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CARPHA Conference Tackles Violence Through Research and Evidence

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Castries, Saint Lucia.  9 May 2024.   Violence plagues the Region and represents a huge burden on health systems and major economic costs to society.  Violence as a public health issue affects physical, mental, sexual and even reproductive health.

For this reason, “Violence in the Caribbean: A Public Health Crisis” was chosen as the theme for Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Annual Health Research Conference this year.  The Conference presented an opportunity to address this public health concern and provide scientific evidence and epidemiological data that will demonstrate the nature of the violence; and how health systems can help to prevent and respond to violence as part of a multisectoral response.

The Conference, now in its 68th year was hosted in collaboration with the Government of Saint Lucia, through the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs.

Honourable Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia in his feature address at the Opening of the Conference “welcomed the research focus of this conference because it will help to fill some of the gaps in our understanding of both the drivers of crime and violence, as well as their public health impacts, at an individual and community level.”

Speaking to over 300 attendees, he added “This scourge has all the characteristics of an epidemic. Based on the statistics from across our region, it could rightly be described as a public health crisis. Many factors are contributing to its spread. Poverty, lack of access to resources, inequitable distribution of the benefits of development, declining family values, and youth unemployment are among the causes that are frequently cited. Enabling the spread of this virus is the rapid emergence of a gang culture, that seems to have no age limit.

The Prime Minister further stated “Adopting a public health approach to public security will require huge investments in capacity building, both in terms of equipment and training of frontline personnel. Ideally, we will need a comprehensive assessment of the training needs for the adoption of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to crime prevention and control. I believe all Caribbean Governments would benefit from a targeted and sustained action research agenda, that provides real-time data on trends and dynamics of violent crime in various hot spots.”

In her opening remarks Executive Director of CARPHA Dr. Joy St. John said, “This year’s theme sends a powerful message. We acknowledge that despite the idyllic image of the Caribbean as a place of peace and relaxation, there is a harsh reality of violence that affects our region.”

She added “The fact that CARPHA chose this theme is a signal of our commitment to tackling this issue in a systematic fashion through highlighting the facts found through research and evidence. CARPHA is not afraid to tackle this head-on. We walked the talk of public health and are viewing this issue through multi sectoral lenses, the security challenge, the law enforcement realities, the undermining of socioeconomic status as well as the harm to human health causing a public health crisis demanding priority and intervention.”

The opening of the conference was followed by a Panel Discussion: Aiming for Change: Firearms and Public Health Intersections, which commenced with a keynote address by Dr. The Honourable Terrence Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.

The Annual Health Research Conference took place from 25 to 27 April 2024 at the Royalton Saint Lucia Conference Centre. The Conference afforded delegates to attend over 45 oral presentations, view more than 55 poster presentations, and network with exhibitors from Saint Lucia and the Region.

Over the 2 and a half days the conference delivered feature lectures:

  • The Health Services contribution to a 50% reduction in homicides in the Caribbean by 2030 by Dr. Elizabeth Ward;
  • Gun Violence in the Caribbean: A focus on guns and bullets by Professor Stephen Hargarten (virtual presentation); and
  • Reflecting on Criminal Gang Findings and the Prospect for Change by Mr. Tarik Weekes

The Conference was attended by Chief Medical Officers, researchers, physicians, nurses, law enforcement officials, and academia from across the Caribbean Region, Latin America, North America and Europe.

A series of events, including Town Hall Meeting on Youth and Violence; Training in Monitoring and Evaluation and Data Appreciation; and meetings and training on vector-borne diseases took place leading up to the conference. A meeting of the CARICOM Chief Medical Officers was hosted ahead of the conference.

A highpoint of the Conference is the Awards Banquet at which accomplished researchers are presented with a prestigious award honouring their contributions to science.

This year awards were presented to

  • Elizabeth Ward – recognised for her renowned work in the field of Violence and Mitigation “Distinguished Service for Public Health Approach to Violence and Mitigation”
  • Elizabeth Mandeville received the Donald Simeon Award for the Best Student Paper
  • Jihana Mottley received the David Picou Young Researcher Award
  • 1stPlace Poster Winner Ms. Bibi Ally-Charles
  • 2ndPlace Poster Winner Ms. Angelique Wilson-Parkinson

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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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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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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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