Caribbean News
C&W Communications: Collaboration among regional stakeholders vital to create digital region
Port of Spain, August 1, 2019 – Trinidad – C&W Communications (C&W) demonstrated an impressive array of global and regional ICT expertise at the 35th Annual CANTO Conference in Trinidad. The C&W team, supported by senior executives from its parent company, Liberty Latin America (LLA), hosted the first day of the conference, which kicked off with a Ministerial Breakfast on Monday, July 22nd.
The event opened to a standing-room only audience at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom, where Jenson Sylvester, Country Manager for Flow Barbados and B2B Lead for the Southern Caribbean delivered the opening remarks on behalf of C&W, as the platinum sponsor for the CANTO 2019 conference. He spoke of the need for collaboration among stakeholders in order to make the Digital Region a reality.
Throughout the three-day event, it was made clear that a multi-sectoral approach is needed to connect the unconnected – and this was a permeating theme that served as a clarion call made by all speakers at the conference.
CANTO’s Feature Presentation showcased Miranda Curtis, Board Director, Liberty Latin America, in a Fireside Chat moderated by David Cox, CANTO Chairman and Head of Regulatory Affairs, Caribbean, C&W. Ms. Curtis made it clear that ‘Liberty is without doubt one of the most sophisticated centres and clearing houses in the industry for the exchange of technological, operating and regulatory best practice and expertise’. She also shared insights on her multi-cultural experience, which was a key factor throughout her successful professional career. Chairman Cox noted that her presence at the event demonstrated the importance placed on CANTO at the highest levels of the LLA organization.
LLA’s Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, John Winter, speaking on a panel moderated by Michael Coakley, LLA’s Vice President-Head of Communications, focused on the inevitability of market consolidation in the age of convergence pressed home the point that with the rapid change taking place in the digital space, we need regulators who are focused primarily on understanding the needs of the sector. “We need independent regulators who are apolitical and open markets that allow for market driven competition”,he said.
Vivek Khemka, LLA’s Senior Vice President and Chief Technology/Product Officer, delivered an information packed keynote address at the Ministerial Breakfast titled ‘Moments that Matter’. He was accompanied by Jenson Sylvester, Country Manager, Flow Barbados and B2B Lead for the Southern Cluster, C&W, who delivered a stirring and complementary presentation. This Session was expertly chaired by Wendy McDonald, Senior Director, External Communications and Stakeholder Relations.
Flow Country Manager-Trinidad, Kurleigh Prescod, spoke on the subject of “Dealing with Disruption” as part of a CTO panel, stating, “Disruption is mandatory. We have to engage our employees and make sure they understand that what we have done in the past is no longer enough – it was good work at the time, but the customers’ needs are changing and we are transforming to meet those needs.”
C&W Communications also sponsored a Ministerial Roundtable discussion, moderated by Euan Fannell, C&W’s Vice President, Corporate Affairs, which got consensus among the participants of the need for more government services to be made available online in order to best serve citizens. Both Honourable Minister Robert Le Hunte of Trinidad and Tobago and Honourable Minister James Thompson of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas engaged in spirited conversations on what they are doing in their respective countries to drive the adoption of Digital Technology.
In the final session on Day 1 of the Conference – Bridging the Digital Divide – What Partnerships and Strategies Are Required to Enable Connectivity in the Caribbean and Latin America? – Garfield (Garry) Sinclair, Vice President Northern Cluster, C&W and CEO, BTC Bahamas said “We need partnerships with regulators and government and we also have to get our universities involved in the eco-system. We need to work together to innovate ways that we can deliver services to subscale markets in order to bridge this digital divide.”
This year, C&W Communications again participated in the Women’s Forum, which focused on women in ICT and how they can empower themselves and others. Ruchi Kaushal, General Counsel for C&W, gave insightful remarks in her opening address and later as part of a panel discussion focused on initiatives that are helping to create environments that foster gender equality in the workplace and help to ‘break barriers’ to the advancement of women in ICT.
Throughout the sessions the three key messages of CANTO 2019 were highlighted as: 1) a need for a wide range of stakeholders to come together to make our digital future a success by being technologically inclusive; 2) a need to bring more diverse voices to the table, inclusive of women and people with disabilities; 3) a need to embrace a much more holistic approach to transforming the region and breaking down silos.
Release: CWC
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
“Founded on the principles of Unity, sisterhood and community service,” is how Alicia Swann, One Nation TCI Founder, and President, describes the organization as it gears up for its inaugural showing, to be marked by a pageant and parade of nations, family fun day and cultural show.
When Magnetic Media spoke to Swann she explained the inspiration behind the name.
“The reason why we chose ‘One Nation’ was because we wanted to ensure that all of our beautiful ladies within the Turks and Caicos feel as if they are a part of our society. Speaking with the ladies I’ve gotten the opinion that a lot of them feel as if they are in our country but they don’t actually feel fully a part of it,” she explained. With constants whose heritages span the DR and TCI, TC-Trinidadians and more the contest is showcasing the rich and diverse culture of the country.
At least two contestants flew in from the UK and the US to participate in the pageant and the event is not just an array of pretty girls.
“We’ve taken the aspects of pageantry to another level, the young ladies have a platform based on our pillars of the organization which include education and mental health,” Swann continued “We wanted to ensure that they understand the value and importance of having a role and voice in society.” 
The contestants were all allowed to choose an area to speak on and advocate for, and the President told Magnetic Media that so far the young women are taking the challenge seriously. There are 10 contestants overall, five in the ‘Miss’ category and five in the ‘Teen’ category.
The pageant is already receiving regional recognition as the eventual winner has been invited to take part in a regional pageant in St Kitts in August, a feat which Swann says she is extremely proud of.
In addition to that event a cultural showing, family fun day and parade of nations will be held.
“We will be honoring people from across the Turks and Caicos, out of every island, for their lifetime achievement in terms of giving back to their society. The persons being honoured are unsung heroes. They have been active in their communities in various roles and we felt the need to recognize all of them.” Swann explained.
The Founder didn’t share the names of those being honoured, preferring to leave it a surprise but did drop hints about who would be highlighted during the event; a smiling clinic nurse in South Caicos, a Grand Turk Taxi driver committed to the island’s development, a dedicated principal from North Caicos, a shipping pioneer from North Caicos as well and a creative founder from Providenciales.
“Our company is huge on ensuring that the community is involved and a part of doing that is ensuring that persons in the community are honoured,” the president said.
Several sponsors have stepped up to the plate including
No monetary support has come from TCIG but endorsements from both Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, and Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism, have been shared and the girls are currently undergoing intense training with a pageant coach in preparation for their big night.
Swann is hoping that once the community has a chance to see what One Nation TCI is doing they’ll understand the importance of the events,
“We are a diverse culture and society and– we want people to understand the importance of diversity, supporting our young ladies and empowering them so they can see they have a role in the Turks and Caicos– The more we offer our young ladies [the more] we are able to retain that talent. Once they feel empowered the sky’s the limit.”
The Pageant and Crowning will be on the 25 and 26th of April while the parade and family fun day will be held on the 27th.
Caribbean News
Agriculture Ministry Providing Two Water Trucks to Serve St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine
#Kingston, Jamaica, April 24, 2024 – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is to unveil two more water trucks this week, which will be used to service communities in St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine.
Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during Wednesday’s (April 24) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
He also informed that of the $90 million earmarked to support farmers being impacted by the current drought, the Ministry will be
providing additional support for storage and drip-irrigation systems.
“So, we have targeted about 600 water tanks and about 400 12-millimetre drip irrigation hoses, and that distribution has already started. Additionally, we have earmarked about $8 million to really help with our livestock farmers,” Mr. Green said.
“We know the difficulty that you’re facing now in this time; [it’s] very hard to get the right nutritional support for your animals. As such, we will be providing some hay, and we will [also] provide some trucking of water to you. Again, our livestock farmers, if you are in need, please contact the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and let us see how we can help in these times,” he further stated.
Mr. Green also encouraged farmers to download the RADA App, so that the Agency can “help guide you, not only in relation to what is happening on the rainfall side, but also in relation to your integrated pest management”.
“We do see some increases of certain types of pests during this time, and it’s important that our farmers are paying attention to that. It’s also important that you’re taking drought management seriously [by undertaking] soil mulching, looking at planting drought-tolerant crops, timely harvesting, implementing land husbandry treatments and contour ditches,” he stated.
Contact: Latonya Linton
Release: JIS
Photo Caption: Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, speaking during Wednesday’s (April 24) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
Donald De La Haye Photo
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