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Barbados Youth exposed to lesser known advantages of Ai at UN Data Literacy Workshop

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Danae Dennie

Staff Writer

 

Barbados, March 25, 2025 – “We cannot make good policy without the input of young people, period.” said Kirk Humphrey Barbados’ Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs at the 2025 Data in Action: Youth Data Literacy as a Tool for Change workshop.  The event was hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO), Barbados and Eastern Caribbean.

On March 25, 2025, at the UN House, Marine Gardens Christ Church in Barbados students and professionals from all over the island gathered to learn and share about the importance of data literacy among young people and to equip young advocates with the skills to manage and analyze population data to drive meaningful social change.

In her opening remarks De-Jane Gibbons, UNFPA liaison officer for Barbados and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), spoke on the power of data  to transform communities and be used for  advocacy efforts. She highlighted how data can open doors to new career paths.

Minister Humphrey, in his feature address, emphasized the transformative power of data in shaping businesses and driving global change. Drawing from his experience teaching social policy and research methods, he highlighted the importance of validity and reliability in data collection, explaining that accurate data helps in  decision-making.

Using their disabilities initiative, he highlighted how initial efforts were focused on individuals who were deaf, mute, or blind. However, with improved data collection, the program expanded its scope to include individuals with Down syndrome and other non-functional illnesses, ensuring broader inclusivity and support.                                                                                                                                                                          “We had to get data to get an understanding of how much people needed the assistance.”                                                                                                                                                                                                             Minister Humphrey also stressed the need for relevant and up-to-date data, highlighting its role in effective policy making. He mentioned that the last poverty study was conducted in 2016, making it outdated and insufficient for addressing current socio-economic challenges in 2025.

The event also hosted a panel discussion with Tamaisha Eytle-Harvey from Future Barbados and Dr. David Johnson founder of Let’s Unpack It, and was moderated by UNICEF youth advocate Ashley Lashley. The discussion tackled data collection and presentation, data in storytelling and AI. They also spoke on the need to engage young people in surveys and creating hubs for digital change makers.

“In the world of Chat GPT, practice your prompts, answers are only as good as your prompts and key questions,” said Eytle-Harvey, when asked to give advice to the young advocates.

When asked about good examples of organizations using data sets, Dr. Johnson praised U-report Barbados for their work with data management and analysis.

In regards to data accessibility Mrs. Eytle-Harvey spoke on having to beg and plead to get data and highlighted that it is only available to exclusive groups.

“It shouldn’t be that you can only get data because of academic and governmental pursuits.”

Dr. Johnson spoke on the ways to use data.

“You have to know your audience and when to change the strategy and know when to use qualitative and quantitative.”

“Data isn’t just for research” said Ebenezer Fiifi Abassah-Konadu, Data Management Officer at the Resident Coordinators Office in Barbados, in his speech on population data repositories and their opportunities.

He also spoke about how data can be used in advocacy with spotting inequalities, supporting evidence-based campaigns and identifying communities in need.

This workshop also included  interactive sessions with experts from UNFPA, UNESCO, and IOM, with the overall aim to equip young advocates with data literacy skills to enhance decision-making and advocacy efforts.

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Caribbean News

Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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