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Check Out Our New Blog Posts!
Dear Friends of the Canada-Caribbean Institute:
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Here are some of the news stories and announcements that we have been following this week.
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If you enjoy receiving this newsletter, please consider forwarding it to those in your networks who might also find it interesting... and tell them to subscribe.
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If you have a story, or ideas for relevant content, that you think we should look at, please do not hesitate to get in touch,
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Belize's Garifuna Collective: April 2, 2026: Not to be missed!
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The Garifuna Collective with Special Guest Mis Blandine: Brought to you by the Royal Conservatory this promises to be a musical evening of Caribbean, Central American and African rhythms you will remember. The Garifuna Collective has been a driving force in bringing the rich cultural heritage and music of the Garifuna people to a global audience for the last 20 …
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Trump’s ‘Shield’ Against Multilateralism
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The Shield of the Americas summit marked a turning point in Western Hemisphere diplomacy. By Diego Area, the president and CEO of Global Americans. March 10, 2026, 11:51 AM A meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and several Latin American leaders over the weekend marked a shift in how Washington organizes hemispheric diplomacy. The Shield of the Americas Summit, held in …
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Haitian PM slammed for signing millions in foreign contracts that ‘undermine sovereignty’
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Critics say three deals totaling $137 million to build prisons, provide security and manage Haiti-DR border shift too much governmental powers to private firms abroad by Juhakenson Blaise Mar. 10, 2026 Overview:A Haitian human rights group is raising alarm over three government contracts totaling at least $137 million drafted under Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé that critics say could cost the …
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Bermuda: Full Caricom membership Green Paper published
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March 10, 2026 Cheaper everyday essentials, greater connections for businesses and talent, stronger global partnerships and increased representation in shaping regional policies are among the reasons to pursue full Caricom membership, according to a Green Paper published today. The 63-page document was released for consultation as Alexa Lightbourne, the Minister of Home Affairs, invited residents to become informed and share their views. …
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It is time for the world to move on without the United States
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March 9, 2026 By C Justin Robinson. Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies. The US no longer wants to be the guarantor of the world order. It’s time the rest of us take this responsibility On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a war on Iran. The US-Israeli attacks came without prior warning or approval by …
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Some CARICOM States sign on to Trump Administration Regional Security Framework
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This weekend saw the announcement of something called the "Shield of the Americas" initiative by the Trump Administration. The announcement, made by President Trump himself, and attended by a number of his Cabinet Members (Rubio, Hegseth, Lutnick and Greer) was made in the company of 12 Leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean. Caribbean leaders present were President Irfan Ali …
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CXC prepares for historic gathering of Caribbean education stakeholders in Jamaica
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March 9, 2026 More than 300 education leaders, policymakers, and practitioners from across the Caribbean – including regional ministers of education – are set to converge in Jamaica next week to discuss the future of teaching, learning, and assessment in the digital age. The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC ) in partnership with Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, …
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U of T and George Brown Polytechnic collaborate to expand student education and training opportunities
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The two post-secondary institutions signed an MOU that would enhance education pathways for students while addressing the Ontario’s evolving labour market needs Published: March 6, 2026 By Rahul Kalvapalle The University of Toronto and George Brown Polytechnic are exploring a new partnership to expand student pathways between the two institutions, deepen collaboration and align academic strengths – all with a view to …
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Conflict-Tainted Venezuelan Gold Entered World Market Through Caribbean Island, Documents Indicate
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A fascinating, long read, by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project on Venezuela gold. The Caribbean island of Curaçao has no natural gold deposits. So why did dozens of tons of gold refined at a prestigious Swiss refinery come from the island? The evidence points to their origin in conflict areas in Venezuela — and the case highlights weaknesses …
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T&T under state of emergency again
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March 3, 2025 PORT OF SPAIN – Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said Trinidad and Tobago had been placed under a state of emergency (SoE) effective as of Tuesday, March 3, after warning of credible evidence linking criminal gangs and former detainees to increased crime in the country. In a statement, Persad-Bissessar said that following a meeting of the National Security Council …
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Guyana backs regional coalition against narco-terrorism
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March 6, 2026 PM Phillips signals deeper security co-operation with U.S., hemispheric partners GUYANA has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional security and defence co-operation with the United States and other hemispheric partners during the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference held on Thursday at the United States Southern Command headquarters in Florida. Speaking alongside regional and international leaders, Prime Minister …
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Caribbean Civil Society Gathered in Jamaica to Strengthen Resilience Amid Global Shifts
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By Alison Kentish Community groups are being heralded as the Caribbean’s cornerstone of resilience, but leaders warn they need stronger support to withstand climate shocks and growing geopolitical uncertainty. KINGSTON, Jamaica, Mar 5 2026 (IPS) - Civil society groups from across the Caribbean met in Jamaica in February 2026 for a landmark regional conference, with development leaders urging stronger governance, digital readiness …
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Barbados adjusting $80m foreign policy with CARICOM as ‘strategic anchor’
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Shamar Blunt March 4, 2026 Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Chris Sinckler has announced plans to recalibrate Barbados’ foreign policy to navigate what he described as a rapidly shifting world order — while affirming that CARICOM will remain the island’s strategic anchor in its external relations. Sen Sinckler, whose ministry was seeking an $80 691 724 appropriation …
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Small Island States Locked Out Of Climate Finance, Study Finds
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By Jamie Hailstone, Contributor. Jamie Hailstone is a U.K-based reporter, who covers sustainability. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are being systematically locked out of climate finance, because the global financing system deems them too small and too fragmented to fund, according to a new analysis. A new report by the ocean research initiative Back to Blue, from Economist Impact and the …
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Class action lawsuit over migrant farm workers' EI benefits, restrictions to proceed
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The lawsuit will be allowed to proceed to trial, a judge ruled last month Mar 03, 2026 A class action lawsuit alleging Canada's Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program exploits the labour and Charter rights of agricultural workers can proceed, a judge decided last week. The lawsuit, filed in Ontario's Superior Court of Justice, alleges that the federal government "enriched" itself by …
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About the the Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI)
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The CCI is a collaboration between Caribbean and Canadian universities and colleges. The mission of the Institute is to provide a forum:
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to connect academic institutions, scholars, the business and public sectors, civil society, the cultural and diaspora communities
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to inform and encourage collaboration across Canada and the Caribbean to advance important social, environmental, and economic issues that are vital to the shared prosperity and advancement of both regions; and
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to identify impediments and opportunities related to such progress.
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For more information please visit our website
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