Accompanied by Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Miss Tasha Bertie, Hon. Wheatley will join regional counterparts for discussions centred on regional development and sustainability, under the theme “Regional Development and Sustainability through Quality Education and Social Empowerment.” The meetings will be held from September 10–11.

Hon. Wheatley will also participate in high-level discussions and has been invited to co-chair the Joint Meeting of Human and Social Development and Education Ministers, in his capacity as Chair of the 9th OECS Council of Ministers: Health.

Commenting on the significance of the meetings, Hon. Wheatley highlighted the importance of the three interconnected sectors—education, social development, and health—as key pillars for national progress. “In the Caribbean, especially the OECS region, the synergy between ministries and sectors is not just important; it’s essential for sustainable growth. Each sector, whether focused on health, education, or social development, is critical in our society,” he stated.

Hon. Wheatley stressed that collaboration between these sectors can lead to meaningful progress, saying, “When they work together, we can harness their collective strength, bridging gaps and building a foundation for resilience. Through these types of collaboration, we can effectively address the complex challenges our region faces and ensure a brighter and more sustainable future for our people.”

The 9th OECS Council of Ministers: Human and Social Development aims to share innovative ideas on social empowerment through peer engagement, boosting development on both national and regional levels. The council will review the Social Inclusion and Social Protection Action Plan (2023–2030) and align strategies for social development, with a focus on increasing support for adaptive social protection measures.

Meanwhile, the Joint Council of Ministers: Health, Human & Social Development and Education will explore aligning strategies across these sectors, in line with the OECS Education Strategy and the “Fort-de-France Declaration on Health.” The joint meeting will address regional challenges, promoting collaboration between ministries to create policies for sustainable development and harmonising systems to improve access to education, social, and health services.

In Hon. Wheatley’s absence from the Virgin Islands, Honourable Dr. Karl Dawson will serve as Minister for Health and Social Development. The Ministry of Health and Social Development remains steadfast in its mission to enhance the health and social well-being of the people of the Virgin Islands through forward-thinking policies and strategic regional collaboration.

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The initiative aims to engage inmates in the game of chess, fostering valuable skills such as patience and perseverance while serving their sentences.

Expressing gratitude for the partnership, Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley commended UniteBVI and Superintendent of Prison Mr. Jay Kendall, along with his rehabilitation staff, for their dedication to inmate rehabilitation. “We cannot do it all ourselves, so I am thankful for strategic partners in making these things possible,” Honourable Wheatley remarked, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving rehabilitation goals.

In addition to chess pieces, the donation includes basketballs, footballs, art supplies, dominoes, and puzzles, demonstrating a holistic approach to rehabilitation. UniteBVI has also enlisted the support of the BVI Chess Foundation to assist with training prison inmates in the game of chess.

Superintendent Jay Kendall expressed appreciation for the continued support from Honourable Wheatley and UniteBVI Foundation in enhancing rehabilitation initiatives at Balsam Ghut. “This holds significant importance for everyone, particularly the inmates at HM Prison Balsam Ghut,” Superintendent Kendall emphasised, highlighting the anticipated positive impact on inmate safety in the British Virgin Islands.

Meanwhile, Honourable Mather underscored the often overlooked plight of incarcerated individuals worldwide and praised the collaborative efforts between UniteBVI, Honourable Wheatley, and prison staff to address inmate rehabilitation. The initiative aims to ensure that inmates and their rehabilitation efforts are not forgotten within the prison system.

Kim Takeuchi, the Foundation Manager at UniteBVI, highlighted the partnership’s alignment with the foundation’s mandate to foster sustainable and positive benefits for the BVI community. “This is a great example of collaboration coming together to achieve something greater than ourselves,” Miss Takeuchi affirmed, expressing enthusiasm for future endeavors with the prison and rehabilitation team.

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