Thursday, November 19, 2020 — This fair hosted on December 2-3, 2020 will enable participants to learn about study and training opportunities in the Caribbean region as well as to interact with exhibitors and guest experts.
Partners of the ELAN project are pleased to announce the very first edition of the Virtual Student Fair, dedicated to vocational training and higher education, organized on December 2nd and 3rd 2020
with the support of Campus France, the French National Agency for the
Promotion of Higher Education, International Student Services and
International Mobility.
This fair is free and designed for students (high school and tertiary level), parents, teachers, and also technical vocational trainees and trainers from the cooperation zone of the project (English-speaking Caribbean, Haiti, Martinique, and Guadeloupe).
With this event, the ELAN project team wishes to promote exchange, and cooperation between 70 exhibitors and visitors, allowing them to learn about the regional offer of studies and vocational training, and also to exchange with participating institutions and specialists on common regional hot topics during webinars. Visitors will also have the opportunity to consult internship offers, attend workshops to prepare their study experience abroad, assess their level in a foreign language (French or English), and, above all, try to win a prize in the great ELAN contest.
A June 17, 2020 press release re BEAUTIFUL CHAOS: PASSION, POETRY, AND PERSEVERANCE, says as follows: Beautiful Chaos, a collection of poetry by Jo-Annah Richards is launched on Amazon.
Beautiful Chaos, a collection of poetry by Jo-Annah Richards is launched on Amazon. Montserrat, W.I. – Jo-Annah is proud to debut her first collection of poetry and her second publication on Amazon.
With a passion for the Creative Arts, second-time author, Jo-Annah Richards releases an enchanting and eclectic collection of captivating poetry. The topics ranging from love to politics, with each poem effortlessly and vividly embodying the beauty and chaos in each situation. Beautiful Blackness, a stand-out poem in the collection conveys a positive message about the beauty and power of being black. It evokes the importance of self-love, pride, and self-acceptance. One stanza powerfully reads: “Too afraid to be displayed in negative stereotypes of blackness, mute We need to discover our own power, our essence, our truth We are the descendants of Kings and Queens, royalty The blood of warriors and survivors flows through our veins, fluidly”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jo-Annah Richards has been writing poetry since the age of ten and the release of her poetry collection “Beautiful Chaos” is the result of passion and perseverance. She has a passion for writing and regularly expresses it through creating speeches, poetry, short stories, and proses. Her love for the Creative Arts extends to drama, dance, and music, which led her to create Fenyx Creations in 2015. The organisation’s objective is female empowerment and pageantry development, which is facilitated by providing training and workshops for young girls. Jo-Annah knows the benefits and impact of self-expression; as well as gaining personal development and life skills. The organisation also allows her to be creative as she utilises her skills to conceptualise the annual pageant and related events.
She is guided by the principle that you are able to achieve anything through passion and perseverance.
Website/Blog and Social media handles Instagram: @joannah14 Facebook: @joannahrichardsauthorClassifiedGovernment NoticesLand NoticesLegal NoticesReal EstateVacancies
Montserratians living and working or studying in the USA and
elsewhere continue to make great strides in their fields of work, studies, and
education.
Dr. Pet Johnson-Cameron
Dr. Petronella Johnson-Cameron is one such person who has been teaching and mentoring students in the Master’s Program at Capella University, since January 2017. She has worked extensively with students to ensure success.
Dr. Petronella Cameron has been selected for the Outstanding
Faculty Performance Award at Capella University, Minnesota. She met and
exceeded the requirements in teaching in four components, Quantitative and
Qualitative (the quality of feedback she provides for students) and the
Education Chair overall approval.
Her work ethics and discipline had set her apart from other
colleagues. She also was evaluated as a very effective and commendable
professor by California State University Los Angeles in several components
among these are, her delivery of instructions and engaging students.
With this background of achievements, Petronella Cameron Ph.D. boasts Early Childhood Education, Masters: Early Childhood Education, Child Development Program Director Permit, Lecturer: Early Childhood Education, Division of Curriculum and Instruction, California State University Los Angeles. She is currently teaching graduate hybrid courses at several universities. As Dr. Cameron continues to soar in education, she still continues to pursue her musical career as a classical pianist another ambitious initiative she wants to accomplish.
On February 13, 2020, Paul T. Busceni, EdD, Chair, P12 Curriculum,
Instruction, and Leadership
School of Education, Capella University, wrote to Dr. Cameron:
“I am pleased to inform you that you are a recipient of the 2020
Outstanding Faculty of the Year award – Congratulations on your
achievement! You are receiving an award for your outstanding
performance in GuidedPath (GP) for teaching. You are receiving the award
because you demonstrate excellence in three categories of considerations:
quantitative metrics, qualitative data, and my overall evaluation. Your
performance met and exceeded expectations for GP teaching.”
Already, she receives notice, “While award recipients are not
automatically renewed in the OFY process, as the pool of faculty changes in
each evaluation cycle, I am confident that your strong performance will make
you an eligible candidate for consideration,” the chairman wrote.
One of the quieter
events of the St. Patrick’s Festival is the St. Patrick’s Lecture’ which
usually takes place near the beginning of the festival activities. It takes
place this year on Tuesday evening, March 10 beginning at 6.00 p.m.
Often, the event which
allows for discussion after the presentation, is lively with interest. This
year it takes place as usual at the Cultural Centre on a somewhat unusual
topic: Praedial Larceny: A Scourge on Agricultural Production and Food
Security.
The presenter to be Miss Gracelyn Cassell who iscurrentlythe Resident Tutor and Head of the UWI School of Continuing Studies, now called The UWI Open Campus Site Montserrat.
The 2020 Lecture will explore the history of a problem that affected our enslaved ancestors in Montserrat and in the wider Caribbean and continues to affect us today. In many jurisdictions, praedial larceny is reported as being on the increase, resulting in huge losses for farmers, fishers, and families. The search for deterrents and workable solutions, including the use of technology, has intensified.
The presentation will
take the form of an interactive discussion intended to capture the experiences
of victims as well as perpetrators of a crime that was once punishable by
flogging.
It is anticipated that
realistic solutions will emerge from the discourse and can be presented for
consideration by Government officials and policymakers.
The Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP) team of candidates that
successfully returned five of their team in the just concluded
Montserrat 2019 General Elections.
Five of these candidates were winners. Two newcomers to the Legislature: Crenston Buffonge with the most votes in the poll, (1st left back row); Veronica DORSETTE-HECTOR (2nd left front row); half-term incumbent, Dr. Sammy Joseph (1st from rt back row); and the leader now fourth time Legislator, Easton Taylor-Farrell (2nd from left back row); and veteran fourth time Legislator, Charles Kirnon (between 2001 and 2019)
“Dr. Lowell Lewis wishes to
inform the people of Montserrat, at home and abroad, that he once again wishes
to represent our beloved country, as a member of our Parliament.
Dr. Lowell Lewis, former Chief Minister
At this election, I am pleased to work with and support Mr. Gregory Willock, incumbent Montserrat Legislator, the founder of the Montserrat National Congress, as an appreciation of the unconditional support that he has provided for me in the past.
I am also pleased to be working with and supporting Mr. Chedmond Browne, former Montserrat Legislator (2001-2006), who like me had a military background and has dedicated his whole life to the fight for freedom, democracy and equal opportunities for all people.
We promise to continue working for our people and our nation, for the rest of our lives and look forward to collaborating with all the other candidates in this election for the development of our Nation.
I also support and acknowledge the common objectives of other candidates, Dr. Ingrid Buffonge, incumbent Legislator and Miss Veta Wade who have shared our campaign platforms; and my close friend and colleague Mr. Wilford Meade (Moose) who I was pleased to nominate as a candidate for this election.
The following is the list of policy issues and programs that will be actively pursued by our team.
l-r: Dr, Ingrid Buffonge, Gregory Willock, Chedmond Browne
Policy Issues and
Programs proposed for Session 2019 to 2024
“Good governance exalts a nation and
eliminates corruption”.
The
enactment of Legislation for Integrity in Public Office and a Freedom of
Information Act will be a priority.
We
will involve our young people as they embody the future. They will be provided with opportunities
for education, training, sports, cultural activities, jobs, land, and capital
to support small business ventures.
All
Ministries will support community development projects. We will provide budgets for the activities of
Village Councils.
We
will promote linkages and partnerships with overseas Montserratian associations
and friends of Montserrat.
We will aggressively encourage the return of retired Montserratians living abroad by seeking finance for housing construction for persons over the age of 65.
We
will aggressively encourage the return of middle agreed Montserratians, by
seeking funds for the financing of private sector business.
Constitutional Issues
• Review of the new Montserrat Constitution Order Amendments of the draft to:-
i. Alter the electoral system. National consultations and a referendum to determine options preferred for:- Number of constituencies Size of constituencies number of votes per voter At large representatives
ii.
Remove vote of non-elected members of the Montserrat Legislative Assembly
iii.
Establish criteria for postal ballots.
iv. Compulsory leave, without risk of loss of employment, for all candidates at a general election.
v.
Revision of requirement for nomination of general election candidates.
• Ensure comprehensive discussion of the new Montserrat Constitution Order with the public, prior to its enactment, and ensure enactment provides for constitutional advancement and self-determination.
•
Review procedures for overcoming the restrictions of contingent liability
associated with Overseas Territory status.
• Continue the comprehensive law reform exercise to modernize Montserrat’s laws.
•
Implement activities of Human Rights and
Integrity Commissions on Montserrat.
•
Continue participation in the United Nation’s Decolonization Committee
consultations
• Establish a program for achieving political maturity, administrative capacity, and economic sustainability, through regional integration.
• Continue constitutional modernization towards self-governance, whilst retaining the special relationships that currently exist between our administering country, the United Kingdom and its previous colonies.
Sustainable Development
Plan
Implementation of the Sustainable Development Plan of Montserrat will be a priority to allow the achievement of our objective to increase the population of Montserrat to over 8,000 and be out of grant in aid by 2020.
Our programs will be prioritized
in 3 phases.
Once our government demonstrates
commitment to good governance and integrity in political leadership, the United
Kingdom, Europe and other aid agencies, whose mandate is to create sustainable
communities and alleviate world poverty, would support our proposals.
Government of Montserrat would then cease being a financial burden for their taxpayers, and guarantee for its people a good quality of life. Good governance legislation will be further improved, to facilitate the attraction of more investment to Montserrat.
Our listed project proposals have
the potential to provide over 10% growth in the economy for each year. This will require the provision of grant aid,
investments and loan financing of approximately EC$1,500 million for the next five-year
period.
Allocated as follows: Breakdown ECD$ Millions
ECD$ Millions Investment Capital
and loans – 850; Capital Aid – 650; Total – 1500.
Port – 300; Little Bay Town 100; Roads and Utilities – 120; Housing – 200; Government facilities – 60; Airport improvements – 100; Geothermal electricity – 80; Industrial estates and projects 500 – Tourism destination sites – 40; Total – 1,500.
Project proposals
This estimate is derived from an analysis of the following proposed 40 projects, many of which are linked, some ongoing, and some in planning phase:-
• Montserrat Development Corporation • Small Business Financing Program • Private Sector Development • Statehouse, Court House, and Parliament Building Tourist Destination and Facilities Development • National Trust Museum and Archeological sites restoration • The Montserrat Cultural Centre extension • Institute of Performing Arts and Film Production • Sports facilities developments at Blakes, Little Bay, Brades Salem, and St Peters. • Inter-Island Sports Project • Split-site 18 hole golf course • Little Bay Town Development • Little Bay Marina/Safe Harbour Developments • Carr’s Bay Port Development • Airport improvement and extension or relocation • Education Facilities Development • Hospital and Health Services Development • Social Welfare improvement • Vulnerable persons Housing • Home improvement and volcano evacuees housing • Returning Montserratians housing • Residential and Commercial Housing Development Projects at; Look Out, Drummonds, Davy Hill, Brades, Barzeys, and Jones Hill. • Jones Hill, Silver Hill’s and Blake’s Residential Tourism Developments • Electricity generation projects (Diesel, Wind, Solar, and Geothermal) • Public works equipment and road rehabilitation and expansion • Montserrat Volcano Observatory • A Montserrat Volcano Observatory through Hope to Runaway Ghaut bypass road. • School of Disaster Research, Education and (Search and Rescue Training) • OECS Climate and Volcano Institute and Mountain top Hotel • Isles Bay to Foxes Bay access road and barge ramp or jetty, for export of volcanic materials. • Cement manufacture and export projects at Sturge Park and Trants • Rehabilitation of South of Belham properties by the provision of road access and utility services, to areas in Foxes Bay and Brandsbay Point which are at low risk of exposure to the volcanic eruption events. • Conveyor belt mining, stockpiling, and exportation of volcanic material from the Trants area. • Roads to the Silver Hills and Dick Hill area. • Agricultural feeder roads in the north. • Food production, processing, exportation, and security project. • A north of Montserrat Corbett Spring to Silver Hills water supply project and water bottling plant for export. • A fish and turtle farm and recreational beach facility at Marguerita Bay, Look Out. • A People’s Pentecostal Cathedral at Look Out • Medical Schools locally designed and owned • Public service review and rationalization
The foregoing is a ‘paid-for’ party political publication
The Montserrat Arts Council (MAC) has a mandate to foster the development of art; uplift the condition of arts and artists; advise the Minister on art and cultural matters; ensure the implementation of the government’s cultural policy; implement government’s regional and international cultural commitments; and co-ordinate the activities of the agencies in Montserrat responsible for cultural activities.
It is on that background of responsibility that the MAC with an operational budget which is 100% funded by the Government of Montserrat, moved to appoint a Head of Planning and Production.
Vernaire Bass
The announcement came in a release on September 2, 2019, which said that “Vernaire Bass has been appointed to the position of Head of Planning and Production.”
Miss Bass is a recent returnee to Montserrat and brings to the position more than 10 years of experience as a project manager and business strategist. Bass acquired a Bachelor of Arts with honours in Business and Business Law at the London Metropolitan University in 2009. Since leaving university, Vernaire has worked for large U.K. organisations including the Royal College of Physicians, the Ministry of Defence, Capita PLC, Birmingham City Council, and most recently for the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Montserrat.
MAC’s Director Kenneth “Rabo” Silcott said Bass’ “extensive experience in project management, programme design and execution made her a natural fit for the Head of Planning and Production role. She comes to the MAC at a time when we are repositioning the organisation to better support the development of culture as a strong economic catalyst. I am very pleased to have her join the team.”
The senior role leads on logistics and planning of all MAC programmes, including festivals and cultural events. She will also support the director as the point of contact between private stakeholders and vendors on production-related matters and is expected to identify new cultural industry products that will enhance Montserrat’s tourism product and generate economic activity.
East Caribbean Currency Bank (ECCB) Governor Timothy N.J. Antoine announced in April, that the much touted new ‘polymer notes would be launched in June this year. It was then on May 29, 2019, the launch was celebrated via the still being upgraded video-tele conference to members in the East Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) and hosted by the Governor from the ECCB agency office in Grenada.
At the
launch the Governor announced that the rollout will begin with the $50 notes
placed in circulation immediately in June.
These will
run concurrently with the existing paper notes during the transition phase. The
$10, $20 and $100 polymer banknotes are scheduled for launch in September 2019,
while the five-dollar banknotes will be launched in September 2020.
polymer notes are vertical
Not so
fast though for Montserrat. The Governor explained that there will be a delay
owing to a substantial stock of paper notes present in the Montserrat market
which is also the case in the Anguilla market. As a result there is no need for
the supply of the new notes until these markets see a decrease in the $50
notes.
During
the live stream event Governor Antoine in his address informed that the new
notes are of a higher quality and has advanced features compared to the old
paper notes.
“Compared
to paper notes, polymer notes are cleaner,” he said. They are resistant to dirt
and moisture – more secure – they have advanced security features which make
them harder to counterfeit – more durable as they last at least, three (to
five) times longer than paper notes and more environmentally friendly,” he informed.
“The
switch to polymer necessitated some changes to the designs of the notes in
respect of technical and security specifications. However, even with these new
design elements, we were careful to maintain a degree of familiarity for ease
of use,” Antoine stated.
Governor
Antoine also revealed that the new notes will also have a new design feature
which will make it easier for persons with visual impairment to identify the
notes. He said, “Very importantly, we have incorporated a feature [raised
bumps] to make it easy for the blind and visually impaired to handle their
money and their business.”
Additionally,
a holographic foil strip has been introduced as an anti-counterfeiting feature
on the $20, $50 and $100, which are most susceptible to counterfeiting.
The
ECCB Governor explained that, “The circulation of the new notes will be phased.
As unfit paper notes are returned to the Central Bank and our current inventory
of paper notes is depleted, they will be replaced by polymer notes…Therefore,
as a practical matter, the public ought to expect that both paper and polymer
notes will be in circulation at the same time. They are both legal tender.”
At the beginning of his address, the Governor no
doubt anticipating the very familiar question about the status of the EC$ said:
“I hereby confirm that our EC dollar is strong. As of Friday, 24 May, 2019, the
backing ratio was 98.4 per cent.”
“More importantly,” he continues. “our foreign
reserves continue to grow and now total US$1.75 billion.”
The motivation for the move from ‘paper’ to ‘polymer’, he
noted: “Simply put, to enhance the
security and usability of our EC notes.”
Earlier boasting that the ECCB is the first Central Bank in
the region to move to polymer notes, he said: “To maintain trust and to stay
ahead of counterfeiters, our Central Bank has a duty of care, indeed an
obligation, to continually upgrade our notes. But our motivation is also
personal.”
That he explained arose out of , “…I have had fishermen and
vendors lament to me, their inability to get value for their notes after they
were soiled or torn. These stories have
affected me. I have asked myself how can
our Central Bank help ensure that these hardworking folks get full value for
their hard-earned money? I believe
polymer will greatly ease this hardship,” he said.
“From an economic standpoint, polymer notes are more cost-effective
than paper,” he explained further, noting, “Although polymer notes are more
expensive to produce upfront, their extended lifespan means that the notes are replaced
less often.”
He concluded: “Consequently, there will be a reduction in
transportation and handling costs thus reducing the overall cost of cash for
the ECCB, commercial banks and credit unions.”
Then came the
announcement: “Today, we unveil the first note in the EC family of notes –
the EC$50,” describing as he immortalises his predecessor, “This new note bears
the image of our late, great Governor, the Honourable Sir K Dwight Venner who served from December
1989 until November 2015. Once
again, I hail the colossal contribution of my illustrious predecessor.
He said the new design features also include the signature of the
current Governor, adding as well that the new notes also sport a portrait
orientation design, which is a move away from the current landscape orientation
of the paper notes.
“In conclusion, today is, indeed, a happy occasion for our
Currency Union – your new notes are considerably better hence the tagline of
our public education campaign: cleaner,
safer, stronger. Moreover, they are
aesthetically pleasing. Above all, they
are a symbol of regional accomplishment,” the Governor beamed as we watched him
on the video screen at the agency office at Brades.
David Arkley is the UK Policy Adviser to the Governor and Head of the Governor’s office. He and Major Alvin Ryan, Director of the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) are attending the annual UK Caribbean Overseas Territories and Bermuda Disaster Managers conference in Miami, Florida.
The three-day conference which ends today Friday, May 17th, 2019, commonly referred to as the annual Hurricane conference is organized by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in conjunction with the Disaster Management Advisor for the OTs Jon Snell, who is stationed in Miami.
A release today from the Government Information Unit (GIU), informs that the meeting brings together Disaster Managers and Heads of Governors Offices from the various Caribbean Overseas Territories and Bermuda, UK Defence officials, Officers from Royal Fleet Auxiliary RFA Mounts Bay and representatives from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development, the British Red Cross and the private sector.
The meeting is discussing lessons learnt from the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane season, hurricane preparedness for the upcoming season which officially begins on June 1st and other important matters related to disaster preparedness in the Caribbean OTs and Bermuda.
It also provides an opportunity for invited companies to showcase their products and emerging disaster management technologies.
This is bottom line for us! Unless we receive your support, our effort will not be able to continue. Whatever and however you can, please support The Montserrat Reporter in whatever amount you can (and whatever frequency) – and it only takes a minute.
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From @Breakingviews: Detaching monetary policy from politics is an increasingly fraught but worthwhile task https://reut.rs/2JEAVLK https://reut.rs/2JEAVLK
US justice department investigates alleged 'bribery for pardon' scheme https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/01/bribery-president-pardon-scheme-allegation-court-filing?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_gu&utm_medium&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1606873533
