In the first #BuildBackBetterCaribbean episode for 2023, the UNIC celebrates International Women’s Day 2023 in collaboration once again with the UWI Institute for Gender and Development Studies Lunchtime Seminar Series, with a conversation about the evolution of the Caribbean feminist identity in service of the journey to affirming non-violence as a non-negotiable 'default' in Caribbean societies. This intergenerational discussion takes place between two award-winning Caribbean feminist activists: Jacqueline Burgess of Trinidad and Tobago, a human rights defender for over 30 years and current ..read more

For 60 years, the United Nations Information Centre for the Caribbean Area (UNIC) has been informing regional audiences about the United Nations and its work, and about how United Nations campaigns, tools, and spaces are being deployed to advance the Caribbean development experience. In this episode of #BuildBackBetterCaribbean, the UNIC celebrated International Women's Day 2022 with a discussion focused on the legacy and contribution of Caribbean feminist activism to “breaking the bias” and advancing gender equality. Our guests Dr. Leith Dunn, Honorary Research Fellow and former Head of the M ..read more

For 60 years, the United Nations Information Centre for the Caribbean Area (UNIC) has been informing regional audiences about the United Nations and its work, and about how United Nations campaigns, tools, and spaces are being deployed to advance the Caribbean development experience. In this episode of #BuildBackBetterCaribbean, as the UNIC continues to celebrate its 60th anniversary, we share the story of the descendants of Norman McNeil, who have embarked on a family project to honour the legacy of resilience and accomplishment of their ancestor. Supported by the frameworks offered by the Un ..read more

On the ‘Nature Island’ of Dominica, advocating on behalf of persons with disabilities is a 24/7 responsibility – made more challenging by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Achievement Learning Centre answers this call tirelessly; working to ensure young people with disabilities have access to education, and their needs included in the design of the education system in Dominica. On this episode, Beverly Le Blanc, Director and Ivy Yorke, Disabilities Programme Officer, talk about this organization’s commitment to supporting youth with disabilities to become full participants in their communities, throu ..read more

This Tobago-birthed social enterprise uses the positive messaging and mechanisms of Carnival culture to encourage action around climate change and the environment.   Carnicycle CEO Danii Mccletchie talks to Lindy-Ann Edwards-Alleyne about the organisation’s ongoing initiatives, which continue during the 'pandemic pause', to infuse sustainability into the design approach and processes for Caribbean Carnival costumes, parties, and the festival itself.  This includes the use of recyclable and upcycled materials, and circular economic thinking emphasizing environmental sustainability. &n ..read more

The MindWise Project is a collective of health advocates increasing public accessibility to mental health resources in Trinidad and Tobago, while working to build a “digital eco-system of knowledge sharing,” driven by mental health professionals and supporting agencies.    During Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Maria O’Brien, MindWise’s Director of Digital Development, talked to Lindy-Ann Edwards-Alleyne about the organisation’s content curation model that has sustainability built into its design.   This interview was recorded in May 2021, during Mental Health Awareness Mo ..read more

On this episode of #BuildBackBetterCaribbean, we are in Tobago to chat with Aljoscha Wothke, Executive Director of Environmental Research Institute Charlotteville - one of the civil society organisations whose work has contributed to the recent designation of North-East Tobago as the largest UNESCO Man and the Biosphere site in the English-speaking #Caribbean. About the #BuildBackBetterCaribbean podcast seriesLiving with COVID-19 is about adopting behavioural changes, adapting to social disruption, and absorbing the economic impact of the pandemic. It’s our brave new normal of survival. Prevai ..read more

What would you do if the garbage truck stopped coming and you had to keep all your #garbage at home?   On this episode of #BuildBackBetterCaribbean, waste educator and social entrepreneur Sian Cuffy-Young, is talking about waste. Sian has been using her social enterprise platform – SIEL Environmental Limited - to transform the way we think and act toward waste. A fundamental aspect of her work has been encouraging deeper understanding of where #WasteManagement fits into the conversation, and the dire consequences that may occur if it is ignored. About the #BuildBackBetterCaribbean podcast ..read more

WHYFarm, which stands for “We Help Youth Farm” was created to encourage young people and children to get involved in sustainable agriculture and choose to grow food. Its vision is to produce a generation of agricultural entrepreneurs, who can lead Trinidad and Tobago’s contribution to achieving global food and nutrition security by the year 2050.    As countries and their leaders across the world grapple with a food security crisis sparked by #COVID-19 , WHYFarm’s Founder, Alpha Sennon, and its Communications and Community Coordinator, Audra Smith, explain that mobilising youth to fe ..read more

In this episode of #BuildBackBetterCaribbean, the podcast of the UN Information Centre, Lindy-Ann Edwards-Alleyne interviews Giselle Mende, Chief Volunteer and Founder of the Volunteer Centre of Trinidad and Tobago (VCTT) .    "Volunteering is about building the type of society we know is possible,” says Giselle.  VCTT connects people who want to change the world to other people, causes and organisations that need support through a global pandemic.     Giselle describes the “deepened need” for volunteers during a health emergency that has triggered an economic and ..read more