As efforts continue in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to insulate the tourism sector from the downturn in global economies, the government of The Bahamas has collaborated with the Caricom Secretariat and the Latin America and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) to convene the first regional seminar on Tourism, set for August 31 to September 1 in The Bahamas. The central focus of this seminar will be on small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and tourism development in the Caribbean region. The seminar also has the objective of identifying impediments to the development…
Read MoreYear: 2011
U. S. pleased with Caribbean political initiatives on counterterrorism
The United States said on Friday, August 19 the political will of Caribbean countries to counterterrorism remained strong, despite limited resources and capabilities. It said that primary counterterrorism objectives for the Caribbean included preventing terrorists or terrorist organisations from entering or transiting the Caribbean en route to other countries, particularly the United States; increasing countries’ awareness of the potential threat from terrorists or terrorist organisations; and preventing terrorists or terrorist organisations from operating or developing safe havens in the Caribbean. In its 2011 report released here, the U.S. State Department…
Read MoreBalata artist George Tancredo now working to teach a new generation
Master Makushi balata artist George Tancredo has established a reputation as Guyana’s leading balata artist; and typical of his generous nature, he now shares his knowledge and skill with workshops among the indigenous population in southern Guyana, some of whom have developed these talents exceptionally well today. Tancredo discovered his creative talents after several forays into the world of apprenticeship and work: leaving school at 16, he trained to be a mechanic, but wasn’t successful; he went to work in the gold pits of the “bush” but that didn’t work…
Read MoreSod turned for US$42M GPL expansion project
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds underscored the importance of the energy sector in the advancement of Guyana’s development when the sod was turned for the construction of seven 69/ 13.8 KV substations and installation of 110km of 69KV overhead transmission lines at North Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Speaking at the event, Hinds said that, after construction, there will be equitable transmission of power into the national grid, a project that holds tremendous potential for Guyana’s development. “Today is a milestone for Guyana, for the supply of electricity in our country… this programme had…
Read MoreCSEC high flyer gets early career guidance at GPHC
The management of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation has invited Nirmela Govinda, who was one of the top students at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, to complete a one- week rotation in the Department of Orthopaedics at the hospital. This initiative was taken in light of Govinda’s reported desire to become a bone specialist, GPHC said in a release. Govinda will be oriented to the department under the direct supervision of GPHC’s Head of Orthopaedics, Dr David Samaroo, and she will visit the wards and clinics, and…
Read More145 teachers to graduate in key subject areas
Some 145 teachers in several key subject areas are set to graduate from the Education Ministry’s non- graduate certificate progamme offered by the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD). The teachers come from across the country, and are pursuing studies in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. They will be sitting their final examinations in December. NCERD Director Mohandatt Goolsarran said 93 teachers pursued the course in English, 25 pursued Mathematics, 11 pursued courses in Chemistry, 11 did Biology and five did Physics. The 18-month non-graduate certificate programmes are…
Read MoreMIF launches photo contest on gender in region
The Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) of the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) is inviting amateurs and professionals to participate in its 2011 photo contest, which seeks to show how women and men in Latin America and the Caribbean are challenging traditionally-held gender norms and stereotypes in the workplace. Participants must be at least 18 years old, and the deadline for applications is September 1, 2011. Twenty-five finalists will be selected for the contest, being held under the theme “In Focus: Shifting Gender Perspectives”, and the top contestants and winners will…
Read MoreShortlist for Guyana Prize for Literature Caribbean Award revealed
A shortlist of 11 persons has been announced for the fiction and poetry categories of the Guyana Prize for Literature – Caribbean Award. The nominees for the fiction prize are: Amanda Smyth for Black Rock; Diana McCaulay for Dog-heart; Karen Lord: Redemption in Indigo; Myriam J A Chancy: The Loneliness of Angels; and Patricia Powell: The Fullness of Everything. In the poetry category, Christian Campbell was nominated for “Running the Dusk”; Ishion Hutchinson for “Far District”; Jennifer Rahim for “Approaching Sabbaths”; John Agard for “Clever Backbone”; Mark McWatt for “The…
Read MoreAncient human settlement discovered in Berbice
A group of local and international archaeologists has discovered in the Berbice area a human settlement that dates back almost 5,000 years. This was revealed at the Umana Yana on Saturday, August 20 at a public presentation on the Berbice Archaeology Project between the University of Guyana’s (UG) Amerindian Research Unit, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Florida of the U.S.A. Presentations were done by lecturer at the Amerindian Research Unit and Professor at the School of Education and Humanities, George Simon; chair of the Department of Anthropology…
Read MoreHealth and family life programme for schools to be expanded
Education Minister Shaik Baksh has said the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) programme will be introduced in more schools, as the ministry takes steps to equip students to deal with social challenges. He made this announcement on Monday, August 22 at the opening of a one-day training workshop on the effective implementation of the HFLE programme in schools. The programme is currently being offered in 30 schools. The training targeted 40 teachers throughout the country, and was organised by the Education Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s…
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