Get Centred This Weekend

Relax, release, let go, and open up to a life that overflows with balance, health, happiness and abundance. This is the promise of the Transpersonal Psychology Centre, through its one-day Stress Management Intensive workshop, this Sunday 18th October, 2013 from 9am – 3pm.

Entitled “The Homeostasis Process”, the workshop uses an amalgamation of proven transpersonal techniques, therapeutic processes and cognitive interventions to delve deep into the subconscious mind. This facilitates the release of the deepest stresses from the nervous system so that healing can take place.

Tessa Anthia John

Tessa Anthia John, who developed the process and guides the sessions, is a Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Professional Counsellor, Life Coach, Psychology Lecturer and Meditation Teacher.

This workshop follows a similar one held earlier this month, which John says was very successful. She says, “Persons really felt their daily stresses just melt off their shoulders due to the unique processes that I used. They were also able to go home with some tools that they can use in order to keep that stress off.”

This Sunday’s session will be held at the Transpersonal Psychology Centre, Bonne Cachille #6 Alfiona Plaza (upstairs Valmont), Rodney Bay. To reserve your spot for this event you can register by calling 719-2755 or 287-0193. You can also register online at www.transpersonalpsychologycentre.com or send an e-mail to: info@transpersonalpsychologycentre.com.

The package includes the full day Homeostasis Process workshop, another 3 hour group follow-up session approximately 2 weeks after that initial workshop, as well as a one hour one-on-one (individual) therapy session. In the intensive workshop session you will:
• Learn techniques to help you heal yourself and open you up to new possibilities
• Release all toxic energy in the form of thoughts, feelings and emotions that no longer serve you
• Consistently make decisions for your highest good and in order to achieve your life’s purpose
• Achieve greater inner peace and joy.

Spaces are limited and interested persons are encouraged to contact the Transpersonal Psychology Centre at the earliest.

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RENEW YOU… IN SAINT LUCIA

Saint Lucia hosts the second annual Health & Wellness Retreat November 1-3, 2013.

The tropical island paradise of Saint Lucia is the perfect haven for rejuvenation, restoration and renewal. Home to some of nature’s most precious natural attractions, coupled with world class spas in a number of island resorts, Saint Lucia is a natural fit for spiritual and physical awakening.

Leading experts will present wellness seminars, beachside fitness clinics, healthy cooking demonstrations and even sunrise meditations at the upcoming Health and Wellness Retreat in Saint Lucia.

Support for Your Lifestyle Choices or Determine Your New Lifestyle Strategy

The Saint Lucia Health and Wellness Retreat will help participants support and develop their lifestyle choices and for those new to holistic living, determine a lifestyle strategy inspired by the stunning locale. All of this is supported by local and international experts in the realms of cuisine, alternative therapies and holistic living.

With ample time for relaxation, the three-day retreat will feature seminars, activities such as beachside massage therapy, Tai Chi and yoga instruction, and healthy cooking demonstrations. Also included are daily spa treatments at participating resorts as well as the opportunity to indulge in the natural therapeutic benefits of Soufriere’s mineral and mud baths.

The various activities will take place in locales across the picturesque island, from Pigeon Island National Landmark in the north of the island to the UNESCO World Heritage Pitons at the southern town of Soufriere.

Click here to visit the Sportivo Fitness and Health club website.

Our Diverse Programs Will Be Lead by Renowned Experts in the Health and Wellness Field Including:

• Cat Cora, an American professional chef best known for her featured role as an “Iron Chef” on the Food Network television show Iron Chef America and as co-host of Around the World in 80 Plates on Bravo
• Gabrielle Bernstein, New York Times Bestselling Author of the book May Cause Miracles. Her earlier titles include Add More ~ing to Your Life and Spirit Junkie. Gabrielle is also the founder of the social networking site HerFuture.com for women to inspire, empower and connect.
• Luke and Joanna Gray, operate a lifestyle company aimed at transforming lives through fitness, food and lifestyle.

Luxury Accommodations in Saint Lucia Set the Tone

Enjoy the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation. Book now with one of our participating Hotels.

Region Discusses Gender Equality Policies in the Dominican Republic

(Courtesy The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean [ECLAC])

(14 October 2013) The gender inequalities in the digital economy – which determine women’s personal and professional development, as well as countries’ progress within the new technological framework – will be examined at the twelfth session of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean, which will be held from 15 to 18 October 2013 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 

The intergovernmental meeting, organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Government of the Dominican Republic, will be opened on Tuesday 15 October at the Hotel Hilton Santo Domingo, in the presence of authorities, international officials, experts and representatives from civil society and the region’s   business sector.

All the principal sessions of the Conference will be broadcasted online at this link.

The opening session will involve Danilo Medina, President of the Dominican Republic, Alicia Bárcena, Executive Secretary of ECLAC, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), Carissa Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization, Eleonora Menicucci, Brazil’s Minister of the Secretariat of Policies for Women, and Alejandrina Germán, Minister for Women of the Dominican Republic.

The twelfth session of the Regional Conference on Women will focus on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and information and communications technologies (ICTs). As a basis for debate, Alicia Bárcena will present the document Women in the digital economy: Breaking through the equality threshold, prepared by the Commission.

The agenda includes roundtables, panel discussions and side events (the latter organized by other United Nations agencies and civil-society organizations) that will discuss the links between productive development and equality, ICT access policies, the contribution of these technologies to the health of the female population, the situation of women in business and science, and the generation of specific indicators and statistics.  

Conference participants will examine the reality of rural and indigenous women in the sphere of ICTs.

A roundtable discussion on Beijing+20: prospects and challenges will be held on 17 October. In the framework of the post-2015 development agenda, government representatives, experts and activists will analyse the situation of the region’s women almost 20 years after the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, China, 1995).

At the end of the Conference, countries are expected to sign the Santo Domingo Consensus, which will define the region’s gender equality agenda for the next few years, as was the case for the declarations from previous Regional Conferences held in Brasilia (2010) and Quito (2007).

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Chocolate Heritage Month in Saint Lucia

This October, Saint Lucia will once again celebrate Chocolate Heritage Month recognizing the role cacao and its beloved byproduct chocolate has played in its history.  With a number of on-island experiences, the month-long festivities will delve into Saint Lucia’s cacao roots, offering travelers unbeatable island-wide hotel and resort promotions for plenty of chocolaty fun.

Visitors can indulge in the island’s rich heritage through specialized plantation tours, available at a variety of locations including the Marquis Estate, Anse Mamin Plantation, Emerald Estate, Morne Coubaril Estate and La Dauphine Estate. The Chocolate Decadence Tour by Island Routes Tours takes guests on a luxury catamaran from Castries port to the Rabot Estate for an all-day tour that includes chocolate making from scratch, and a chocolate infused gourmet meal followed by a leisurely afternoon at the Sulphur Springs’ mud bath.

Travelers can dine on cocoa-inspired dishes dreamed up by leading island chefs and partake in exclusive chocolate spa treatments. Island visitors can follow Saint Lucia’s Chocolate Heritage Trail map at www.facebook.com/SaintLuciaTouristBoard, which highlights the island’s sweet spots, including history, key sites and special offers.

“Travelers are in for a sweet surprise when they visit Saint Lucia during Chocolate Heritage Month,” says Tracey Warner-Arnold, deputy director of tourism. “Saint Lucia’s cacao culture begins with the plantation tours where visitors can actually harvest the beans and follow the process through to experience our creative cuisine, infused spa treatments and even delicious local traditions like cocoa tea.”

For more information about Saint Lucia, please visit www.stlucianow.com, call 1-800-4STLUCIA or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SaintLuciaTouristBoard.

Chocolate Heritage Month promotions offered by island hotels and resorts this fall include:

• Bay Gardens Resorts – Rodney Bay
• The BodyHoliday – Cap Estate
• Boucan by Hotel Chocolat – Soufrière
• Calabash Cove – Marisule
• Coconut Bay Resort and Spa – Vieux Fort
• Crystals – Soufrière
• Fond Doux Holiday Plantation -Soufrière
• Jade Mountain – Soufrière
• Habitat Terrace Hotel – Bonne Terre
• Harmony Suites – Rodney Bay
• La Haut – Soufrière
• Villa C’est la Vie – Trouya Pointe
• Windjammer Landing – Labrelotte Bay

Jounen Kwéyòl Ek LIME? Bagay La Bon!

Acting Director of the Folk Research Centre, Hillary La Force, with Terry Finisterre of LIME

LIME is partnering once again with the Folk Research Centre for Kwéyòl Heritage Month. The company which has been a longstanding sponsor of Saint Lucia’s leading cultural celebration is a major sponsor of this year’s event.

LIME is providing the FRC with a cash contribution of $25,000, much of which will go towards supporting the host communities of Grande Riviere, Gros Islet, Mon Repos, Soufriere and Vieux Fort. As well, the FRC will get free promotional airtime on LIME radio programs, assistance with radio and TV advertising and active promotion of Jounen Kwéyòl activities on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and via SMS broadcasts.

LIME Saint Lucia General Manager, Chris Williams says LIME is delighted to be partnering with the FRC and commended the organization for leading the way in promoting Kwéyòl and keeping Saint Lucia rooted in its culture.

“We are proud to be associated with Jounen Kwéyòl, which has gone a long way in helping to build greater appreciation for Saint Lucia’s Kwéyòl heritage and reinforcing our sense of national identity, In addition to a cash contribution, we always try to assist in promoting the event across Saint Lucia and the other Caribbean islands. This is the right time for our customers to make full use of their LIME phones and enjoy One Rate calling, or should I say Yonn Sel Pwi! We are proud to have great deals, great products, plus the chance to win great prizes and giveaways!” Chris added.

Acting Director of the FRC, Hillary La Force, expressed his delight that LIME is backing the festivities once more. “We noted that LIME has partnered with Oktoberfest en Kweyol, which is happening this weekend, and which is endorsed by the FRC,” said La Force. “It is good that as the island’s leading telecommunications provider, a company that has a heritage and a lineage in Saint Lucia of over 100 years, one that has done so much to recognise some of our greatest folk culture heroes, LIME is remaining involved in our communities and in propagating Saint Lucian modes of expression.”

Thousands are expected to flock to the communities hosting this year’s Jounen Kwéyòl celebration. The events will include cultural education programmes for children and adults featuring well known cultural personalities, including Coax from Che Campeche and more recently the popular LIME Yonn Sel Pwi television advertisement; the La Wenn Kwéyòl pageant; a Kwéyòl performance poetry competition; and many other activities. Aside from the main host communities, several other communities around the island will also be participating in the celebrations.

 

About LIME

LIME is the Caribbean’s largest telecommunications company with a proud history in the region, and which is always working to improve life in the Caribbean. LIME delivers the very best communication services to governments, businesses and families in 13 Caribbean countries with one unifying promise—building, connecting and serving communities. LIME is part of Cable & Wireless Communications PLC, one of the world’s leading communications companies.

OECS EDU Conducts Training in World Class Manufacturing and Quality Assurance

Roseau October 2^nd 2013– The OECS EXPORT DEVELOPMENT UNIT to be renamed the Competitiveness Business Unit is coordinating a series of a one-day sensitization seminars in Principles of Quality Assurance  and World Class Manufacturing  for its Client firms across the Manufacturing/Agri-Business sector.

One of such seminars took place in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday October 1^st 2013. Sessions are also scheduled for Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and St. Kitts/Nevis.

The seminars are towards improving the Quality Management capacity and Business Processes of the unit’s Client Firms. These one day sessions will also discuss valuable principles of business operations that are pertinent for successful market and product development initiatives.

In support of the on-going work program of the pending Competitiveness Business Unit, a range of key subject matters in the area of Quality Assurance and World Class Manufacturing will be presented and proposed for adoption at the firm level.

This intervention is linked to the broader objective of establishing client companies that are compliant to production and marketing requirements as well as standards which in effect position them to become more competitive in the framework of global trade. It is expected that this programme will provide participating firms with the relevant tools and information for decisive action towards a Quality driven culture all aimed at enhancing competitiveness and profitability within the market place.

This training activity is being facilitated by recognized experts in the field of Total Quality Management and World Class Manufacturing.

The workshop  targets CEOs, Company Executives, Quality Professionals, Operation Managers; people  designated by their companies to give leadership to Quality Assurance Departments/Units, Quality Control Labs or Quality Management Teams.

The Export Development Unit (EDU) is the primary institution of the OECS Member States for the development, promotion, and expansion of exports through the mobilization of technical and financial support for the agriculture and manufacturing private sector, as well as the provision of advice and assistance to member Governments and public sector agencies. END

SLHTA Initiative to Enhance the Environment

While many considered the impact of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on Saint Lucia’s economy on the first year anniversary of its implementation, 1st October 2013, the SLHTA was hosting a press conference at Sandals La Toc Golf Resort & Spa to launch another major initiative to once again signal its absolute commitment to the development of the people and island of Saint Lucia. The SLHTA, with support from its member hotels, was pleased to announce the commencement of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, to be funded by a voluntary contribution of $2 USD per night from visitors to the various hotels on island. The Tourism Enhancement Fund was created to allow the SLHTA to play an integral part in the sustainable development of our destination. Through the Tourism Enhancement Fund, the SLHTA will be able to direct development efforts where they are most needed. We will be able to support projects specific to ensuring that our island is clean and safe for visitors and residents alike, including the beautification of specific areas of our island.
Through The Tourism Enhancement Fund, we will be able to make greater contributions towards community development initiatives in rural areas and support efforts to preserve our environment and expose other stakeholders to environmentally sustainable tourism practices. There also will be strong focus on education and hands-on training initiatives for our young people to give them a better chance of finding employment in our industry. We would also like to spearhead programs for our work force to achieve higher standards to be able to strengthen our island’s presence in an ever more competitive international tourism marketplace.
Our hotels are proud to be part of this exciting initiative in light of the many challenges we are facing as a country. Together, we recognize the importance of tourism to the livelihood of Saint Lucia’s future generations. The success of this fund will serve as another sign of our industry’s commitment to the island and willingness to sustain the viability of our product.

DIFFERENCE: towards a world in which we can all flourish

Feminist Conversations on Caribbean Life

“Those of us who have been forged in the crucibles of difference — those of us who are poor, who are lesbians, who are Black, who are older — know that survival is not an academic skill. It is learning how to stand alone, unpopular and sometimes reviled, and how to make common cause with those others identified as outside the
structures in order to define and seek a world in which we can all flourish.” Audre Lorde

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