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Showing 9 of 123 news items in Connectivity & Digitization

Connectivity & DigitizationJune 28, 2024

Global Sustainable Island Summit Highlights Innovations and Solutions for Island Communities

Excerpt and Photo from impakter.com The [Global Sustainable Island Summit 2024](https://islandinnovation.co/events/global-sustainable-islands-summit/) kicked off in Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island, on May 21, with the three-day event uniting over 250 attendees and speakers from 50+ islands around the world to share best practices on renewable energy and sustainability matters. Experts and representatives discussed research, policy, and dwelled on shared experiences while overlooking the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, realizing that despite their geographical locations, they shared common challenges, issues, and were pioneering similar solutions. A leader in renewable energy implementation, Prince Edward Island has set aggressive net-zero goals that would make the province carbon neutral by 2040, ten years before the rest of Canada. “You always want to ask yourself in government, ‘Are we doing enough? Are we doing it the right way?’” [posited](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-global-summit-climate-change-1.7211881) Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King, “The best way to do that sometimes is to measure yourself against other jurisdictions, to say, ‘What are they doing? How are they doing it?’”

Connectivity & DigitizationJune 21, 2024

Pacific Islands Development Program and University of the South Pacific Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Collaboration

Excerpt and Photo from eastwestcenter.org The Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center and the University of the South Pacific have signed a memorandum of understanding to solidify their shared commitments to leveraging resources and expertise in service to their Pacific Islands stakeholders. The agreement strengthens collaboration between the two member agencies of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific, or CROP. East-West Center (EWC) President Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum and the Pacific Islands Development Program, or PIDP, were honored to welcome University of the South Pacific (USP) Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Chief Operating Officer Mr. Walter Fraser, and Development Cooperation Coordinator Mr. Aneet Kumar to EWC for the signing of the memorandum. As two of nine CROP agencies mandated by Pacific Islands Leaders to strengthen Pacific regionalism, provide high-level policy advice, and collectively respond to priorities identified by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, the agreement between USP and PIDP indicates a strong commitment to improving cooperation, coordination, and collaboration between Pacific regional organizations.

Connectivity & DigitizationJune 21, 2024

CARICOM’s 50th anniversary to be celebrated with commemorative rum

Photo: CARICOM. Retrieved from caribbean.loopnews.com In a tribute to the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) 50th anniversary, thirteen member states of the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA) are set to honour the regional organization with specially crafted rum blends. This initiative marks the culmination of a year-long celebration of CARICOM’s achievements and contributions to the Caribbean region. The participating rum producers, representing all rum-producing CARICOM member states, will present their commemorative blends during ceremonial events scheduled throughout the month of June. These events are designed to formally acknowledge and celebrate CARICOM’s half-century of regional cooperation and development. The distillers involved in this historic gesture include well-known names such as Mount Gay Distilleries (Barbados), Demerara Distillers (Guyana), Suriname Alcoholic Beverages, Angostura (Trinidad and Tobago), Saint Lucia Distillers, Belfast Estate (Dominica), Antigua Distillery, Grenada Distillers, Travellers Liquors (Belize), Watlings Distillery (The Bahamas), National Rums of Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Distillers.

Connectivity & DigitizationJune 21, 2024

The Power of Working as One: Connecting the Small Island Developing States

Excerpt and Photo from undp.org Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are facing multifaceted challenges caused by climate and debt-related crises while still rebuilding from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The [SIDS4 Conference in Antigua and Barbuda](https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/sids2024) in late May 2024 has been another opportunity for a sharing, listening, and learning process among SIDS to amplify their voices. This was the fourth such conference in the last 4 decades. **From Samoa to Antigua & Barbuda …** The [Samoa Pathway](https://www.un.org/ohrlls/content/samoa-pathway) emphasized climatic threats to SIDS through sea-level rise and other adverse impacts of climate change, which continue to pose a significant risk to Small Island States. Additionally, SIDS have been grappling with external debt shocks, which have surged by 70 percentage points since 2009. Consequently, the average rate of external debt to gross domestic product has increased by 11 percentage points to 61.7 percent in 2019 [(UN (United Nations) Resolution A/RES/77/245)](https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n23/004/55/pdf/n2300455.pdf?token=Y65gWdZHd9CCc8SDcb&fe=true). This increased fiscal pressure requires that SIDS reengineer their future to foster their resilient prosperity. In this context, raising domestic revenue is becoming increasingly pertinent to bolster SIDS’ capacity for sustainable development.

Connectivity & DigitizationJune 17, 2024

UNESCO and the EU Showcased Young Caribbean Photography at PHotoESPAÑA 2024

Photo and Excerpt from unesco.org Selected from an open call that received applications from over 150 candidates, 15 young photographers from 7 Caribbean countries exhibited their work at the 17th edition of the International Festival of Photography and Visual Arts, PHotoESPAÑA. The festival took place from May 28 to June 5, 2024, in Madrid. The participation of these creators was made possible through the support of the UNESCO programme [Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean, and the European Union through Culture and Creativity](https://www.unesco.org/en/transcultura), funded by the European Union. PHotoESPAÑA, known for its strong social focus, annually transforms Madrid into a hub for the global photographic community. The main theme for 2024 was ‘Perpetuum Mobile’, symbolizing the dynamic nature of photography and aiming to highlight actors and issues that are often marginalized or overlooked. We have designed a comprehensive programme of professional exchange, training and cultural immersion that not only allowed the young participants to engage with the cultural sector on this side of the Atlantic, but also enabled our network of cultural actors (curators, editors, gallery owners, artists, managers) to become familiar with the creativity of a vibrant region such as the Caribbean.

Connectivity & DigitizationJune 11, 2024

Minister Of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action And Constituency Empowerment Delivers Keynote Speech At Island Innovation SIDS4 Side-Event

As her final SIDS4 engagement, the Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke delivered the Keynote Speech at Island Innovations’ side-event under the theme “Facilitating Innovation and Capacity Building in SIDS”. “Innovation at a national level must be granular and must be connected to those who we are trying to serve”, said the Minister speaking on the importance of using technology and digital transformation to drive innovation. Dr. Clarke identified a strong correlation between digital literacy and a smooth sustainability transition, noting the Government’s intent to incorporate technology into the education system to creatively enhance the learning process and fast track information dissemination. The address referenced the Enhancing Learning Continuity and Inclusion Initiative evidencing the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to sustainability via technological innovation and narrowing the gaps in device accessibility.

Connectivity & DigitizationJune 11, 2024

Wahine Māori surgeon gets $300k boost for breast cancer research

Photo: John Stone. Retrieved from teaonews.co.nz Northland surgeon Dr Maxine Ronald (Te Kapotai ki Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Rangi) has been appointed the inaugural Māori Breast Cancer Research Leadership Fellow in a move to address the health disparities experienced by wāhine Māori and Pasifika women with breast cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand. The fellowship, funded by Breast Cancer Cure and Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, provides Ronald with $300,000 over three years to conduct research under the supervision of Hei Āhuru Mōwai Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa. Wāhine Māori and Pasifika women are more likely to develop breast cancer (35 percent and 20 percent, respectively) and face higher mortality rates than their non-Māori counterparts (33 percent and 52 percent, respectively). Ronald, the world’s only wahine Māori consultant breast cancer surgeon, has spent much of her career focusing on her commitment to indigenous health equity. The focus of her fellowship is to collaborate with researchers across New Zealand to enhance Māori leadership and capacity in breast cancer research, aiming to influence policy changes and improve survival outcomes.

Connectivity & DigitizationJune 10, 2024

Aruba: The Happy Island Committed to the Global Agenda for Sustainable Development

Aruba, the happy island where turquoise waters and warm smiles are a way of life, is at a pivotal moment in its journey towards sustainable development. Senior government officials and national institutions are dedicated to assessing the country’s progress against the 2030 Agenda. A recent visit by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative and experts highlighted the island’s commitment to these shared goals and provided valuable reflections for the future. Key discussions with Aruba’s leadership, including the Governor, Prime Minister, members of Parliament, and several other Ministers, focused on critical areas such as digitalization, the promotion of the Blue Economy, and sustainable tourism. These areas are crucial laying the groundwork for long-term economic diversification, fostering job opportunities, and guaranteeing lasting resilience for Aruba. A recent initiative led by the Government of Aruba and supported by UNDP reviewed progress and outlined next steps towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing valuable insights into the country’s progress and future priorities. The UNDP has been instrumental in providing technical support and strategic guidance to ensure that development initiatives are aligned with global standards and local needs.

Connectivity & DigitizationMay 31, 2024

Guernsey’s transport plan to cope with 1,000 homes

The States of Guernsey has published a new transport plan for the north of the Island. The Better Transport Plan aims to improve transport choice in and around St Sampson, in preparation for a number of new housing developments in the area. The plan proposes a new network of linked walking and cycling routes to make travelling on foot and by bike safer and easier. Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, President of Environment and Infrastructure (E&I), said: “However you prefer to travel… we want to give you more choices, more freedom, and safer, less stressful ways to get around.” The States said it would improve public transport as well as the experience for drivers, including adding new one-way systems, and improving junctions and road signage. It also plans to introduce innovations like car clubs and a new app.