Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) and Financial Economist Dr. Thomson Fontaine, has reiterated the party's position on electoral reform, emphasizing the need for updating the Voters List. He stated that the current list in Dominica is outdated, containing more names than the actual population of the country. Dr. Fontaine also highlighted the party's recommendation including the issuance of voter ID cards as a measure to prevent fraud in the electoral process. Dr Thomson Fontaine said the party is waiting to see the DLP government’s proposals that have reportedly been sent to the Electoral Commission and the President of Dominica, and will decide on the next steps thereafter, but the party will not wait forever if the new DLP regime reform suggestions are not made available them and to the public soon, as promised by the DLP government. Dr. Fontaine added that the government has the chance to examine electoral reform legislation from neighboring countries and draw valuable lessons from them. He suggested that by crafting legislation inspired by successful models from the region, the government could create a framework that satisfies all stakeholders. Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), Dr. Thomson Fontaine
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Member of the Electoral Commission, Hillary Shillingford, has called out the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mr. Duncan Stowe, as having failed the citizens of Dominica on the matter of Electoral Reform. Shillingford says no Document regarding suggestions for reform of Dominica’s electoral laws and regulations have been made available to him or to Commissioner Wayne James contrary to claims made by Prime Minister Skerrit this week. Many organizations like the Organisation of American States (OAS), The Commonwealth Secretariat and Civil Society Groups in Dominica, had repeatedly publicized official documents through official media sources, listing out effective electoral reform recommendations over the past 15 years.However, as of May 15, 2024 the Roosevelt Skerrit administration stated that they had made some recommendations to the Electoral Commission and the President of Dominica only. Electoral Commissioner Hillary Shillingford laments that he has received no Electoral Reform recommendations to date, nothing on The Registration of Electors Act and Regulations 2024; nor the House of Assembly (Elections) Act and Regulations 2024 (which incorporates the House of Assembly (Election Petition) Rules 2024; and The Electoral Commission Act 2024. Mr Shillingford further laments that Prime Minister Skerrit had failed to fulfill the promise he made months ago to make these documents available to the public as soon as they became available. It appears that no such documents have been made available to Commissioners Wayne James or Hillary Shillingford or to the public to date. Member of the Electoral Commission, Hillary Shillingford
President of the Waterfront and Allied Workers Union (WAWU) Donald Rolle has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit for mediating discussions between the Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority (DASPA) and WAWU. The long-standing dispute, which has persisted for many years, involves a 33 percent salary reduction for longshoremen and stevedores that have lasted 22 years. On Monday, Prime Minister Skerrit announced that the prolonged deadlock is expected to be resolved by the end of June this year. Rolle expressed the hope that this intervention will finally bring an end to this longstanding issue. President of the Dominica Water and Allied Workers Union (WAWU) Donald Rolle Meanwhile, the Prime Minister emphasized the crucial role port workers play in the country, highlighting their significant contribution to trade and foreign exchange, which is essential for Dominica's development. Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit
On May 15 and 16, the FAO and UNICEF held a regional workshop in Bridgetown, Barbados, titled "Strengthening Social Protection Systems in the Caribbean to Adapt to Climate Change: Opportunities and Challenges." The event gathered leaders and experts to collaborate on adapting social protection systems to climate change and enhancing resilience to natural disasters.
Over two days, participants explored the crucial role of social protection in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The workshop aimed to integrate social protection into the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and provided a platform for sharing experiences and best practices. The event also examined aligning social protection with climate change strategies and addressed the financial aspects of climate change, identifying key entry points for social protection. Focus areas included Barbados, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Jamaica (with World Bank funding), Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. This workshop marked an important step towards developing robust and adaptive social protection systems to respond to climate change challenges in the region. The recommendations are expected to guide future strategies, policies, and actions to enhance Caribbean resilience. In efforts to improve the work of extension officers within the Ministry of Agriculture WUSC Caribbean donated seven testing kits to the Ministry on May 15th, 2024. The handing-over ceremony was held at the Former Dominica Banana Marketing Corporation (DBMC) building. OECS Country Coordinator for the Sustainable Agricultural in the Caribbean (SAC) Project, Dr. Nadia Paquette Anselm, says the $25000 donation of the seven soil testing kits, will enhance the capacity of the extension officers within the ministry. Dr. Anselm added that the kits also ensure that Dominica’s farmers continue their work within the sector in a more sustainable manner. OECS Country Coordinator for the Sustainable Agricultural in the Caribbean (SAC) Project, Dr. Nadia Paquette Anselm
Photo Credit: Dominica News Online New young and adult Entrepreneurs are being given a professional training guide to business development and management, through the writings of Author of the Business training Guides and Project Manager, Mrs. Cuffy Morris. As part of celebrations of Library Week 2024 - which began on Monday, May 13th and culminates today May 17th, 2024 - Mrs. Morris reveals her interest in developing these training guides was due to her experience of watching her parents, who were entrepreneurs, run their business. She says these guides provide a solid foundation for success for new entrepreneurs in the business market. Author of the Business Training Guides and Project Manager, Mrs. Marilyn Cuffy-Morris
The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled consolidated guidelines on HIV-associated tuberculosis (TB/HIV), offering a comprehensive source of the latest evidence-based recommendations.
These guidelines are part of WHO’s broader Consolidated Guidelines on TB and Comorbidities and are accompanied by an operational handbook to aid implementation. This handbook includes cost-effective TB screening and diagnostic algorithms, models of integrated care, and enablers for scaling up people-centered TB/HIV services. The adoption of these WHO recommendations is anticipated to save more lives and reduce the burden of HIV-associated TB. “Collaborative TB/HIV activities are central to efforts to end TB. At the UN High-Level Meeting on the Fight against TB last year, Member States committed to integrating systematic screening, prevention, treatment, and care for TB and HIV within primary health care,” said Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Programme. “The guidelines and operational handbook will equip countries with the tools to implement and scale-up interventions that help identify and ensure people with HIV-associated TB receive life-saving care.” Photo credit: Kairi FM Dominica's President Sylvanie Burton expressed her elation at participating in the VOSH Eye Care mission on Thursday morning. She praised the organization for its ongoing dedication to providing free eye care services and eye wear to the people of Dominica. During the event, President Burton was officially pinned as a member of the Virginia VOSH Mission and expressed optimism about the mission's upcoming activities in the eastern part of the island. In an interview with state-owned radio, President Sylvanie Burton extended her gratitude to the Rotary Club of Dominica and the VOSH mission for their ongoing dedication. She expressed hope for their continued involvement on the island in the future. Dominica's President, Sylvanie Burton
On May 16, 2024, Flow Dominica launched a new summer promo campaign themed: ‘Dis Is Wi Game’, Which gives customers a chance to win a ticket to one of the ICC T20 games to be held in Barbados among other prizes. Speaking to the media at the Flagship Flow Store, Country Manager, Sharon Jemmott, promised that Flow Dominica will have a summer filled with promotions from the company. Country Manager, Sharon Jemmott
The Dominica SiFoCol Alumni Association (DSAA) is opening applications for its Community Social Impact Grant aimed at partnering with grassroots community organizations, youth groups and non-profits to undertake impactful projects in Dominica.
The DSAA Community Social Impact Program seeks to support initiatives that address pressing social issues, promote community development, and foster positive change in various sectors including education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, youth empowerment, and marginalized populations including but not limited to elderly, women, children, persons with disabilities, and indigenous groups. Registered non-profit organizations, community groups, and youth groups operating in Dominica are eligible to apply for this program. Projects must align with DSAAs mission and focus on areas such as education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, youth empowerment, and marginalized populations. The DSAA says the beneficiary organizations must be able to secure donations of at least 10% of the project budget (inclusive of in-kind contributions), demonstrating community support and resource mobilization efforts. To apply, persons must request an application package,to obtain an application package, they can do this by sending an email to dominicasifocol@gmail.com with the subject line "Your Organization Name + Request for Community Social Impact Grant Package." Applications must be submitted by Friday, 24thMay at 11:59 PM. Those submitted after this deadline will not be considered. Your proposals be submitted electronically to dominicasifocol@gmail.com. Individuals must ensure that their proposal includes all required documents and uses the designated application form provided in the application package. All projects must be completed between November 2024 and April 30, 2025. Proposals must include the designated application form and the required budget document. Only proposals that meet these requirements will be considered for partnership funding of XCD $2500 or XCD $10,000. |
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