PARAMARIBO – The U.S. Embassy, in collaboration with the Suriname America Alumni Association (SAAA), is hosting a series of training sessions tied to an opportunity to apply for small grants to fund alumni projects up to a maximum of US$3,000.

The SAAA membership is comprised of individuals who are alumni of various U.S. government funded exchange programs. The training sessions include the topics Alumni Association Management and Resources, Volunteerism and Fundraising, Networking and Mentorship, Entrepreneurial Spirit and Small Grants Writing (A “How-To” Guide). The purpose of the training sessions is to strengthen the SAAA, and to provide alumni with resources to address issues important to Suriname and which align with the Embassy’s goals and priorities. The workshops will also help create a new generation of alumni leaders who are civically engaged, appreciate and promote democratic values, and work actively towards a better Suriname. To reach as many alumni as possible, training will be offered on Saturdays in Paramaribo and Nickerie…[+]

Trinidad. In the case of Dean Boyce, British Caribbean Bank Ltd, and Lord Michael Ashcroft KCMG v the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) today issued a judgment stating a 2012 complaint against Mr. Justice Awich, now a Judge in the Court of Appeal, should be properly considered by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC). This paves the way to allow the JLSC to refer the complaint to the Belize Advisory Council which would then investigate whether the judge should be removed from office.

The matter arose from a dispute as to whether the conduct of Mr. Justice Awich during his tenure as a judge of the Supreme Court of Belize is relevant to his removal from office as a Justice of Appeal. Mr. Justice Awich was appointed as a Judge in the Court of Appeal on 24 April 2012 and was sworn in in May of that year.

In a joint letter dated 17 July 2012, Mr. Dean Boyce, British Caribbean Bank Ltd and Lord Michael Ashcroft KCMG made a request to the JLSC that Mr. Justice Awich should be investigated by the Belize Advisory Council. This request detailed allegations of lack of judicial ‘acumen’, delays in judgment writing and lack of timeliness in the delivery of judgments whilst Justice Awich was a Judge of the Supreme Court of Belize. The appellants, in that letter, suggested that it should be considered whether the Judge should be removed from office for inability and/or misbehaviour. Objections to his appointment had previously been raised by the Bar Association of Belize and the Leader of the Opposition…[+]

BRIDGETOWN – Sixteen men and women from around the Caribbean Region are now designated certified energy professionals, having participated in the Regional Certified Energy Manager (CEM) Training Programme and successfully passed the CEM examination.

The Programme took place in Barbados in May 2018 with assistance from the USAID Caribbean Clean Energy Program (CARCEP), and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) through the Canadian Support to the Energy Sector in the Caribbean Fund, in partnership with the Barbados Renewable Energy Association (BREA). The Jamaica Society of Energy Engineers delivered the Training Programme and administered the exam.

The successful participants represent seven countries:  Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. These countries will now benefit from an increase in the number of internationally certified energy practitioners towards   creating a sustainable energy future and meeting their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). NDCs are the targets that countries around the world are working to achieve, to address climate change through adaptation and mitigation. Executive Director of BREA, Ms. Meshia Clarke noted that she was pleased to have coordinated the programme with the support of CDB, the Government of Canada and USAID CARCEP…[+]