Nobody should be left behind.” 

louriannegraham@barbadostoday.bb

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The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) has committed to tackling critical issues including gun violence, the high cost of living, and work-life balance, as part of its New Year’s resolutions to uplift workers and improve the quality of life in Barbados.

In a New Year’s message, general secretary Richard Green said the union’s leadership was renewing its dedication and purpose as the island welcomed 2025.

“The leadership of the NUPW renews its pledge and promise to give honest representation on matters that promote improvement in health, finances, career, family, spirituality, fairness, equity and justice. Individually, we sincerely hope that whatever your resolution, you will be able to have success and meet the goals and targets you set in 2025,” Green said.

“From the NUPW’s perspective, if Barbados could achieve full employment, fair and equitable social and economic development for all, the complete protection of the rights of our workers, whilst ensuring that food, education, health and human rights for every Barbadian is accomplished, this union would be happy. However, the reality is that there are still families that do not have equal access to an adequate quality of life. This union will endeavour to ensure that those vulnerable groups are uplifted and enfranchised.”

Green added that violence, particularly gun crime, affected the labour movement by undermining the quality of life of its members. He said the NUPW would actively support national efforts to curb the scourge of gun violence, especially among the youth.

“The NUPW has enamoured itself to support all efforts to combat the real and existential threat of gun violence which now threatens not only our physical safety but our feelings of safety. The loss of a young life, whether a family member or not, affects us all deeply, with untold socio-economic implications. As we welcome 2025, the NUPW is appealing to young men and women across Barbados to put down the guns and seek to empower themselves through education, creativity, and entrepreneurship, as we collectively seek to make this fair land of ours a better place.”

The union also highlighted spending power and work-life balance as priorities. Green said the high cost of living was negatively impacting workers, and the NUPW would be engaging the Social Partnership to find ways to empower consumers.

Regarding work-life balance and productivity, the NUPW plans to revisit the Flexible Work Policy, advocating for the government to reactivate all its provisions.

 “This union sees itself responsible for raising the collective national conscience to matters that can structurally improve the lives of our people, to transform the national psyche and perspective towards greater collectivism. For example, by moving the discussion on pensions to the discussion on planning for retirement; moving the discussion on spending to investment. To support the initiatives for training and education on financial literacy. [Next year] 2025 must be a year of purpose and growth for all public workers in Barbados. The NUPW promises to be the union that leads for the realisation of purpose and growth,” he said.

Touching on the public sector job evaluation exercise, Green expressed hope that the measure would be fully implemented, encouraging members to participate.

He added: “The NUPW also wishes to urge the government to use this job evaluation exercise to address the shortage of staff and the attractiveness of compensation packages in the health and protective services. The inability to attract and recruit the brightest and best available talent in the island impacts negatively on quality public services.” (SZB)sheria

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A former Barbados Labour Party (BLP) minister Glyne Murray has launched a scathing attack on a planned national building identification system, branding it “nonsense” and warning of potential privacy breaches. 

Speaking on the Marcia Weekes Show recently, he branded the Barbados Building Identifier (BBID) an “underhand move”, questioning the rationale behind its introduction amid what he said was the success of the existing postal code system.

The BBID is a location-based application designed to assign each building in Barbados a unique six-character code, beginning with the first letter of the parish, akin to the vehicle number plate system. The system aims to precisely pinpoint any building or structure, thereby simplifying the process of locating addresses across the country.

According to the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), the BBID is part of a broader digital innovation strategy aimed at enhancing location-based services in Barbados. 

But expressing scepticism about its necessity, Murray, who served as press secretary to Prime Minister Tom Adams and later as minister of state in the Owen Arthur administration, declared: “This is the same postal service that brought out, some years ago, a postal code which so far has worked well.”

“I never heard anybody complain nor couriers complain. So now, according to them, we’re going to international addresses . . . . What kind of foolishness are we talking about? This is nonsense.”

He further raised concerns about potential privacy implications, referencing a 2021 incident where the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) published the personal information of registered voters online in preparations for general elections. The document contained names, ID numbers, dates of birth, and other residential information of each eligible voter.

“Now what more [information] do they want to give persons so they can find me more easily?” Murray told the programme.

“I see no reason [for the BBID], having already had a postal code.”

He also suggested that the BBID could be a means for the government to gather more information on citizens “to track them”.

Citing the EBC’s mandate which, as stated on the BGIS website, is “to maintain accurate registers for the national and electoral registration systems and to ensure the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections”, Murray contended that the BBID falls outside this remit.

“It is out of character and I don’t trust it,” he declared.

“I think we have to push back on it. If they come to my house, I will tell them I am not cooperating because there is no need to do it.” (SM)

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Former Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leader Dr Ronnie Yearwood added festive notes to St John with a series of community-focused Christmas events that attracted hundreds of residents from across the parish.

The celebrations included a Christmas party for more than 300 children and their families and the finals of a karaoke competition held under the theme Community Vibes.

The karaoke contest, staged at venues across St John, culminated in a finale that drew over 400 attendees.

Dr Yearwood, noting his family roots in St John, said: “My grandmother was born and grew up in St John, and my family still lives there.

“Through my charity and with my family, we held the finals of our karaoke competition to bring life and events to people.”

He told Barbados TODAY that the karaoke events were held in areas such as Pool, Welch, Gall Hill, Cheshire, and Martin’s Bay.

“The community’s response was overwhelmingly positive. It was heartwarming to see so many smiles and hear so much laughter,” he said.

Noting the importance of giving back, Dr Yearwood said that he has been volunteering and doing community work since his teenage years.

“It’s just a part of who I am. I think it’s important to give back and help people so they can help themselves. At Christmas, it’s especially meaningful to bring joy to children and families,” he noted.

The former DLP leader also shared his broader vision for community engagement, advocating for initiatives that empower individuals rather than relying on handouts.

“New politics has to be about community and not simply handouts but giving people a helping hand when they are down so they can lift themselves and their families up,” he said.

“You can’t come into politics to just take from people. You come to give and uplift in as many ways possible, small and big.”

For the upcoming year, Dr Yearwood pledged to expand his outreach efforts, including new youth programmes and initiatives to support businesses in St John.

“We thank all those who helped in 2024 and look forward to their assistance in 2025 as we build out new and sustainable programmes,” he said, calling for continued collaboration.

Extending season’s greetings to the nation, he said: “I wish all Barbadians, everyone . . . joy, blessings, and a strong sense of community in the coming year.”

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