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Minister Saunders Calls for Bold, Inclusive Future in Tech at Girls in ICT Day

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Deandrea Hamilton

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Turks and Caicos, May 2, 2025 – In celebration of the inaugural Girls in ICT Day Speech Competition, Hon. E. Jay Saunders, Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy for the Turks and Caicos Islands, delivered a stirring address that underscored the importance of inclusion, innovation, and female leadership in the digital age. Held on May 1, 2025, the event embraced the theme “Girls in ICT – Inclusive Digital Transformation,” and brought together students, educators, and community leaders in support of advancing girls in the field of information and communication technology.

“It is a true honour to join you today,” Saunders began, commending the organisers, teachers, parents, and especially the young participants for being part of a movement that he said was not only essential but urgent. “The future of technology must be inclusive,” he declared. “And that future will be brighter, smarter, and more equitable when girls and young women are empowered to lead in ICT.”

Saunders spoke passionately about the need to break down barriers that have historically excluded women from science and technology, highlighting the contributions of several trailblazing women who have shaped modern digital society. Among them were Dr. Gladys West, whose mathematical work made GPS possible; Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code; Jamaican tech entrepreneur Ingrid Riley; environmental engineer Dr. Maya Trotz; and Dr. Marian Croak, a Jamaican-American whose work in VoIP technology powers modern communication platforms.

“These women prove that from academia to entrepreneurship, from the Caribbean to Silicon Valley, when women are included in tech, we all benefit,” he said.

He encouraged the girls in attendance to view themselves not as future participants in the tech world, but as current and future leaders of it. “You are not just the users of technology,” he emphasized. “You are the future creators of it.” Saunders urged them to envision how they could build apps for mental health support in schools, design platforms that connect Caribbean entrepreneurs to global markets, develop smarter AI for public services, and lead innovations in renewable energy.

With references to tech icons like Apple’s “Think Different” campaign and MIT Media Lab founder Nicholas Negroponte’s quote “The best way to predict the future is to invent it,” Saunders delivered a clear call to action: create fearlessly, build boldly, and innovate inclusively.

“Think beyond what’s already been done,” he advised. “Innovation happens when you bring your full self to the table—your culture, your identity, your experiences as young women in the Caribbean.”

His remarks concluded with a powerful message of support and encouragement: “I support you, and I celebrate you. You belong in ICT. The future needs your voice, your vision, and your genius. When girls rise in tech, everyone rises.”

Girls in ICT Day in the Turks and Caicos Islands was not just a celebration—it was a declaration of intent. With leaders like Minister Saunders championing inclusive innovation, the path is being paved for a more diverse and dynamic future in technology, led by the bright minds of young women across the Caribbean.

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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Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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