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(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – The Government of Saint Lucia has proposed 11 sites for Local Housing Projects in order to address the local affordable housing shortage.
In this week’s issue of “OUR SAINT LUCIA – Building Resilience” we focus on this initiative and the advancement of the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project which addresses the need to reduce disaster vulnerability.
The National Volunteer Programme continues to improve. Find out why you should become a volunteer!
Also in this issue:
The Elderly Home Caregivers Program: Going Above and Beyond
Saint Lucia Carnival Brings a Unique Experience
Ministers on the Move!
READ MORE by clicking on this link: https://issuu.com/govstlucia/docs/issue8/1?ff=true
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(GIS) – Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Saint Lucia, H.E. Vladimir Eisenbruk, presented his letters of credence to Governor-General of Saint Lucia, H.E. Sir Emmanuel Neville Cenac. The two countries have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 1996.
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe bordered by Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Poland. The Czech Republic Ambassador to Saint Lucia hopes to continue to cultivate co-operation between the two countries.
“Both of our countries stand for rule of law, democracy and human rights. In this respect we would very much appreciate your support for the candidacy of the Czech Republic to the human rights commission in the upcoming election this year. I think we have a lot of areas where we could co-operate especially in renewable energy, public transportation and waste management,” The ambassador says.
The Czech Republic enjoys an export oriented social market economy based on services, manufacturing and innovation. The Governor-General notes there is much to be learned from the developed country.
“Your readiness to share solutions in the areas of food production, renewable energies, waste management and public transportation cannot be overlooked for at least two reasons : (1) Tourism and agriculture are destined to be our main modes of survival (2) the hand you extend to us is useful in maintaining their viability and were one the add to that, tourists arrivals from Czechia, your 3% marvelous 3% unemployment could be ours, too, to enjoy,” The Governor General says.
In an effort to further strengthen diplomatic relations, the Czech republic also hopes to establish an honorary consulate in Saint Lucia.
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Karolin Troubetzkoy
(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – Frank Comito, CEO and Director General of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), today congratulated the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) on the election of Karolin Troubetzkoy as its new president.
Karolin Troubetzkoy, immediate past president of CHTA and Executive Director of Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain Resorts, assumed the Presidency of her national trade association on Friday after serving for almost three years as head of the Caribbean organization.
She succeeds hotelier Sanovnik Destang of Bay Gardens Resorts, who did not stand for re-election, and is joined by newly elected First Vice President John Mathurin, owner of Serenity Vacations & Tours, and re-elected Second Vice President Erwin Louisy of Barefoot Holidays St. Lucia.
“Karolin has a wonderful ability to harness the skills and enthusiasm of all stakeholders to enhance the capacity of the tourism industry to benefit all sectors of society and we are sure she will shine in this familiar role,” said Comito, who described Troubetzoy’s impact at the regional level as exemplary.
Addressing SLHTA’s AGM following her election, Troubetzkoy pledged to take a serious look at succession planning and ensure that qualified and experienced tourism leaders get exposed to SLHTA operations and be ready and prepared to take on this mantle of responsibility sooner rather than later.
She called for a comprehensive consultation on changes to the bylaws, board structure and the presidential election process and eligibility for hoteliers and allied members.
Troubetzkoy devoted much of her time in office at CHTA coping with heavy challenges from Sargassum, Zika, Brexit and the devastating hurricanes of last September. She noted however that the need to cope with and recover from adversity had given the region another skill: “Resilience has become our new mantra and guiding light as we strive to make our small island developing states more resilient to these shocks.”
She added there remained many more challenges, including “mitigating the effects of climate change, preparing for the danger of stronger and more devastating hurricanes, dealing with environmental issues from mosquito-borne illnesses, coral bleaching to plastic pollution, water and waste water management and introducing more renewable energy sources.”
Last but not least, she said, “was our very serious concerns for our own and our visitors’ safety and security. All of these challenges need both our individual and our collective attention.”
Expressing her condolences to the family of Nereus “Corsol” Francis, the SLHTA member who was murdered just a few days earlier, she said it was time to take “a hard look at how we educate our children, how much quality time we are able to spend with them or to give them, and the negative consequences of our failure to honor these commitments which could very well result in their being deprived of a brighter future.”
She linked these societal priorities to tourism, which cannot operate in a bubble. “What affects us as communities, countries and as people, also affects our tourism industry,” she argued.
Whether looking at challenges thrust up by the new and successful sharing economy for traditional accommodation providers, existing or potentially new taxes, high airfares, limited regional and international airlift and connectivity, the new president believes these issues “influence the current and future business volume, and ultimately our successes.”
She called on St. Lucia’s public and private sectors to work more collaboratively “to share with the world the diverse richness of our region – our cultures, art, music, food, history, natural environment and the many types of accommodations experiences.”
In addition to creating enabling environments for local entrepreneurs to flourish, training was particularly important for St. Lucia, she contended, because of the possible doubling of available rooms in a few years. “For this expansion of our industry, we must be prepared to make the necessary investment in training and training facilities to develop the skilled work force required to fill the jobs that will surely come.”
Recognizing the need to take a look at the vertical integration developing in the country’s tourism industry, Troubetzkoy asserted conflicts of interest between industry stakeholders will require intense discussion: “It will fall to the SLHTA, and me as your President, to ensure that there will be transparency, open dialogue and communication at all times, as it is essential for all members and all sectors to have a voice at the table and be represented fairly and objectively.”
So, regular meetings with both public and private stakeholders are essential and, she reported, “we have already begun, and I look forward to continuing our work to engage with our future young leaders.”
The new SLHTA president thanked her predecessor, Sanovnik Destang, for the great work he had done. “I want to assure him and our members that the projects he is engaged in and continues to be particularly passionate about, such as our Virtual Agricultural Clearing House, linkages in general and young leaders’ development – all of these will continue to play an important part in the Association’s work.”
She also committed to working with him to see the St. Lucia Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) go from strength to strength. “Four years, seven million dollars and 120 projects later, we certainly believe that we are on the right track and truly appreciate our industry’s support for the TEF.”
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(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – The Joint Secretariat of the Interreg Caraïbes Programme in collaboration with the OECS Commission held an intensive two-day session during July 19th – 20th 2018 in Saint Lucia to provide insight into the development Programme and share best practices on access to funding.
Taking into consideration the converging challenges and interests given the geographical proximity of the French West Indies and Caribbean countries of the OECS, the Interreg Caraïbes Programme works with stakeholders to create equitable and sustainable cooperation by encouraging political dialogue and coordination between development programs financed by both the European Development Fund (EDF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the INTERREG Caraïbes European territorial cooperation program.
Gilles Bajazet, Director of the Joint Secretariat of the Interreg Caraïbes Programme, was pleased to host the meeting with the OECS Commission in Saint Lucia, the site of the Interreg Caraïbes V launch.
“Organising the meeting in Saint Lucia, following the launch of the Programme here 2 years ago, is another strong symbol that expresses the desire for ownership of the Interreg Programme by all partners.”
“Today, we hope to continue this collaboration by permitting a better understanding of the programme by the OECS’ technical units and the identification of projects that will be funded by Interreg,” Bajazet said.
Head of the OECS Development Cooperation and Resource Mobilisation, Ms. Beverly Best, urged stakeholders to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen regional ties so as to ensure that the Caribbean region is developed on a sustainable path.
“The main intent of the Interreg Caraïbes Programme is to advance regional cooperation by fostering opportunities for collaboration and to enhance a culture of cooperation.”
“This meeting symbolises and signals a strong commitment towards deepening regional cooperation and collaboration between our two regions, which for all intents and purposes is really a single region,” Best added.
The Interreg Caraïbes Programme focuses on the thematic areas of Employment & Innovation, Natural Hazards, Natural & Cultural Environment, Public Health, Renewable Energies and Human Capital. It supports a robust development paradigm that is wholistic, relevant and people-centered for the region.
The Interreg Caraïbes Programme is led by the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, as the Managing Authority.
The Programme comprises two integrated components:
– A cross border component, only for project leaders located in Guadeloupe, Martinique with a partner from the OECS valued at 41M Euros; and
– A transnational component for project leaders located in Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Martinique, Saint-Martin with a partner from the Wider Caribbean; valued at approximately 23M Euros.
The two-day meeting was attended by representatives from the Joint Secretariat of the Interreg Caraïbes Programme, the OECS Commission’s Competitive Business, Renewable Energy, Disaster Management, Health, Education Development & Management, Climate Change, Social Development, Development Cooperation & Resource Mobilisation, Communication, Project Management, the Tourism Desk of Economic Affairs Policy, Trade Policy and Finance Units; and the National Authorising Office of Saint Lucia.
Participants shared their concrete project ideas to reinforce operational cooperation between the OECS and the Interreg Caraïbes partners and expressed satisfaction on the clarity afforded by the two-day session.
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(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) is partnering with RISE (St Lucia) Ltd and the Castries South community of Ciceron to pilot the national “Safe Spaces” Programme.
The initiative will create safe physical and emotional spaces that are important for the nurturing of children, fostering business and improving the quality of life in select communities.
LUCELEC will contribute fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to the pilot project. Corporate Communications Manager Roger Joseph says, “We all aspire to live in a community that is safe, a place where we can grow our family, put down roots and have the best life possible. The Safe Spaces initiative seeks to deliver this, and in a way that is community driven. LUCELEC thinks it’s important to help make this happen. ”
The Safe Spaces programme will involve developing and training a network of community leaders, school and community peace building, engaging youth in communities and schools in creating exciting positive content for media news and shows, community mobilization and engagement in sports, dance and freestyle competitions, and community discussions. Community involvement is essential to the programme’s success says RISE Director Dr Stephen King.
“A defining aspect of this programme is the engagement and involvement of the people of the community in identifying and designing their vision of the community themselves,” says Dr. King.
The overall aim of the programme is to reduce violence in schools and communities by providing leadership, conflict resolution and coping skills, and alternative positive activities in at-risk communities like Ciceron. The pilot project has support from the Ciceron Secondary School, the Ciceron Development Committee, the St. Lucia Social Development Fund, the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Member of Parliament for Castries South, Dr Ernest Hilaire. Dr. Hilaire says LUCELEC support for the project continues the invaluable philanthropy the company is synonymous for. He also called on the Ciceron residents to be the change they want to see.
“I want to thank LUCELEC for providing support to RISE Saint Lucia Inc. to start this pilot project. Such support is invaluable and a powerful statement of LUCELEC’s commitment to worthy causes. The first step towards ensuring the success of the Safe Spaces programme is to inspire the persons to be transformed that it is for a better life and a better community. They have to believe that what is being proposed is better than what they have now. There will be no progress unless people can see the necessity to change and work towards transforming themselves,” Dr. Hilaire added.
LUCELEC will support Safe Spaces through the LUCELEC Trust. The contribution will go towards training in conflict resolution, leadership development, and alternative channels for creative energy (dance and freestyle competitions) in the schools and community, as well as some equipment for the implementation and documentation of the various aspects of the programme.
The Safe Spaces programme was launched in June.
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Ms Alisha Ally
(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – On the third day of its Biennial Convention, the Union of Overseas Saint Lucian Associations, was advised to ready itself to pass on its leadership to the youth of the Diaspora.
Delegates at the Convention received powerful messages, including from:
– Ms Alisha Ally, a Saint Lucian Scholar in the UK, who delivered a powerful message regarding the sustainability and succession of the Union. She said: “Before we speak about succession, we need to understand what makes us Saint Lucians, what are you trying to pass on, who are you passing it on to and what do want. Find the best way of communicating with them.”
– Miss Tayo Gbalajobi, a Canadian born Saint Lucian, advised the delegates that: “the Union needs to be passionate enough about engaging the youth to be willing to invest your time, efforts and funds towards actually getting the youth involved. You should be engaging the youth proactively and not as an afterthought.”
– Mr Trevor Bernard, a British born Saint Lucian, instructed delegates on the new ways of communicating and networking. He said: “You have the social media tools to engage better and to reach a wider range of Saint Lucian people. You need to start to use them. You have children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren to show you how.”
In response, Mr Ross Cadasse, President of the USLOA, said: “we are committed to supporting the youth of the Diaspora. That is why we will be asking the young speakers today to form a Youth Task Force to formulate our strategy for engaging young overseas Saint Lucians and for planning the succession of the Union’s leadership”.
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Sarah Flood-Beaubrun
(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – Delegates of the Union of Saint Lucian Overseas Associations, through a video link meeting with the Prime Minister, called on him to appoint the Minister of External Affairs to provide the focal point in Saint Lucia for Diaspora Associations.
Mr Luther Renee, Trustee of the USLOA for the Caribbean region, said: “we in the Union have acted as unofficial ambassadors for Saint Lucia for over 36 years. We have made a number of essential contributions to the people and to the Island.”
“We ask that you, with intention and quickly, make the ratification of the Diaspora Policy a top priority for your Government; and take immediate steps to appoint the Minister of External Affairs as the Minister with responsibility for Diaspora relations”.
He added: “We are heartened by your commitment to the Diaspora and what we can do to further advance tourism and the economy of Saint Lucia. Our request is only a small one, which you have within your gift to agree”.
In response the Prime Minister said: “I am happy to reconfirm that the Minister with responsibility for the Diaspora is the Honourable Sarah Flood-Beaubrun”.
He added: “we will move very quickly and judiciously on formalising those issues, and based on what the [Diaspora] policy says I have no difficulties committing that…….before the end of the year we can have a MOU signed with all the Associations in each of the different parts the world.”
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(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – The Department of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat and the Commonwealth Secretariat will be hosting stakeholder consultations with private sector and public sector representatives to discuss the proposed Draft Master Plan for Services in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
The roundtable discussions will be held at the Coco Palm, Rodney Bay – La Place Michel Conference Room from 8:30 am on Thursday July 26, 2018 for Private sector representatives and on Friday, July 27, 2018 for public sector representatives.
By way of background, CARICOM Member States and the government of the Dominican Republic in an effort to harness the growth potential of their Services sector have agreed to prepare regional strategies and implementation plans for the following seven sub-sectors: Financial Services, ICT Services, Professional Services, Health and Wellness Services, Cultural, Entertainment and Sporting Services, Tourism Services, Trade in Education Services. Sector-specific stakeholders from across the CARIFORUM region were consulted over the past two years and the draft regional proposals and Master Plan are now completed.
In an effort to build consensus on the proposals, funding has been secured through the Commonwealth Secretariat to host roundtable discussions with private and public sector stakeholders in Saint Lucia to facilitate awareness of the proposals and to provide further inputs to the draft proposals, before they are finalised for the consideration of the Governments.
Regional strategies outlined in the Draft Master plan also correspond to Saint Lucia’s own National Services policy which was adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers in November 2017.
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(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – The Board of Directors of National Insurance Corporation (NIC) is concerned that the general public may have been misinformed by certain statements in the public domain in connection with a request by the Government of Saint Lucia to NIC for a bridging finance facility.
We would like to assure all stakeholders, including contributors, pensioners, employees, and other service providers, that we would not take any decision that would either impair the Corporation’s ability to discharge its obligations in the normal course of business, or adversely impact the long-term viability of the Corporation. There is an established process for the assessment for all investment opportunities presented to the NIC, and in this case, we will apply this process as rigorously as with any other.
The financial strength of the NIC can be seen in the annual reports published by the Corporation which are available to the public at www.stlucianic.org. In addition to annual financial audit examinations by its independent external auditors, the Corporation is periodically reviewed by actuaries from the International Labour Organization and we are also guided by their recommendations.
The National Insurance Corporation Act requires that an actuarial review be conducted every 5 years. However, all the 11 reviews conducted to date have been conducted after 3 or 4 years, the majority being after 3 years. An actuarial review is an independent evaluation of the National Insurance Fund to determine its ability to meet its future obligations to contributors and pensioners. It will include projections of future contribution receipts and benefits expenditure from the Fund to highlight demographic and other factors likely to affect the future development of the Fund.
To date, as with the external auditors, the actuaries have not expressed any reservations regarding the future viability of the Corporation. The Corporation’s 12th actuarial review is scheduled for 2019.
As a Board, we are very appreciative of the responsibility given to us to direct the affairs of the Corporation, and to protect the interests of all those who have contributed to the success of this institution. The long-term viability of the NIC is always foremost in our deliberations. We will continue to discharge that responsibility to the best of our ability.
Isaac Anthony – Chairman
Frank V. Myers – Deputy Chairman
Matthew L. Mathurin – Director
Marcus Joseph – Board Member
Nigel Phulgence – Board Member
Paula Calderon SLPM, JP – Board Member
Wilfred Pierre – Board Member
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Flow presented a new laptop computer to the Saint Lucia Folk Research Centre
(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – Saint Lucia and the Caribbean’s leading telecommunications service provider added another layer its long-term support for national culture and patrimony this week.
Flow has donated an HP laptop computer to the now-displaced Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre, in a bid to help the organisation document more of our history.
The donation was received by FRC Executive Director, Hilary La Force, who said that one of the agency’s priorities will be digitisation of Saint Lucian art, music, literature and more. La Force, who received the donation from Flow Marketing Specialist, McClaude Emmanuel, said that the gift from Flow will go a long way.
The long-time member of the FRC added, however, that the Centre will need the support of Saint Lucians on island and overseas, as well as the public and private sector, and the international donor community, in order to rebuild the extensive library previously housed at the body’s former Mount Pleasant digs.
When the FRC headquarters were consumed by a late-night inferno in March of 2018, the fire took with it a wide array of virtually irreplaceable publications, audio visual recordings and photographs. Whereas some attempts have been made to digitise these in the past, La Force says that this will now become a top priority for the FRC.
Flow has been a staunch supporter of the FRC in promulgation of the annual Creole Heritage Month, and has in the past used the cover of its Services Directory to honour such cultural luminaries as Sir Derek Walcott, Rameau Poleon, Dame Sesenne Descartes, Augustus ‘Pan’ Andrew, and Gregory ‘Shining’ Emmanuel.
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Balan Nair, CEO Liberty Latin America with Inge Smidts, CEO Cable & Wireless
(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – The CEO of the recently established Liberty Latin America, Balan Nair, and CEO of its subsidiary company, Cable & Wireless Communications (C&W), Inge Smidts, underscored their continued commitment to drive the region’s technological advancement so that the Caribbean can firmly take its place at the forefront of today’s digital revolution.
Both leaders addressed government ministers from across the Caribbean and other delegates at the 34th staging of the CANTO Conference and Trade Exhibition in Panama City on July 23. CANTO is the Caribbean’s leading authority shaping the ICT agenda.
In delivering the keynote address at Monday’s Ministerial Forum, Balan Nair said, “Speed is the most important internet attribute after price, and signals reliability and high quality. To meet and surpass the demands of our customers we continue to invest in our networks with a laser like focus on digitization and innovation in this modern age.” He added, “We are motivated to continue to invest in the technology that enables the region’s digital revolution to drive prosperity for the economies of the Caribbean and Latin America.”
Inge Smidts, the first female CEO in the history of Cable & Wireless ably demonstrated her mettle with a thought-provoking presentation at the Ministerial Breakfast. The CEO outlined her vision for her role, and for the company, in a bid to grow the economies of the region through the strategic initiatives of the leading complete communications and entertainment provider in the Caribbean.
Key pillars of the company’s strategic vision for the region include a more customer-centric approach, technological innovation, ever faster broadband speeds, unmatched video and superior mobile experience, all underpinned by continued community investment.
Smidts said, “We will differentiate how we serve this region and how our customers will eventually see us. We will always put the customer first – and ensure we understand and address their needs, help them to stay connected and make their lives easier. We are about making the connection between how products and services enable our customers to enhance their lifestyles and relationships – that is how we create meaningful moments for families, friends, businesses, and communities.”
Both executives emphasized the opportunities for growth in the region and their commitment to work even more closely with stakeholders and regional organizations to address the challenges in the industry. Smidts said, “Let’s work together to innovate and provide the best technologies, so customers can have those special experiences while enabling the growth and prosperity of the region.”
C&W Communications is the Platinum Sponsor of this year’s CANTO Conference. The annual CANTO Conference and Trade Exhibition is the leading information, communications and technology event in the region, presenting an ideal forum for government officials, technocrats, regulators and telecoms sector leaders to come together to ratify issues and chart the course for the region’s ICT agenda. Members of the C&W team chaired and participated in discussions on a variety of topics ranging from “Preparing for the Digital Economy” to “The Impact of Internet Platforms on the Caribbean ICT Eco-System.”
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(ILO NEWS) – Despite progress being made in treatment that enables people living with HIV to work, they continue to face discrimination when seeking employment and as they try to keep their jobs and progress in their careers, says a new study launched by the ILO and the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+).
The report, HIV Stigma and Discrimination in the World of Work: Findings from the People Living with HIV Stigma Index , is based on surveys carried out by 13 country teams throughout the world. Interviews were carried out with more than 100,000 people living with HIV.
It was presented during the biennial International AIDS Conference “AIDS 2018” , the largest conference on any global health or development issue in the world, taking place in Amsterdam from 23-27 July.
The brief provides the latest data on HIV and workplace discrimination and shows that:
– A large proportion of people living with HIV are unemployed, ranging from 7 per cent of those surveyed in Uganda to 61 per cent in Honduras.
– Ten out of 13 countries recorded unemployment rates among respondents at 30 per cent or higher.
– Young people living with HIV had a much higher unemployment rate, ranging from 11 per cent in South Korea to 61 per cent in Greece, with some countries recording over 50 per cent unemployment for young persons: Timor-Leste (50 per cent), Fiji (56 per cent), Greece (61 per cent), and Honduras (60 per cent).
– Women living with HIV are less likely to be employed than men living with HIV because of unpaid care responsibilities.
– In all countries, unemployment amongst transgender people living with HIV remained high.
– The lack of an independent income among women is also high, meaning that women living with HIV do not enjoy economic autonomy to the same extent as their male counterparts.
Another key finding is that many people continue to lose their jobs in part or fully as a result of their HIV status. The proportion of people who had been working but had lost a job or sources of income as a result of discrimination by employers or co-workers ranged from 13 per cent in Fiji to 100 per cent of those surveyed in Timor-Leste. It was also high in Belize (86 per cent), Nicaragua (67 per cent), Greece (80 per cent) and Costa Rica (53 per cent).
The study also includes anonymous testimonies from people living with HIV who faced discrimination, such as this person from Ukraine:
“When information about my status reached my manager, he called me to his office. First he told me I was working badly – doing too little work. Then he asked me to submit my resignation, without any serious explanation – as if I were resigning voluntarily.”
Hiding their HIV status
As a result, the report says, many people are hesitant to disclose their HIV status to employers or even co-workers. Another anonymous testimony from Cameroon shows the extent of the problem of accessing employment:
“I went to pick up my appointment letter only to be told that I had to undergo a medical examination. I already knew my sero-status, which I told the human resource officer about. She said I had to do the examination which confirmed my HIV-positive status. That marked the end of getting the job as they could not recruit me even though I had passed the interview.”
Similarly, HIV-related discrimination remains a major cause for not receiving job promotions.
“What this report shows is that we still have a long way to go in our efforts to combat workplace related stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. Access to healthcare and access to employment are inextricably linked and as such a meaningful commitment towards stemming the epidemic and securing the wellbeing of all people living with HIV cannot be met without prioritizing ending HIV stigma in the workplace,” said Sasha Volgina, GNP+ Programme Manager.
“People living with HIV have a right to work and no one should deny them that.”
The brief includes several recommendations, including a call to governments and international agencies to increase efforts to adhere to ILO Recommendation and the World of Work, 2010 (No.200), relating to access to full and productive employment and decent work for people living with HIV.
“It is sad to see that despite years of work, stigma and discrimination still persist. The latest ILO report – Impact of HIV and AIDS on the World of Work: Global Estimates – showed that AIDS treatment is keeping workers healthy and productive. But treatment alone is not sufficient. We must work harder to reduce stigma and discrimination for people living with HIV at workplaces. They have a right to work and no one should deny them that,” said Shauna Olney, Chief of the ILO’s Gender, Equality and Diversity and ILOAIDS Branch, who spoke at the launch of the study in Amsterdam.
Olney thanked the GNP+ for producing the study, saying that “this would help expedite the move towards achieving the goal of zero discrimination.”
“ILO Recommendation No. 200 offers useful guidance to all stakeholders on protecting human rights at work and puts in place the necessary measures to eliminate stigma and discrimination at workplaces,” she concluded.
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(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – The organizers of the annual free Job Fair Expo are in the final stages of preparation for the second edition.
Hosted by AdVizze Consulting Inc a business development company, the event is scheduled to take place on Saturday August 4th 2018 from 10am to 3pm at the Financial Centre at Pointe Seraphine, Castries. The overarching function of the initiative is to provide free services which include CV reviews, interviews, counselling, jobs or internships and an opportunity for networking. The event is open to everyone with a focus on youth development and entrepreneurship.
This year the event is being held under the theme, “Get Involved”, with an appeal being sent out to more companies and non profit organizations who may not have immediate recruitment needs, but would be willing to sensitize the attendees on the job requirements, and provide other soft skill support as well. With education being integral to employment, the event hopes to encourage more companies to participate in events of this nature which has a national purpose.
This year, the event will take place at a new venue and date to accommodate the companies who felt the earlier date was not convenient, and the venue made access for most especially the unemployed more difficult. Additionally, the event will have mini seminar sessions so attendees can speak with industry experts directly.
Sponsors of the event include repeaters like Mediazone, Massy Stores and Northwest Ltd, and new additions this year including 1st National Bank St. Lucia Ltd., Courts St. Lucia, Skin Envy, Time Out Entertainment, Genro Media and Harry Edwards Jewelers. At present over thirty booths have been claimed representing various sector strongholds and organizations. The organizers are appealing to companies who have not made a commitment to participate and help shape the future generations to reconsider this decision and reach out to the team.
To secure your space email info@advizze.co
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(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – As we get closer to the end of the Windward & Leeward Brewery Ltd. (WLBL) I Love Beer Under the Crown Promotion, hype is being developed as the company prepares for the second grand prize draw.
The draw, which will be held this weekend on Sunday 29th July 2018, from 4:00pm at Prudy’s Bar Pigeon Island Causeway, will be for a Suzuki GSXR Motorbike. Come join in the excitement of the second draw as there will be live performances from artistes and chances to win more fantastic prizes.
“Due to the volume of UTC winners and participants we have been receiving, we have decided to extend the UTC by one week to end on August 3rd, 2018. This way we ensure that everyone has a chance to place their crowns at the following drop off locations Cheaperz, Uptown Supermarket, Plante’s Place, Golden Apple, Twist 2 for 1, River Bank, Raphael Willie, Savers Mart, Mama Rosa, Raymond & Co., Marigourmet and Total Auto”stated Sylvester Henry, Brand Manager.
Consumers can still enter the I Love Beer promotion, to win either the Motorbike or the Grand Prize of a Subaru SUV, by collecting six (6) I Love Beer Crowns, of the same beer brand— Heineken®, Guinness®, Amstel® or Piton® and drop them off at any redemption centre along with an entry form. In between the major draws, loyal beer drinkers also have the opportunity to win instant prizes such as cash, smartphones, smart TV’s, fuel vouchers, grocery vouchers, headphones & much more.
Entrants must be 18 and over to participate in the I Love Beer Promotion and are reminded to enjoy responsibly.
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(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – The OECS Commission celebrated another successful end of tenure this month, as the current three-year “Spanish as a Second Language” resident lecturer agreement with the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AECID) attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain comes to a close.
The OECS-AECID agreement supports studies of Spanish language, culture, and literature, and specifically seeks to develop the Spanish language skills of OECS diplomats and professionals.
Native Spanish lecturer with extensive specialist training and experience in teaching Spanish as a foreign language, Ms. Maria Salazar, has been installed at the OECS Commission for the past 36 months. During this time approximately 60 students participated in the Spanish programme at varying levels of difficulty.
Salazar was pleased with the results of the cooperation project noting a marked improvement in the spontaneity and comfort of the students when interacting in Spanish.
“The majority of the students that participated in the programme had some basic Spanish-language knowledge having studied it at Secondary School but a lack of practice for many years caused this knowledge to deteriorate.”
“The Spanish programme at the OECS Commission offered the students an opportunity to refresh their knowledge and increase their levels of proficiency in speech and grammar.”
She also attributed some of the course’s success to the benefits of learning Spanish as a second language with a native Spanish speaker.
“The contribution of a native speaker to the classroom is quite significant, as the students can experience the feeling of being in direct contact with a different culture and can immerse themselves in the language they are learning.”
“I also believe that a native teacher sparks the curiosity of the students a bit more since it’s a more exotic experience for them. And, as we know from advances in neuroscience, cognitive processes are inseparable from emotions and what ignites learning is emotion and curiosity.”
Salazar added that the immersion of the Spanish lecturer in the host country also creates a deepened understanding and empathy for the learning process and fosters a mutual understanding and trust in the classroom between teacher and student.
Spanish as a tool for cooperation
Salazar highlighted the importance of the Spanish-language as an essential cooperation tool given the geographic proximity of OECS Member States to the Spanish speaking countries of Latin America, and the potential economic opportunities that exist, particularly for South-South cooperation, once the language barrier is overcome.
“Spanish is the third most spoken language after Chinese and English. It is spoken in 22 countries; most of them in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is therefore strategic for the staff of the OECS to learn Spanish in order to establish cooperation ties with these Spanish-speaking countries.”
Salazar thanked the staff at the OECS Commission in Saint Lucia for their hospitality and warmth during her three-year tenure on the island.
“This experience has been really rewarding for me. Not only has it allowed me to enthusiastically convey our linguistic and cultural wealth, it has also given me the opportunity to come into contact with the Saint Lucian people, their customs, gastronomy, music, cultural values, idiosyncrasies, geography and history.”
“All of these elements have come together to add to my cultural identity forever, which makes me really fortunate.”
The Spanish language course at the OECS Commission corresponds to Level 1, as established by the Council of Europe in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and focuses on developing writing, reading, grammar and communicative skills through the use of new technologies, text books, magazines and conversation.
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(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) subregional headquarters for the Caribbean has called on decision makers to create a subregional mechanism to facilitate the participation, engagement and collaboration of youth in development frameworks.
This was one of the issues discussed at the Caribbean Forum on Population, Youth and Development during which senior government officials, youth experts and youth representatives agreed on priority actions to advance the regional youth development agenda.
“The integration of youth into development processes is a crucial step in the process towards more egalitarian societies”, underscored Diane Quarless, Director of ECLAC Caribbean, in her opening remarks.
Lack of youth development in general, and youth unemployment in particular, have become growing concerns for Caribbean countries, with levels of youth unemployment over the last decade remaining higher than before the 2008 financial crisis. Young people are also more likely to live in poverty compared with older adults, and more likely to become victims of violence.
These and other pressing issues for youth development were discussed at the Caribbean Forum on Population, Youth and Development, held from 24 to 26 July 2018 in Georgetown, Guyana. The forum provided a platform for policy-makers, researchers, government officials, youth, and development partners from 29 Caribbean countries that are Members or Associate Members of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) to address priorities for youth development. The forum identified practical solutions to support the implementation of youth policies and programmes, and the involvement of Youth in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in other regional and national development processes.
The outcome document of the forum will present recommendations to promote youth participation, and will constitute the Caribbean member States’ input to the regional review and appraisal of the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development, to be discussed at the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean in Lima, Peru from 7 to 9 August 2018. Many of the issues that the Montevideo Consensus deals with have a particular relevance to adolescents and youth, including poverty, unemployment and violence as well as sexual and reproductive health, migration and human rights.
The Caribbean Forum on Population, Youth and Development was jointly convened by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and The Commonwealth Secretariat, in partnership with the Governments of Guyana and Suriname, and in close collaboration with regional youth organizations – the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Corps (CYAs), the Caribbean Regional Youth Council (CRYC) and the University of the West Indies’ Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (UWI STAT).
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(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – Transformation works have commenced at the Sandals Cap Estate Golf & Country Club which will see it become a world class 18-hold international championship course.
It is the fulfillment of a promise made by Sandals when Deputy Chairman Adam Stewart hosted world-renowned Hall of Famer turned golf course designer, Greg Norman and his team five months ago.
The works, which commenced in mid-July, will be executed in two phases covering nine holes in each. This means the golf club will not be closed to Sandals guests, club members and other golfing enthusiasts.
General Manager Simone Skinner explained that both phases will be further dissected with works taking place incrementally on three holes and three tee boxes and associated irrigation in each. Roads, bridges and golf paths are also being redeveloped.
“What we are trying to do is to ensure our guests and golf club members always have access to the facility. So, while they will not always be able to play all 18-holes, they will always be able to play and access the facilities for the variety of other reasons that they do,” she said.
Skinner also cited recently developed programs being offered at the Cap Estate facility to further enhance and promote the sport on in Saint Lucia.
Sandals Resorts International acquired the Golf & Country Club in 2017 and has since integrated it into its long list of Luxury Included® offerings in Saint Lucia, further expanding on golfing options that began with Sandals Regency LaToc in 1992.
The first phase of the upgrade process will run through to January 2018.
Senior Project Manager at Sandals Resorts International Mark Harding, said the bulk of the works are being overseen by expert golf course developers from the Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD) team.
He also pointed out that all equipment being used for the project are being sourced and rented locally for the duration of the transformation. Unskilled labour has also been locally contracted, creating employment, skill development and revenue earning opportunities for Saint Lucian contractors.
“In the long run we hope that the local team working along with those from the GNGCD would be able to capitalize on the opportunities to learn and maybe even develop themselves in the field and possibly venture into it as a livelihood for themselves.”
“This would allow for a local access pool for these skills and further assist with diversifying not only the island’s tourism product but the skills needed to maintain that diversity,” Harding said.
At a news conference in February Minister of Tourism Hon. Dominic Fedee said the “resuscitation of the golf course will add significant value to the product offering of all the hotels in Rodney Bay and in the north of the island.”
Greg Norman has worked with Sandals Resorts on two other golf courses in the Bahamas and Jamaica, both of which have hosted major tournaments.
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(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – The St. Lucia Civil Service Association has received a number of enquiries from members who have expressed their concerns about a letter circulating on social media purporting to represent a request from the Ministry of Finance to the National Insurance Corporation for a bridging loan of between M$70 to M$100 EC dollars.
According to the letter this request is to finance the payment of Government bonds which matures on or about July 31, 2018 on the RGSM.
The letter went on to suggest that repayment of the facility would be made at 3% interest by October 23, 2018 given Government’s intention to re-issue the bonds between July 31 and August 2, 2018.
The CSA is concerned that copies of this letter circulating in the public domain reflects a lack of confidentiality required for matters of this nature.
While it may be easy to point fingers at public officers for this breach, there are other ways in which information finds itself the public domain including the possibility that this correspondence is being shared by disgruntled persons within or close to the Cabinet of Ministers or through hacking of the government systems by persons who have gained access through whatever means.
A third possibility is that Government is leaking its own information either to test the mood of the population or to gain a political advantage through public sympathy. Suffice it to say it is not fair to blame public officers anytime there is a breach of confidentiality.
Additionally, and even more disconcerting is the manner in which funds placed in the trust of the NIC by the workers and employers of this country can be made available to bail out the Government, who appear to have been unprepared to meet its obligations. Furthermore, the repayment of this loan is based on a proposal to re-issue bonds which in itself may be risky.
Notwithstanding, the pronouncements of Government Ministers who are suggesting otherwise, the CSA is of the view that speculative nature of the bond market poses a risk to the pension fund of workers of the country.
CSA therefore calls on the NIC Board to exercise the necessary diligence in coming to its decision and to consider the interest of the workers of this Country before political and personal considerations.
The board has a duty to safeguard our pension and other corresponding benefits of workers and must not fail in its duty to so do.
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(PRESS RELEASE VIA SNO) – Henley & Partners, the leading global investment migration firm, welcomes today’s announcement by the Government of Montenegro that it will be launching a citizenship-by-investment program in October.
It follows the decision a few weeks ago by another European nation, Moldova, to award Henley & Partners the mandate to design, implement, and promote its much-anticipated Moldova Citizenship-by-Investment (MCBI) program.
Henley & Partners has accumulated over 20 years of experience working with governments in North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia on the design, set-up, operation, and promotion of some of the world’s most successful residence and citizenship programs, raising more than USD 7 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI). The firm has been advising the Government of Montenegro for more than eight years on the possible introduction of an investment migration program, and is very pleased to see that it has now been launched.
The Montenegro Citizenship-by-Investment Program will be limited to just 2,000 applicants and will offer individuals several options in terms of investment, including a EUR 450,000 investment in projects in developed areas or a EUR 250,000 investment in projects in less developed areas. The government will, in addition, charge a fee of EUR 100,000 per application. The compensation will be directed to a special fund for the development of underdeveloped areas.
Dr. Juerg Steffen, Chief Operating Officer at Henley & Partners, says investment migration provides an additional source of investment liquidity that can create a healthy fiscal and economic environment in which the citizens and country can thrive. “There is fundamentally no difference between citizenship-by-investment, foreign direct investment (FDI), or investment in government securities such as sovereign bonds. In participating in these programs, individuals are able to make an exceptional economic contribution to often smaller nations that require foreign direct investment in order to remain competitive and sustainable in the long-term. It is a mutually beneficial exchange, and it is also very much the direction in which the world is heading, as globalization becomes an undeniable feature of modern life.”
“Henley & Partners is looking forward to working with the Government of Montenegro to make this program a success story for the country. With Moldova and Montenegro, these two new attractive European programs will significantly diversify and expand the global citizenship-by-investment market which our firm is proud to lead,” adds Dr. Steffen.
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