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It happened in lightning-fast fashion at a time when many Belizeans were not at home for Easter, but the churches got it done – they have collected the requisite number of signatures to trigger a referendum on the topic that has kept them on the offensive for the past few years: whether Belize should have […]
Written on April 19, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Churches Reach Threshold for Marijuana Petition Signatures
Church representatives say that it is important for people to know that on issues of this magnitude, it is the constitution, not the cabinet that empowers this process. Pastor Louis Wade, NEAB Task Force Representative “There appears to be the need for education because there is active disinformation, such as: it’s too late, or […]
Written on April 19, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Churches Say Referenda Are Empowered By the Constitution, Not the Cabinet
Queen Elizabeth the second has recognized Dorla Bowman as the two hundred and twenty-second Commonwealth Point of Light awardee. Bowman, aged 70, is being recognized as one of Belize’s leading social justice activists. She has dedicated over 40 years to championing women’s rights, gender equality, and supporting women who have experienced domestic abuse. She served […]
Written on April 14, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Belizean Dorla Bowman Given Commonwealth “Point of Light” Award
The Human Rights Commission of Belize has issued a statement reminding the public that under the Refuge Act, it is not illegal for someone to enter Belize without proper documentation and to request asylum. The statement comes after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said there has been an uptick in the number of Cubans attempting […]
Written on April 8, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on H.R.C.B. Comments on Recent Cases of Cubans Entering Belize Seeking Asylum
The Government of Belize in collaboration with U.N. partners today launched a sustainable development goal joint program at the San Ignacio Resort in the Cayo District. The aim is to build a resilient Belize through universal, adaptive and sustainable social protection. News Five’s Duane Moody breaks down what this means and how working together with […]
Written on April 8, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on A Two-Year Program to Reduce Poverty
The Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous People’s Affairs received a budget ceiling of roughly twenty four million dollars in the 2022-2023 budget. And while it may seem a sizable amount, fifteen million of it will be going towards paying salaries, travel and subsidies, utilities, and other operational costs. Approximately eight million dollars will […]
Written on April 8, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on More Funds for Ministry of Social Development in New Budget
In this week’s news from Cabinet, the Prime Minister and his ministers looked at the recent allegations of child labor and trafficking offences and underscored their commitment to fighting all forms of exploitation. Cabinet also instructed that there be full collaboration among ministries in this regard. To help alleviate the burden on motorists and businesses, the […]
Written on March 31, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Cabinet Denounces Child Labor, Looks at Social Security Contributions for the B.D.F. and Fuel Price Subsidies
The National Women’s Commission held a signing ceremony with private sector businesses who pledged their ongoing support to safe houses in Belize. The signing is in partnership with the Ministry of Human Development Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, and Spotlight Initiative. Safe houses provide an important service to victims and survivors of domestic violence, human […]
Written on March 29, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Signing Ceremony to Support Safe Houses for Survivors of Gender Based Violence
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Katherine, have completed their tour of the Caribbean in celebration of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second. But in the wake of their tours of Belize, Jamaica, and the Bahamas—and amid protests in Belize and Jamaica— is the question of whether our respective countries want to carry […]
Written on March 28, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on GOB & Monarchy (SOT)
Last week we told you about the four high schools in Belize City that will be benefiting from the Briceño Administration’s free education program’s initial rollout. The initiative is called the Education Upliftment Project. According the Ministry of Education’s C.E.O., Dian Maheia, a large number of high-school students in Southside Belize City dropped out during […]
Written on March 28, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Education Upliftment Project Set to Begin Soon
The Ministry of Education indicates in their data that children are also going hungry. C.E.O. Maheia says the Ministry will also be rolling out a National Healthy Start Feeding Program for high schools. Dian Maheia, C.E.O., Ministry of Education “One of the primary reasons we have found has to do with the economics of […]
Written on March 28, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on High School Feeding Programs Also a Priority
Thirty youths from the some of the most gang ridden communities in Belize City spent the day in prison. Like an episode out of the T.V. series Scared Straight, the kids were introduced to life on the inside. But, the encounters they had were more inspiring than frightening, as inmates candidly shared their personal stories […]
Written on March 25, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on City Youth Glimpse Life at Central Prison
Each inmate spoke for approximately ten minutes during their address to youths that visited the Belize Central Prison. Other lessons they shared were about the restrictions placed on inmates inside prison, including the use of mobile devices. Inmates also encouraged the youth to use their talents, and to listen to the elders in their lives. […]
Written on March 25, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Inmates Tell Youth to Make the Most of Their Opportunities and Talents
Two very different forces have teamed up for Women’s Month to produce a project called “Girls Gone Crafty.” The workshop is being conducted by artist Raquel Rodriguez for women in the Belmopan who want to use their creativity for income generation. The sessions are sponsored by the Ministry of Human Development. Rodriguez and a couple […]
Written on March 25, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Girls Gone Crafty – Workshop Sponsored By Human Development
C.E.O. at the Ministry of Human Development, Tanya Santos says that the Ministry promotes this kind of initiative to empower more women to become self-reliant. Tanya Santos, C.E.O., Ministry of Human Development “By empowering our women economically, we are also preparing them to be able to be able to survive in their communities and […]
Written on March 25, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on C.E.O. Invites Women’s Groups to Contact Them about Income Generating Workshops Countrywide
Barrow went on to chastise the Government for what he says is the failure to address citizen security, crime and violence. Barrow noted that more money is being invested in the office of the Prime Minister, while the budget for the Ministry of Home Affairs has been cut. The Leader of the Opposition asserted that […]
Written on March 24, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Leader of Opposition Says G.O.B. Gutting Funds for Crime Fighting
On bright spot today was the revelation that the Ministry of Education is rolling out its free education program in several Belize City high schools. The Deputy Prime Minister today announced that Maude Williams, Sadie Vernon, and Gwen Lizarraga are among the institutions that will benefit from the program’s initial phase. Cordel Hyde, Deputy […]
Written on March 24, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on No Fees for Some High Schools This Fiscal Year
We often here the best way to stem violence is through education. Well over the last two weeks, two hundred and twenty-four highly motivated youth have been engaged in literacy, financial literacy, life skills, and mathematics classes for an opportunity to become more productive citizens. It’s a first step leading into an apprenticeship programme. The […]
Written on March 24, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on City Youth Given Another Chance to Get An Education
But how receptive are the participants? Vernadelle Bailey is one of several lecturers who have been tasked to working with these young men. She says, despite some obstacles, they want to learn. Vernadelle Bailey, Lecturer “We teach financial literacy; that will assist them with how to handle money, to make budgets, how to invest. […]
Written on March 24, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Education Can Make a Change for At-risk Youth/Gangsters
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Howell Gillett, was back on the streets of the Old Capital this morning, where he continued his community outreach initiative by meeting with residents of Lake Independence. This time, however, the churches were in tow. As many as twelve religious leaders took turns speaking with at-risk youths, as well as known […]
Written on March 23, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Howell Gillett Brings the Church to Troubled Belize City Territory
Today, Belize’s National Climate Change Gender Action plan was unveiled by the National Climate Change Office. The process has been ongoing for some time because the impacts of climate change are felt by everyone, so there must be inclusive representation in the immediate and long-term strategy for different groups. Knowledge, values and nature-based solutions were […]
Written on March 23, 2022 | Posted in
Environment,
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Social Issues |
Comments Off on National Climate Change Gender Action Plan Introduced
One of the focus areas of the action plan is capacity development, which is needed to ensure gender equality in the adaptation and mitigation of climate change. Consultant Shannon Pritchard of the Network Intelligence Development says that the solution is within country. She shares some recommendations. Shannon Pritchard, Consultant, Network Intelligence Development “The knowledge […]
Written on March 23, 2022 | Posted in
Environment,
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Social Issues |
Comments Off on Capacity Development a Key Focus of Action Plan
The Government of Japan has contributed ten million U.S. dollars to strengthen cold chain systems and COVID vaccine management in Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador and Honduras. This additional funding complements a 2021 donation of eleven millions U.S. dollars to six other countries in the region. According to UNICEF’s regional director Jean […]
Written on March 21, 2022 | Posted in
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Foreign Affairs,
Health,
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Regional / International,
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Comments Off on Japan Gives U.S.D. $10M to UNICEF Regional COVID-19 Efforts
Members of the Royal family have, from time to time, come under scrutiny, and there are some Belizeans who associate them with colonialism and the fraught history that accompanied it. Some residents of one village where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are scheduled to visit this weekend staged a protest today saying they do […]
Written on March 18, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Indian Creek Villagers Protest Prince William Visit
Earlier this week, we reported on the daunting statistic that six out of every ten children are living in poverty. Today, the Department of Youth Services, under the Ministry of Youth, shared the results of a National Youth Needs Survey which was officially launched at the Biltmore. Director Kevin Cadle of the Department of Youth […]
Written on March 18, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on National Needs Survey Reveals the State of the Youth
