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HoA Members attend Parliamentary Conference in Turks & Caicos

The delegation representing the Virgin Islands includes, from left: Eighth District Representative Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) Education Minister Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL); Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Honourable Karl Dawson (R1); Clerk of the House of Assembly Ms Phyllis Evans; Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Honourable Luce D. Hodge-Smith; and Deputy Speaker Honourable Stacy Mather MBE (AL). Photo: GIS
Education Minister Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL), right, and Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Honourable Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) at the 45th Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in Turks and Caicos. Photo: GIS
Education Minister Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL), right, and Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Honourable Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) at the 45th Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in Turks and Caicos. Photo: GIS
GRAND TURK ISLAND, Turks & Caicos- A delegation from the House of Assembly (HOA) of the Virgin Islands is in Turks and Caicos participating in the 45th Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

The CPA conference of the Caribbean, The Americas, and the Atlantic Region will feature several significant events, including the 13th Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), The Regional Executive Committee Meeting, and the 16th Regional Youth Parliament.

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) stated that the conference is an excellent opportunity to collaborate with fellow parliamentarians and stakeholders from across the region, share knowledge, and collectively work towards building a resilient and sustainable future for all communities.

Honourable de Castro said, “The attendance of the Virgin Islands delegation at this prestigious conference demonstrates the region’s commitment to strengthening parliamentary practices, fostering gender equality in politics through the CWP conference, and empowering the youth through the Regional Youth Parliament.”

The Education Minister in a Government Information Services (GIS) press release on July 27, 2023, added that the Virgin Islands delegation is eager to actively participate in the various sessions, workshops, and discussions that will shape policies and initiatives for the region’s progress.

Honourable de Castro added that the gathering promises to provide a unique platform for delegates to engage in constructive dialogues, share insights, and explore innovative strategies to address the challenges faced by the region.

VI Delegation

The conference is being held under the theme, "Building A Resilient Region in The Face of Global Challenges," and is being held from July 21 to 28 in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.

The delegation representing the Virgin Islands includes Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL); Deputy Speaker Honourable Stacy Mather MBE; Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Honourable Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4); Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Honourable Karl Dawson (R1), Eighth District Representative Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Clerk of the House of Assembly Ms Phyllis Evans.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is a global organisation with approximately 180 branches, divided into nine regions. It is an association of Commonwealth parliaments and legislatures, committed to promoting democracy, good governance, and cooperation among member states. With its diverse membership spanning across the Commonwealth, the CPA plays a vital role in strengthening parliamentary democracy worldwide.

The Caribbean, Americas, and the Atlantic (CAA) Region of the CPA comprises 19 Legislatures, including the [British] Virgin Islands, and plays a crucial role in promoting parliamentary democracy, good governance, and cooperation among member states.

13 Responses to “HoA Members attend Parliamentary Conference in Turks & Caicos”

  • Sara (28/07/2023, 08:53) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why isn't the deputy clerk attending any of these meetings? continuity? capacity building?
  • J (28/07/2023, 08:59) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    One thing is certain, politicians rack up tons of frequent flyer miles. We may not see a whole lot of progress but there is always a whole lot of pictures to show for their time in office.
  • 1st class (28/07/2023, 10:22) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    Time for Premier to buy a travel agency!
  • A Capitalist Who Loves the BVI (28/07/2023, 11:16) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    There's always another conference to attend, so that money can be spent on airfares and hotel accomodations, not to mention meals and parties - even though your country can't keep up with the demand for electricity, the roads are horrible and the sewers back up (and oh yeah, the firefighters and other necessary public servants can't get paid their overdue increments). Just appalling how poorly this government actually governs....
  • how much (28/07/2023, 11:22) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    We keep throwing money away on first class travel and 5 star hotels!
  • Travel Junket (28/07/2023, 12:05) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just another travel junket. Return on taxpayer expense—-nada, nothing.
  • WEW (28/07/2023, 12:31) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    TCI didn't the UK have to come in and take over TWICE ! Guess our HOA is there trying to learn something
  • (28/07/2023, 14:02) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Very useful trip
  • Sell out (28/07/2023, 14:40) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ayo living it up, man!
  • resident (28/07/2023, 14:44) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    how about some more photos in the bvi fixing things here
  • lol (28/07/2023, 15:15) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Headline should read "HOA member and staff vacation in TCI on the public purse"
    • Rhythm up.. (28/07/2023, 16:32) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      Our Govt is on a spending spree.. No care for you on me while they enjoy and waste our money..
  • WOW (29/07/2023, 08:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Delegation to T&C, Wheatley in Miami, then next week’s 5 day 17 person delegation to Guyana….all on the taxpayer’s dime. Laughable that the T&C trip is sponsored by CPA, committed to good governance…


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