Tag: St Vincent and the Grenadines

Jamaica’s Diana McCaulay wins Commonwealth Short Story Prize for the Caribbean, for the second time

May 23, 2022

Huge congratulations to Jamaican writer and environmentalist Diana McCaulay, who is the Caribbean winner for the 2022 Commonwealth Short Story Prize – her second win (she first won ten years ago). The regional winners were announced on May 23 (London time). Diana’s strong competitors were fellow Jamaican Sharma Taylor and 2019 winner Alexia Tolas from … More Jamaica’s Diana McCaulay wins Commonwealth Short Story Prize for the Caribbean, for the second time

436 Caribbean creatives apply for CATAPULT Grant; 10 creative entrepreneurs learn new skills, thanks to Jamaica’s Kingston Creative

February 12, 2022

Kingston Creative is forging ahead with its initiatives to boost cultural and artistic entrepreneurship in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Why do I think this is important? Because there is tremendous “untapped potential,” to use a well-worn phrase, in our creative community. I interviewed one brilliant young artist, Richard Nattoo, at the beginning of this year. … More 436 Caribbean creatives apply for CATAPULT Grant; 10 creative entrepreneurs learn new skills, thanks to Jamaica’s Kingston Creative

Protecting Women’s Health is Crucial for a Healthy Society

February 1, 2021

As usual, I seem to have a lot to catch up on. The discussion surrounding safe abortions has been raised again in Jamaica recently by Jamaica Labour Party Member of Parliament Juliet Cuthbert Flynn – who is now State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness and focusing on a range of issues, while … More Protecting Women’s Health is Crucial for a Healthy Society

Treading Water: Jamaica’s Ranking on the 2020 Corruption Perception Index

January 28, 2021

National Integrity Action (NIA) held a virtual press briefing this morning, to announce Jamaica’s latest rating on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. The island is ranked at 69th out of 179, alongside Tunisia, Bulgaria, South Africa, Hungary, and Romania. Six CARICOM countries are ranked higher than us: that is, Barbados, Bahamas, St. Vincent and the … More Treading Water: Jamaica’s Ranking on the 2020 Corruption Perception Index

ICYMI in Jamaica, November 14, 2020: The Breakaway Edition

November 15, 2020

Well, the past week has been, to say the least, pretty intense. The ever-evolving Eta, as expected, turned around after wreaking havoc in Central America, and passed along to the west of us this time. Our already battered and bruised island had suffered enough. So now, roads have split in two, there is a major … More ICYMI in Jamaica, November 14, 2020: The Breakaway Edition

ICYMI in Jamaica, October 13, 2020: The Kindness Edition

October 14, 2020

Well, Hurricane Delta went away (taking most of Bluefields Beach in Westmoreland away with it) and we are left to reflect, once more, on our own human fragility in the face of climate change and COVID-19. Some of us would rather pretend, however, and sip on Bacardi or whatever their favorite drink is, without a … More ICYMI in Jamaica, October 13, 2020: The Kindness Edition

The Virtual Island Summit Will Take You on a Voyage of Discovery

September 1, 2020

The digital world is a world of nomads. They wander. They explore. They get lost in the sand dunes. They set sail on mysterious waters.  They lose their compass – which direction are they heading in? They set up camp for the night. They light a fire. These nomads might even bump into a few … More The Virtual Island Summit Will Take You on a Voyage of Discovery

Communities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines Build Response to Climate and Disaster Risks

February 28, 2020

Disaster preparedness and risk management is so critical for our fragile island states, in these uncertain times of climate change. Yes, we have heard it all before, but it bears repeating. Many of our sister islands face specific challenges – including volcanic activity. St. Vincent and the Grenadines are an example. With a small population, … More Communities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines Build Response to Climate and Disaster Risks

Signing of the Escazú Agreement: a Big Step Forward for Environmental Justice and Transparency

September 29, 2019

Please note! As noted in my blog post of October 1, Jamaica signed, but did not ratify the Escazú Agreement, due to a “technical error” according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. However, I am keeping this (now edited) blog post up, since there are useful links that you might like to … More Signing of the Escazú Agreement: a Big Step Forward for Environmental Justice and Transparency

Corruption Perceptions Index 2018: Jamaica Standing Still Locally, Slipping Backwards Globally

January 29, 2019

There was another “heavy” topic that preoccupied us last year, which I barely addressed – again because of the holidays and my New Year of the Broken Wrist. This one is probably the most important of all. Yes, it’s corruption. It’s the elephant in the room that never moves away (although sometimes we think it … More Corruption Perceptions Index 2018: Jamaica Standing Still Locally, Slipping Backwards Globally