Staff Writer 

July 31, 2023 – As technology advances and continues to become more integrated in our society now more than ever, the United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is taking action, calling Caribbean countries to support a global ban of the use of mobile phones.

Concerns were raised in a new UN report about the excessive use of smartphones at the negative effects they have on learning.

The UNESCO report refers to technology’s relationship to education and urges countries to meticulously analyze how it is used in schools.

The report emphasizes the need for a “human-centered vision” where digital tech is more a tool than taking precedence, exercising dominance over the main goal that is educating children. It is crucial that digital technology be used to facilitate education rather than be a distraction.

UNESCO’s call to action is that all countries establish their own unique standards for the way technology is designed and utilized in the education context so that is supports the shared goal of education and not replace physical, in-person teacher led institutions.

Staff Writer

#Jamaica, June 5, 2023 – FIFA launched a Football for Schools Workshop in Montego Bay Jamaica, a collaboration between FIFA and UNESCO to educate, develop, and empower about 700 million children globally; this makes Jamaica the first nation in the Concacaf region to host a FIFA Football for Schools programme.

Under the initiative, FIFA member associations from the region who are participating, will receive a one-time  payment of US$50,000 to fund their individual programmes under the guidance of key objectives including a result-based management framework and theory of change.  These are expected to foster the development of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and cognitive skills.

Fatimata Sow Sidibe, FIFA’s Football for Schools director, in giving an overview of the Programme expressed that a component of it will be results-based monitoring, and to this, part of the US$50,000 will be allocated.

She continued to say, “the monitoring and evaluation will offer the scope for FIFA and UNESCO to collate and analyse data, and refine data collection tools, collate data from all schools and share with FIFA/UNESCO.”

Sidibe further explained that through the Programme, four life-skills themes will be achieved which are, Personal understanding, Relationships, Living in the wider world, and Health and Well-being.

Additionally, she highlighted special components; a free digital application, an online learning platform with relevant content for programme stakeholders and the provision of equipment (including size four Adidas footballs).

Michael Ricketts, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Football Federation’s (JFF) president shone light on the initiative, saying it will be of great help to maladjusted children.

“This will help dysfunctional boys and girls … it will offer an opportunity to address the social well-being of this group,” he said.

“We must applaud the role that ISSA has been playing over the years in developing talents and this initiative will greatly boost what has already been done,” he continued.

Sidibe emphasized this, pointing out that it will foster the global  expansion of football and aid the participants to become global citizens.

“We want every child across the world to have the opportunity to play football through the 211 members associations and in doing so, we want them to learn and develop important life skills,” added Sidibe.

The FIFA delegation as well as the representatives of various regional associations from Concacaf, were  warmly welcomed by Leroy Williams, Montego Bay Mayor.

Williams also gave props to sport as a “unifying force,” bringing the world together, alluding to the event.

UNESCO, which is the education, culture and scientific arm of the UN is working with the Bahamas Ministry of Education, to establish a UB based committee which will take on initiatives to improve how we see and preserve water as a resource.    It was explained in a BIS media release that the committee will focus on water resource education and water governance in The Bahamas.

During the meeting of some 60 international delegates at the #UNESCO International Hydrological Programme at the British Colonial Hilton last week, it was agreed that countries have to conjure up ways now to mitigate against climate change and adaptation in order to avoid – year after year – seeing the negative impact of hurricanes on water supplies repeated.  Small Island Developing States were called upon to consider robust ways to ensure water security.

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The closing ceremony was presided over by Head of the European Delegation to Jamaica, Belize, Bahamas, Turk and Caicos Islands Cayman Islands, Ambassador Paola Amadei, who ceremonially handed over a set of keys to project beneficiary Doris Williams in the capital, Grand Turk.

“That the construction has been completed so quickly, and that the works have been done to such a high standard, is an incredible testament to the hard work of everyone involved since project activities began in 2012,” said Ambassador Amadei. “It was certainly no easy task.”

“The EU’s support for the Turks and Caicos Islands has been tremendous,” added TCI Governor Peter Beckingham, who is also chair of the country’s Disaster Recovery Board (DRB).

“The DRB allocated the resources available to those people in greatest need, with those on the lowest incomes and/or living in a damaged property with elderly, infirm or disabled dependents taking priority.”
The European Union, of which the UK is a member state, supported repairs to the damage caused by the Hurricanes on the TCI islands of Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay. A 2009 UNESCO study identified these as the worst affected by Hanna and Ike.

In total 24 new homes were built; major repairs conducted at a further 27 properties (including new roofs, guttering, rainwater cisterns and storm shutters); and seven homes also had minor repairs carried out.
All of the building work was carried out by local firms, including Olympic Construction, Higgs Construction, Parker & Sons Construction, as well as other small sub-contractors.

Contractors and their staffs also received training, delivered by local professionals, in the application of the new TCI Building Code to residential construction. The training notes produced by the project are now available as a guide for contractors and residents undertaking residential building projects in the TCI.

Highly anticipated, Islands of the World Fashion Showcase 2014 will be held November 7th and 8th and will feature fashion designers from Bermuda, Cuba, Jamaica, Nigeria, Turks and Caicos, The Bahamas and the United States of America presenting an array of haute couture, prêt a porter, resort wear and swimwear collections at Fort Charlotte, that will be transformed into a Fashion Pavilion set to rival major runways around the world.

“It is a pleasure to have Kazz Forbes representing Saint George Fashion House join us for this edition of Islands of the World Fashion Showcase. I have had the privilege of seeing Kazz make his debut into the fashion world several years ago in New York and I have observed his growth and that of Saint George Fashion House since then. He has made significant strides and it is hoped that his presentation at this event will catapult him even further. Could we possibly see the next Oscar de la Renta emerge from the soil of the Turks and Caicos?” said event producer Owen Bethel.

Since 2008, Islands of the World Fashion Showcase has held to the platform it was charged by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for its promotion of cultural diversity, and as a means to bring value-added levels of production to the fledgling fashion industries in developing nations, particularly more vulnerable small island developing states.

The intent of Islands of the World Fashion Show is to draw attention via international media and trade exposure to the skills and creativity across the spectrum of the fashion industry in the islands. To date in excess of 130 designer showcases representing 20 countries have presented their creations on the catwalks of Islands of the World Fashion Showcase.

Closing out the event is what promises to be another unique experience. “Arte y Moda”, which translates to “Art and Fashion”, is a 26-piece collaborative collection hailing from Cuba. Attendees will experience a spectacle of fusion of art, fashion and music created by seven Cuban designers.

For more information and updates visit www.islandsfashionweek.com.

END

The UNESCO Commission in The Bahamas and some close friends and family of Ronnie Butler will be there.

The Bahamas All Stars will perform ‘Bahama Rock,’ Ronnie’s ode to Tourism.

Garnett Reid, Executive Director of the Caribbean Development for Sports, Arts and Culture, explained the event is hosted under the patronage of Excellencies The Most Honorable Sir Patrick Allen, Governor General and The Most Honorable Lady Allen. Also to be inducted this year: Anthony Davis aka Beenie Man; Shauna Mckenzie- Morris, aka Etana; David Rudder of Trinidad & Tobago; Omar Reuben Riley, aka Taurus Riley and Ronnie Butler of The Bahamas.