Bahamas News
New Director of PAHO Sworn In
#Kingston, Jamaica, February 6, 2023 – Director-designate of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr., was sworn into office on Tuesday (January 31), during a ceremony in the United States (US) capital, Washington DC.
He succeeds Dr. Carissa Etienne, under whose tenure he served as Assistant Director, and will commence his five-year term on Wednesday (February 1).
Dr. Etienne, a native of Dominica, demitted office after serving two five-year terms at the helm of PAHO, beginning 2012.
Dr. Barbosa, a Brazilian, was elected by delegates of PAHO Member States that participated in the 30th Pan
American Sanitary Conference in Washington, last September.
He topped the field of five candidates, who included nominees from Haiti, Mexico, Panama, and Uruguay.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment, and Conference Vice President, Hon. Molwyn Joseph, presided over the ceremony, which was held at the Organization of American States (OAS) headquarters.
PAHO serves as the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Americas. Consequently, Dr. Barbosa has been appointed WHO Regional Director.
In his inaugural speech, Dr. Barbosa outlined five strategic pillars that he will be focusing on during his tenure.
These, he informed, were a commitment to help PAHO Member States end the COVID-19 pandemic in the Americas with the best tools available, particularly surveillance and vaccines; spearheading the application of lessons learnt from the pandemic to address the region’s vulnerabilities and better prepare countries to face new threats as they emerge; ensure timely and equitable access to health innovations for all countries; build resilient national health systems based on renewed and strengthened primary healthcare, and strengthening PAHO’s capacity to support Member States.
Dr. Barbosa expressed gratitude to Dr. Etienne, describing her as “my friend and mentor”, for allowing him to serve as her Assistant Director. He noted that despite their coming from “countries that seem so different”, he was “always amazed at how similar our perspectives and approaches are”, adding that “I believe this is because, at heart, we are both guided by our commitment”.
Dr. Barbosa said he was “proud and excited” to be leading PAHO, pointing out that he was grateful to the Member States reposing confidence in him.
“I commit to serving PAHO to the best of my ability, guided by the knowledge and experience I have accumulated during my years working in public health,” he said.
Dr. Etienne, in her remarks, described Dr. Barbosa as an exceptional technical and scientific leader, with strong competencies in epidemiology, medicine, and public health.
She noted that these attributes were “substantially and solidly” displayed in his contributions to his country, PAHO, WHO and the global health community.
The outgoing Director said her successor has “excellent listening skills, a characteristic that is so critical for effective leadership”.
“As I demit this office and hand the steering wheel over to my esteemed friend and colleague [Dr. Barbosa], I am confident that the future of the organisation will be in good hands,” she stated.
This, Dr. Etienne added, “as you will bring to your new role, exceptional expertise [and] astute policymaking skills, together with pragmatism and wisdom drawn from your many years of experience gained in your home country, Brazil, as well as internationally”.
She also expressed gratitude to the Member States for affording her the “honour and privilege” to serve as PAHO Director and for their active support throughout the past 10 years of her tenure.
“I must [also] convey my sincerest thanks and appreciation to all PAHO personnel, past and present, for their unstinting dedication and persistent commitment to the mission of this organisation. Thanks also to the many donors and collaborators who believed in our mission – the Mission of PAHO – and stood by us,” Dr. Etienne said.
Several prominent local, regional, and global figures delivered congratulatory messages to Dr. Barbosa on his appointment.
Among them were Brazil’s newly elected President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Minister of Health, Hon. Nísia Trinidade Lima; United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra; WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; OAS Secretary General, Luia Almargo and PAHO Directors Emeritus – Carlyle de Macedo, Sir George Alleyene, and Mirta Roses.
Contact: Douglas McIntosh
Release: JIS
Bahamas News
EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center Officially Opens to Help Students Wishing to Study in the US
By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas — The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country have personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions.
Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin thanked the US government for opening
up the Center to help residents achieve the goal of going to a tertiary institution in the US.
The Education Minister said during a recent trip to Cuba, she learned that high school is called “pre-university”.
She noted that many students in The Bahamas believe that after high school, they should go out and work.
She said, “While there is nothing wrong with that, the secondary school experience should be seen as a launching pad for something more, further and greater. We want our young people to see themselves in that way.
“We want to encourage our young people, all of them going through high school, that they are in pre-university. It is just the launching pad for more that is out there for them.”
The Minister added that students should not only see their individual potential, but also come back home after going to a tertiary
institution abroad to help build national capacity.
President, BTVI, Dr. Linda Davis; US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish; EducationUSA Regional Manager for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, Giselle Dubinsky; Public Affairs Officer/US Embassy, Suemayah Abu-Douleh also attended the opening.
Dr. Davis said the use of the Center is not limited to BTVI students. “Bahamians and residents throughout The Bahamas wishing to study in the US should consider EducationUSA at BTVI as their official source of information.”
She explained that in 2019, BTVI and the US Embassy signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to establish the Center on BTVI’s main campus.
“The Center was operationalized in 2023 and today we celebrate its inauguration. BTVI is pleased to finally reach this milestone and join the global network of over 400 EducationUSA Advising Centers, tasked with facilitating much needed guidance and support for students wishing to matriculate to a US institution.”
The US Chargé d’Affaires said EducationUSA aims to make opportunities to study at US tertiary institutions more accessible to students by providing them with the guidance and resources they need to pursue their academic dreams in the US.
She also explained that part of the mission of the Center is to ensure that students choose tertiary institutions that are accredited.
“The Center will serve as a hub for students, parents and educators seeking information about US higher education. Our advisor Breann Marshall is here to assist every step of the way from selecting the right institution to understanding the VISA requirements.”
PHOTO CAPTION
BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna
Header : Ribbon Cutting
The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country obtain personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions. US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish and Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.
Showcase
Advisor, The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center, Breann Marshall (centre) shows Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin and US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish around the Center.
Jael Joseph’s Digital Platform Embarks on a New Chapter of Empowerment and Creativity
Jael Joseph has officially relaunched BlackIslandGirl.com, transforming her passion project into a dynamic multimedia platform that caters to a wide array of interests and communities. Originally created in 2021 as Joseph’s capstone project at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Black Island Girl has now evolved into a comprehensive digital space that reflects her creative vision and commitment to representation, storytelling, and empowerment.
The newly revamped site features a broad range of content sections, including Beauty, Business, Culture, Entertainment, Health and Wellness, Politics, and “The BIG Feature,” a spotlight segment focusing on in-depth stories and profiles. In addition to articles and features, the site’s new “What’s New” section provides event promoters with the opportunity to list their events, making Black Island Girl a go-to source for cultural and community engagement.
One of the most significant changes in this relaunch is the platform’s shift towards multimedia offerings. Businesses can now request
custom commercials and podcasts, giving them new avenues to promote their products and services. This expanded functionality opens the door for Black Island Girl to tap into every corner of modern media, creating a space that engages audiences through multiple forms of content.
Advertisers can now leverage the platform’s growing reach, promoting their brands and services within a diverse and inclusive community. Jael Joseph’s vision for the site goes beyond traditional media, offering opportunities for men and women alike to find inspiration, learn, and connect.
The relaunch of Black Island Girl comes at a time when Joseph is dedicating more time and energy to the project, following the registration of Black Island Girl Multimedia. This business venture further underscores her intent to build a creative and empowering space. Under the same multimedia banner, she also released her debut film Territory, a powerful short documentary that has been recognized internationally. Territory was nominated at several film festivals and took home the award for Best Short Documentary at the 2023 Caribbean Tales International Film Festival, marking another major achievement in Joseph’s creative career.
This relaunch highlights the multifaceted talent of Jael Joseph and her dedication to creating a platform that not only showcases her work but also serves as a source of inspiration for others. With its enhanced offerings, Black Island Girl is now positioned as a go-to multimedia hub for those interested in culture, wellness, business, and more.
As Joseph continues to focus her energy on Black Island Girl, the platform is poised to become an essential digital space that empowers and uplifts. Whether through its rich content, multimedia offerings, or community-focused event listings, Black Island Girl is set to carve out a unique niche in the media landscape, fueled by Jael Joseph’s passion and creativity.
Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said, on September 10, 2024, that it marked the start of an “extraordinary” new chapter for Cat Island.
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