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United Nations Expresses Deep Concern Over Potential UK Direct Rule in the British Virgin Islands
The United Nations has raised a red flag concerning the persistent possibility of the United Kingdom imposing direct rule over the British Virgin Islands.
The gravity of this concern was underscored in a resolution titled ‘Question of the British Virgin Islands,’ passed during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The resolution explicitly addresses the potential implementation of an Order in Council—a measure that could result in the partial suspension of the British Virgin Islands’ constitution, stating, ‘Expressing concern that the administering Power put an Order in Council on hold to partially suspend the Constitution if the Government of the United Kingdom assesses that the implementation of the recommendations does not proceed satisfactorily.’
The resolution goes on to call for the full respect of the Constitution and mutual agreement regarding the recommendations outlined in the report of the Commission of Inquiry. It urges all involved parties to engage in dialogue and collaborative efforts in the best interest of the people of the Territory.
In a final plea, the resolution reiterates the call upon the United Kingdom, specialised agencies, other UN organisations, and regional bodies to extend all necessary assistance to the British Virgin Islands. The resolution emphasises support for recovery and rebuilding efforts and the enhancement of capabilities for emergency preparedness and risk reduction, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria that devastated the Territory in 2017.
Resolution A/Res/78/89 on the Question of the British Virgin Islands, adopted on 7th December 2023, underscores the international community’s focus on the delicate situation and the need for a cooperative approach to address the challenges faced by the British Virgin Islands.
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Safer, Greener Schools for Virgin Islands Students Under BVI SMART Schools Project
Students across 14 public schools in the Virgin Islands returned to safer and more sustainable learning environments this term, thanks to the ongoing efforts of the BVI SMART Schools Project. This initiative, managed by the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and several local organizations, aims to enhance the climate resilience and sustainability of schools throughout the Territory.
The current phase of the project, funded by the European Union through the Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity (RESEMBID) programme, builds upon previous efforts to safeguard schools by upgrading infrastructure, improving safety standards, and integrating environmentally friendly practices. By adding new partners like Green VI, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, and the BVI Red Cross, the project is working to make schools better equipped to handle climate change and disaster risks.
“With this project and the work of our partners, the goal is to ensure that schools can protect students and empower them with the tools they need to thrive in a changing world,” said Michel Ambrose, the SMART Schools Project Manager. “The upgrades are a crucial step toward that goal.”
The 14 schools involved have undergone extensive assessments and improvements to meet stringent international safety standards under DDM’s oversight. These enhancements include structural upgrades, energy and water conservation measures, and the introduction of sustainable practices such as school gardens, recycling programs, and waste reduction. Schools meeting these safety standards are certified as “Safe,” while those incorporating green practices are designated as “SMART.”
Participating schools include Alexandrina Maduro Primary, Bregado Flax Educational Centre (Primary and Secondary), Claudia Creque Educational Centre, Ebenezer Thomas Primary, Enis Adams Primary, Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary, Elmore Stoutt High, Francis Lettsome Primary, Ivan Dawson Primary, Joyce Samuel Primary, Leonora Delville Primary, Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary, and Willard Wheatley Primary.
As the BVI SMART Schools Project continues, the DDM remains committed to ensuring that all public schools are resilient, sustainable, and prepared to meet future challenges. For ongoing updates, visit the Department of Disaster Management’s website and social media channels.
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BVI Athletes to Compete in PanAmerican U23 Squash Championships
Three squash players from the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are set to compete in the PanAmerican Under-23 Squash Championships, scheduled to take place in Bucaramanga, Colombia, from October 6 to 12. The event will feature individual, doubles, and team competitions, where the young athletes will have the opportunity to compete against some of the strongest squash nations in the region.
Representing Team BVI are Luca Reich, Oliver Henderson, and Daniel Henderson. Luca, 21, is currently studying at Western University in Canada. With experience competing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the PanAmerican Senior Championships in Guatemala, Luca brings valuable international exposure to the team. His teammate, Oliver, 18, recently began his degree at Birmingham University in the United Kingdom, where he trains alongside players ranked in the top 100 of the senior world rankings. Daniel, the youngest team member at 16, is still a student at Cedar School. As the reigning Caribbean Under-17 Champion and a quarterfinalist in the U17 PanAmerican Championships, Daniel has already established himself as a promising talent in the sport.
Despite their young ages, the athletes will face strong competition from squash powerhouses such as Colombia, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Canada. Their participation in this prestigious event marks an important step in their development as they compete on the PanAmerican stage.
National Coach Adam Murrills emphasised the significance of the competition for these young players. “We’ve seen great progress from this group over the past five years, with their standout performance at the Junior Caribbean Championships, where they earned three gold medals. Competing at the PanAmerican level will be an important challenge for them. Although they are young for this category, this experience will help them bridge the gap with top-tier players over time,” Murrills stated.
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