News
National Youth Policy Launched; Youth Ambassador vows to keep Gov’t Accountable
By Dana Malcolm & Deandrea Hamilton
#TurksandCaicos, February 7, 2022 – Young people in the Turks and Caicos Islands have spoken, and the National Youth Policy exposes that our youth want to see a tremendous effort toward establishing Technical Vocational Education and Training.
While 73 per cent of the young people surveyed expressed interest, only 9 per cent were actually receiving any
TVET.
Eighty percent of young people said TVET was extremely relevant to their lives and would be an attractive option for educational and skills development.
Our youth also want to be developed in the creative industries, what the world now calls, the orange economy.
Youth also told the survey, carried out between 2017-2019, they wanted more STEM Education: Science, Mathematics and Technology.
Young people are concerned about the level of violence and far too many of them reported feeling unsafe in their communities. The survey captured that 57 per cent of respondents felt this way.
Turks and Caicos Youth shared that they were afraid of being robbed or sexually assaulted and these youth want to see government develop programs to support not only the victims, but also the perpetrators.
The National Youth Policy was informed by these responses and on Thursday January 27, 2022 the document was launched with the support of Rachel Taylor, Minister of Youth; E. Jay Saunders, the Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier and at the TCI’s Governor, Nigel Dakin.
At the launch, the policy itself was not explained but Minister with responsibility for youth, Rachel Taylor did shared that her Government is getting ready to pump money into youth-led businesses; a partnership between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education, which includes Youth.
“As it relates to supporting Youth Economic Participation and Environment, we will create financing arrangements for youth led micro, small, and medium enterprises,” said Minister Taylor.
An excerpt from the National Youth Policy: “Policy Vision Young people of the Turks and Caicos Islands are socially connected, economically empowered, digitally literate, technologically savvy, strategically engaged as co-creators of a peaceful, prosperous, resilient, and sustainable Turks and Caicos Islands.
Policy Mission The 2020-2025 National Youth Policy articulates a rights-based, youth mainstreaming and gender-responsive approach to positive youth development in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The policy envisages an enhanced youth policy environment and responsive institutional arrangements to facilitate the social inclusion, economic empowerment and active participation of youth in the Turks and Caicos Islands sustainable development.
Youth Policy Goals and Objectives
The overarching goal of the Turks and Caicos Youth Policy (2020-2025) is Youth Empowerment.
Youth empowerment in this specific context can be interpreted as young people acting individually, collectively, and collaboratively exercising their right to positively impact their personal lives, organizations, institutions, and community.
Youth empowerment in the Turks and Caicos Islands can be achieved by creating an 32 Co-creating Sustainable Futures for Turks and Caicos Islands’ Youth enabling environment through appropriate policy and legislative frameworks, timely and relevant interventions, including adequate investments, inclusive and active youth participation, supportive institutional arrangements, strategic youth development partnerships, an effective action plan and youth mainstreaming strategy.
Seven (7) strategic objectives support the policy goal.
- To facilitate youth economic participation and empowerment.
- To develop socially conscious, intellectually accomplished, and resilient young people.
- To support inclusive and active youth participation.
- To create safe spaces, peaceful communities, and environments.
- To promote healthy lifestyles and youth wellbeing.
- To facilitate youth contribution to environmental sustainability, disaster mitigation and food security. 7. To create a supportive environment for positive youth development
Youth Parliamentarian, Arean Louis, promised that he and his fellow parliamentarians would keep a strict eye on the policy to make sure it was carried out.
“I fully support this new and revised youth policy, the youth parliamentarians will hold this document close to our heart to ensure it is well executed for the betterment of the youth in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said Louis.
Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality
investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.
ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.
The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.
Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.
CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency
described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.
In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.
The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.
The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.
The Rick Fox Political Timeline
“Are You Thinking About Politics?”
Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”
October 19, 2025
“Then Jump, Man.”
Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.
November 24, 2025
“The Bahamas Must Be First”
Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.
February 4, 2026
“Officially Picked”
The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.
March 20, 2026
“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”
Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.
March 30, 2026
“I’m Giving The Salary Back”
Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of
Garden Hills.
April 14, 2026
“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”
A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.
April 16, 2026
“Pick Rick” Officially Launches
Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.
April 19, 2026
“Vote and Win”
Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.
April 20, 2026
“The Wealthiest Candidate”
Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.
April 25, 2026
“The Garden Hills Blueprint”
Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:
- youth development,
- healthcare access,
- infrastructure upgrades,
- environmental restoration,
- entrepreneurship,
- and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.
May 4, 2026
“The Numbers Don’t Lie”
Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:
- 20 community clean-ups,
- 16 streets and locations served,
- and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.
May 6, 2026
“Shaq Steps In”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.
May 8, 2026
“Buju Backs Rick”
Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.
May 10, 2026
“Vanessa Williams Endorses”
Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.
May 11, 2026
“Magic Joins the Campaign”
NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.
May 12, 2026
“Election Day”
Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.
May 13, 2026
“Grace in Defeat”
Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.
May 18, 2026
“We Pick Rick”
Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:
“We Pick Rick.”
The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a
privately-owned parcel of land.
The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.
The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.
This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.
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