“The insight and guidance of the IFD are crucial to ensuring that CARIFESTA remains relevant and advantageous for all stakeholders involved,” emphasised Dr Hilary Brown, Programme Director, Culture – CARICOM Secretariat
"Through strengthened collaboration between CARICOM and the African Union there is the opportunity to articulate a clear diplomatic, and advocacy strategy to advance the [Reparations] agenda through joint action in the United Nations, the Commonwealth and other intergovernmental bodies…"
Dr Hilary Brown, Programme Manager, Culture and Community Development, CARICOM Secretariat
This event to mark the 10th Anniversary of the United Nations Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the “Ark of Return”, is an opportunity to reflect on how music and rhythm have played a role in both resistance and resilience. Drumming holds a special place in this journey.
CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett
Barbados CARICOM Youth Ambassador Ashley Lashley says CARIFESTA XV, slated for 22-31 August 2025 in Barbados, will be an ideal platform to propel Caribbean artists.
CARICOM's Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations, Elizabeth Solomon, advocates for increased youth participation in regional development. The ASG engaged with youth in The Bahamas last week during several youth empowerment and capacity-building activities held in the margins of the CARICOM Youth Forum "One-Youth-One Voice" on Thursday, 20 March.
Engagement with the Uriah McPhee Primary Sailing Club
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office with responsibility for Culture, Barbados, Senator the Honourable Shantal Munro-Knight, says the country is ready to welcome the Region and the world to CARIFESTA XV from 22 to 31 August, which will be staged under the theme "Caribbean Roots, Global Excellence."
"Above all else, we want to be able to share with the rest of the Region and the world, who they will miss if they don't come to CARIFESTA!"
CARICOM Chair and Barbados Prime Minister Hon. Mia Mottley
Caribbean artists registering for CARIFESTA XV, scheduled for 22-31 August in Barbados, now have until 21 March to secure their spot in the coveted event.
The Hon. Mia Mottley, Chair of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Barbados, says no Caribbean national can afford to miss CARIFESTA XV, which is slated for 22 - 31 August 2025 in Barbados.
She describes the event as the ultimate Caribbean experience for CARICOM nationals and visitors from the international community: "You're going to get from fashion to food, from music to dance, to sculpture…all kinds of creative expression."
Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, The UWI Vice-Chancellor and Chair, CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) has welcomed the recommendation from Jamaica’s Maroon community to establish a new institute to research, document and share the rich history, culture and contribution of Maroon and Indigenous people. The CRC Chair shared this with a large gathering at the opening of the historic symposium on Maroons, held at The UWI West Indies Regional Headquarters (where) on 9 January 2025.
“Meeting with Ambassador Comissiong was essential for aligning key priorities, including ensuring meaningful youth participation at the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government Summit and advancing initiatives to engage young people across Barbados. This discussion provided an opportunity to strategise projects such as the proposed CARICOM Youth Workshop and outreach campaigns aimed at enhancing youth representation and increasing public awareness of CARICOM’s mission.”