TCI News
TCI represented at the First Regional Dialogue in Latin America and the Caribbean
#Providenciales, December 5, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – A team from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication led by the Honourable Minister, Vaden Delroy Williams and accompanied by Deputy Secretary, Mrs. Bridgette Newman and the Director of Social Development, Mrs. Tiffany Thomas Browne recently returned from their attendance at and participation in the First Regional Dialogue in Latin America and 
the Caribbean, “ON THE ROAD TO EQUALITY”: 30 Years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, held in Santiago, Chile November 27-29, 2018 in the Raul Prebisch Conference Room, at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Building.
The sessions began on Tuesday November 27, 2018 with an Adolescent Round Table Meeting where young people from countries around the two regions met to discuss their role in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, implementation challenges and promotion of participation by children and adolescents. The young people also made presentations on a number of community projects undertaken by them which emanated from their need to participate.
On Wednesday, the Opening Ceremony saw the attendance of a number of high level dignitaries, government officials, civil society representatives as well as NGOs from countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
A number of stakeholders and practitioners in the areas of Child Protection and Social Services as well as Gender and Violence against Women and Girls Organizations were also in attendance. A contingent of more than forty bright sparks (young people) from both regions also attended the ceremony; which began with a commemorative video of the 30 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: this was closely followed by statements from a number of key representatives of stakeholder agencies.
Each speaker reminded the gathering of various aspects of the road travelled towards the 30 year milestone and the importance of continuing to ensure that all boys, girls and adolescents benefit from a better world.
The need to ensure countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean continue to find innovative and strategic ways to make the plight of so many boys, girls and adolescents more visible was also stressed. It was noted that inequalities, abuse and violence continue to impact the lives of boys, girls and adolescents in these regions and a plea was made to governments, NGOs, Private Sector individuals as well as Civil Society to work more closely with our young people to give them a voice and take account of the fact that young people are not just the future of Latin American and Caribbean Countries but they are the Now generation.
The remainder of the Conference was punctuated by a number of presentations and interventions by country representatives which at times left persons moved to tears, to hear the plight faced by boys, girls and adolescents in a number of these countries.
Presentations and round table discussions included topics such as:
- Dialogue Equality and Children I and II – the situation of children and adolescents in the region
- Social Protection Systems for children and Adolescents – to analyze the overall situation in the region in
terms of social protection policies, legislation and strategies and to discuss how the construction and strengthening of social protection systems contribute to the fulfilment of the rights of children and adolescents, as provided for in the Convention on the Rights of the Child/ determine how social protection policies in the region have incorporated the life cycle perspective as part of a systemic and comprehensive approach to social protection as a central pillar of social society, focusing on institutional, financial and technical challenges associated with the construction of social protection systems which are sensitive and relevant to children and adolescents in the region.
- Early Childhood Development – to analyze the overall situation in the region in terms of policies, legislation, programmes, strategies and efforts made by the Latin American and Caribbean States to guarantee the rights of boys, girls in early childhood as provided for in the Convention on the rights of the Child/ reflect on the importance of strengthening coordination between different sectors and stakeholders and of public and private investment, in order to scale up comprehensive programmes for early childhood.
- Prevention and response to violence of all kinds – to analyze the regional situation with regard to policies, legislation, programmes, strategies and efforts made by the Latin and Caribbean States to reduce the high levels of violence against children and adolescents and to ensure fulfilment of their rights, as provided for in the Convention of the Rights of the Child/address two issues related to the expressions and consequences of violence in the region: the migration of children and adolescents and the challenges facing systems of adolescent criminal responsibility.
- Development and participation of adolescents – to analyze the regional picture in relation to policies, legislation, programmes, strategies and efforts made by Latin American and Caribbean States to guarantee the rights of girls and boys in adolescence, as provided for in the Convention
In what could only be described as a most inspiring and touching closing, the young people brought forward a Declaration prepared by them and ratified by ECLAC that sought to make their feelings known about the current situation, noting that it was their belief that it was very important to ensure good development of each country, since they are the persons changing the future. That laws were necessary to protect their rights, allow them to enjoy a dignified life, good health and full childhood in addition to receiving a quality education without exclusion.
The Declaration of the young people covered proposals for change and commitments assumed by them for the full exercise of their rights in the areas of:
- Violence
- Education
- Participation
- Gender and Identity
Commenting on the four day experience, Minister of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication, Honourable Vaden Delroy Williams stated, “My team and I were pleased to be a part of the First Regional Dialogue in Latin America and the Caribbean, “ On the Road to Equality”: 30 years of the Convention on the rights of the child. As I sat and listened to a number of the presentations and interventions by various countries and heard firsthand of the struggles that so many boys, girls and adolescents continue to face; the violence, inequality, limited access to educational opportunities and the like, I had to say that we in the Turks and Caicos Islands are truly blessed.
Yes, there is still lots of work to be done to ensure that we give our boys, girls and adolescents a country that they can be proud of but I am happy with strides that the Department of Social Development continue to make in the area of Child safeguarding and protection.”
Press Release: Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation & Communication
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
