AGP Executive Report

Education & Skills: Barbados is seeing fresh momentum in maths teaching, with teachers graduating from the Commonwealth of Learning’s Advancing Caribbean Teachers (A.C.T) Mathematics programme, and the wider school refurbishment drive continuing across multiple primary schools. Health & Community: BARP has launched free annual preventative health checks for insured members through Urgent Care Barbados, aiming to tackle chronic disease earlier with routine screenings. Culture & Youth: The 2026 Barbados Tourism Youth Congress opened with a call from Senator Shane Archer for young people to lead tourism transformation, while Emancipation Walk organisers are preparing for crowds of up to 10,000 for the 60th anniversary celebrations. Regional Rights & Inclusion: CARICOM is setting up a regional committee to address discrimination and marginalisation faced by Rastafarians, with Barbados among the participating member states. Travel & Lifestyle Tech: BRDRS founder Joy Martins is building a “super app” for Africa and the Caribbean travellers, rolling out culturally relevant guides, visa help, and a virtual wallet. Arts & Tourism Inspiration: Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister Satyakama Maharaj is pushing creative industries as a year-round tourism engine, positioning culture as an industry that creates wealth.

Education Transformation: Graduates of West Terrace Primary School were assured the Government is reshaping education to recognise every child’s talents, while the school refurbishment programme keeps rolling with major works at Grantley Prescod, St George, Wesley Hall and more. Health & Prevention: BARP has launched free annual check-ups for insured members via Urgent Care Barbados, aiming to catch chronic disease early; and a new Human Tissue Transplant Bill could expand deceased organ donation, but senator Dr Kenneth Connell says Barbados must tackle religious and cultural resistance first. Youth & Community: The Barbados Boys Scouts Association and UNDP are running inclusiveness training for young people, and Senator Shane Archer urged youth to lead tourism at the Barbados Tourism Youth Congress; plus National Summer Camps expand to up to 51 sites with stipends and stronger safety. Culture & Nationhood: Emancipation Walk organisers expect 5,000–10,000 participants for the 60th anniversary celebrations, with schools, faith groups and diaspora set to take part. Regional Rights: CARICOM is moving to convene a meeting and committee to address discrimination and marginalisation faced by Rastafarians across the region, with Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew taking a new Rastafarian rights role. Sports & Lifestyle: Barbados’ inclusion push also shows up in youth development, while the island’s tourism calendar keeps heating up with Crop Over momentum and Party Monarch competition set for July 12.

Regional Integration & Travel Tech: Guyana and Barbados kick off passport-free travel using Digital ID cards on CARICOM Airlines, with officials calling it a fast, practical step toward easier movement across the region. CARICOM Rights Agenda: CARICOM announces a regional meeting and a committee to tackle discrimination and marginalisation affecting Rastafarians, focusing on access to education, jobs, and public life. Reparations & History: A new book argues the British Crown designed and profited from slavery, adding fresh fuel to the Caribbean reparations push. Barbados Culture & Youth: Alleyne School unveils a greener, safer secondary-school plan with rainwater harvesting, aquaponics/hydroponics, and solar for an electric bus. Summer Camps Boost: Barbados expands National Summer Camps to up to 51 sites, aiming for about 3,500 campers, with stipends and strengthened safety measures. Entertainment & Community: Party Monarch returns with a new two-competition format for Sweet Soca and Power Soca at the National Botanical Gardens on July 12.

CARICOM Rights Agenda: CARICOM is set to convene a regional meeting to tackle discrimination and marginalisation faced by Rastafarians, with a committee planned for Barbados, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Reparations Push: Jamaica says it will petition King Charles on September 6 to refer key slavery reparations legal questions to the Privy Council. Barbados Youth & Community: National Summer Camps expand to as many as 51 sites, with about 3,500 campers and added safety steps plus stipends for camp leaders. Education With a Green Twist: Alleyne School unveils plans to become Barbados’ greenest and safest secondary school, including rainwater harvesting, solar power and new farming-style learning spaces. Culture & Music: Party Monarch is set for July 12 with separate Sweet Soca and Power Soca contests under one banner, each with a $100,000 top prize. Local Tourism Business: Veteran hotelier Dennis Tull is preparing to sell Golden Sands Hotel after decades in the industry. Missing Person: Police seek help locating 13-year-old Kemera Murray of Blackman Field, St Michael.

Regional Rights Watch: CARICOM will convene a meeting to tackle discrimination and marginalisation faced by Rastafarians, with a committee set to include Barbados, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Community & Safety: Barbados Police are asking the public to help find 13-year-old Kemera Murray, last seen June 29 in St Michael. Culture & Memory: A special historical feature revisits the 1970 MV Christena Commission of Inquiry and the reforms it helped shape for maritime safety. Youth & Creativity: A new film initiative, “Once Upon A Frame,” launches to channel young people’s stories into films and tackle youth violence in memory of Shawnathon Chase. Education Integrity: The UWI warns of an unauthorised website using its name and collecting personal data. Local Resilience: Barbados boosts hurricane shelter readiness ahead of the 2026 season, with upgrades and backup systems in place. Hospitality Buzz: Royalton Vessence Barbados opens on the Platinum Coast as an adult-oriented all-inclusive concept. Quality Assurance: Barbados Accreditation Council earns regional recognition for leadership in quality assurance. LGBTQIA+ Rights: Pride in Guyana is framed as a protest, with calls for legal reform despite growing social acceptance.

Regional Rights Watch: CARICOM will convene a meeting to examine discrimination and marginalisation affecting Rastafarians, with a committee set to include Barbados, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. LGBTQIA+ Equality: In Guyana, Pride is being framed as a protest for LGBTQIA+ legal protections, not just celebration, as activists push for repeal of laws criminalising same-sex intimacy. Barbados Quality & Education: The Barbados Accreditation Council received a regional partnership award for leadership in quality assurance and raising educational standards across the Caribbean. Local Culture & Youth: A new film initiative, “Once Upon A Frame,” uses youth-written stories to tackle youth violence and honour 13-year-old Shawnathon Chase. Agriculture & Resilience: Minister Dr Shantal Munro-Knight outlined an “Agriculture 2030” roadmap with about $272m in priority investments to reshape farming into a national resilience and security pillar. Disaster Preparedness: Hurricane shelter readiness has been strengthened ahead of the 2026 season, with upgrades and backup systems in place. Hospitality & Lifestyle: Royalton Vessence Barbados officially opens as a new adult-oriented all-inclusive concept on the Platinum Coast, joining Barbados’ growing luxury scene. Co-ops for Community: Barbados’ cooperative sector is expanding, with leaders calling for unity and peace through dialogue and shared responsibility. Fraud Alert: The UWI warns of an unauthorised website using its branding to capture personal data.

Youth & Culture Through Film: Local filmmaker Kerri Birch has launched “Once Upon A Frame,” using youth-written stories to tackle youth violence in memory of 13-year-old Shawnathon Chase, with films set for state TV and festival submissions. Digital Skills Boost: The OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Programme marked 172 graduates with industry certifications, delivered via UWI Global Campus under the CARDTP. Education Watch: Parents are pushing back on Barbados’ new primary-to-secondary placement plan, questioning how continuous assessment and group project marks will protect individual achievement. Health & Inclusion: The Ministry of Health is calling on corporate Barbados and service clubs to help fund needs across the health sector, as a new Sensory Room project gets launched. Reparations Push: Barbados says it will take its slavery reparations fight to the UN in a joint effort with the African Union, following high-level talks in Ghana with Prime Minister Mia Mottley. UWI Cyber Alert: The UWI warns the public about an unauthorised website using its branding and collecting personal data. Co-ops for Peace: Barbados’ cooperative sector continues expanding, with leaders marking International Cooperatives Day and highlighting unity through credit unions and beyond. Barbados Longevity Angle: A Blue Zones-style feature spotlights why Barbados’ lifestyle, faith, family and sea air are linked to high numbers of people living past 100.

Youth & Culture: Local filmmaker Kerri Birch has launched “Once Upon A Frame,” using youth-written stories and film to tackle youth violence in Christ Church, honouring 13-year-old Shawnathon Chase and aiming to replace risk with purpose through state TV screenings and festival submissions. Education & Community: Barbados is pushing heritage and learning through the Landship Teachers’ Certification and Heritage Games Programme, while parents question a new continuous assessment plan for primary-to-secondary placement—worried group marks could affect individual scores. Health & Inclusion: The Ministry of Health is calling on corporate Barbados and service clubs to help fund needs across the health sector, including a new sensory room project for children with developmental disabilities. Rights & Safety: The UWI warns the public about a fraudulent website using its branding to capture personal data, and Friends of Democracy is urging urgent fixes after a tourist fell into a manhole on Belmont Road. Culture & Identity: Barbados and the African Union are teaming up to take the slavery reparations fight to the United Nations, with Minister Trevor Prescod citing deep West African heritage ties. Lifestyle & Travel: Blue Monkey Hotel & Beach Club opens in Paynes Bay with 28 suites and a private beach club, joining Leading Hotels of the World. Regional Watch: Canada and CARICOM renew a strategic partnership in Panama focused on security, climate and trade.

Luxury Hospitality: Blue Monkey Hotel & Beach Club has opened in Paynes Bay with 28 suites and an oceanfront Beach Club, now also joining Leading Hotels of the World—an intimate new luxury option for Barbados travellers. Community & Culture: Dose of Travel Club founder Voyager Nabila Ismail is building a South Asian community of Caribbean and global explorers, turning itineraries into “acts of revolution” through shared experiences. Reparations & Heritage: Barbados is taking its slavery reparations push to the UN in a joint effort with the African Union, with Minister Trevor Prescod linking the island’s heritage to the West African coast. Wellness Tourism: JACANA expands its Caribbean Wellness Platform, blending botanical care, therapeutic plant medicines, nature experiences and apothecary retail—positioning the region as a global natural-healing destination. Education & Inclusion: Barbados’ education transition plan is under public scrutiny as parents question how continuous assessment and group projects will protect individual marks; meanwhile a $98,000 sensory room project will support children with developmental disabilities. Public Safety: Friends of Democracy is calling for urgent infrastructure fixes after a tourist fell into a poorly covered manhole on Belmont Road.

Wellness Tourism Push: Jamaica-born JACANA is rolling out a Caribbean Wellness Platform, bundling botanical care, plant medicines, nature-based experiences and apothecary retail—built on its USDA Organic 100-acre farm in St. Ann and aiming to position the region as a global natural-healing destination. Water Access Reality Check: A new data map highlights where safely managed drinking water is still out of reach, underscoring the huge gap between wealthy countries and low-income regions. Arts & Inclusion: A Barbados minister backs direct state support for young authors, proposing schools and the Ministry of Education channel book purchases so writers can earn consistently. Education Transition Watch: Parents are getting clearer details on Barbados’ primary-to-secondary placement shift—continuous assessment plus standardised tests—while questions remain about how group projects affect individual marks. Special Needs Support: A $98,000 Legacy Foundation grant will fund a sensory room for children with developmental disabilities at the Albert Cecil Graham Development Centre. Heritage & Youth: Barbados’ heritage and culture are being framed as pathways to jobs and entrepreneurship for young people through new certification and heritage games training. Public Safety Call: After a tourist fell into an uncovered manhole on Belmont Road, Friends of Democracy is urging routine inspections and faster infrastructure fixes. Culture Through Music: A UK–Barbados music exchange programme is strengthening cultural ties through steel pan friendships. Literary Milestone: Vernal Sage’s reggae single “Good Over Evil” is climbing radio charts, marking a breakthrough moment for the veteran singer. Love Island Buzz: Maya Jama returns to the villa for Casa Amor, while Gabriel Garland is removed after ITV says an issue from his past came to light.

Education & Youth: Barbados parents got a clearer look at the new primary-to-secondary transition plan, with continuous classroom assessment and standardised tests replacing the one-day exam, but questions remain about how group project marks could affect individual placement. Health & Inclusion: The Ministry of Health is calling on corporate Barbados and service clubs to help fund needs across the sector, as a $98,000 sensory room project launches to support children with developmental disabilities. Culture & Heritage: Youth and Culture Minister Shane Archer says Barbados’ heritage can create real opportunities for young people, pointing to the Landship Teachers’ Certification and Heritage Games Programme. Regional Partnerships: Canada and CARICOM renewed a strategic partnership focused on security, climate resilience and trade, backed by a new action plan. Business & Caribbean Identity: An entrepreneur is turning Caribbean culture into products and experiences, from card games to mango-inspired and flag-themed brands. Public Safety: The Friends of Democracy is urging urgent infrastructure fixes after a tourist’s fall into a manhole highlighted maintenance gaps. Wellness Branding: JACANA expands its Caribbean Wellness Platform, bundling botanical personal care, plant medicines and nature-based experiences under one brand.

Education & Youth: Parents and officials are hashing out Barbados’ new primary-to-secondary transition plan, with continuous assessment and group project weighting raising worries about fairness and individual placement. Health & Inclusion: The Ministry of Health is calling on corporate Barbados and service clubs to help fund island-wide needs, as a $98,000 sensory room project launches to support children with developmental disabilities. School Wellness: Kingston and St Andrew schools in Jamaica are getting hydration stations to boost water intake and cut sugary drinks—an easy lifestyle win with reusable bottles. Public Safety: Friends of Democracy is pushing for urgent infrastructure fixes after a tourist fell into a poorly covered manhole, arguing routine inspections must match Barbados’ “safe and welcoming” brand. Tourism, Culture & Values: A new Caribbean-focused tourism and investment commentary argues the region’s real advantage is “relational joy” rooted in community—something investors should protect, not package. Immigration Debate: A lawyer weighs in on birth tourism concerns, urging stronger screening by agencies while government says online ads don’t justify policy panic. Culture & Remembrance: Juneteenth reenactments and reparations talks in Ghana spotlight calls for formal apologies, compensation, and returns of looted cultural artefacts.

Sports & Tech: Cleaqes Sports has launched as a digital bridge connecting grassroots talent across Africa and the Caribbean to global opportunities, rolling out pillars like stories, tourism, events and an Afro-rated podcast. Education Transition: Barbados’ Ministry of Education is mapping a new two-year primary-to-secondary assessment model, replacing the one-day exam with 50% continuous classroom assessment plus national standardised tests, with Class Three pupils starting first while training begins earlier. Special Needs Support: A $98,000 Legacy Foundation grant will fund a sensory room at the Albert Cecil Graham Development Centre to help children with autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays. Research & Innovation: Future Barbados is proposing a $65m RDI roadmap to strengthen science, technology and research and development for longer-term resilience. Immigration Watch: Home Affairs Minister Gregory Nicholls says “birth tourism” ads are being monitored and that current data don’t justify alarm or policy changes. Workforce & Ageing: Minister Sandra Husbands is urging Barbados to rethink workforce planning as the island moves deeper into an ageing society, calling for life-long learning and flexible training. Culture & Heritage: A new play-poem, “Incidents in the Life of An Anglican Slave,” draws on a rediscovered 1723 plea for freedom from Church of England archives, bringing an early voice to the stage. Youth & Careers: BYAC trainees wrapped up a World of Work showcase, meeting employers and exploring career paths. Caribbean Food Policy: The Healthy Caribbean Coalition launched a “Make it Make Sense” campaign pushing for removal of ultra-processed food and drink marketing from schools.

Education & Health: Kingston and St. Andrew schools in Jamaica are set to get hydration stations under Hydrate Caribbean Jamaica, aiming to boost water intake and cut sugary drinks, with rollout beginning in July. Culture & Arts: St. Kitts and Nevis is hosting the Masquerade Traditions Art Exhibition at Shadwell Greathouse, spotlighting textile masquerade pieces and performances, running through June 27. Barbados Tourism & Training: Connect Barbados 2026 brings travel leaders to the Hilton for culture-led networking, while the government launches music production studios in secondary schools and a national student festival to build entertainment career pathways. Reparations & Heritage: Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley unveiled an expanded Caribbean reparations framework in Accra, adding stronger legal arguments plus focus on women and girls, Indigenous genocide, and climate justice. Local Life & Learning: Barbados’ Common Entrance results show a worrying English dip, and TVET planning is being pushed to address an ageing population. Health Care Upgrade: QEH’s new linear accelerator is already improving cancer treatment access and cutting overseas costs. Food Policy: Healthy Caribbean Coalition launches a “Make it Make Sense” campaign to push ultra-processed food and drink marketing out of schools.

Soca Sustainability & Music Industry: St. Kitts Music Festival opened June 25 with Machel Montano, Shelly & Signal Band and Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah, as artistes pressed for wider global recognition and stronger streaming-driven growth. Banking Customer Service: Barbados consumer advocate Maureen Holder says rigid bank procedures are hurting customers, calling for more common-sense, risk-based decision-making. Education & Skills Pipeline: Barbados is rolling out music production studios in secondary schools and a national student festival to build clear creative arts career pathways. Workforce Planning: Minister Sandra Husbands urged a rethink of training and economic planning as Barbados shifts toward a fully-aged society. Reparations Update: Barbados PM Mia Mottley unveiled an expanded Caribbean reparations framework in Accra, adding stronger legal arguments plus focus on women, Indigenous genocide and climate justice. Climate Finance: Barbados and the OPEC Fund launched the Vulnerability to Viability Compact to unlock cheaper, steadier development funding for climate-vulnerable economies. Tourism & Business: Connect Barbados 2026 brought travel leaders together for culture-led experiences and deal-making across the island’s hospitality sector.

Reparations Push: Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley unveiled an expanded Caribbean reparations framework in Accra, adding stronger legal arguments plus new focus on the impact of slavery on women and girls, Indigenous genocide, and climate justice. Global Climate Finance: Barbados and the OPEC Fund launched the Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Compact in Vienna to unlock cheaper, longer-term development funding for 74 climate-vulnerable economies, with early priorities including water, education and health. Education & Skills: The Ministry of Education is moving to put fully equipped music production studios into secondary schools and launch a national student festival to create clearer career pathways into the entertainment industry. School Results Watch: Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance exam results show a worrying fall in English scores, with literacy and comprehension gaps flagged as urgent. Workforce Planning: TVET Minister Sandra Husbands urged a rethink of workforce development as Barbados shifts from an ageing society to a fully-aged one, calling for life-long learning and reskilling. Health Update: QEH’s new linear accelerator is helping Barbados deliver advanced cancer care locally, with reported savings from reduced overseas treatment. Tourism & Culture: Connect Barbados 2026 brought tourism leaders together with a “Rooted in Culture, Powered by Partnership” theme, featuring local artisans, soca and steel orchestra performances. Sports & Community: Tributes continue for basketball icon Dwight Rouse, while a BNECL vs BL&P friendly match drew staff and families for a 5-1 win.