Column http://blackdignitymedia.com/ en #BTColumn – Education: an essential tool for agriculture http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-education-essential-tool-agriculture <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">#BTColumn – Education: an essential tool for agriculture</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-article-image--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-article-image.html.twig * 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</a> </li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/rrssb/templates/rrssb-button-list.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x links--node.html.twig x links--node.html.twig * links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-author-date--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--datetime.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-author-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">Sunday, February 13, 2022</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-import-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-import-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-import-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-import-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Publisher</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb" target="_blank">Barbados Today</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-feed-id--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-link-to-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-link-to-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Article</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/02/13/btcolumn-education-an-essential-tool-for-agriculture/" target="_blank">#BTColumn – Education: an essential tool for agriculture</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--body.html.twig x field--text-with-summary.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. </strong></p> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/27575914/BTInsideArticleCovidAd', [[250, 250], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); --&gt; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0'); }); --&gt; <p>by Manuel Otero </p> <p>Education is an essential public good. Without high quality, inclusive and equitable training, countries will not succeed in breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.</p> <p>This reality acquires even greater importance, given the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Countries will<br /> need to rehabilitate their economies and to overcome the severe consequences of the pandemic. Education is key to this process.</p> <p>Agriculture, rural territories and their integration with urban centers stand to play a critical role in this agenda. Realising the potential of rural areas will call for innovation and technology to trigger virtuous cycles of economic growth, job creation and the bridging of social divides.</p> <p>In Latin America and the Caribbean, agriculture is a central activity and one of the few sectors that remained active after the outbreak of COVID-19. In the coming years, the sector will take another qualitative leap, incorporating the benefits of digitalisation and other technological advancements.</p> <p>This change will be inevitable and will necessitate the development of new capacities, because agricultural digitalisation can assist in increasing the supply and quality of food, even while maintaining a harmonious relationship with the environment.</p> <p>In tandem with these processes, the rural population and upcoming generations will need access to proper education, which will enable agro-industrial transformative processes to capitalize on the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.</p> <p>Technology in and of itself will not drive these changes, but rather human talent and duly empowered organisations.</p> <p>Therefore, once rural activity implements the digitalisation agenda, we must then take steps to ensure that education enables the rural population to assume a leading role.</p> <p>In recent years, in a joint effort, international organisations, such as the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in collaboration with private sector allies, such as Microsoft, have issued a warning regarding the urgency of addressing the problems of rural connectivity and digital skills development.</p> <p>In the Latin American and Caribbean region, there is a 34 percentage-point gap between connectivity access in urban and rural areas. Digital skills development among rural dwellers is also limited, with only 17.1 per cent of the population having acquired specific digital skills.</p> <p>Furthermore, in Latin America, only 33 per cent of schools have access to adequate broadband or internet speed. In rural areas, in eight of 10 countries, less than 15 per cent of schools have sufficient broadband access or internet speed.</p> <p>Education has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, with the closure of schools and abandonment of schooling.</p> <p>According to UNESCO, 3.1 million youth and children in the region have fallen out of the education system.</p> <p>This scenario points to the challenges facing a rural education agenda.</p> <p>It is therefore a matter of priority to align actions with future demands and to drive the development of agro-technical education, by modernising rural educational institutions to prepare qualified resources among rural youth, fowstering rural retention, linkages with the production sector and the integrated and inclusive development of rural areas and their people.</p> <p>We must prepare leaders to transform our agri-food systems. Thus, providing better opportunities through first-class education in agro-technical schools should be prioritised.</p> <p>This is the path to laying the foundation of a new rurality: better education, full connectivity and a population that is equipped to make intensive and intelligent use of new technology, thereby transforming rural areas into zones of opportunity and engines of economic development.</p> <p>Manuel Otero is Director General, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture.</p></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-countries--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-countries.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-countries.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 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</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--comment--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section class="field field--name-comment field--type-comment field--label-above comment-wrapper"> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> Thu, 24 Feb 2022 19:40:01 +0000 admin 305522 at http://blackdignitymedia.com http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-education-essential-tool-agriculture#comments #BTColumn – Factors that aided DLP red wash No.2 http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-factors-aided-dlp-red-wash-no2 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 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'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-author-date--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--datetime.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-author-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">Sunday, February 13, 2022</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-import-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-import-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-import-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-import-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Publisher</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb" target="_blank">Barbados Today</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-feed-id--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-link-to-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-link-to-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Article</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/02/13/btcolumn-factors-that-aided-dlp-red-wash-no-2/" target="_blank">#BTColumn – Factors that aided DLP red wash No.2</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--body.html.twig x field--text-with-summary.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. </strong></p> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/27575914/BTInsideArticleCovidAd', [[250, 250], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); --&gt; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0'); }); --&gt; <p><strong>by </strong>John Goddard</p> <p>The second consecutive 30-0 red wash of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) should be of great concern to not only party members, but also all Barbadians who cherish our two party democracy.</p> <p>The question which should occupy our attention is why this wholesale rejection of a party which has contributed so much to the development of Barbados? In this article, I propose to outline some of the factors which I think led to the DLP’s massive defeat.</p> <p>Leadership has been touted as the single greatest difference between the two major parties. There is no doubt that Ms Mottley is more charismatic and experienced than Ms Depeiza, but those advantages were magnified because of the limited support given to the DLP President by leading members of her party.</p> <p>And I do not mean the pre-election challenge to her presidency by the Rev. Guy Hewitt. There is nothing wrong with challenges for positions in an organisation. However, after a contest of this nature, the losers should accept the result and work together for the good of the organisation.</p> <p>The problem with the DLP was that some of those who felt aggrieved by the outcome of the presidential election offered very little or no assistance to the party in the election campaign of 2022. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that some canvassed against their party, particularly in St. Lucy and St. John.</p> <p>In addition we had the spectacle of one of the once leading lights of the party highlighting the advantages of Ms Mottley, just a few days before the elections.</p> <p>What could have been his motive?</p> <p>There was much that could be said about Ms Depeiza’s qualification for leadership that the seniors could have emphasised. She is bright, articulate, highly ethical and clearly has a vision.</p> <p>The problem in these post-colonial, plantation structured societies is that a leader is seen like the old massa who bullied those under him. In short, leadership is equated to bossism. There is, therefore, no room for someone who believes in empowering those he/she leads.</p> <p>Also, senior candidates did very little on platforms to convince the public that they were fully behind Ms Depeiza as leader of the party. This led even supporters to ask the question: who would be the Prime Minister if the Democratic Labour Party won the elections?</p> <p>Such uncertainty was bound to dampen enthusiasm. It also provided the Barbados Labour Party with a stick to flog the Dems, and speaker after speaker administered blows using this weapon.</p> <p>While on the issue of the participation of the elders of the party. I am one of the few people who do not accept that the appearance of Mr Freundel Stuart on the platform in St. Michael South played a major role in the defeat of the DLP.</p> <p>The media and other critics ignored the substance of his speech and focussed attention on the few words which described the period 2008 -2018 as “glorious years”.</p> <p>This is the kind of sub-standard level of analysis that we have sunk to.<span>  </span>If persons who had planned to vote for the DLP changed their minds after hearing the words quoted, then we are in a sad state.</p> <p>Another glaring weakness was the failure of most of the experienced former parliamentarians to mentor the new, but gifted candidates. These “newbies” did not have enough experience in organising campaigns for a General Election.</p> <p>From all reports, evidence of this was seen on the ground on the day of the election. A candidate might be able to encourage electors to vote, but unless he/she is able to mobilise transport etc to get them to the polls, success will be limited. Why were so few former ministers active in supporting promising candidates?</p> <p>What appeared to the public to be last minute decisions by Dr. David Estwick and Mr Michael Lashley to run again hurt their chances of winning. By not declaring their intentions earlier, the two stalwarts created doubt among constituents. Also, they did not give themselves enough time to<br /> properly canvas.</p> <p>There is no doubt that the DLP did not have enough financial resources to mount an effective campaign. The BLP, on the other hand, clearly suffered no shortage of money. The time has come for campaign finance laws to be implemented, so that money does not give any party an unfair advantage over the other parties contesting the elections.</p> <p>Finally, the Dems paid the price for government being able to call elections at its whim and fancy. It is in the interest of our democracy to have fixed election periods to allow all contestants to start on a level playing field.</p> <p>In the 2022 elections, it was obvious that not many of the DLP candidates were able to adequately canvas their constituencies.</p> <p>John Goddard, retired, but always an educator.</p></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-countries--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-countries.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-countries.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-countries field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden 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field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section class="field field--name-comment field--type-comment field--label-above comment-wrapper"> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> Thu, 24 Feb 2022 19:40:01 +0000 admin 305521 at http://blackdignitymedia.com http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-factors-aided-dlp-red-wash-no2#comments #BTColumn – The Social partnership construct http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-social-partnership-construct <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">#BTColumn – The Social partnership construct</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-article-image--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-article-image.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-article-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-article-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item">/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__1242.png</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> <a title="View user profile." href="/user/1" class="username">admin</a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Thu, 02/24/2022 - 19:30</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'rrssb_button_list' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/rrssb/templates/rrssb-button-list.html.twig' --> <div class="rrssb rrssb-bs-article_share"> <ul class="rrssb-buttons"> <li class="rrssb-twitter"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%23BTColumn%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Social%20partnership%20construct&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-social-partnership-construct" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">twitter</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-facebook"> <a 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field--datetime.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-author-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">Sunday, February 13, 2022</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-import-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-import-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-import-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-import-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Publisher</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb" target="_blank">Barbados Today</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-feed-id--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-link-to-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-link-to-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Article</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/02/13/btcolumn-the-social-partnership-construct/" target="_blank">#BTColumn – The Social partnership construct</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--body.html.twig x field--text-with-summary.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. </strong></p> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/27575914/BTInsideArticleCovidAd', [[250, 250], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); --&gt; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0'); }); --&gt; <p><strong>by </strong>Dennis De Peiza </p> <p>A Trade Union National Centre is described as a federation or confederation of trade unions in a country.</p> <p>It is said that nearly every country in the world has a national trade union centre, and in some instances some have more than one.</p> <p>Based on this internationally accepted definition, it becomes clear that an individual trade union does not qualify to be accorded the status of a national centre.</p> <p>The National Trade Union Centre functions as the global voice of working class people.</p> <p>It therefore means that every national trade union centre is expected to play the role that is similarly undertaken by the International Trade Union Congress (ITUC).</p> <p>The primary mission of this international body which is based in Brussels, is the promotion and defence of workers’ rights and interests through international cooperation between trade unions, global unions, global campaigning and advocacy within the major global institutions.</p> <p>The local national trade union congress or confederation is expected to initiate its campaigning, advocacy or lobbying at the parochial level.</p> <p>As in the case of trade union national centres across the Caribbean region, it is expected that they engage in bilateral and tripartite consultation; with government as a stakeholder and with the private sector community.</p> <p>The embrace of the national trade union centre in tripartite governance arrangement that involves the government, employers and workers representatives is modelled from that established arrangement of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).</p> <p>The tripartite structure practised within the ILO, is unique, in that it provides for a forum in which government and the social partners in labour and the private sector, can freely and openly debate on matters of labour policies and standards.</p> <p>With the establishment of this tripartite governance arrangement, there is every expectation that the partners would commit to engaging in the process of meaningful dialogue and consultation.</p> <p>There is no place for lip service to be paid to the process, neither should the engagement of dialogue and consultation treated as a matter of convenience.</p> <p>Tripartite consultation at the national level is not to be taken lightly.</p> <p>Governments should not overlook the fact that labour and the private sector as social partners, have an important part to play in the governance and decision-making, as they help to shape social and economic policies.</p> <p>Under the constitution of the ILO, governments are accorded membership status of the body on the decision of the General Assembly, on the formal acceptance of the obligations of the Constitution of the organsation.</p> <p>The current 187 members states of the ILO are under the obligation to recognise both workers’ and employers’ representatives.</p> <p>In embracing workers’ representation in the tripartite consultation and the governance process, governments do so recognising that trade unions are democratic, self-organising institutions of working class people whose role is to advance the rights of workers and citizens.</p> <p>Employers’ representation in the tripartite consultation and governance process, is grounded in the fact that contributions of employers’ organisations is deemed to be critical.</p> <p>This is based on how these can ensure that the national social and economic objectives are properly and effectively formulated and win the support of the business community.</p> <p>It is envisaged that for the effective working of a social partnership to take place, it is best that there is representation from the three groups of government, workers and employers.</p> <p>The identification of each of these groups as single entity and their presentations as a consolidated group, makes for a constructive and effective arrangement under the social partnership.</p> <p>This would certainly eliminate the glaring possibility of division within the various groups when it comes to<br /> decision-making.</p> <p>To encourage the participation of individual interests within the tripartite model is a dangerous practice,<br /> as this goes against the promotion of the construct of a tripartite arrangement.</p> <p>This can contribute to the loss of objectivity and contribute to acts of undermining within the various groups.</p> <p>It is to be endorsed that if a good social partnership is to be achieved, there must be the powerful and independent organisation of both workers and employers at the table, who can represent the interest of their respective sector without fear of division and contradiction.</p> <p>While it is understandable that Governments may want to practise inclusivity, it is questionable if to encourage and promote such would be to create divisions at the level of national bodies.</p> <p>While it is prudent to respect the autonomy of each individual trade union or business entity that exercises its choice not to be part of the established and recognized national body in the sector, it ought to be considered that the value and significance of the social partnership stands for something.</p></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-countries--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-countries.html.twig * 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'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-audience field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/4" hreflang="en">Caribbean</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-genres--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-genres.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-genres.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-genres field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/5" hreflang="en">News</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--comment--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section class="field field--name-comment field--type-comment field--label-above comment-wrapper"> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> Thu, 24 Feb 2022 19:30:01 +0000 admin 305518 at http://blackdignitymedia.com http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-social-partnership-construct#comments #BTColumn – Eye on Russia, Ukraine tensions http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-eye-russia-ukraine-tensions <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">#BTColumn – Eye on Russia, Ukraine tensions</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-article-image--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-article-image.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-article-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-article-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item">/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__1240.png</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> <a title="View user profile." href="/user/1" class="username">admin</a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Thu, 02/24/2022 - 19:20</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'rrssb_button_list' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/rrssb/templates/rrssb-button-list.html.twig' --> <div class="rrssb rrssb-bs-article_share"> <ul class="rrssb-buttons"> <li class="rrssb-twitter"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%23BTColumn%20%E2%80%93%20Eye%20on%20Russia%2C%20Ukraine%20tensions&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-eye-russia-ukraine-tensions" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">twitter</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-facebook"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-eye-russia-ukraine-tensions" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">facebook</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-reddit"> <a href="https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-eye-russia-ukraine-tensions&amp;title=%23BTColumn%20%E2%80%93%20Eye%20on%20Russia%2C%20Ukraine%20tensions" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">reddit</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-tumblr"> <a 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'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-author-date--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--datetime.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-author-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">Sunday, February 13, 2022</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-import-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-import-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-import-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-import-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Publisher</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb" target="_blank">Barbados Today</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-feed-id--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-link-to-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-link-to-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Article</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/02/13/btcolumn-eye-on-russia-ukraine-tensions/" target="_blank">#BTColumn – Eye on Russia, Ukraine tensions</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--body.html.twig x field--text-with-summary.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. </strong></p> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/27575914/BTInsideArticleCovidAd', [[250, 250], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); --&gt; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0'); }); --&gt; <p><strong>by </strong> Sir Ron Sanders </p> <p>Global tension is rising concerning Ukraine, the second largest country in<span>  </span>Europe after Russia which it borders. Ukraine was a part of the defunct Soviet union, declaring its independence in 1991 when the Union dissolved.</p> <p>Should regions, as geographically distant from Ukraine as the Caribbean, care about the hostility that is escalating over it between Russia and the countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) which includes the United States (US) and Canada?</p> <p>The short answer must be yes.<span>  </span>Every region in the world would be impacted by a conflict over Ukraine. The Caribbean would be affected by higher prices for oil and gas that would result from Russia cutting off oil supplies to Europe and the consequent competitive bidding in the markets from which Caribbean countries now purchase these commodities.</p> <p>This would have been bad news for Caribbean economies at any time but, coming in a period when these countries are still struggling to recover from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, higher oil and gas prices would plunge many economies into further decline.</p> <p>There would also be a knock-on effect on the cost of imported goods and services, including food and the provision of vital utilities such as electricity and water.</p> <p>Beyond the economic and financial impact on the region if oil and gas prices rise, small Caribbean countries which came to independence by exercising the right to self-determination and which treasure their sovereignty and territorial integrity, would have to be very concerned should Russia invade Ukraine to bring it back under Russian control.</p> <p>Any diminution in the sanctity of these norms of international law would pose a threat to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states, such as Belize and Guyana, which are faced with territorial claims.</p> <p>The root of the problem in the Ukraine rests in two things: the belief by the Russian government and especially President Vladimir Putin that Ukraine is, historically, part of Russia; and President Putin’s further conviction that NATO countries wish to use Ukrainian territory as a staging post<br /> against Russia.</p> <p>Putin had repeatedly said that “we (Russia) are categorically against any further NATO expansion eastwards because it poses a threat to us”.</p> <p>He adds, “It’s not us who’s advancing to NATO, it is NATO coming to us and its illogical to talk about Russia’s aggressive behaviour”.</p> <p>In 1991, when Ukraine became independent from the dissolved Soviet Union, it declared itself ‘neutral’. No doubt, it did so, because even then it was wary of Russian ambitions to control its neighbouring states.</p> <p>Ukrainian concern turned out to be justified when, in 2014, Russia encouraged forces in Crimea to declare it an independent Republic effectively annexing it to Russia.<span>   </span></p> <p>The Crimea is physically a peninsula of Ukraine where Russia has, traditionally, stationed its Black Sea Fleet at the Port of Sevastopol.<span>   </span></p> <p>Russia’s annexation of the area appears to have been a response to the Ukrainian government’s attempt to join the European Union (EU) – a move that was seen as a further step to link Ukraine to European countries that are also part of NATO.</p> <p>In recent years, Russian unease over Ukraine increased over the Ukrainian government’s expressed desire to join NATO, and the latter’s pledge in 2008 to allow it to do so, although no date was set and still does not exist.<span>   </span></p> <p>Russia has now amassed over 100,000 troops near Ukraine and sent a detachment of warships into the Black Sea. All this has been interpreted by the Ukrainian government, NATO and the Western media as intent by Russia to invade.</p> <p>Putin appears to have two objectives: the first is to stop Ukraine from joining NATO and the second is to limit the expansion of NATO to include any countries other than its present membership. For their part, leading NATO nations, including the US have made it clear that they will not negotiate NATO’s membership with Russia.</p> <p>Thus, the standoff continues, and tensions heighten amid recent efforts from NATO leaders to engage Russia in a dialogue. An encounter between the Russian and British Foreign Ministers was summed-up by the Russian as “a mute talking to a deaf perso”. And a visit to Moscow by French President Emmanuel Macron for talks with Putin showed no sign of a solution. Russian-US talks also proved unproductive.</p> <p>The danger of the Caribbean region being thrust into this row became evident when Sergei Ryabakov, who led the Russian delegation in a meeting with US officials on January 12, said he would not confirm or exclude Russia sending “military assets” to Venezuela and Cuba. US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, described the Russian statement as “bluster”.</p> <p>Bluster or not, the Caribbean cannot ignore events surrounding Ukraine – a country with which all CARICOM countries have diplomatic relations as they do with Russia and the NATO member states.</p> <p>Considering contingency arrangements for oil and gas supplies – and their prices – is one thing that Caribbean governments should be collectively considering.</p></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-countries--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-countries.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-countries.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-countries field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/199" hreflang="en">Barbados</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/189" hreflang="en">Antigua and Barbuda</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/202" hreflang="en">Belize</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/220" hreflang="en">Canada</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/236" hreflang="en">Cuba</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/274" hreflang="en">Guyana</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/413" hreflang="en">Ukraine</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/362" hreflang="en">Russia</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/423" hreflang="en">Venezuela</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/416" hreflang="en">United States</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/415" hreflang="en">United Kingdom</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 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from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section class="field field--name-comment field--type-comment field--label-above comment-wrapper"> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> Thu, 24 Feb 2022 19:20:01 +0000 admin 305505 at http://blackdignitymedia.com #BTColumn – Tourism is a national development strategy http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-tourism-national-development-strategy <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">#BTColumn – Tourism is a national development strategy</span> <!-- END 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<!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> <a title="View user profile." href="/user/1" class="username">admin</a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created 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class="rrssb-text">email</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/rrssb/templates/rrssb-button-list.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x links--node.html.twig x links--node.html.twig * links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-author-date--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--datetime.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-author-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">Sunday, February 13, 2022</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-import-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-import-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-import-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-import-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Publisher</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb" target="_blank">Barbados Today</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-feed-id--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-link-to-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-link-to-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Article</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/02/13/btcolumn-tourism-is-a-national-development-strategy/" target="_blank">#BTColumn – Tourism is a national development strategy</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--body.html.twig x field--text-with-summary.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. </strong></p> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/27575914/BTInsideArticleCovidAd', [[250, 250], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); --&gt; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0'); }); --&gt; <p><strong>by</strong> Kareem Yarde </p> <p>Recent reports which have lauded our tourism rebound so far have caused me to reflect on an avenue I think can magnify tourism’s benefits even further.</p> <p>While over time we have discussed the importance of linkages between tourism and other sectors, I fear our general progress in this respect is still lacking and needs a more active central government approach.</p> <p>My ensuing reflections for adjudication are limited to tourism’s role in how we trade with world, and do not address other elements such as environmental/ social concerns.</p> <p>Tourism as an economic development tool</p> <p>Since emerging as the lead economic driver in Barbados and many other Caribbean nations, tourism’s prominence has largely been at the expense of other productive sectors.</p> <p>On November 7th, 2021, about 53 minutes into a recording of Down to Brasstacks among a panel of tourism officials, it was stated: “tourism taking the lead and producing most of the foreign exchange does not stop any other sector from doing well. At the policy level, the question would be, are there other things that need to be done, to assist those other sectors in the way that tourism has been facilitated…</p> <p>Don’t fight with tourism for that…”.</p> <p>I wholly agree with the question, but I contend that it is tourism which should be asking this question of itself. Overall, I do not discredit that the panel actively addressed linkages and its developmental importance, but it is my contention that the proffers represent a pervasive<br /> passive approach.</p> <p>I posit that over time, the impact of tourism on our development has been too inward looking. It has concentrated mostly on the direct role tourism plays in the nation’s development, and less so on tourism’s indirect role in spurring the development of other exports.</p> <p>Tourism by nature is interdependent. So interdependent is it, that experts are often challenged to measure the true size and contribution of tourism. Furthermore, the generally accepted scholarly stance is that tourism is an amalgam of “industries and activities” and there is in fact no single productive system called ‘tourism’.</p> <p>Case in point, visitors patronising Oistins is not ‘tourism’ in and of itself, at its core it is instead their participation in the local fare and our culture, which is represented asbeing tourism.</p> <p>With this in mind, I do not believe development policy, administrative stances, or precepts that pit tourism against other sectors are beneficial, because tourism is in effect, the coalescing of those said industries and activities. Resultingly, there is a guiding mindset that because tourism is so omnipresent, it aims to commercialise a ‘place’ (destination) in its entirety and everything it contains. There is some merit to this very capitalist perspective which should not be immediately discarded as unsustainable.</p> <p>Doing so blinds us to the impact such commercialisation can have on improving the quality of life of average citizens. For this reason, I contend that tourism has an active role to play in any effort to create aggressive whole of government interventions into national development policy and planning.</p> <p>In this instance, I focus specifically on international trade and posit an intervention as follows.</p> <p>The Tourism led Exporting-Development Policy Initiative</p> <p>Serving under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism, this initiative would actively incite governmental policy coordination designed solely to propel the integration of tourism with other productive sectors of the economy with proven/ emerging export potential.</p> <p>The initiative would be tourism centric but outward looking. It would be so critical of the derivatives of its own policy, that it would first be minded to ensure that its interventions aim to prevent the other productive sectors from developing a centralised dependency upon tourism, and rather, eventually stand on their own.</p> <p>One may ask: Why tourism? What about the Ministry of International Business? What about BIDC? What about export Barbados? What about the Ministries of the respective industries being integrated? The answer: Because tourism itself, is at its core, an aggregation of the economy and society. Such an initiative does not absolve any of the preceding entities from their mandates.</p> <p>It simply allows tourism to facilitate the cross-selling of Barbados overall. In 2019, Barbados accommodated almost 700,000 land-based visitors alone. This is an easily accessible captive market which tourism has the capacity and dare I say responsibility, to instruct the other productive sectors of the economy on how to effectively capitalise.</p> <p>This access should be used to develop, refine and make globally competitive, the local goods/ services we provide to tourists while on island for subsequent exporting to the international market. In most instances, these would be specialised niche offerings.</p> <p>We delude ourselves if we think that tourism is an obscure activity designed for the benefit of visitors. I say instead that tourism is a national development strategy and a medium of trade which we use to access goods and services produced elsewhere, that uplift the quality of life of our people. We must use it for what it is.</p></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-countries--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-countries.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-countries.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-countries field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/199" hreflang="en">Barbados</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-audience--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-audience.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-audience.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-audience field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/4" hreflang="en">Caribbean</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-genres--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-genres.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-genres.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-genres field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/5" hreflang="en">News</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--comment--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section class="field field--name-comment field--type-comment field--label-above comment-wrapper"> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> Wed, 23 Feb 2022 20:40:01 +0000 admin 304691 at http://blackdignitymedia.com http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-tourism-national-development-strategy#comments #BTColumn – Omicron: How we can fight back http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-omicron-how-we-can-fight-back <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">#BTColumn – Omicron: How we can fight back</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-article-image--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-article-image.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-article-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-article-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item">/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__11591.jpg</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> <a title="View user profile." href="/user/1" class="username">admin</a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Wed, 02/23/2022 - 05:20</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'rrssb_button_list' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/rrssb/templates/rrssb-button-list.html.twig' --> <div class="rrssb rrssb-bs-article_share"> <ul class="rrssb-buttons"> <li class="rrssb-twitter"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%23BTColumn%20%E2%80%93%20Omicron%3A%20How%20we%20can%20fight%20back&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-omicron-how-we-can-fight-back" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">twitter</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-facebook"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-omicron-how-we-can-fight-back" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">facebook</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-reddit"> <a 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'modules/contrib/rrssb/templates/rrssb-button-list.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x links--node.html.twig x links--node.html.twig * links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-author-date--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--datetime.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-author-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">Saturday, February 12, 2022</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-import-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-import-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-import-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-import-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Publisher</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb" target="_blank">Barbados Today</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-feed-id--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-link-to-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-link-to-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Article</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/02/12/btcolumn-omicron-how-we-can-fight-back/" target="_blank">#BTColumn – Omicron: How we can fight back</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--body.html.twig x field--text-with-summary.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. </strong></p> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/27575914/BTInsideArticleCovidAd', [[250, 250], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); --&gt; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0'); }); --&gt; <p><strong>by </strong>Dr. Colin V. Alert</p> <p>Many people are alarmed, or should be, by the number of persons who test positive for  COVID-19 infections, whenever we get news of the daily COVID dashboard.</p> <p>Over the last two weeks we have heard daily numbers of around 600 persons testing positive, and we have almost 12 000 persons in self-quarantine. One or two people die from COVID daily.</p> <p>In the early days of this pandemic, almost two years ago, the available measures for protection involved the 3Ws – Wash your hands, Wear your mask, Watch your distance, i.e. maintain your social distance, especially in indoor and/or crowded areas.</p> <p>Such was the power of the virus that, even with these measures in place, we were forced to have a national lockdown. And while the national income fell, we were forced to divert scarce resources to new health facilities and health-related personnel.</p> <p>About one year ago we were offered anti-COVID vaccines by our government, to add to the other personal protective measures that persons should continue to use to slow or prevent the spread of COVID-19</p> <p>According to the WHO, anti-COVID vaccines are being extensively studied, and are incredibly effective in preventing severe disease and death. However, there is no guarantee that they will completely prevent infection or that they will completely prevent onward transmission.</p> <p>Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons including specific financial agendas, political agendas, mis-information, loud voices from anti-vaxxers and other reasons, the airways and social media have been flooded with reasons why persons should refuse to take the vaccine.</p> <p>A few people have claimed to believe in the vaccine, but have refused to take it because they were against mandates. This has created an environment of confusion.<span>  </span>So many persons have chosen not to take the vaccine, making it very difficult for the country to achieve herd immunity, one possible way of ending the pandemic.</p> <p>When the new variant omicron appeared, the most common description was that it “was more contagious, but less deadly than the delta variant” which was the dominant strain at the time. Both parts of this message seemto be correct.</p> <p>Today, the large number of persons contracting the virus, including both unvaccinated and vaccinated, confirms the “more contagious” description of the variant. Very large numbers of persons are contracting COVID.</p> <p>But the unvaccinated were far more likely to become seriously ill, more likely to need full scale isolation or hospitalisation, and more likely to die.</p> <p>They were also more likely to spread the virus: if they spread it to unvaccinated persons, such as young children for whom the vaccine is not yet approved, or elderly persons with co-morbidities like obesity, diabetes and hypertension, then these persons are at increased risk of contracting the disease, and even dying.</p> <p>Even though the omicron variant is “less deadly” than the delta variant, that does not mean that it is not deadly at all. Our daily 1-2 deaths confirm that it is deadly, especially in a population with a high prevalence of co-morbidities.</p> <p>Our current ‘best protection’ tweaks’ the earlier message:</p> <p>• Wash your hands</p> <p>• Wear your masks: now, a better mask than the cloth mask and/or the surgical mask is the current recommendation. A K95, a KN95, or even double masking (surgical mask plus cloth mask) are currently recommended.</p> <p>The KN95 or the K95 masks are more costly than the surgical mask, but they can be cleaned and reused. Each person should have a few masks, and rotate them, as long as the seal remains intact.</p> <p>There is no technical data on this in our part of the world, but in countries with cooler climates (and hence more indoor activity) a mask can last 3-4 weeks.</p> <p>• Watch your distance</p> <p>• Get your vaccine. When the delta variant was the main one in circulation, two doses of vaccine (or one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine) was the recommendation. However, with each individual’s immunity declining over time, and with a new contagious variant terrorising the population, a booster dose boosted the protection (compared to two doses). So, get your booster as soon as you can.</p> <p>There are still a few persons around who believe that omicron is “just like the flu”, and refuse the vaccine because they say “it can’t kill me”.</p> <p>But remaining unvaccinated means that they may make an elderly relative, or a young child, very sick, precisely at the time when our health services are stretched to the limit (even without a nurses’ strike).</p> <p>Remaining unvaccinated may mean your co-workers are compelled to home quarantine, closing (or severely restricting) all business. When businesses can’t make money, everybody suffers. We can’t afford to close businesses again.</p> <p>What can we do to fight back? How can we brace ourselves for the next COVID variant, whether it is more or less deadly, whether it is more or less contagious? Make sure you get all the vaccines available to you, and encourage friends and family to get their shots and follow the 3Ws.</p> <p>Dr. Colin V. Alert, MB BS, DM. is a family physician and associate UWI family medicine lecturer.</p></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-countries--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-countries.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-countries.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-countries field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/199" hreflang="en">Barbados</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-audience--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-audience.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-audience.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-audience field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/4" hreflang="en">Caribbean</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-genres--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-genres.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-genres.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-genres field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/5" hreflang="en">News</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--comment--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section class="field field--name-comment field--type-comment field--label-above comment-wrapper"> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> Wed, 23 Feb 2022 05:20:01 +0000 admin 303988 at http://blackdignitymedia.com http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-omicron-how-we-can-fight-back#comments #BTColumn – Avert the disaster of a lost generation http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-avert-disaster-lost-generation <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">#BTColumn – Avert the disaster of a lost generation</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-article-image--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-article-image.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-article-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-article-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item">/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__942.jpeg</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> <a title="View user profile." href="/user/1" class="username">admin</a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Wed, 02/23/2022 - 05:10</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'rrssb_button_list' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/rrssb/templates/rrssb-button-list.html.twig' --> <div class="rrssb rrssb-bs-article_share"> <ul class="rrssb-buttons"> <li class="rrssb-twitter"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%23BTColumn%20%E2%80%93%20Avert%20the%20disaster%20of%20a%20lost%20generation&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-avert-disaster-lost-generation" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">twitter</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-facebook"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-avert-disaster-lost-generation" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">facebook</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-reddit"> <a href="https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-avert-disaster-lost-generation&amp;title=%23BTColumn%20%E2%80%93%20Avert%20the%20disaster%20of%20a%20lost%20generation" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">reddit</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-tumblr"> <a href="https://tumblr.com/share?s=&amp;amp;v=3&amp;t=%23BTColumn%20%E2%80%93%20Avert%20the%20disaster%20of%20a%20lost%20generation&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-avert-disaster-lost-generation" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">tumblr</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-email"> <a href="mailto:?subject=%23BTColumn%20%E2%80%93%20Avert%20the%20disaster%20of%20a%20lost%20generation&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-avert-disaster-lost-generation" > <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">email</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/rrssb/templates/rrssb-button-list.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x links--node.html.twig x links--node.html.twig * links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-author-date--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--datetime.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-author-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">Saturday, February 12, 2022</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-import-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-import-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-import-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-import-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Publisher</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb" target="_blank">Barbados Today</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-feed-id--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-link-to-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-link-to-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Article</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/02/12/btcolumn-avert-the-disaster-of-a-lost-generation/" target="_blank">#BTColumn – Avert the disaster of a lost generation</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--body.html.twig x field--text-with-summary.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. </strong></p> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/27575914/BTInsideArticleCovidAd', [[250, 250], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); --&gt; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0'); }); --&gt; <p><strong>by </strong>Basil Springer GCM</p> <p>“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” – Matthew 19:14</p> <p>When planning for our children’s development it is difficult to find words that embrace our feelings more effectively than those of the worldwide hit “Greatest love of all”. “I believe the children are our future, Teach them well and let them lead the way, Show them all the beauty they possess inside, Give them a sense of pride to make it easier, Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.”</p> <p>Our children’s education may evolve from the Montessori system. Then home schooling is an option where the child receives parent-directed education at home.</p> <p>In the primary, secondary and tertiary educational systems, face-to-face education is the norm. In an emergency, this may be supplemented by virtual schooling where education delivery is expedited through online methods.</p> <p>Enter COVID-19 in March 2020. There was no available vaccine therefore public health protocols demanded that economies be locked down to prevent the spread of the disease and loss of life. This also resulted in the loss of livelihoods. Schools were closed and countries around the world were forced to resort to virtual education.</p> <p>The majority of our children attend face-to-face classes at all levels of education. They have exams to channel their future progress.</p> <p>The substitute is virtual learning. Working parents have to supervise their children’s virtual classes, natural socialization takes a hit, job profiles change, training for the workforce demands has to be adjusted – disaster looms.</p> <p>The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned since last year of the dire consequence of school closures which will be felt for generations. And according to UNICEF, school closures should be considered as the absolute last resort in pandemic measures. It will disproportionately affect poorer and socially disadvantaged children and cause huge economic losses for individual nations in the years to come.</p> <p>Parents in Barbados were totally devastated as their children lagged behind in their education and social development. It is terrifying for parents of those children just starting to attend school or going to the next level.</p> <p>A mum shared this comment with a friend: “My teenage daughter is in a major depression as she doesn’t know anyone and does not see anyone anymore. I am very worried.” If this continues much longer, this might lead to a lost generation of Barbadian children.</p> <p>It is not surprising that a parent, who brought his family from Europe to Barbados on the Barbados Welcome Stamp program, shared that many parents are at their wits end: “I hope we do not have to cut our stay short because of the continuing school closures in Barbados.”</p> <p>The unavailability of vaccines in the required quantity and anti-vaxxers (largely influenced by a variety of conspiracy theories) retarded the natural recovery process.</p> <p>Policy makers extended virtual school for two years to avoid community spread.</p> <p>It is welcome news that the recently appointed Minister of Education has given the reassurance that her ministry is working earnestly towards the resumption of face-to-face classes by Monday, February 21, 2022. Let us hope that it is not too late to avert the disaster of a lost generation. And above all, if you haven’t, please get yourself and your family vaccinated!</p> <p>Basil Springer GCM is a Change-Engine Consultant. His email address is <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection">[email protected]</a> His columns may be found at www.nothingbeatsbusiness.com.</p></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-countries--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-countries.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-countries.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-countries field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/199" hreflang="en">Barbados</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-audience--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-audience.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-audience.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-audience field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/4" hreflang="en">Caribbean</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-genres--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-genres.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-genres.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-genres field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/5" hreflang="en">News</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--comment--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section class="field field--name-comment field--type-comment field--label-above comment-wrapper"> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> Wed, 23 Feb 2022 05:10:01 +0000 admin 303978 at http://blackdignitymedia.com http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-avert-disaster-lost-generation#comments #BTColumn- ‘Little England’ has grown up http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-little-england-has-grown <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">#BTColumn- ‘Little England’ has grown up</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-article-image--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-article-image.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-article-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-article-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item">/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__10554.jpg</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> <a title="View user profile." href="/user/1" class="username">admin</a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Sat, 12/11/2021 - 11:50</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'rrssb_button_list' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/rrssb/templates/rrssb-button-list.html.twig' --> <div class="rrssb rrssb-bs-article_share"> <ul class="rrssb-buttons"> <li class="rrssb-twitter"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%23BTColumn-%20%E2%80%98Little%20England%E2%80%99%20has%20grown%20up&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-little-england-has-grown" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">twitter</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-facebook"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-little-england-has-grown" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">facebook</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-reddit"> <a href="https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-little-england-has-grown&amp;title=%23BTColumn-%20%E2%80%98Little%20England%E2%80%99%20has%20grown%20up" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">reddit</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-tumblr"> <a href="https://tumblr.com/share?s=&amp;amp;v=3&amp;t=%23BTColumn-%20%E2%80%98Little%20England%E2%80%99%20has%20grown%20up&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-little-england-has-grown" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">tumblr</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-email"> <a href="mailto:?subject=%23BTColumn-%20%E2%80%98Little%20England%E2%80%99%20has%20grown%20up&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-little-england-has-grown" > <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">email</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/rrssb/templates/rrssb-button-list.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x links--node.html.twig x links--node.html.twig * links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-author-date--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--datetime.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-author-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">Wednesday, December 8, 2021</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-import-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-import-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-import-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-import-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Publisher</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb" target="_blank">Barbados Today</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-feed-id--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-link-to-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-link-to-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Article</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/12/08/btcolumn-little-england-has-grown-up/" target="_blank">#BTColumn- ‘Little England’ has grown up</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--body.html.twig x field--text-with-summary.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.</strong></p> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/27575914/BTInsideArticleCovidAd', [[250, 250], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); --&gt; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0'); }); --&gt; <p><strong>By Suleiman Bulbulia </strong></p> <p>It was at the stroke of midnight on November 30th, 2021 that Barbados finally broke its 396-year political ties with its former coloniser, the United Kingdom.</p> <p>National Heroes Square in our UNESCO World’s Heritage designated capital city of Bridgetown could not have been a better location for the event. A historic space for a historic occasion.</p> <p>The night was cool, the atmosphere electric. A few sprinkles of rain so unlike previous November 30ths, when torrential downpours seemed to trademark our Independence celebrations from 1966 to 2016 at our 50th celebrations.</p> <p>The COVID-19 pandemic, while preventing mass gatherings and crowds witnessing this momentous occasion, allowed for technology to replace that live interaction. It was vastly different 55 years ago when Barbados took the bold step of Independence.</p> <p>Those who didn’t make it to the Garrison on that historic night had to wait until the newspapers carried the stories and the pictures the next day.</p> <p>This time it was live and direct and beamed across the globe and perhaps into the universe. Barbadians, I am sure, wherever in the world they were that night, logged on to the various platforms to witness history in the making. News media throughout the world covered this event as though some major country was becoming a republic.</p> <p>The significance of the coverage the moment received cannot be underscored. It is not often that countries go this route. Nepal in 2008, and Mauritius in 1992 were the last two.</p> <p>The Prime Minister has constantly emphasised that this moment is but a next step in Barbados’ journey. It is not the end, but the beginning; the beginning of the new era for Barbados and Barbadians.</p> <p>We must embrace it as such. The reality is that many who are facing the challenges of the pandemic and resulting economic, social, and health fallouts are finding it difficult to do justice to this momentous occasion. And that is understandable.</p> <p>It was business as usual on December 1st, back to the real world of trying to make a living under the new Republic.</p> <p>That is the sobering reality. But amidst all that, Barbadians, by and large, did pause on November 30th at midnight and throughout the day to celebrate this next step in our nation’s journey.</p> <p>I felt the confidence that night in National Heroes Square, amidst the hushed silence as the Tower Clock of Parliament struck midnight and the bell tolled its familiar chimes.</p> <p>Usually, it is a background sound as persons in its vicinity carry on their business. This night was different. It was a countdown to something that would change us forever. The silence was eerie as each of the 12 slow, measured strokes of the bell echoed in us in eager anticipation of what was next.</p> <p>It was history in the making, in a space that has so much history. National Heroes Square, formerly Trafalgar Square, has witnessed much in the heart of our capital.</p> <p>Barbados’ first nations people, the Arawak, probably roamed here freely, erecting a bridge over what is now known as Constitution River and where we are told the British settlers called Indian Bridge, eventually evolving into Bridgetown.</p> <p>But this space has an ugly history. It was the area of immense trauma and injustice during the centuries of the mid-Atlantic slave period. Here thousands of enslaved Africans were landed and paraded for slave owners.</p> <p>A horror we can’t even begin to imagine. A re-creation at the decommissioning of the Nelson Statue last year sent chills down my spine as I heard the screams and wailing of the actors and actresses setting the scene for what went on in these environs.</p> <p>It is our space now, sacred for some, where we can celebrate our heroes and where we can celebrate our Republic. Lord Horatio Nelson no longer overlooks it.</p> <p>Added to this are the new Golden Square Freedom Park, the renewed Queen’s Park, Independence Square, and Jubilee Gardens. Hopefully,</p> <p>Barbadians and visitors alike will embrace these spaces in our city as places of historic significance and ensure they are kept clean and accessible to all.</p> <p>The National Anthem that night had new meaning. Our national symbols, largely unchanged, also had new meanings.<br /> Collectively they reflect a Barbados boldly continuing in the world as its newest Republic, recognising its past and confident of its future.</p> <p>Barbadians must be proud of the grandeur of the event put on that night at the Inauguration of our first President.</p> <p>From parade to cultural events, Barbados was showcased to the world as capable of transitioning. “Little England” has certainly grown up and matured. Despite our size, a mere dot on the world map, we have proven our worth, our value, and our strength.<br /> The celebrations now over, the work continues on this journey as a republic. What is the Barbados we want for ourselves free of the vestiges of our colonial past but still very much haunted by its legacy? There will be difficult conversations that we have to engage in. Some have started already.</p></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-countries--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-countries.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-countries.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-countries field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/199" hreflang="en">Barbados</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/319" hreflang="en">Mauritius</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/281" hreflang="en">India</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/333" hreflang="en">Nepal</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/415" hreflang="en">United Kingdom</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-audience--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-audience.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-audience.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-audience field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/4" hreflang="en">Caribbean</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-genres--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-genres.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-genres.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-genres field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/5" hreflang="en">News</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--comment--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section class="field field--name-comment field--type-comment field--label-above comment-wrapper"> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> Sat, 11 Dec 2021 11:50:02 +0000 admin 280439 at http://blackdignitymedia.com http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-little-england-has-grown#comments #BTColumn- Dear HR- Vacation rights of employees http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-dear-hr-vacation-rights-employees <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">#BTColumn- Dear HR- Vacation rights of employees</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-article-image--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-article-image.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-article-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-article-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item">/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__1115.png</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> <a title="View user profile." href="/user/1" class="username">admin</a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Sat, 12/11/2021 - 11:50</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'rrssb_button_list' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/rrssb/templates/rrssb-button-list.html.twig' --> <div class="rrssb rrssb-bs-article_share"> <ul class="rrssb-buttons"> <li class="rrssb-twitter"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%23BTColumn-%20Dear%20HR-%20Vacation%20rights%20of%20employees&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-dear-hr-vacation-rights-employees" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">twitter</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-facebook"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-dear-hr-vacation-rights-employees" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">facebook</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-reddit"> <a href="https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-dear-hr-vacation-rights-employees&amp;title=%23BTColumn-%20Dear%20HR-%20Vacation%20rights%20of%20employees" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">reddit</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-tumblr"> <a href="https://tumblr.com/share?s=&amp;amp;v=3&amp;t=%23BTColumn-%20Dear%20HR-%20Vacation%20rights%20of%20employees&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-dear-hr-vacation-rights-employees" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">tumblr</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-email"> <a href="mailto:?subject=%23BTColumn-%20Dear%20HR-%20Vacation%20rights%20of%20employees&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-dear-hr-vacation-rights-employees" > <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">email</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/rrssb/templates/rrssb-button-list.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x links--node.html.twig x links--node.html.twig * links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-author-date--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--datetime.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-author-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">Wednesday, December 8, 2021</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-import-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-import-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-import-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-import-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Publisher</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb" target="_blank">Barbados Today</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-feed-id--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-link-to-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-link-to-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Article</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/12/08/btcolumn-dear-hr-vacation-rights-of-employees/" target="_blank">#BTColumn- Dear HR- Vacation rights of employees</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--body.html.twig x field--text-with-summary.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.</strong></p> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/27575914/BTInsideArticleCovidAd', [[250, 250], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); --&gt; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1631125303402-0'); }); --&gt; <p>Question:</p> <p>I was supposed to go on vacation for four weeks, then my boss asked me to only take two weeks and he would “pay” me for the other two weeks.<br /> Can he do this?</p> <p>Guidance on what should and should not happen regarding employee vacation can be found in the Holiday With Pay Act 2017-3.<br /> This law gives all employees the right to enjoy paid time off from work to relax and to rest after working consistently with the same employer for specified periods of time. Annual holiday/vacation is an entitlement (a right).</p> <p>Employee and Employer Rights</p> <p>Your holiday should be given all at once. For example, if you are entitled to four weeks, all should be taken at once. However, an employee and their employer can agree to split the holiday period into two or more separate periods.</p> <p>This means that while ideally you and your employer can agree on the dates for the holiday/ vacation period, the employer has the right to roster an employee’s holiday but must give the employee at least 14 days’ notice of when the holiday will start. Similarly, an employer may postpone an employee’s annual holiday but for no more than six months after the employee becomes entitled to it.</p> <p>If an employer wishes to postpone an employee’s annual holiday longer than six months, then the employer must have written consent to do so from the Chief Labour Officer.</p> <p>Other vacation arrangements</p> <p>Where an employer refuses to grant an employee their annual holiday that employer is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of $10, 000 or imprisonment for a term of one year or both.<br /> In other words, they may have to pay a fine or could go to jail or both.</p> <p>Further, an employer cannot contract or agree or make any arrangements regarding an employee’s annual holiday that is not in keeping with the Act.<br /> Any arrangement made which is not in keeping with the Act will be considered null and void.</p> <p>Paying employees instead of allowing them to take holiday is one of these arrangements or agreements that will be considered null and void.<br /> The only payment you should receive from your employer for vacation not taken should be for accrued vacation (vacation days earned but not taken) which will be on leaving the company.</p> <p><strong>About Lifeline Labour Solutions Lifeline Labour Solutions is a boutique partnership providing labour management solutions to workplace challenges. Partners Carol-ann Jordan and Jacqueline Belgrave are established practitioners with a wealth of knowledge and experience in Employment Relations and Human Resource Management.</strong></p></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-countries--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-countries.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-countries.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-countries field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/199" hreflang="en">Barbados</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/293" hreflang="en">Jordan</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-audience--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-audience.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-audience.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-audience field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/4" hreflang="en">Caribbean</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-genres--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-genres.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-genres.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-genres field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/5" hreflang="en">News</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--comment--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section class="field field--name-comment field--type-comment field--label-above comment-wrapper"> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> Sat, 11 Dec 2021 11:50:02 +0000 admin 280436 at http://blackdignitymedia.com http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-dear-hr-vacation-rights-employees#comments #BTColumn – Too much faith in these trial vaccines http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-too-much-faith-these-trial-vaccines <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">#BTColumn – Too much faith in these trial vaccines</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-article-image--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-article-image.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-article-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-article-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item">/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__5779.jpg</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> <a title="View user profile." href="/user/1" class="username">admin</a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/user/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 07/26/2021 - 11:40</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'rrssb_button_list' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/rrssb/templates/rrssb-button-list.html.twig' --> <div class="rrssb rrssb-bs-article_share"> <ul class="rrssb-buttons"> <li class="rrssb-twitter"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%23BTColumn%20%E2%80%93%20Too%20much%20faith%20in%20these%20trial%20vaccines&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-too-much-faith-these-trial-vaccines" class="popup"> <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">twitter</span> </a> </li> <li class="rrssb-facebook"> <a 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href="mailto:?subject=%23BTColumn%20%E2%80%93%20Too%20much%20faith%20in%20these%20trial%20vaccines&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fblackdignitymedia.com%2Farticles%2Fbtcolumn-too-much-faith-these-trial-vaccines" > <span class="rrssb-icon"></span> <span class="rrssb-text">email</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/rrssb/templates/rrssb-button-list.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x links--node.html.twig x links--node.html.twig * links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/content/links--node.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-author-date--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-author-date.html.twig * field--datetime.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-author-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">Sunday, July 18, 2021</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-import-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-import-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-import-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-import-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Publisher</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb" target="_blank">Barbados Today</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-feed-id--imported-article.html.twig x field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-feed-id.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--node--field-feed-id.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-link-to-source--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-link-to-source.html.twig * field--link.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-link-to-source field--type-link field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Original Article</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/07/18/btcolumn-too-much-faith-in-these-trial-vaccines/" target="_blank">#BTColumn – Too much faith in these trial vaccines</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--body.html.twig x field--text-with-summary.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados TODAY Inc.</strong></p> <p><strong>by Hyacinth Greenidge</strong></p> <p>I have always been a fan of Barbados TODAY and the thought-provoking articles this paper produces. This has been the case whether I agree with the topic or not.</p> <p>I find the contributions carried in your paper to be fair and firm. Some editorials have been biting but one you published earlier this week was disappointing to say the least.</p> <p>Your editorial on Tuesday headlined: Vaccines Only Way Out Of Being Stuck Inside, adds to the growing campaign of half-truths and false information.</p> <p>The scientists, the doctors and the manufactures of all these COVID-19 vaccines have repeatedly said that the vaccinated person can still get the virus and spread the virus.</p> <p>The only claim to fame the vaccines have, so far, are that they reduce chances of hospitalisation and death but to this day that is a claim that still has not been proven.</p> <p>What is a fact, though, is that all these variants Delta, Gamma, Alpha and Beta have all come about after these vaccines came on the market. What is a fact is that we are yet to see if they have any potency against a swiftly mutating, deadly virus.</p> <p>Reports come in daily where vaccinated people are continuously infected with COVID-19. All around the world there are cases of vaccinated people dying either from the virus itself or complications from the said vaccines. Hence why the production of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine has been halted.</p> <p>We have had cases where cruises that have recorded 100 per cent vaccinated staff and passengers have had COVID-19 outbreaks.</p> <p>Two weeks ago, Bloomberg reported that six fully vaccinated people died in Seychelles, a country in East Africa. Five of the six had taken Covishield, a version of the AstraZeneca.</p> <p>In Boston, 80 fully vaccinated people died.</p> <p>Only this week 600 medical workers in Thailand were infected with the coronavirus even though there were vaccinated. Now experts are recommending they take a third dose of the Sinovac vaccine they had received.</p> <p>Whether world leaders or governments want to hear it, the reality is that these vaccines are trial vaccines. They have not been fully tested and they have not been proven.</p> <p>It is a shame that Barbados TODAY allowed itself to be used as a conduit spewing that nonsense.</p> <p>In late June when The Minister of Health Jeffrey Bostic told the country about the cluster at a business where at time 12 people had tested positive and 40 were in quarantine he was swift to report that none of the people who tested positive were vaccinated. He has made no such statement since. Neither he nor the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kenneth George has said how many of the cases since then were vaccinated people. If you are going to report on the unvaccinated, do likewise when the vaccinated are infected. There always seems to be this agenda to expose or point fingers at the unvaccinated.</p> <p>This practice of reporting information to the public only when it suits the narrative must stop.</p> <p>Those three variants didn’t magically appear in Barbados. They came here by some who came through one of our ports of entry. Those variants came from someone who met with our travel requirements.</p> <p>Our requirements include a vaccination certificate for the vaccinated. The vaccinated have less hassle than the unvaccinated. The unvaccinated have to quarantine for days so it is highly unlikely it came from any of them.</p> <p>But sadly, if the carriers are vaccinated people we will never be told. If the majority of people in this most recent cluster, that involves businesses and a church, are vaccinated we will never know.</p> <p>The pharmaceutical companies and world leaders are so eager to get back to business as usual they continue to feed the populace with only half of the information.</p> <p>They act like our future and livelihood depend on the vaccines. They have pushed that message over and over. As they push that message, the other message of sanitising, social distancing and mask-wearing has been shifted to the background.</p> <p>By so doing they have the vaccinated believing that they have some special covering that the unvaccinated do not. The vaccinated somehow believe that the deadly disease is no longer a threat to them.</p> <p>That is why your headline and editorial are both reckless.</p> <p>The key to getting back outside is following the proven medical protocols to the bitter end.</p> <p>Infectious Disease Specialist Dr Corey Forde has repeatedly said the best way to fight the virus is through the three main protocols. That is the message that should be spread and repeated even though these trial vaccines are on the market.</p> <p>The key to getting back outside is for world leaders and governments to give their natives all the information and not just some.</p> <p>The key to getting back outside is for the Fourth Estate to have the interest of the public at heart by presenting unvarnished facts and not to be caught up in the rat race.</p> <p>The key to getting back outside is accepting that outside will never be the same as long as there is no cure for COVID-19.</p> <p>The key to getting back outside is embracing change and to quit going back to the “norm” when some freedom is given.</p> <p>There are many “keys” to getting back outside. But, one thing I am certain of, is that those trial vaccines are not the key.</p> <p>This column was offered as a Letter to the Editor.</p></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--text-with-summary.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-countries--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-countries.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-countries.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-countries field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/199" hreflang="en">Barbados</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/401" hreflang="en">Thailand</a></li> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/377" hreflang="en">Seychelles</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-audience--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-audience.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-audience.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-audience field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/4" hreflang="en">Caribbean</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-imported-genres--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--field-imported-genres.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig * field--field-imported-genres.html.twig x field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-imported-genres field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix"> <ul class='links field__items'> <li><a href="/taxonomy/term/5" hreflang="en">News</a></li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/newsplus_lite/templates/field--entity-reference.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--comment--imported-article.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--imported-article.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section class="field field--name-comment field--type-comment field--label-above comment-wrapper"> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/themes/classy/templates/field/field--comment.html.twig' --> Mon, 26 Jul 2021 11:40:01 +0000 admin 214835 at http://blackdignitymedia.com http://blackdignitymedia.com/articles/btcolumn-too-much-faith-these-trial-vaccines#comments