January 12, 2020
Forty faith-based leaders and representatives of key populations from across the Caribbean will, between February 7 and 9, participate in a consultation on the Right to Health and Wellbeing for All in Paramaribo, Suriname.The forum is being hosted by the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP).The consultation is the first of its kind in the Caribbean and is one of the 15 actionable recommendations stated in the Declaration of the PANCAP Consultation of Caribbean Religious Leaders held in Trinidad and Tobago, February 1-2, 2017.The objective, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported, is to create an ideal space for faith leaders and key populations to discuss ways of collaborating to reduce AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. It is hoped too that there would be a respectful and productive dialogue between faith leaders and key populations including sex workers, the LGBT community, and other stakeholders.The consultation will also seek to establish a mechanism for enhancing partnerships between the key populations and religious groups; articulate clearly the major determinants of stigma and discrimination and the requirements for the Partnership to remove these barriers. The promotion of a viable legislative environment with regard to human rights, human sexuality, and human dignity will also engage the attention of participants.PANCAP is the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, in collaboration with the Regional Consultative Steering Committee for the Implementation of Recommendations to end AIDS by 2030.According to the Caricom Secretariat, the three-day event will include highly interactive discussions on the gaps in the Treatment and Prevention of HIV with emphasis on access to data in order to address the prospects and requirements for achieving 90-90-90 targets by 2020; prevention gaps with special reference to public education and reducing stigma and discrimination faced by key populations.Chair of the Regional Consultative Steering Committee for the Implementation of Recommendations to end AIDS by 2030, Canon Garth Minott underscored the critical need for religious leaders and representatives of key populations to share testimonies of their experiences in working with each other. He explained that the purpose was to identify models of collaboration or partnership between the groups, which have positively benefited People living with HIV and reduced AIDS-related discrimination.The overarching purpose of the consultation is to create a regional partnership between religious leaders and key populations to advocate, lobby and monitor regional governments to ensure they adhere to all international agreements that protect the right to health.
‒ signs signature sponsorship deal with teamBy Akeem GreeneGuyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) is now the signature sponsor of the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the fifth edition of the gala Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).This was disclosed by GTT’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Justin Nedd yesterday while speaking at a festive ceremony held at the Presidential Suit of the National Stadium, Providence.“Our sponsorship of the Amazon Warriors is an expression of GTT’s understanding of the Guyanese heart and passion for sport especially cricket.”, the CEO stated.While there was no disclosure on a cost of the sponsorship, the agreement is expected to see the company have the main branding rights for the team as they seek to improve spectators’ experiences at the Stadium.“GTT and the Guyana Amazon Warriors will blaze the stands and the grass mound on match days in full party mode. We want everyone to embrace what it means to be an Amazon Warrior”, Nedd added.The CEO also disclosed their “Future Amazon Warrior” in 15 year-old Berbician Seon Glasgow. GTT will immediately provide full sponsorship for his participation in the Sir Garfield Sobers Schools Tournament in Barbados in July.Glasgow has been selected to be part of the Electra Sports Academy that will be representing Guyana at the tournament.“We will also pursue Seon’s training with the Guyana Amazon Warriors team here in July in preparation for the CPL Games in August,” Need disclosed.Likewise, Amazon Warriors, Marketing and Media Officer and Assistant Operations Manager, John Ramsingh revealed that the partnership with GTT would provide more hype among other things. “Our partnership with GTT is aimed at providing more information, more hype, more opportunities to get a chance to see these matches live and even a chance to interact in person with the International, Regional and your own local players”.GTT’s CEO Justin Nedd signing a ceremonial bat in the presence of Amazon Warriors Ashmine Jailall (Carl Crooker Photo)Director of Sport Christopher Jones was most enthused about the proceedings since it exemplifies his contention that “government and government alone cannot undertake the development of sport since corporate support is needed.”Jones congratulated GTT on the venture and assured that there is willingness to lend whatever support is needed to make the Amazon Warriors successful.The company also unveiled, the “Amazon Warriors Song”, which is a musical collaboration between two local music stars Calvin Burnett and Drew Thoven.The league will run from August 4 to September 9 and the Warriors will have four home games during the period of August 17 to 22. The Warriors have been one of the most consistent teams in the league reaching three of the four finals to date.The Warriors have six newcomers in their squad with Afghanistan leg spinning sensation Rashid Khan heading the list that includes destructive Jamaican wicket-keeper/batsman Chadwick Walton who played for the Tallawahs in the last four seasons.Big-hitting ICC Americas opener Steven Taylor will also suit up for the Warriors, along with Barbados all-rounder Roshon Primus and the Guyanese pair, batsman Gajanand Singh and fast bowler Keon Joseph, who was a replacement to Ronsford Beaton in the 2013 squad but did not play a match.The retained players are Pakistani all-rounder Sohail Tanvir, New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, Australian middle-order batsman Chris Lynn, Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder Rayad Emrit, Trinidad and Tobago batsman Jason Mohammed, Guyanese trio Veerasammy Permaul, Assad Fudadin and Steven Jacobs and Trinidad and Tobago wicketkeeper/batsman Steven Katwaroo.The finals of the tournament will take place at the new Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago from September 5 to 9.
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