Global Voices and The New York Times discuss the complexities.
Khafra Kambon, director of regional and Pan African Affairs at the Emancipation Support Committee in Trinidad and Tobago, is not shedding any tears for Queen Elizabeth II. He laments that 60 years after independence, former colonies still cannot break the psychological bonds with the monarchy and blames the education system for failing to reveal the atrocities of colonialism and continuing to glorify colonizers. Read more by Loop TT and the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.
Bahamian politicians on either side of the political divide feel it is time the country receives reparations from the UK for colonisation and slavery. Loop Caribbean reports.
In contrast, Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to the US and the OAS, celebrates the legacy and historical contribution of the Queen. “Elizabeth II sat on a throne – a heavy weight on her small frame, but she was a colossal human being. Britain and the Commonwealth have lost a treasure that cannot be replaced. It is right that we should all mourn her passing, and unashamedly shed a tear, joining her family in their deep loss, for it is our collective loss too,” he said in the Jamaica Gleaner.
Decolonisation
Guyana-born Oxford historian, Richard Drayton, reflects on how Queen Elizabeth II, Fidel Castro and Chuck Berry – born in the same year – defined the late 20th century in different ways in his Facebook post.
Gaston Browne, prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, said he will call for a referendum on the country becoming a republic within three years. Browne said, “This is not an act of hostility or any difference between Antigua and Barbuda and the monarchy, but it is the final step to complete that circle of independence, to ensure that we are truly a sovereign nation.” The Guardian UK reports.
Climate Justice
G-20 countries failed to reach a consensus on a joint statement in a pre-COP27 meeting. Sir Ronald Sanders Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organisation of American States discusses in The Trinidad Express.
In developing countries like Jamaica, women residing in rural areas are highly dependent on natural resources for their livelihood, making them especially vulnerable to environmental shifts. As the main caretakers for a household, they are usually responsible for maintaining food and water access. Jamaican Judene Josephs, a junior student at Howard University reflects on gender and climate change in Green 2.0’s blog.
Oil and Gas
Guyanese International Lawyer, Melinda Janki said the People's Progressive Party (PPP), the current Guyanese government, is walking in the footsteps of its predecessor, A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance for Change (APNU-AFC). She said while in opposition the PPP criticised the APNU-AFC for “selling out” the country’s patrimony with the “lopsided” 2016 Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). With the PPP’s lack of impetus to renegotiate the terms of the PSA, the PPP is also selling out the country. Kaieteur News reports.
Gender and Women’s Rights
In Guyana, 360 domestic violence cases were reported via the 914 hotline from January to June 2022. This represented an increase from the 260 cases reported in the same period last year. Kaieteur News reports.
Security
InSight Crime and the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies at American University (CLALS) released a report on the consequences of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing crimes in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Jamaica, Panama, Suriname, and Uruguay. The report details its direct and indirect economic costs, environmental consequences, contributions to food insecurity and potential conflict. Download the report here.
Economy
As Guyana’s economy continues to grow through oil and gas, the country is accused of catching the Dutch Disease, where its non-energy sectors decline. Kaieteur News reports.
In the second quarter of 2022, the IDB released its Caribbean Economics Quarterly magazine that discusses countries' access to finance. Data analysed suggests that the pandemic constrained access to finance; smaller firms appear to experience more significant hurdles than larger firms, and women-owned and/or operated businesses had less financial access. Read more on the IDB’s Caribbean Economic Quarterly Report for July 2022.
Haiti
In the face of Haiti’s ongoing political and security crisis, The Montana Accords proposed by Civil Society offer Haitians solutions. Read more from Just Security.
Susan D. Page, Professor of practice of international diplomacy, University of Michigan, discusses the sources of instability in Haiti, challenges and diplomatic issues in the country. Council on Foreign Relations.
The OAS released an unprecedented statement on Haiti in August recognising that the crisis in the country is a direct result of the actions taken by the international community. The OAS discusses. Monique Clesca of the World Politics Review discusses how Haitians Have a Solution to Haiti’s Crisis.
The Caribbean in the World
Dr Nand Bardouille, discusses the Caribbean Community (Caricom) foreign policy apparatus and the preparations it will make for the upcoming 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) The LSE Latin America and Caribbean blog discusses.
Sir Ronald Sanders, Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organization of American States, reflects on the role of electoral observer missions in the region, including their controversial role in previous elections in Bolivia. Read more from the Jamaica Gleaner.
One month ago, in the midst of global tensions, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, led a delegation on a six-day state visit to Taiwan, an "important example and reminder of how small states can effectively rise to the occasion in high-stakes diplomatic episodes of global significance and of significance to their national interests.” The Diplomat discusses.
Public Health
In an attempt to vaccinate 15.3 million children between the ages of five and 11 years old, the Mexican government purchased 9 million doses of the Cuban vaccine Abdala. teleSURE English reports.
LGBTQ+ equality
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis (St. Kitts and Nevis) has affirmed the constitutional rights of LGBTQ+ citizens by striking down the country’s buggery law. The Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE) and the Saint Kitts Nevis Alliance for Equality (SKNAFE) welcome this RESULT. The Eastern Alliance for Diversity and Equality stated in a press release.
The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination’s (SASOD) Managing Director Joel Simpson, said the organisation is seeking to have Guyana’s 1997 Prevention of Discrimination Act amended to prevent workplace discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community. Newsroom Guyana reports.
In August 2022, St Kitts and Nevis become the latest Caribbean country to declare laws that criminalised same-sex relationships unconstitutional. Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said, “St. Kitts and Nevis joins a growing list of Caribbean nations that have overturned these colonial-era laws that deny people’s human rights and hold back the response to the HIV pandemic. Everyone benefits from decriminalisation.” Joel Simpson, Managing Director of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), remains frustrated that Guyana continues to hold on to colonial-era laws which contravene the human rights of LGBT by people keeping gross indecency, buggery, and attempted buggery on the lawbooks. MTV Guyana reports.
Climate change affects members of the LGBT community differently from others. The Equality for All Foundation commissioned a pilot research on Climate Change and LGBT Jamaicans to examine perceptions, attitudes, behaviours and impact, commissioned by Equality For All Foundation. The study found that income is linked to the quality of life, job and housing security, social rank and access, as well as pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours of LGBTQ+ Jamaicans. LGBT people who are unemployed or low-wage earners have a reduced capacity to act in the event of a climate disaster. Read more from the Jamaica Gleaner,
Art and Culture
For Caribbean Literature day on July 12, the Bocas Lit Fest, a Caribbean Literary Festival based in Trinidad and Tobago, honoured the late Barbadian writer, George Lamming by curating a selection of texts and videos that discuss his life and work. See more by the Bocas Lit Fest.
Steve Toussaint, British actor of Barbadian descent, plays Lord Corlys in House of Dragons. Sean T. Collins from The New York Times examines Toussaint’s role as Lord Corlys in House of the Drago. “One of the most powerful people in Westeros made his reputation as a fearless sailor. The actor who plays him does better on land,” it says in an excerpt. In the New York Post Toussaint discusses how he dealt with racism from fans who did not think there should be black people in the fictional land of Westeros.
Opportunities
The Ashley Lashley Foundation has launched its HEY Global Climate Fund, which would provide a grant up to $5000 USD to young people to respond to climate change. Click here for more information.
As 350.org Caribbean prepares for its Action for Adaptation Week in October, they would love to hear your adaptation goal for your community. If you Like this post on Facebook or Instagram, share on Facebook or Instagram, then share a 30-second video with your name, country, and adaptation goal for your community you get a chance to win a prize. This giveaway is only open to people living in the Caribbean and closes on September 19, 2022.
The Sustainable Ocean Alliance Caribbean is launching a Deep Sea Warrior Art Challenge for children aged 7-12 and a Deep Sea Troubles Art Challenge for youth in the age categories 13-17 and 18-32. This is to raise awareness around the potentially damaging deep sea mining industry. The competition is open to all Caribbean youth nationals. The deadline is October 11th. See link
Several fully funded opportunities and events for young people ranging from 2022 Young Caribbean Water Entrepreneurs Shark Tank, Youth Innovation Challenge 2022: Tackling Marine Debris, AIS Youth Ambassador and more. Click here for a full list of opportunities.
International Service for Human Rights is offering a full-time 10-month paid Fellowship to People of African descent. The Fellow will focus on working with and supporting a civil society coalition to enhance accountability at the #UN for systemic racism and #policeviolence against Africans and people of African Descent. Deadline for applications: 25 September 2022. Click here to learn more.
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