Volume 6 - Issue 12 December 2019 The Hummingbird

16 Days Of ACTIVISM ECLAC’S CAMPAIGN AGAINST STREET HARASSMENT PREliminary OVERVIEW ECLAC LAUNCHES THE PRELIMINARY OVERVIEW OF THE CARIBBEAN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CARIBBEAN EXPERTS ADVANCE KNOWLEDGE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICIES ´

Contents

4 Article Caribbean countries reaffirm commitment to statistical development 8 Feature Article ECLAC launches the Preliminary Overview of the Caribbean

12 Article Stop Street Harassment Campaign

16 Article ECLAC hosts training workshop for Trinidad and Tobago government analysts 18 Article Equality at the heart of sustainable territorial development

20 ECLAC Caribbean Family UN4U visit to St Ursula’s primary

Cover Image by Blaine Marcano of ECLAC Caribbean

Issued on a monthly basis, The Hummingbird offers strategic insights into the latest projects, publications, technical assistance missions and research carried out by ECLAC Caribbean. In addition to these, sneak previews are provided of the most salient upcoming events, alongside enriching follow- ups to previously covered issues. With a view to featuring a variety of facets of Caribbean life and lifestyle, The Hummingbird also zooms in on cultural activities and landmark occurrences through an eye-opening regional round-up.

EDITORIAL TEAM

Editor: Alexander Voccia Copy Editor: Denise Balgobin Publication Design: Blaine Marcano

Please see our contact details on the back cover of this magazine Posted Dec 17

Learn more about the first environmental treaty of #LatinAmerica and the #Caribbean in this 30-minute Introductory course: http://bit.ly/2YVEjVU

December Events

World AIDS Day 1 1 December 2019 Posted Nov 26 Gender-Based Violence, including street harassment, is a pervasive problem in Trinidad and Tobago. It’s all about International Day for the Abolition of Slavery respect! #StopStreetHarassment 2 2 December 2019

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 3 3 December 2019

Human Rights Day 10 10 December 2019 Posted Nov 23 The regional portal on the development of the #SDGs is of great importance to us and it will provide a platform to develop our own systems. - Keith Francis, SVG International Migrants Day 18 18 December 2019 Caribbean countries reaffirm commitment to statistical development

t least 21 member states and three associate members of AECLAC Caribbean recently agreed on the need to seek a collaborative regional response to the demand for official statistics. This agreement was reached during the tenth meeting of the ECLAC Statistical Conference of the Americas, which was held from 19 to 21 November 2019 in Santiago, Chile.

The countries, which included Antigua and Barbuda, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, also their international comparability, as well the implementation and follow-up approved a generic legislative as international, regional and bilateral of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable proposal on official statistics. This in cooperation among national offices and Development. This tool will be the form of a regional model for those international and regional agencies. presented during the Fourth Meeting countries interested in developing or of the Forum of the Countries of reformulating the legal foundation Meeting highlights included a Latin America and the Caribbean on for the functioning of their respective presentation by the Coordinator Sustainable Development, which will national statistical systems and the of ECLAC Caribbean’s Social be held in 2020 in Havana, Cuba, as production of official statistics. In Development and Statistics Unit, Dr. a regional contribution to the 2030 addition, the countries also reaffirmed Abdullahi Abdulkadri, who discussed Agenda’s implementation. their commitment to statistical a comparative study on statistical development through cooperation with legislation in the Caribbean, and a In their final resolution, the participating the regional and international statistics presentation by the statistics authorities countries supported the creation of 11 community, and explored forms of on a proposal for a regional website working groups, which will address the strengthening the participation of on the Sustainable Development issues on statistical development that Caribbean countries in the Conference. Goals – the SDG Gateway. Developed have the highest priority for the region. under ECLAC’s leadership in an They also approved a joint statement The main mandates of the Statistical interinstitutional fashion, in conjunction about the integration of statistical and Conference of the Americas, a with the United Nations system’s geospatial information presented at the subsidiary body of ECLAC, are to agencies, funds and programs in the tenth meeting. promote the development and region, the website will serve as a improvement of national statistics and key tool for supporting countries in

4 | The Hummingbird Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Jamaica Wins Miss World

oni-Ann Singh claimed the Miss World 2019 crown to become the fourth Jamaican winner of the title. “To…all the girls around the world – please believe in yourself. Please know that you Tare worthy and capable of achieving your dreams,” the 23-year-old student tweeted after being crowned at the 69th edition of the pageant in London.

She beat 111 other contestants after impressing the judges with her answers to a variety of questions and singing Whitney Houston’s ‘I Have Nothing’.

Singh, a women’s studies and psychology student at Florida State University, aspires to be a medical doctor. Among her accomplishments, she served as president of the Caribbean students’ association on campus.

Jamaica’s Culture Minister Olivia Grange, reacting to Singh’s victory, said the beauty queen was “a most deserving winner” and she had made the entire country proud.

“She is an outstanding young woman with a wonderful personality, a beautiful soul, and extraordinary talent. She represented Jamaica so well during this competition and now we all have an amazing new Miss World. Toni-Ann is clearly the best choice,” Grange said.

“We are all walking on air, especially the girls at the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation location in St Thomas — Toni-Ann is so passionate about her parish and women’s issues — and she has been working with us at the Ministry to make a difference in the lives of the young girls who attend the Centre.”

The other Jamaicans who won the title before Singh were Carole Joan Crawford in 1963, Cindy Breakspeare in 1976 and Lisa Hanna in 1993.

The Hummingbird | 5 The Hummingbird

6 | The Hummingbird ECLAC Launches the Preliminary Overview of the Caribbean

ne of ECLAC’s main annual flagship reports, the `Preliminary Overview of Latin America and the Caribbean’, was launched on 12 December 2019 in Santiago, Chile, by Executive Secretary, Alicia OBárcena.

Read More

The Hummingbird | 7 ECLAC launches the Preliminary Overview of the Caribbean

In her presentation, Bárcena stated centered on the reactivation of ECLAC Caribbean, reviewed the that the economic overview for growth and on responding to macroeconomic performance of Latin America and the Caribbean growing social demands,” stated the economies in 2019 and outlined in 2019 is occurring in a particularly Bárcena. projections for 2020. complex context. She said that the region is exhibiting an economic In terms of growth projections, Overall, McLean highlighted that deceleration that is widespread and according to the report, 23 of 33 economic growth was subdued synchronized among countries and Latin American and Caribbean in 2019 across most Caribbean sectors, topping off six consecutive countries (and 18 out of 20 in Latin economies due to the impact of years of low growth. America) will see their growth fiscal austerity measures in some decelerate during 2019, while 14 countries and lack of investor “Given this scenario, the region nations will record an expansion of confidence. In this regard, he cannot withstand adjustment 1% or less by year’s end. noted that the weighted average policies and needs policies to real growth in the region remained stimulate growth and reduce For the Caribbean, Sheldon unchanged at 1.4% in 2019 relative inequality. The current conditions McLean, Coordinator of the to 2018. “Among the goods- require that fiscal policy be Economic Development Unit of producing economies, GDP growth

Dr. Erica Wheeler, an attendee of the launch of the Preliminary Overview of Latin America and the Caribbean asks about ECLAC's findings.

8 | The Hummingbird Given this scenario, the region cannot withstand adjustment policies and needs policies to stimulate growth and reduce inequality. The current conditions require that fiscal policy be centered on the reactivation of growth and on responding to growing social demands.

Alicia Bárcena - Executive Secretary, ECLAC

is expected to be 1.2% in 2019 (up in 2019 owing to relatively large was severely impacted to the tune from 0.8% in 2018), while the service- increases in the deficit in a small of US$855 million. The Bahamas will producing economies declined number of countries that offset fiscal need to concentrate investment in risk marginally to 1.7% (down from 1.8% in consolidation. Generally, the deficit reduction and resilience to reduce the 2018)”, McLean stated. was higher in the goods-based impact of future disasters. More in detail, on the one hand economies (4.0% of GDP) than in their Growth among service-producing service-based counterparts (1.5% ECLAC continues to engage economies will decline to 1.4% in of GDP). With an average debt-to- member States that are threatened 2020 relative to 1.7% in 2019 as GDP ratio of 67.9% in 2019, at its by these environmental threats, as Bahamas bears the economic impact lowest point since 2010, Caribbean well as economic threats such as of the passage of hurricane Dorian. economies moved closer toward the unsustainable debt burdens and lack debt sustainability benchmark of of concessional finance. Technical Conversely, the economies of 60%, a 2.6 percentage points decline assistance has also been provided to the Organization of the Eastern relative to 2018. encourage economic restructuring Caribbean States (OECS) will continue and industrialization. to post strong growth of 4.1% led by As regards the impact of hurricanes Antigua and Barbuda (6.5%), Grenada on local economies, on the one hand (4.0%) and Saint Kitts and Nevis McLean signaled the existence of (3.5%), which is above the global economic growth in the hurricane growth rate of 3.4%. More specifically, ravaged economies of Antigua strong investments, especially foreign and Barbuda and Dominica as direct investment, supported by reconstruction efforts intensified, public sector investment projects, foreign direct investments are expected to continue to drive strengthened and the tourism growth, increase employment and industry recovered with public sector consumption in Antigua and Barbuda. investment support. The three fastest growing economies for 2019 were Growth in the Trinidad and Tobago Dominica (9.0%), Anguilla (6.3%) and economy is also expected to Antigua and Barbuda (6.2%). improve to 1.5% (up from 0.4% in 2019) supported by new natural On the other hand, however, in 2019 gas projects and an increased the Bahamian islands of Abaco and implementation of public sector Grand Bahama were devastated by investment programmes ahead of the the passage of hurricane Dorian with 2020 general election. an estimated total cost (damage, losses and additional costs) of US$2.5 With regard to fiscal deficit, despite billion. The social sector bore the efforts to restore healthy public brunt of the damage at an estimated finances, there was slippage in 2019 US$1.6 billion with Abaco bearing with the deficit worsening from 1.2% over 85% of the impact. The mainstay of GDP in 2018 to 2.2% of GDP tourism sector in the two islands

The Hummingbird | 9 Caribbean experts advance their knowledge on policies towards achieving sustainable development

CLAC Caribbean, together shocks, and high levels of emigration workshop for Caribbean countries, with the United Nations of skilled labour, - be integrated in with the training methodology on Institute for Training and policies and strategies for sustainable integrated decision-making for SDGs EResearch (UNITAR) and the United development, and developing tailored for the best possible delivery. Nations Department of Economic national capacities to do this is a “It is important to mention that the and Social Affairs (UNDESA) Division necessary precondition.” workshop was designed to provide for Sustainable Development Goals space not only to share knowledge (DSDG) and Division for Public Quarless also recognized that the but also to bring minds together Institutions and Digital Governance pursuit of a successful long-term around difficult topics to eventually (DPIDG), recently organized sustainable development strategy start seeing possible solutions to a workshop under the theme, requires a strong institutional some of these issues.” `Integrated Policies and Policy framework and the requisite skill Coherence for the SDGs’. sets to plan, implement, monitor and Moreover, the national development review policies and strategies in an planning landscape in Caribbean Held from 13 to 15 November 2019 integrative and cohesive manner with SIDS is eclectic, ranging from at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference a vision that transcends short-term countries that have no autonomous Centre, Port of Spain, Trinidad, the expedient objectives. planning agencies and no long-term workshop benefitted senior policy development plans, to those that makers and planning officers from With the SDGs, a new emphasis is have a long history of development various Caribbean Small Island placed on how policy coherence planning. Except for a few, a common Developing States (SIDS), who gained and better integrated planning challenge for these countries is the valuable insights into opportunities mechanisms can help countries use of evidence-based processes for integrated planning and policy strengthen their planning processes, to inform national development coherence in the context of the develop holistic development planning. Sustainable Development Goals frameworks reflecting global, regional (SDGs). and special commitments, such as Veronique Verbruggen, UNDESA the SAMOA Pathway for SIDS, and DPIDG, reflected on the importance Speaking at the opening ceremony, achieve their national development of multi-stakeholder involvement to ECLAC Caribbean Director, Diane objectives in a more effective, trigger the changes that are required Quarless, pointed to the need to efficient, equitable and sustainable to bring about transformation. In mainstream resilience in sustainable way. doing so, she referred to the work development. “Given the range of being carried out with ECLAC, aimed vulnerabilities experienced in the Also welcoming the joint initiative, at contextualizing the approach to the Caribbean, it is timely that resilience Elena Proden of UNITAR mentioned Caribbean subregion. “The workshop - be it to climate change effects, that the partnership with ECLAC has touched upon the need for extreme weather events, economic was instrumental in carrying out the incremental institutional changes to

10 | The Hummingbird Photo credit: http://english.hanban.org/ Antigua and Barbuda launches first Confucius Institute in Eastern Caribbean enhance and support policy coherence he Confucius Institute was launched recently in through a whole of government Antigua and Barbuda. It was officially the first approach and meaningful stakeholder such institution to be opened in the Eastern engagement.” TCaribbean.

In this regard, it is important to note The landmark event took place at the Antigua and that the workshop leveraged the Barbuda Institute for Continuing Education (ABICE) three organizing partners’ respective where the Confucius Institute will actively spearhead technical expertise, and included a the teaching of the Chinese language, while striving to training of trainers component which provide vocational education training for youth based on enabled participants to further transfer actual local needs. their acquired knowledge and skills. “The institute will play a positive role in expanding educational and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples,” Deputy Director of Education Lynn Weste-Payne said during the launch. During his remarks, Minister of Education Michael Browne pointed out that “it is not enough that Math and English be compulsory subjects; Math and English being compulsory subjects was 20 years ago.

“I think that in order for our students to be adequately prepared, a foreign language must be included and regarded … not only as an add-on, but as a must in order to survive in this global economy.”

The opening marked the completion of a journey, which began in October, 2018 when Minister Browne headed a delegation which visited the Confucius Institute Headquarters in China.

The Hummingbird | 11 he international or physical conduct of a sexual GBV (from 25 November to 10 community, government nature, such as comments on December) with an initiative to authorities, renowned women’s appearance. Some raise awareness of the need to Tartists and civil society have come women are more vulnerable eliminate street harassment in together to put an end to street to street harassment based on Trinidad and Tobago. harassment in Trinidad and Tobago their characteristics, such as by joining the latest campaign sexual orientation and ethnicity. The anti-street harassment launched by ECLAC Caribbean. In Trinidad and Tobago, women campaign included digital billboard migrants, asylum seekers and advertisement across the country, Street harassment is a refugees are particularly vulnerable as well as the distribution of commonplace experience for to street harassment, exploitation posters to secondary schools and women and girls in Trinidad and and other forms of gender-based police stations. The billboards Tobago, and indeed across much violence (GBV). and posters shared the common of the Caribbean. While there are message: “Let women and no statistics on its prevalence, This year, ECLAC Caribbean girls walk the streets in peace. women and girls report that it is a together with the British High Comments on their bodies can daily experience that is tolerated as Commission, High Commission make them feel unsafe. It’s all a social norm. for Canada, Spanish Embassy, the about respect!” Ministry of Education, the Trinidad Street harassment comes in many and Tobago Police Service, as well While street harassment sits on the forms, ranging from unwelcome as members of the United Nations lower end of the spectrum of GBV, sexual advances and requests Country Team, commemorated it is a “gateway offence” to more for sexual favours to other verbal the 16 Days of Activism against serious violence against women.

12 | The Hummingbird Jimmy Cliff to headline Saint Kitts music festival

ne of the Caribbean’s hottest music festivals is back again for its 24th edition next year. The Saint Kitts Music Festival will run 24 to 28 June 2020, with a slate of music stars led by Jamaican music Olegend Jimmy Cliff.

St. Kitts Music Festival has announced the first wave of artists who have signed on to perform at the 24th annual festival, which will take place June 24-28, 2020.

Cliff will be leading a slate of artists which include Koffee and Wizkid, When street harassment is tolerated, it among others. fuels harmful attitudes towards women which create a fertile environment for “In 2019, we had a record-breaking St. Kitts Music Festival and we aim other forms of GBV. to surpass expectations again in 2020,” said St Kitts Tourism Minister Lindsay Grant. “We look forward to yet another three nights of outstanding The 16 Days of Activism Against performances and we’re pleased to have already confirmed these talented Gender-Based Violence is an and acclaimed artists to perform in our 24th year.” international campaign that calls for the elimination of all forms of GBV against Last year, 27,139 people attended the festival, which brought sold-out women. Since 1991, the campaign has flights and the island’s highest June air arrivals ever, officials said. run each year from the International “A 6.8 percent increase in total air passenger arrivals into St. Kitts in June Day for the Elimination of Violence 2019 as compared to June 2018 demonstrates how instrumental the event against Women, on 25 November, to is in driving inbound tourism at the beginning of the summer season,” Human Rights Day, on 10 December. said Racquel Brown, CEO of the St Kitts Tourism Authority. “The record- Since its launch, over 6000 organizations breaking June air arrivals for the past two years in a row highlights the in approximately 187 countries have effectiveness of our marketing initiatives. This year, we are striving to participated. achieve even greater results.”

“The St. Kitts Music Festival is known for its diverse range of international and local artists representing a variety of genres that appeal to a wide base of musical tastes,” said Damion Hobson, chairman of the festival. “Therefore, we are continuing to select artists based on this successful model to continue to grow the event moving forward as this announcement of our first wave of artists attests.”

The Hummingbird | 13 ECLAC meeting discusses trade financing for small and medium enterprises

everal policy options are other financial institutions, SME’s Another policy identified during available for decision are often unable to access these the EGM was the reform of the Smakers to mitigate institutions. Some of the factors collateral lending system. Rather financing constraints for small that restrict lending include than continue the current system and medium economies (SMEs), unavailability of physical capital, where only fixed assets can be which in turn can help them restrictive lending regulations, pledged as collateral, it was participate in trade. Some of macroeconomic weakness and suggested that governments these were explored by economic inadequate lending terms. in the region can introduce and trade experts at an Expert legislation which allows moveable Group Meeting (EGM) convened As these conditions persist, assets to be used as collateral. by ECLAC Caribbean. SMEs are more likely to exit the This can be complemented by market, to shed employment, the formation of a registry of Held at ECLAC Caribbean to spend less on technology, to moveable assets and a secured headquarters, in Port of Spain, invest less in new capital and transactions framework. on 22 November 2019, the EGM in marketing, and less likely to was based on an upcoming enter export or import markets. Participants in the EGM raised study that investigates the For these reasons, policy makers the need to increase awareness financing constraints that limit the are justified intervening in the among the SMEs about available export capacity of SMEs in the market to alleviate SME credit financing options along with a Caribbean. constraints. number of other issues, including: the overlap between SMEs and SMEs face several obstacles The policy options discussed the informal sector, the role of which prevent them from during the EGM included the gender in access to finance, and obtaining finance that could help implementation of government the potential for financing from them engage in international guarantee programmes, mutual the Caribbean diaspora. trade. In fact, approximately guarantee schemes, the provision 87% of the region’s SMEs are of government loans, endorsing More on this will be available unable to export their goods the use of the securities market, when ECLAC’s study on Trade and services due to a number of and encouraging the use of lease Financing is published in the next reasons, including lack of access financing, microfinancing, and few months. to finance. While big businesses reverse factoring. can easily borrow from banks and

14 | The Hummingbird Even without a ship, Cayman pirates take island

ow do you mount a pirate cardboard boat race that day, two the 14-member Caymanite Synchro invasion when you don’t catboats came ashore just as the synchronised swimming team, have a pirate ship? That adult division participants were decked out in gold caps, glitter Hwas the challenge facing Cayman’s lined up to launch their soon-to- and mermaid scale leggings. band of cutthroats this year as they be-soggy craft. Interrupting the planned their attack on George contest, Ebanks and several other At the same time, from beneath Town as part of the annual Pirates pirates leapt from the catboats as the surface of the water, a Week festivities. they hit the sand, declaring their barnacled and seaweed-covered ship had gone down at sea. John Ferguson – aided by scuba The tall-masted Jolly Roger that divers – suddenly rose from the has been a Pirates Week fixture for Moments later, they spotted a sea, stepping onto the beach as years was still undergoing repairs conveniently moored modern Davy Jones to applause from the after running aground and partially sailboat on the dock of Hog Sty crowd. sinking earlier this year. The Grosse Bay, commandeered it and sailed Ile, a Canadian schooner that was away. Two hours later they would recruited into service in the past, is return, the sailboat, with several no longer plying Cayman waters. pirate flags flapping from its Darvin Ebanks, leader of the rigging, and a trailing tender fully Bloody Bay Buccaneers, said loaded with the scurvy, scowling Pirates Week General Manager band of ruffians the Cayman crowd Melanie McField came up with a has come to expect. scenario that solved the problem. While it may have lacked some of “Our pirate ship was sunk by the the flair of past years, the energy British Navy, after successfully level of the sneering, snarling, taking over George Town and raiders – spouting threats threaded putting Governor Martyn Roper with far more Rs than any other in chains. We were rescued by the letters in the alphabet – seemed catboats,” Ebanks said. just as potent as ever. In fact, to the surprise of many in the crowd lining the waterfront The landing had the added feature to enjoy the typically hilarious of a simultaneous performance by

The Hummingbird | 15 ECLAC hosts training workshop for Trinidad and Tobago government analysts

CLAC Caribbean recently the United Nations Conference on studies on topics such as regional organized a three-day Trade and Development (UNCTAD), integration and diversification. Eworkshop, in partnership with International Trade Center (ITC), Our most recent body of work has the Ministry of Trade and Industry of United Nations Statistical Division centered on trade financing for small Trinidad and Tobago, to provide an (UNSD) and the World Trade and medium-sized enterprises and overview of its trade analytical tools, Organization (WTO). trade policy development. It is our which are TradeCAN, MAGIC Plus, intention in the future to extend and WITS. Taking place from 3 to 5 December similar technical assistance support in 2019 at the Ministry’s head office in the area of trade policy development The Trade Competitiveness Analysis Port of Spain, the workshop targeted to other Member States.” of Nations (TradeCAN) is a global trade and government representatives trade database system with added in Customs, the Central Statistical For ECLAC Caribbean, this was the value in the form of a toolbox for Office, Export Promotion Agencies, second successful collaboration with analysis, while MAGIC Plus (Module the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber the Ministry of Trade and Industry, as to Analyse the Growth of International of Industry and Commerce, the earlier in 2019 the two organizations Commerce) is an improvement to Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ partnered on the development a tool designed by ECLAC for the Association (TTMA). of a new trade policy for Trinidad analysis of international commerce and Tobago. These initiatives have and the competitiveness of countries, Delivering remarks at the opening of contributed to building national products and sectors in the world’s the three-day workshop was ECLAC capacity to use ECLAC’s analytical largest market, the United States of Caribbean’s Research Assistant, tools. It is hoped that this will in America. Nyasha Skerrette, who mentioned that turn enhance country capacity to while ECLAC continues to work with formulate, negotiate and implement WITS, or World Integrated Trade member States on capacity building, better trade policies across the Solution, is a software that accesses assiduous work also takes place “to region. and retrieves information on trade and ensure that trade research remains a tariffs. The software was developed core component of our programme of through the close collaboration of work. In the past, we have conducted

16 | The Hummingbird State ofAffairs

Belize The Bahamas Barbados

LOAN AGREEMENT WITH IDB DORIAN LOSSES COULD SURPASS IMF VISIT $2.5 BILLION - Nov 4 - - Nov 28 - The Prime Minister of Belize, - Nov 29 - On September 3–6, an Dean Barrow, and Country According to a report by the International Monetary Fund Representative of the Inter- Governor of the Central Bank of (IMF) team led by Bert van American Development Bank (IDB), The Bahamas (CBOB), John Rolle, Selm visited Bridgetown to Dr. Cassandra Rogers, signed a the losses of assets destroyed by discuss implementation of loan agreement in the amount Hurricane Dorian could surpass Barbados’ Economic Recovery of US$ 14 million to strengthen $2.5 billion, or 20 percent of the and Transformation (BERT) plan tax administration in Belize. The country’s gross domestic product which has been supported by project aims to strengthen tax (GDP). Hurricane Dorian devastated the IMF under the Extended administration through improved parts of Abaco and Grand Bahama Fund Facility (EFF). Results of the governance and operational in early September 2019. Rolle report showed that Barbados processes. also said that economic activity continues to make good progress on both islands came to a halt and in implementing its ambitious and NATIONAL INVESTMENT POLICY neither island has recorded any comprehensive economic reform tourism activity given the complete program. - Nov 29 - shutdown of infrastructure on the The Government of Belize, through islands. NEW IMMIGRATION BILL the Ministry responsible for Investment, Trade and Commerce, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION - Nov 24 - BELTRAIDE and the CARICOM PROGRAMME The Barbados Government has Development Fund (CDF) plans approved the framework of a to launch the Belize National - Nov 28 - comprehensive review of the Investment Policy and Strategy The Bahamas has officially launched existing immigration policy and (NIPS) on Monday 2 December a digital transformation programme legislation. According to Home 2019. The NIPS seeks to establish that will make it possible for all Affairs Minister, Edmund Hinkson, a national framework that will major Government services to be the review efforts are expected guide both domestic and foreign accessed online. The Government’s to result in a new Immigration investments. The primary objective Digital Transformation to Bill which will be presented of the NIPS is to determine the Strengthen Competitiveness to the Parliament in January national direction toward economic programme is being funded by a 2020. Hinkson said that one of development with greater certainty US$30 million loan from the Inter- the proposed amendments to and predictability. American Development Bank (IDB) acquiring citizenship will be by way and will be implemented in phases of grandfathering. over a six-year period.

The Hummingbird | 17 Equality at the heart of sustainable territorial development

quality and sustainability The chapter co-authored by Bello national planning systems. have been the backbone and Fontes de Meira emphasizes of ECLAC’s work especially that territorial development at the Eover the past decade and form the national level should be understood The document also states that basis for addressing the challenges as a commitment to reducing the provision of collective goods of the 2030 Agenda. This according inequalities and to guaranteeing makes it possible for territories to to Omar Bello, Coordinator of the the right to citizenship and be understood as a community Sustainable Development and development of the individual. This of individuals, that have similar Disaster Unit, and Luciana Fontes assertion is in line with the work conditions of access to connectivity, de Meira, Associate Environmental carried out by ECLAC during the a healthy environment, knowledge, Officer, who co-authored a chapter last decade on inequality, which public integrity and public safety. in the recently published document focuses on disparities between This also means recognizing entitled `Planning for sustainable countries and within them, which the right to diversity, to the territorial development in Latin affect differently the population preservation of cultures, identities, America and the Caribbean’. residing in urban and rural languages and customs that enrich territories. societies, their economies and their democracies. Issued by the Latin American and Caribbean Institute for Economic Within this framework, the and Social Planning (ILPES), the document published by ILPES aims document addresses the territorial to promote technical dialogue. challenges of national space, In particular, the publication attempts to establish a horizon emphasizes the need for regional towards the reduction of territorial intergovernmental policy on the inequalities, and identifies the challenges of planning and public strategies to be adopted for the management for development, sustainable development of Latin as well as for the development of America and the Caribbean. methodological tools to support countries in strengthening their

18 | The Hummingbird Photo credit: https://www.ambergristoday.com/

Priyanka Chopra donates 50,000 pairs of Crocs to children in Belize

NICEF Goodwill Classic Clogs to deserving school was announced as the brand's Ambassador Priyanka children in Belize" and give them a ambassador for its 2020 'Come As Chopra has teamed up basic necessity like shoes, "which will You Are' marketing campaign. Uwith international footwear brand, play a role in getting these kids to Crocs, to collaborate on a donation school." Belize has a low ranking on many campaign. She will give 50,000 pairs socio-economic metrics including of classic clogs to school children in The actress also shared Crocs' education. The first shipment Belize. mission in subsequent tweets of Crocs – 25,000 pairs – were revealing that it is their mission to distributed to students in November The actress recently took to Twitter assist everyone to be comfortable by members of UNICEF USA and to announce the good news. She in their own shoes and that "Belize Crocs. A total of 50,000 pairs will also posted a video with the caption is just the start…We hope to take ultimately be donated over the next that read: “This initiative is very this wonderful initiative to children in year. special to me. What started as a countries across the world." conversation with @Crocs of shared interests and concerns for the In the video, Heidi Cooley, Vice children of the world, has blossomed President of Global Marketing, Crocs into this amazing association with @ announced, “At Crocs, we believe UNICEF, an organization that is so being comfortable in your own shoes close to my heart.” is a first step to accessing quality education.” In subsequent tweets, Priyanka went on to add that they have Priyanka recently joined hands "partnered" with the footwear brand with the footwear major and to donate "50,000 pairs of Crocs

The Hummingbird | 19 ECLAC Caribbean Family UN4U visit to St Ursula’s primary

s part of the UN Day 74th anniversary commemorations, the organization reached out A to a few schools on a UN4U session with primary school children.

Participating this year was the Saint Ursula's Girls' Anglican Primary School, located on St Vincent Street, Port of Spain, where a team from the UN family in Trinidad and Tobago recently shared information with 40 standard five students. UN4U has been an ongoing initiative over the past few years, adopted by the UN in Trinidad and Tobago as part of the SG’s outreach to young people. ‘UN4U’ outreach campaign is an educational programme which underlines the role and objectives of the UN.

This initiative was developed for UN staff members to interact with the students at a personal and child-friendly manner using appropriate tools.

Here are some memories from the visit to St Ursula’s.

20 | The Hummingbird The Hummingbird | 21 Hummingbird Cake

What you will need:

3 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups white sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups canola oil 3 eggs 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained 2 cups mashed bananas 1 cup chopped black walnuts 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/4 pound butter, softened 1 pound confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans. 2. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Set aside. 3. In a large bowl, combine the oil, eggs, pineapple, bananas and nuts. Add flour mixture, and mix together by hand. 4. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in center of each pan comes out clean, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and allow to cool on racks. 5. Prepare the frosting by blending together the cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Evenly spread frosting on middle, sides and top of cake.

22 | The Hummingbird The Hummingbird | 23 CONTACT US

ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean, 1 ChanceryCONTACT Lane, P.O. US Box 1113, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean, 1 Chancery Lane, P.O. Box 1113, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Telephone: 1 868 224 8000 West Indies. E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone: 1 868 224 8000 E-mail: [email protected] MEDIA CONTACT Tel.: 1 868 224 8075 E-mail: [email protected] MEDIA CONTACT Tel.: 1 868 224 8075 E-mail: [email protected]

SOCIAL MEDIA

www.eclacpos.org https://www.cepal.org/en/headquarters-and-offices/eclac-caribbean