Tourism is increasingly important to the Caribbean in difficult economic times, writes Ariela St. Pierre-Collins, 16, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados, but it means a balancing act between the image of idyllic holidays and policing a disenfranchised population. As the Caribbean region continues to suffer from a deepening recession, the problem of escalating crime against …

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Many people volunteer internationally for a good cause. However, it is important to do research beforehand to avoid the swindlers’ trap, writes Ariela St. Pierre-Collins, 16, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados. ‘Volunteerism’ is a new fad among gap year do-gooders and middle age crisis-sufferers. This new fad is not a meme, or a catch phrase, …

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Discrimination and rejection are all too common in society but are especially harmful for those with a different sexual orientation, writes Lyn-Marie Blackman, 27, a Correspondent from Bridgetown, Barbados, who argues the price of rejection hurts all of society. We all live in societies where rejection, discrimination and prejudices are on a constant high. One …

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Violence against women has not lessened in spite of laws and campaigns, writes Leigh-Ann Worrell, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from St. Thomas. She argues the violence won’t end without a change in society’s idea of what it means to be masculine and feminine. The tears of shock and anger ran deeper than the secluded area …

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Continued controversy over marijuana use has supporters on both sides of the issue. Making a decision involves education and maturity, writes Lyn-Marie Blackman, 27, a Correspondent from Bridgetown, Barbados. Marijuana and its legalization has been a hotly debated issue all over the world. Different arguments have ended with: “legalize it” or “do not legalize it”. …

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Individual and community attitudes about AIDS can have an effect on the effort to eliminate HIV infections and discrimination against those living with HIV, writes Lyn-Marie Blackman, 27, a Correspondent from Bridgetown, Barbados, as she examines the message for World AIDS Day. The World AIDS Day message for the 2011–2015 period focuses on “Getting to …

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The abduction of Nigerian school girls is an atrocity, writes Lyn-Marie Blackman, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bridgetown, Barbados, as she calls for world-wide support to reunite the affected families. In the country of Nigeria several young school girls were kidnapped in the month of April. The continent of Africa has had several traumatic, eventful occurrences …

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Self-described conservative writer and lover of biomedical science Lyn-Marie Blackman, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados, writes about the need for women and girls to take pride in themselves and shine as brightly as they can. I have always had a special place in my heart for women, not because I am one myself but …

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Writing is a blessing that can be used to motivate change, writes Lyn-Marie Blackman, a 27-year-old Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados, as she discusses the legacy of Dr. Maya Angelou. “I am a woman.  Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that’s me.”-Maya Angelou She shared her smile and elegance with the world. She wrote for us, danced for us …

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Creating uniforms for people living with HIV is a questionable proposal, writes Lyn-Marie Blackman, a 27-year-old Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados, who argues the concept could do more damage than good. The well-noted HIV pandemic has been around for the past thirty years. However, HIV has now been deemed a chronic illness, which means that an individual …

"Uniforms for HIV/AIDS ‘victims’ not acceptable" Read More »