Search Results

During a church service marking Commonwealth Day, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Joseph Isaac, underscored Dominica's achievements in tackling climate change and promoting resilience. He highlighted initiatives from multiple sectors, including the Ministry of Housing, Forestry Division, and Cooperatives. Mr. Joseph emphasized Dominica's intended shift to geothermal energy as a crucial step to enhance the country's energy resilience. Additionally, he highlighted the resilience of Dominica's youth in overcoming natural challenges, citing their performance in the G6NA and CXC Examinations.

Florian Mitchel, the General Manager of the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC), delineated the organization's duties, encompassing the provision of storage facilities for solid waste management and the procurement of equipment for waste collection, transportation, and disposal. He emphasized various ongoing initiatives within the Ministry of Environment. Furthermore, Mitchel noted that, as part of the Enhanced Natural Environment Project, a substantial fleet of vehicles, totaling 2,100, has been processed in Dominica from 2017 to 2024. Mitchel underscored that by the year 2020, Dominica's Solid Waste Management successfully distributed over 17,000 residential bins across multiple communities on the island. Additionally, they disseminated 200 recycling crates to promote awareness and encourage proper waste sorting practices.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has highlighted the enrollment of numerous Dominican students in U.S. universities, addressing a pattern of criticism towards the government regarding unpaid tuition fees. Skerrit disclosed a reduction in the government's debt to Midwestern University from $3 million to $489,000, which is expected to be cleared within the next two weeks. Additionally, he mentioned that over the past seven years, the government has allocated $13 million to Grambling State University. Skerrit asserted that upon taking office in 2000, the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) administration conducted a study revealing that 44% of students who took the G6NA examination at that time progressed to secondary school, while 65% did not pursue further education.

Thea Lafond, the Women's Triple Jump Gold Medalist, conveyed her pride and honor in representing Dominica and bringing joy to its people. She underscored the nation's ongoing success as a tremendous source of pride. Lafond mentioned maintaining a positive mindset leading up to the competition and feeling confident to deliver her best performance on the event day.

Tonni Brodber, UN Women Caribbean Representative, highlighted the importance of the 'She-Preneur' initiative, emphasizing that it goes beyond being merely an innovative concept—it is a vital and sustainable endeavor. Drawing parallels to the 'Build Back Equal' Project, she emphasized the necessity for collaborative efforts to achieve equality. Brodber expressed that the concept of "building back equal" is well comprehended and embraced by Dominican society. She underscored the focus on women entrepreneurs in the region, noting that they constitute 9% of entrepreneurs, with 1% of them overseeing more than five employees. Brodber emphasized their capacity to effectively manage businesses while fulfilling their regular domestic responsibilities.

Minchinton Burton, Director of the Forestry Division, has announced a series of activities coordinated by the Forestry, Wildlife, and Parks division, taking place from March 18th to March 22nd, 2024, to commemorate World Forest Day, annually observed on March 21st by the United Nations (UN). These week-long events aim to heighten local awareness and understanding of Dominica's forests and protected areas. Burton emphasized that Forest Week is geared towards fostering cross-sectoral collaboration with local stakeholders and international partners in the realms of biodiversity conservation and natural resource management.

During the Exceptional Women’s Awards Ceremony by the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Social Services, Tourism Minister Denise Charles-Pemberton underscored the pivotal role of women in Dominica's progress. She emphasized their essential contributions to family and societal well-being, stressing their significance in ensuring the stability, advancement, and long-term prosperity of the country. Minister Charles-Pemberton also celebrated the appointment of an indigenous woman as President of Dominica, considering it a noteworthy milestone and a substantial step forward in the nation's pursuit of gender equality. Expressing pride in the government's efforts, Charles-Pemberton highlighted the implementation of a national policy framework dedicated to supporting women and propelling Dominica towards a more equitable future. She pointed out the introduction of numerous initiatives on the island.

The National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD) has been actively dedicated to supporting the development of Small and Micro Enterprises (SME) in Dominica for the past 42 years, playing a role in fostering positive change and innovation. In line with this mission, NDFD has introduced the Green Program, which aims to guide and assist both small businesses and individuals in adopting environmentally friendly practices in their day-to-day operations. At the heart of this initiative is a proactive response to pressing environmental issues, particularly climate change. A significant global movement addressing these concerns is "Earth Hour," which started as a lights-out event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. Over the years, Earth Hour has evolved into a widespread campaign, involving millions of supporters across more than 185 countries and territories. Scheduled for Saturday, March 23rd, 2023, from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Earth Hour stands as a potent symbol of collective commitment to environmental conservation. NDFD, in keeping with its dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship, will actively participate in Earth Hour and encourages the community to join in this meaningful endeavor.

The Ministry of Housing, in collaboration with the 'Build Back Equal' Project, launched the 'She-Preneur' Pilot Initiative on Thursday, marking a groundbreaking effort in Dominica and the broader Caribbean. This initiative aims to empower female entrepreneurs, fostering sustainable urban development and economic growth. Running from March 7th to 11th, 2024, Minister for Housing, Melissa Skerrit, noted the timeliness of this initiative coinciding with International Women's Day. Minister Skerrit explained that the initiative's goal is to boost earnings for businesses owned by women and youth by facilitating direct interaction with customers and enhancing connectivity between them.