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TCREA Ambassador Launches Revolutionary Mentorship Program for Turks & Caicos

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#TurksandCaicos, April 29, 2022 – The Turks & Caicos Real Estate Association (TCREA) has announced a pioneering initiative to shape the next generation of real estate gurus for the country.

In a forum with local media, a dynamic group of industry stalwarts and trendsetters shared that local high school students aged 14-17 will now get a first-hand look at the burgeoning real estate domain here in Turks & Caicos through the TCREA Real Estate Mentorship Program.

Led by TCREA Ambassador, Mr. Trevor Musgrove, the initiative seeks to educate school-leavers on the advantages of becoming a part of one of the country’s foremost industries which has seen remarkable growth throughout the years and has recently enjoyed record-breaking numbers even amidst a global pandemic.

The Committee is an impressive one and boasts a group of the most accomplished, internationally celebrated, and experienced brokers and realtors in the game: Blair MacPherson of REMAX; Nina Siegenthaler, Manfred Smith, and Richard Sankar of Sotheby’s; Vernica Delancy and Dedra Gray of Keller Williams; and Sean O’neill, Musgrove’s partner in Turks and Caicos’ newest real estate firm, The Agency.

Sharing more about his decision to launch the initiative, Musgrove stated, “Mentorship is something I truly care about. As a young boy growing up in North Caicos, I could never have predicted that this is where I would be. But I can tell you with certainty that I am where and who I am because of people who took the time to steer me in the right direction when I shared my dreams and goals with them.

“It is said that to whom much is given, much is required. I am a firm believer that one of the most important things you can do is to provide an open door to those who wish to see their own dreams realized and are willing to work hard to do so.”

He continued, “Each of the real estate professionals that have graciously volunteered their time to this initiative encompass what the spirit of this program is all about. Some of these individuals were the ones I looked up to and have emulated, and we will continue to do the same for more young men and women here in Turks and Caicos.”

Musgrove says that the program is much more than an introduction to an expanding and lucrative industry. It will allow youngsters to see the side of Turks and Caicos that appeals to the ‘movers and shakers’ of the world. It is his hope that after going through the program the teens will have a better appreciation of their country and will understand why it is a captivating and award-winning destination, and why so many seek to make it a second home.

The Minister of Education, Honourable Rachel Taylor, was also present for the grand announcement proudly declaring the Ministry’s endorsement of the program.

“I was delighted to receive Mr. Musgrove’s communication that this mentorship program was being developed, as it aligns perfectly with one of the key pillars set out in our National Youth Policy.

“I understood that the group’s initial plans were to share this opportunity with students on Providenciales only, for logistical reasons. I believe that this is an experience that should be extended to all high school students in the Turks & Caicos Islands, and I promptly requested that Mr. Musgrove disseminate this information to Grand Turk, North Caicos, and South Caicos with a commitment that my Ministry will provide the necessary transportation for successful Sister Island applicants to travel to Providenciales for their in-person mentorship sessions.

“It is my hope that all eligible students will take advantage of this outstanding opportunity which I and my Ministry are proud to endorse and support.”

“I must point out that our National Skills Audit of 2017 speaks to the soft skills gaps in the areas of Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Analytical Skills, Communication, Team Building and Customer Services. I am elated that this TCREA Mentorship Program seeks to develop and harness these areas as we prepare our youths to become productive citizens of this country.

“This program is indeed in line with our Youth Policy which incorporates 7 pillars. Pillar 1 speaks to Enhancing Youth Economic Participation and Economic Empowerment. This youth led initiative will aid in promoting the concept of workplace learning as they use the workplace as a learning space through this Mentorship opportunity. This program will bridge the gap in supporting school-to-work transition initiatives for the cohorts of students who may have an eye for Real Estate,” said the Minister.

The TCREA Mentorship Program will run from May to December of this year, culminating in a special retreat. Mentees will receive educational modules at the start of each month and will come together with Mentors at the end of the month to engage in interactive sessions putting their education to practice. These in-person sessions will take shape in office meetups, open house visits, and other exciting activities.

Applications for enrollment into the program were sent to high schools just before the Easter break, with the final day for submissions slated as Friday, April 29th 2022. Musgrove says this first group will be capped at 10 students, as they wish to ensure a personal experience for all involved. He is confident the program will be continued by future TCREA Ambassadors and will grow in size from year to year.

 

Release: SOS Media

Caribbean News

CANARI outlines climate priorities ahead of Cop28

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

 

The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) informed that the Caribbean Climate Justice Alliance, in preparation for the upcoming annual COP28 in 2023, launched its “Caribbean Climate Justice and Resilience Agenda,” outlining the priorities for climate justice and resilience in vulnerable Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS).

 

In a press release, CANARI highlighted that the agenda recognizes the major threat of climate change to the region as well as aims to louden the voices of the at-risk groups “on the frontlines of the climate crisis and catalyze actions for climate justice and local resilience in the Caribbean SIDS.”

 

The priorities stated under the agenda are:

 

  1. Curbing emissions to limit global temperature

increase to 1.5 ̊C

 

  1. Scaling up locally-led solutions for adaptation and

loss and damage

 

  1. Improving access to and delivery of climate finance

for frontline communities, small and micro enterprises, and civil society organizations as part of a ‘whole of society’ approach

 

  1. Scaling up just, nature-based solutions for resilience

 

  1. Supporting a just transition for pro-poor, inclusive,

sustainable and resilient development

 

  1. Promoting gender equity and social inclusion

approaches to climate action

 

  1. Promoting youth and intergenerational equity as

core to the climate response

 

  1. Integrating a rights-based and earth-centered

approach in addressing all these priorities and ensuring climate justice

 

The at-risk groups referred to in the release include small-scale farmers and fisherfolk, rural women producers, income-poor people, elderly and disabled people, Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, migrants, and LGBTQIA+ people.

 

Being cognizant of the severity of the effects of climate change on the Caribbean, CANARI referred to the fact that the very existence of the region is on the line.

 

“If greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated and global temperature exceeds 1.5 ̊C, the impacts of rising sea levels, more intense hurricanes, rainfall variability, ocean acidification, and other changes threaten the very existence of our way of life in the Caribbean and other SIDS that have contributed the least to global emissions.”

 

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Bahamas News

CARICOM Sec Gen speaks on Gender Based Violence

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Rashaed Esson

 

Staff Writer 

 

“Everyone must continue to invest in preventing violence against our women and girls (VAWG). It is an investment in our shared future,” were the words of Dr. Carla N. Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General, as she reiterated the need for solutions against VAWG.

 

She called attention to VAWG as she gave a speech surrounding the annual campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” which runs from November 25 to December 10, 2023.

 

Barnett expresses the well-known fact that VAWG is one of the most prevalent issues affecting all corners of society.

 

“VAWG remains one of the most pervasive forms of human rights violations in the world and cuts across all races, cultures, genders, and educational backgrounds,” she maintained, as she continued to point out the sad reality that this is still a major issue despite regional and global policies.

 

“Despite the existence of regional and global policies and legislation to combat VAWG, weak enforcement and discriminatory practices remain significant barriers to ending VAWG.”

 

The Secretary-General highlighted statistics for VAWG, bringing attention to how serious and embedded this issue is in society.

 

She said that globally, 736 million women—nearly one in three—have experienced violence—physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or even both.

 

For the Caribbean region, she said surveys conducted between 2016 and 2019 inform us that one in two women experience intimate partner violence, which is higher than the global average. 

 

In continuation, Barnett expressed that the campaign calls everyone to action against VAWG, including “development partners, civil society organizations, women’s organizations, youth, the private sector, and the media.”  Also, world governments are being asked to share how they are investing in gender-based violence prevention.

 

Ending her address, the Secretary-General urged everyone to wear the color orange for the duration of the campaign, as well as on the 25th of each month, “as a symbol of hope for a brighter future where women and girls live free from violence.”

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News

Sea Patrol Vessels Approved by Cabinet, October 11 Meeting

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#TurksandCaicos, November 25, 2023 – Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, chaired the 26th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday, 11 October 2023 at the Governor’s Office, Providenciales.

All Members were present except the Hon. Josephine Connolly.

At this meeting Cabinet:

  • Approved the Consultation Report on the Proposed Amendments to the Turks and Caicos Islands Immigration Ordinance with amendments and agreed for the amended document to be brought back to Cabinet for final approval for onward submission to the House of Assembly.
  • Approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) and Geta Crew Holding Ltd. for a mixed use development project on the island of Grand Turk, with the view of entering into a Development Agreement as per the Encouragement of Development Ordinance and the National Investment Policy.
  • Approved the renewal of rental lease agreement, for various Government offices, between TCIG and Waterloo Property Management, Grand Turk.
  • Approved the awarding of the following contracts:
  • PN 005694, TR 23/13, Furniture and Equipment for NJS Francis Building; and
  • PN 005696, TR 22/10, Purchase of Patrol Vessels.
  • It noted the update from Her Excellency the Governor regarding the upcoming visit of UK Ministers to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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