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At the recent launch of the Dominica Festival Committee's Jazz & Creole Festival, Andia M. Ravariere, Destination Marketing Manager of Discover Dominica Authority, emphasized the importance of public support for the island's festivals, citing their positive impact on tourism-driven economic activity. The launch event, held at 'The Realm Dominica' in Roseau, unveiled plans for the festival scheduled for May 5, 2024, at Fort Shirley in Cabrits National Park, Portsmouth. Ravariere expressed excitement for this year's festival, anticipating it to be exceptional. She highlighted how the festival blends jazz with Dominican culture and encouraged locals to embrace it as a platform to showcase their heritage. Ravariere urged the Dominican community to rally behind the Jazz and Creole Festival, promising an even more spectacular event compared to previous years at Cabrits National Park.

Alaine, hailing from the island of Jamaica has been announced as the headlining act for this year's Jazz n' Creole festival, revealed during the official launch of the event's 13th edition at the Realm in Roseau last Friday. Set to take place on Sunday, May 5 at Fort Shirley in Cabrits, Portsmouth, the festival's theme, "Creole Fusion," promises a blend of creole traditions with a vibrant, modern twist, reflected in attire combining traditional elements with colorful contemporary flair. With breakout single "No Ordinary Love" in 2005, Alaine has since delivered a string of hits including 'Deeper,' 'Dreaming of You,' 'Sacrifice,' 'Rise in Love,' and 'Bye, Bye, Bye.'

Acting Health Minister, Dr. Cassandra Williams, revealed an uptick in cancer-related fatalities in Dominica from 2020 to 2022 during the Dominica Cancer Society (DCS) Annual General Meeting over the weekend. Cancer stands out as one of the primary non-communicable diseases contributing to mortality rates in Dominica. Dr. Williams underscored the Government's commitment to ensuring universal access to fundamental tests and consultations at the primary healthcare level. Additionally, Yvonne Alexander, President of the DCS, emphasized the importance of prioritizing diagnostic tests and cancer screenings. She expressed concern over prolonged wait times for diagnostic appointments, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue.

Roseau, Dominica – ​March 26 2024…The semi-finals of the Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition took place on March 25th 2024 at the Fort Young Hotel. In the first semi-final debate, St. Mary’s Academy took on the Arthur Waldron SDA Academy. The SMA, represented by Noah Sorhaindo and Jelani Shillingford proposed the moot “It is the responsibility of the government to urgently implement strategies to mitigate the damaging impacts of brain drain in Dominica.” The SMA scored 701 points to Arthur Waldron SDA Academy’s 564. Noah Sorhaindo of the SMA was adjudged best speaker. The Arthur Waldron SDA Academy was represented by Reuan Thomas and Malia Betrand. In the second semi-final debate, the Isaiah Thomas Secondary School challenged the Orion Academy on the topic “Dominican youth have been given sufficient opportunities to positively impact the economy.” The Orion Academy, represented by Dymond Daniel and Ejahdi Jazz Maxwell, secured victory in this debate, scoring 654 points to ITSS’ 633. Dymond Daniel was adjudged best speaker in this debate. The ITSS was represented by Amelia Charles and Jo-Annel Serrant. The finals of the competition will be held on April 17th2024 at Truth & Grace Fellowship Global at 11am. At the finals, the most memorable debaters of this year’s debate series will be highlighted and awarded with prizes sponsored by Domlec. The winners of the final debate will receive an all-expenses paid trip for four to St. Lucia. The top sponsors of this year’s competition are Josephine Gabriel & Co. Ltd, Lindo Mart, Fine Foods Inc. (KFC), Freeman Consulting Group LLC, DBS Radio, National Cooperative Credit Union, Western Illinois University, Insurance Company of the West Indies and Dr. Joshua Lloyd & Mrs. Karyncia Joseph-Lloyd. -End-

The Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE), along with licensed member broker dealers and the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission (ECSRC), has announced the hosting of the 2024 Regional Schools Investment Competition (RSIC). Following the success of the inaugural competition last year, which saw 29 schools from across the ECCU competing for the top spot, this year's event will take place from October to November 2024. To prepare students for the competition, Education Webinars will be conducted to introduce them to investment fundamentals, financial securities, and provide insights into the Eastern Caribbean Securities Markets. These webinars will be open to all students virtually, and a separate competition briefing session will be held with the participants prior to the start of the competition. Targeting 3rd to 5th form students and 1st-year tertiary level students, the competition will comprise two phases. The first phase is the Intra-Country competition, where schools will compete within their respective countries. The winners of the Intra-Country phase will then progress to the regional phase to compete for the title of Regional Champion. Over the course of 6 weeks, participants will engage in securities market activities, gaining valuable investing insights and skills while putting their knowledge to the test.

Petra-Grell Shillingford, Communications Specialist at the Ministry of Agriculture, discussed an upcoming project aimed at improving the country's capacity to strengthen food security and fulfill supply chain requirements. Shillingford highlighted the project's goal of assisting farmers in revitalizing their livelihoods, ensuring adequate food access for citizens, and ultimately tackling food insecurity issues. Speaking on state-owned radio, she mentioned that farmer registration for project participation will begin soon, providing online registration options and encouraging farmers to visit designated farmer service centers to ensure their inclusion.

The Dominica Athletics Association (DAA) is excited to announce a deal with Japanese sportswear company ASICS. ASICS will become the Association‘s official apparel sponsor for two (2) years, up until World Athletics Junior Championships 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. ASICS is one of the top sportswear brands in the world, seeking to penetrate new markets that embody the global apparel company’s philosophy of a Sound Mind, Sound BodyTM. With recent successes by Dominican Athletes, namely; Thea Lafond-Gadson, Trenesse Hamilton, Kerelle Etienne, Addison James, and Dennick Luke. ASICS found it fitting to partner with the Dominica Athletics Association, having identified it as an organization making strategic moves to grow the sport locally, and ambitions to replicate its successes on a global stage through its upcoming talents. The brand will supply the Athletics Association, with complete performance competition and training gear, as well as podium wear. The uniforms embody the unique characteristics of Dominica and its national flag, with striking a green, red, black, and white color scheme that will truly differentiate the country on the global scene. The Executive of the Dominica Athletics Association is confident that this timely collaboration will give the athletes added confidence and national pride as they are adorned in their new national uniforms. Additionally, the Executive of the Dominica Athletics Association would like to thank Mr. Takayuki Watanabe from the ASICS Sports Marketing Team for his support during the negotiations and expresses its gratitude to everyone who played a pivotal role in the finalization of this partnership. The uniforms will make its debut at the 51st edition of the Carifta games, to be held in Grenada from March 30 – April 1, 2024, where the Dominican delegation is seeking to increase its medal haul at this key premier event showcasing junior athletes from the Caribbean.

The VIBRANT Easter Decorated Hat Parade, a first-of-its-kind event, is set to grace the streets of Roseau on the afternoon of Sunday, April 7th. It is being organized by the Vibrant Senior Citizens of Dominica (VSCOD), a group of persons of Roseau and environs whose motto is: ‘Celebrating Life to the Fullest!’ According to Mrs. Annette Bates, President of the group, the aim of this Parade is to: • Provide an event of color and class where seniors can showcase their decorated hats and modelling skills. • Allow other groups and members of the public to decorate their hats and show them off while dancing to the delightful music. • Unite the community, through a tangible demonstration of unity and hope – which is the essence of the Easter celebration. VSCOD, a group of some 50 members, has existed now for over 22 years and has been engaged in numerous activities including: sports, cooking, river picnics, attending church services, visiting the sick and infirmed, island tours, camping, training in computer skills and travelling to other islands in the Caribbean. It is the group’s intention to continuously seek and partake in activities that promote the overall upliftment and support for all its members.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has drawn attention to the increased vulnerability of older women and women with disabilities to abuse, a concern often overlooked in global and national violence-related data. The health agency stressed the urgent need for improved research efforts across countries to accurately document the experiences of these women and address their specific needs. Recent WHO publications highlighted the limited data available on gender-based violence among older women and women with disabilities, despite evidence indicating a high prevalence of such abuse. One systematic review revealed elevated risks of intimate partner violence and sexual violence among women with disabilities compared to those without disabilities. Lynnmarie Sardinha, Technical Officer at WHO and the UN Special Programme on Human Reproduction (HRP) for Violence against Women Data and Measurement, emphasized the importance of understanding the diverse impacts of violence on women and girls. She underscored that such understanding is essential for tailoring effective programs and services to meet their unique needs. Despite global efforts to address intimate partner violence and sexual violence, which affect approximately 1 in 3 women worldwide, older women and women with disabilities continue to experience these forms of abuse.

BIDEC and its partners gladly invite you to join in a powerful celebration of women's achievements in the global community themed "Invest in Women: Celebrating Women's Achievements in the Global Community." Let's honor the resilience, leadership, and contributions of women worldwide. This IWM celebration is also in support of the AU Agenda 2063 Aspiration 6 & as the mandate of the AU Missions to the U.S. Don't miss out on the insightful discussions, inspiring stories, and calls to action. Save the date and be part of this inspiring conversation! Register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvdOupqjotHdTFYS0TTrkK-hyahTMXww9i #InvestInWomen #BlackHistoryFestival #IWD2024 #CelebratingAchievements #IWD2024 #InvestInWomen #BlackHistoryFestival #GlobalCommunity #WomenEmpowerment

Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit arrived in Boao, Hainan Province on Wednesday where he will address the Boao Forum for Asia 2024. The Prime Minister is leading a high-level government delegation to China to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Dominica and the People’s Republic of China. He will address the opening ceremony of the summit, which brings together world leaders to expand political dialogue and international cooperation in the search for comprehensive and effective solutions to global problems. The Prime Minister is expected to call on attending heads of government to strengthen cooperation and solidarity among countries to provide effective responses to common financial, economic and social crises. The Dominica leader will point to gross inequalities between developed and developing countries and the effects of climate change which threaten the existence of low-lying small island developing states like Dominica. Prime Minister Skerrit and his delegation will make a final stop in Shanghai, China on Friday.

Bernard Ettinoffe, the General Manager of the Dominica Water and Sewage Company (DOWASCO), has announced the implementation of a new distribution system valued at $4 million. This system is intended to serve the residents of Wesley, who were displaced due to the ongoing construction of the International Airport. Ettinoffe stressed the importance of this installation, noting that the area previously lacked a water system that could meet the residents' needs. Additionally, Ettinoffe mentioned that lands have been acquired as part of the company's efforts to build a water system to support the needs of the international airport.