self-made female entrepreneurs overcame major barriers
Miss World
Jennifer Hosten turned
businesswoman A TRIBUTE TO
ARCHITECT. ARAB. WOMAN. ISSUE 7
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WWW.TRULYBELO N G.CO M
BELONG © Copyright 2018 BELONG Magazine London, UK Email: info@trulybelong.com EXPERIENCE THE WORLD OF BELONG ON
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Editor’s note
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his magazine is dedicated to the topic of citizenship; and more specifically the programmes and countries that offer citizenship. But in this edition, I want to challenge the essence of the magazine’s title, BELONG - exploring what it truly means and in particular, from my personal perspective, what it means to me as a woman. The idea of ‘belonging’ is vitally important to every citizen of the world because we all seek a place where to belong - a community that will embrace us regardless of our culture, heritage, race, or gender. This past year, we have seen a global uprising of women, using their voices, united and strong - speaking up about their right to belong in this global community, demanding to be heard and respected. Women are truly the backbone of our communities, which is why, in this edition, we wanted to salute and celebrate women and capture their essence as visionaries, mothers, businesswomen, politicians, mentors. As the #♯metoo movement grows, it begs the question: “What does this movement mean to citizens of the world?” I believe it’s about EVERYONE being accountable and held responsible for their actions and the consequences. As the world shrinks and borders blur, our responsibilities as global citizens grow. EVERYONE, men and women, have a responsibility to embody and teach the basic principles of respect, equality, compassion and a sense of community. As a woman in a largely male-dominated industry and society, I have been on my own journey; as a woman, as a citizen of the world and as an individual who understands how important it is to have a sense of belonging. Belong is therefore an important platform, to address and discuss our freedoms, or lack of and to share our responsibilities of being global citizens and neighbours. I trust that the content in this issue will inspire you as it is my wish and commitment to spread a wholesome message that if belonging is the core sentiment of who we are, then that belonging should extend to everyone. Yours truly Micha-Rose Emmett Editor (Micha-Rose Emmett is the Group CEO for the international legal consulting firm, CS Global Partners)
Contents 06. Women’s rights: A global timeline
COVE R STO RY
07. Enabling women: The citizenship frontier
LIFESTYLE
self-made female entrepreneurs overcame major barriers
08. Today’s women: An outlook
Miss World
10. Looking at the Caribbean: A history of empowerment
Jennifer Hosten turned
businesswoman A TRIBUTE TO
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26. St Kitts and Nevis: The excitement of change 28. 60 days to freedom: What you need to achieve second citizenship 30. Investing in a second citizenship
14. A world of beauty: Jennifer Hosten
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Zaha Hadid photographed by Steven Double in collaboration with Camera Press.
16. Women’s health: Living in the Caribbean 18. Where will you go: Top 10 global wellness retreats
Zaha Hadid Architect. Arab. Woman.
24. Dominica: Entrepreneurship across the ocean
12. History in the making: The drive for women’s rights in the Caribbean today
ARCHITECT. ARAB. WOMAN. ISSUE 7
CITIZENS OF THE WORLD
20. The healthy entrepreneur: Elise Johnston Page 58
22. Satisfying the motherly instinct in the Caribbean
Citizenship and real estate in Dominica
34.
Introducing the newest investment channel
St Kitts and Nevis 32. Welcome to St Kitts and Nevis 34. The Sustainable Growth Fund
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Top 10 global wellness retreats
36. Newsblast 38. The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship programme
BUSINESS 50. Dev Bath: A selfconfessed citizen of the world
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52. Top female entrepreneurs: Inspiring a better future
A strong option for the financially-minded woman
54. Caribbean investment: A strong option for the Financially-Minded woman
CULTURE
Dominica 42. Welcome to Dominica
56. Millennial meander
44. The Unlikely Couple: Citizenship and real estate in Dominica
58. Zaha Hadid 60. Women on Nevis: June Goodfield
46. Newsblast
62. Born to run: Janelle Redhead
48. The Dominica citizenship programme
65. Trending entertainment
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Born to run: Janelle Redhead
Women on Nevis: June Goodfield
60. 65.
Trending entertainmment
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Our thanks to the many people who have contributed to this issue of BELONG. All rights reserved The publishers do not accept any responsibility for loss or damage to material submitted for publication. The publisher does not necessarily endorse all the views expressed in the magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in any information storage or retrieval system without the publisher’s written permission.
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Women’s Rights: A Global Timeline
2017
GLOBAL EVENTS THAT CHANGED AND SHAPED THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY
1995
The largest international mass demonstration in support of women’s rights took place in Washington, DC and several other US and global cities.
The 4th World Conference on Women was held in Beijing, China and resulted in the adoption of a Platform for Action for women’s equality, empowerment, and justice.
1979
1975
The UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
To mark International Women’s Year, the United Nations organised the first World Conference on Women in Mexico City. The guidelines set in Mexico City for the advancement of women marked the beginning of the UN Decade for Women.
1946 The UN Commission on the Status of Women was established to create standards for women’s rights for governments to follow and adopt in their laws, and to promote global awareness of women’s rights.
1915
1911
The First International Congress of Women, a.k.a. the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, was held in The Hague.
The first ever International Women’s Day was observed in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.
1893
1848
New Zealand became the first nation to give all women the right to vote in parliamentary elections.
The Seneca Falls Convention, held in New York State, pressed for women’s rights and issued a Declaration of Sentiments that “all men and women are created equal.”
1979 1986 1997 2006
1974 Isabel Martínez de Perón became President of Argentina and the first female president in the Americas.
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Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the first elected female head of state in Europe.
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Maria Corazon Aquino became President of the Philippines and the first female president in Asia.
Jenny Shipley became Prime Minister of New Zealand and the first elected female head of state in Australasia.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became President of Liberia and the first elected female head of state in Africa.
Enabling
Women:
THE CITIZENSHIP FRONTIER
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itizenship implies equal rights for all under the constitution and laws of a nation. Yet many women – citizens of nations across the globe – still face legal discrimination, such as being unable to own property, inherit assets, receive quality education, or work without permission from a male member of their family. Gender imbalances don’t just play out in terms of country law, and, even when laws nominally protect women to the same extent as men, socio-cultural attitudes take time to evolve. Inequity is experienced in the workplace, within communities, inside homes, in religious institutions, and in many behind-the-scenes interactions. Wage disparities, business glass ceilings, travel and mobility restrictions, and personal wellbeing are all very real concerns that continue to affect women. Modern women have different needs to men; largely those that relate to safety, health, and creating a balance between the desire to work versus the still-prevalent instinct of being the primary caretaker of the home, children, and often elderly family members.
And, as the world changes, so too do women’s perspectives about the way they see themselves in it, what they want to achieve, and the future of their children. While in the past it was difficult for women to act alone to initiate change in their lives, resulting in the emergence of feminist movements such as the suffragettes, today women can take individual steps to improve their lives and free themselves from inequality. They can, for example, look to second citizenship as an opportunity to access strong social support systems and safe-havens, and tap into resources that have holistic benefits both for themselves and their families. Second citizenship enables travel and opens a broader global platform for strategic choice – together with delivering the right to live in peaceful nations with a focus on healthy lifestyles and education. A second citizenship provides the contemporary woman with an insurance policy for the future, facilitates aspirations, and allows them to fulfill the optimistic and nurturing life they desire.
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Today’s Women AN OUTLOOK
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or the first time in 11 years, gender equality worsened in 2017. This is according to the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s Global Gender Gap Index, which ranks 144 countries for women’s gender equality based on four measures: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, political empowerment, and health and survival. The difference in scores that produced this result compared to 2016 may only be 0.3 percent, yet when you consider that this equates to an additional 11 million women that were further disempowered or not empowered at all – almost the entire population of a country like Greece – there is still a long way to go to close the gender gap… a century in fact, according to the index’s accompanying report. It’s a bleak picture perhaps, yet there are gems among the report. Iceland, for instance, leads the world as its most gender-equal nation for the ninth consecutive year. Norway and Finland come in second and third. Rwanda is ranked fourth, something that is especially striking when considering that the nation lost one million citizens in a 100-day genocidal civil war in 1994, proving just how significant and impactful women can be in rebuilding a nation. It was also a crisis – albeit different in nature – that created Iceland’s ‘women’s takeover’ during the 2008 financial crash. Women replaced their male counterparts as leaders of banks and financial institutions, and, when the entire Icelandic Government resigned, a female Prime Minister, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, was appointed. Coincidently, Prime Minister Sigurðardóttir was also the world’s first openly lesbian leader.
The World Economic Forum (WEF)
Although no high-profile politician has made the bold claim that women are better at leadership than their male counterparts, Barack Obama is quoted as saying last December that more women need to be put in positions of power “because men seem to be having some problems nowadays.” A Gallup poll of Americans, also released last year, echoed the former President’s sentiment, as it revealed that Americans no longer prefer a male boss to a woman boss.
EU Slow to Change The Gender Equality Index 2017, issued by the European Institute for Gender Equality, focuses on the attainment of gender parity in Europe. The region has only slightly improved its gender disparities in the past 10 years. Sweden ranks the highest, Greece the lowest, and Italy – in 14th position – is the most improved. The area that showed the highest improvement was decision-making, indicating that more equality exists in the political sphere. Reports such as these are widely cited, but, in the opinion of US academic Jeni Klugman, such indexes are missing one important measure: that of how safe a woman is in her society. Along with her colleagues at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, and in collaboration with the Peace Research Institute Oslo, in 2017 Ms Klugman launched the first Women, Peace, and Security Index. Ranking 153 countries – more than 98 percent of the world’s population – the index evaluates progress on inclusion, justice, and security for women. Inclusion covers the ability of women to make their own economic, social, and political
Prime Minister, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir
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Lifestyle decisions; justice is measured by formal and informal laws and discrimination; and security covers personal safety in the family, in communities, and in society at large. Klugman says the results are diverse: “No country performs well across all of the dimensions. So there’s room for improvement everywhere.” By region, the best performers were Iceland for ‘Developed Countries,’ Slovenia in ‘Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia,’ Singapore in ‘East Asia & the Pacific,’ Jamaica in ‘Latin America & the Caribbean,’ the UAE in the ‘Middle East & North Africa,’ Nepal in ‘South Asia’, Namibia in ‘SubSaharan Africa,’ and Zimbabwe among ‘Fragile States.’
Wage Gap Widens Economically, and returning to the WEF Report, closing the pay gap between women and men is going to take 217 years at the current development rate. A report from the January 2018 WEF conference in Davos suggests the technology sector will see the greatest disparities, not just in terms of remuneration but also status. The warning, issued by Saadia Zahidi, the WEF’s Head of Education, Gender, and Work, needs no interpretation: “We’re looking at a worsening of inequality, particularly in IT but across all sectors. We are losing valuable opportunities to reduce gender inequality.” Zahidi highlighted two possible causes for the decline in gender parity: fewer women are working in high-growth areas such as biotech and infrastructure, and, even in those high-growth areas where women tend to have a stronger presence, leadership roles remain the domain of men. To overcome workplace stagnation and the worsening of disparity, Zahidi advised corporations to undertake farreaching organisational change. “It needs a holistic approach from companies when thinking about gender equality – not just board-level positions. Diversity leads to creativity, which is even more necessary in a world undergoing an industrial revolution.”
London, UK. ‘100 years of woman voting’.
The UK: 100 Years of Suffrage 2018 marks the 100-year anniversary of women winning the right to vote in Britain. Female British Prime Minister, Theresa May, heralded this as a “huge and irreversible step towards creating a truly universal democracy, and the beginning of a representative public debate.” Just as it was for the suffragettes who campaigned a century ago, there still remains much for today’s women to campaign for and create awareness of.
Platanos College celebrates the role London played in the women’s suffrage campaign.
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Looking at the Caribbean A HISTORY OF EMPOWERMENT
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he Caribbean’s past has been a difficult one, particularly as French, Spanish, English, and Dutch colonisers exploited the indigenous environments of the region. Slavery was prolific, leading to Caribbean women not merely having to fight against gender inequality, but also having to stand against racial and class discrimination. The result was the emergence of extraordinary women who overcame adversity from multiple angles to ultimately make their mark in the history books. Caribbean emancipation was driven by women of African descent, in a collective achievement that saw the names of most individuals lost to time. Feminism continued to be tied to racial struggles and, later, self-determination in the form of independence from colonisers. It was however only after the independence movements that women began to find their place at the vanguard of Caribbean society and manifest countrywide change in their own names. One such woman, Dame Mary Eugenia Charles, achieved what few could have imagined possible. She was not only the first female Prime Minister of Dominica, taking office in 1980, but also the first elected female head of state in the entire Caribbean region. She is credited with the reconstruction of infrastructure that had been destroyed by Hurricane David in 1979 and the overall upliftment of the Caribbean basin.
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Lifestyle Mary Eugenia Charles
Charles, during her tenure, had to face two attempted coups to overthrow her government but held the reins securely amid economic decline caused largely by changes in international trade, and she is hailed for bringing stability to the island. So impactful was her presence that, in 1991, Queen Elizabeth II knighted her as Dame of the Order.
The Dominica Museum
Phyllis Shand Allfrey
After 15 years in power, Charles and her party lost the elections to the United Workers Party, which in turn lost its governing power in 2000 to the Dominica Labour Party (DLP). The DLP, Dominica’s first political party, was founded in 1955 by yet another significant historic woman, Phyllis Shand Allfrey. Although she never headed government, in 1958 Allfrey was elected to the West Indies legislature to represent her country. She also served as Minister of Labour and Social Affairs as the only female minister of the West Indies Federation. Allfrey’s interest in politics was in some ways detrimental to her recognition as a writer. She was a talented author, having produced a number of short stories, poems, and novels that brought the Caribbean to life for global communities. One such, The Orchid House, was translated into a successful TV series.
Grenada also boasts a patriotic woman and Queen-honoured Dame of the islands: Hilda Bynoe, who became the first nativeborn governor of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique in 1968. Her medical training contributed vastly to the region’s development in medicine, education, and public service. She, like Allfrey, was the author of several books, her most famous of which, I Woke at Dawn, was published in 1996. Although deceased, all the women mentioned, and those un-named, elevated the role of women beyond being just mothers, wives, and care-givers, and paved the way for today’s women. The Caribbean is colourful with their presence and their voices can be heard on platforms across every sector of business and society. They hold the heart of the Caribbean and their spirit will never again be suppressed.
Phyllis Shand Allfrey
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History in the Making: THE DRIVE FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN THE CARIBBEAN TODAY
T ‘Every Woman, Every Child’
he empowerment of women is supported across the Caribbean islands by civil and business actors, as well as by individuals. By becoming citizens of Dominica, or St Kitts and Nevis, international women can become part of this support movement, helping to advance their rights and those of all women across their country, the Caribbean, and the world.
A Regional Endeavour Two years ago, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) ascribed to the ‘Every Caribbean Woman, Every Caribbean Child’ (ECWECC) initiative, aiming to uplift women by targeting four issues: adolescent pregnancies, violence against women and children, cervical cancer, and mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
This initiative followed the 2010 unveiling of the ‘Every Woman, Every Child’ movement by then-SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, which is supported internationally by entities like the Clinton Foundation. Indeed, it was at the 2017 Clinton Global Initiative in New York City that St Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris – also the CARICOM’s Lead Head on Human Resources, Health, and HIV/AIDS – spoke of the strides made by the Caribbean in women’s health.
Caricom flag
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Lifestyle Prime Minister Harris lauded Cuba for its eradication of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis, and highlighted that many other islands were also close to achieving this. In October 2017, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that St Kitts and Nevis had become the second nation in the world to fully eliminate the transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis between a mother and a child. Other key players involved in the ECWECC initiative, recently renamed ‘Caribbean Woman Caribbean Child’ (CariWaC), are the First Ladies and Spouses of Heads of Government of the CARICOM. These influential women have established an action platform aiming to bring concrete change to women’s health and welfare through their unique ability to “become catalysts for change, leverage networks, and influence the decisionmaking process at the highest level of Government.”
Pan American Health Organisation, Washington DC, USA
But Caribbean efforts to advance the cause of women are not just regional; individual island efforts have been underway for decades.
ST KITTS AND NEVIS In the island of St Kitts, the ‘Business and Professional Women of St Kitts’ (BPW) has been in operation for 42 years. BPW’s mandate is to promote women’s education, increase their contribution to society, and help them attain high professional standards. BPW also works to create a network of global businesswomen, and to end gender discrimination and unequal opportunities.
DOMINICA In Dominica, the ‘Dominica National Council of Women’ (DNCW), which has existed since 1986, seeks to end violence against women with the provision of targeted education and training, as well as shelter and counselling where needed. The DNCW focuses acutely on domestic violence, and acts as a mediator between women and their families, as well as informing society about the issue. Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis are cognisant that it is only by addressing women’s rights that the Caribbean will continue to develop, and achieve full and fair socio-economic success.
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A World of Beauty JENNIFER HOSTEN
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number of chance encounters prompted Grenadian-born Jennifer Hosten to enter and ultimately win the Miss World contest in 1970, one of the most controversial years in the history of the competition, for not only did South Africa send two candidates, one white and one black (the latter selected as first runner-up), but one of the judges was Grenada’s then-Prime Minister. The first Grenadian to ever wear the Miss World crown, Jennifer embarked on a journey that would introduce international communities to her country.
While tidying the plane after the flight, Jennifer found an abandoned newspaper, which in itself is not unusual, except this particular one – The Voice, an official Grenadian publication – announced that the nation would, for the first time, be sending a candidate to the contest. “I thought it coincidental but three weeks later, on a trip home to my parents in Grenada, a representative of the Tourism Office approached me to ask if I would enter the Miss Grenada competition. I was fortunate to win that competition, and even more surprised, and delighted, to win the global crown.”
In her first chance encounter, Jennifer, who was a flight attendant on Caribbean Airlines, was asked to pose for a photograph with Miss Guyana, who was en route to New York. “Because we had chatted during the flight, she was interested to know whom Grenada was sending to the Miss World competition. I had no idea, but expressed that it was unlikely that Grenada would enter at all. I was very flattered, even laughed, when she suggested they send me.”
In her year of reign, Jennifer toured worldwide USA army bases with comedian Bob Hope. In some cases, she made her way to secret destinations fraught with security concerns, such as Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). Through her global travels as a flight attendant, and previously as a broadcaster with a strong affiliation to the BBC in England, Jennifer was well acquainted with having to explain where Grenada was. “For many, it was the first time
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“Today, small islandcountries like Grenada can be challenged in the way they balance development and maintaining the green space we enjoyed as children.”
they had heard of Grenada.” In several respects, she became one of the unsung ambassadors of her nation. “Grenada is incredibly beautiful, and still relatively unspoilt. Many islands are flat, but Grenada has a volcano, beaches, waterfalls, and rainforests all in one concentrated space. Today, small island-countries like Grenada can be challenged in the way they balance development and maintaining the green space we enjoyed as children.” It’s a lifestyle that Jennifer returns to annually for at least six weeks, not just as a touchstone, but because she also owns and operates Jenny’s Place, a self-catering inn on Grenada’s three-km, white-sand Grand Anse Beach.
Miss World 1970 Ceremony
“When I bought my property, it consisted of just a bungalow on a small piece of land. But it was on the island’s best beach – what a wonderful location! It is now a small inn or guest house with a restaurant, bar, and gazebo.” Today, Jenny’s Place is well-established, and offers apartments and suites. “We pride ourselves on offering very personalised quality service, which has been recognised repeatedly by the travel community,” notes Jennifer when discussing her highly-trained staff. “Grenada is friendly and safe. As a former British colony, its language is English. On top of this, its climate is ideal throughout the year. This, combined with its pure nature, draws people back time and time again – including myself!”
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Women’s Health:
Living in the Caribbean 100TH BIRTHDAY PARTIES ARE NORMAL HERE
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hese are worries for any mother or caregiver. Thankfully however, some of our lifestyle choices, and those we encourage our children and families to adopt, can help. Health is affected by the consumption of nutritional food, exercise, and a good balance of work and play. In their roles as mother, child, wife, and homekeeper, along with entrepreneur, businessperson, or employee, women are exposed to the potential of stress more than ever, which often manifests as illness in the body. One solution is an island lifestyle, such as can be experienced in Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis. These are places where we find some of the world’s largest numbers of centenarians, something that should come as no surprise given the lack of pollution and the availability of fresh food and outdoor space. Each island is also well-equipped to provide medical assistance. Dominica has two hospitals. St Kitts and Nevis boasts not only a public hospital, but many medical centres and clinics. Each of
Dr Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director-General for Family, Women’s, and Children’s Health at the World Health Organisation (WHO), says that the 10 major women’s health issues that keep her awake at night are cancer, reproductive and maternal health, HIV and sexually transmitted infections, violence, mental health, non-communicable diseases and, interestingly, being young and getting older. While some of these concerns may seem far removed to some women, the latter two, relevant to age, affect all, and are ultimately connected to the other eight elements raised by Dr Bustreo. For young females, the doctor’s anxieties relate more to sexual abuse, pregnancy, childbirth, and unsafe abortions, and for elderly women, they are associated to dementia, abuse, and poor health.
Dr Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director-General for Family,
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these nations is also just a short flight to the Americas, should more specific treatments be needed. Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis offer a diet that is envied, particularly given year-long feasting on fresh fruit, fish, and vegetables. Exercise and alternative wellness opportunities include hiking, yoga, cycling, golf, meditation, and massage and energy therapies. Spa services abound, as do products made from nature, and treatments that include wallowing in healing hot springs or mud baths. These islands are also places that are ideal for recovery and recuperation. In Dominica, the Healthy Living Wellness Centre offers complete detoxification programmes such as liver, kidney, and colon cleansing. At the St Kitts and Nevis Carib Wellness, chiropractic manipulation and orthopaedic and neurologic examinations are among a plethora of services that can be accessed. Ultimately – and women appear to understand this comprehensively – to be healthy requires balance in all things. An island lifestyle presents no temptations to deviate from a holistic way of living; it’s as unavoidable as breathing.
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Where Will You Go …for Healing …and Indulgent Treatments?
TOP 10 GLOBAL WELLNESS RETREATS
TANZANIA Experience an ‘olpul’ where, along with Maasai healers, participants spend time in a sacred forest, bonding with nature to revitalise the body and cleanse the spirit.
ITALY The natural thermal waters in parts of Tuscany have been valued since Etruscan times for the healing properties they provide in treating a variety of ailments, from skin complaints to respiratory difficulties.
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COSTA RICA At PachaMama, a community overlooking the Pacific Ocean, off-grid village living allows people to bond with nature, practice yoga and meditation, embark on musical journeys, and experience ecological living.
ICELAND The land of ‘fire and ice,’ created by volcanoes that birthed numerous hot springs, offers relaxing hot soaks in remote locations, secret lagoons, and natural outdoor tubs.
Lifestyle
SLOVENIA This country’s short but magnificent coastline offers centuries-old treatments and ‘special interest’ cruises (including yoga), but it is in the mountains and hills that one can delve into nature, taking part in activities such as bear-watching.
VANUATU This archipelago boasts a large number of natural alternative medicinal treatments and health remedy plants. One such, the Tamanu Tree, whose oil is said to heal a number of skin disorders, grows prolifically across the country.
ISRAEL The Dead Sea is one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water and is known for treating and remedying incurable discomforts like asthma, psoriasis, and arthritis.
CROATIA The medicinal mud ‘Peloid,’ found in Nin, has a long history of treating and relieving a number of skin disorders and is believed to aid infertility in women.
Toskana Therme Bad Sulza
GERMANY The Toskana Therme in Bad Sulza presents warm salt water encased in a dome where modern, colourful light is reflected and music reverberates, creating an effect known as ‘Liquid Sound.’
POLAND Natural salt caves near Krakow offer therapeutic benefits combined with visual appeal, particularly when visitors venture deep underground to witness the caves’ longstanding stalactites and stalagmites.
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The Healthy Entrepreneur ELISE JOHNSTON-AGAR
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or multi-talented Elise Johnston-Agar, Dominica is a “grounding, healing, and transforming place.” It may not look like a good fit for true metropolis urbanites, she says, but “these are the individuals who need it the most.” Elise is not just speaking from her perspective as a yoga teacher or as an architect who supports “low-impact, natural living,” but also as a health coach, a mother, a wife, and an islander who appreciates what soulful living really means. Canadian by birth, Elise met her Dominican-born husband while on an academic trip to India, both coincidently studying architecture some 20 years ago. After graduating, the two settled in Dominica, where Elise rediscovered yoga and took the opportunity to study first as a yoga instructor, and then as a health coach – the latter complementing her yoga teaching by incorporating mindful eating and living to mindful movement. Dominica is the ideal destination to experience what Elise practices and teaches. “You cannot
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avoid connecting with the earth and the elements, for better or for worse,” she says. “My two children are much more knowledgeable about sustainability than their peers across the sea, knowing not to run the tap in the dry season when we operate off a cistern of rainwater, for example.” This highlights the strong contrast between Dominica and bustling city environments. Elise believes that much of the world over-consumes unnecessarily without thought of the negative impact this may have. “But here in Dominica we learn to respect nature, partly because of its abundance, and partly because we are cognisant of its influence on our daily lives.” It is this respect for nature that has kept Dominica authentic. Focusing on her children, Elise notes that both Government and private schools exist. “We have been pleased with Pioneer Preparatory School and Orion Academy, both of which welcome parental involvement. My son has mild special needs and is very happy at The Achievement Learning Centre, where children experiencing
Lifestyle
The Achievement Learning Centre
developmental and other challenges can be comfortable and well-supported.” Support is also applied in terms of safety and advice: “Traditional village living means everyone looks out for everyone. Expats are often surprised when given unsolicited advice on childcare from local strangers, which is typical Dominican behaviour. For example, if they see a child is not adequately protected from the rain or sun, they will speak out. The more integrated one becomes, the more support can be found.” From setting up a business, which Elise says is very easy, to her role as a female entrepreneur, acceptance and encouragement have never been an issue. “Dominican culture is possibly a little old-fashioned in its gender definitions but I’ve been welcomed by players in the industry, be that as a yoga practitioner or an architect.” Evidence of this can be found in Elise being twice chosen as Dominica’s representative in regional architectural settings, which saw her participate in an EU-funded programme to create a Historical Walking Tour of Roseau. Elise was also selected to work as part of the three-person design team for the renovation of the Douglas-Charles Airport, and has partnered with international architectural firm, LPA, on a multi-milliondesign project for the island.
Elise Johnston
“My two children are much more knowledgeable about sustainability than their peers across the sea, knowing not to run the tap in the dry season when we operate off a cistern of rainwater, for example.”
“I encourage the creation of projects and schemes, like the Citizenship by Investment Programme, which promote Dominica’s existing strengths and resources, fuelling the meaningful life we live on this island.”
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hile personal success and happiness is an important motivator, it bows to a mother’s drive to do right by her children. This is why, in today’s ever-changing and competitive environment, mothers are seeking not just an immediate improvement in their quality of life, but long-term change that can provide their children with a prosperous future. This requires sourcing environments where children have opportunities to develop skills without compromising their lifestyle.
Satisfying the Motherly Instinct in the Caribbean THE CHILDREN WHO DITCHED SCREENS FOR GOOD EDUCATION
Among many parental considerations are competent schools, a stable political system, diverse job prospects, culturally rich environments, nurturing interactions with neighbours and friends, and positive attitudes to life and the changes brought about by our modernising world. The island states of Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis are cognisant of these concerns, and are transforming into core destinations for families, often with the support of their citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes. Within the CBI programmes of each island is the option to invest in a government fund, which in turn contributes to island advancement, targeting social upliftment, education and skills training, local entrepreneurship, and restoration efforts. Through its Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF), the Government of St Kitts and Nevis has supported college and university students, partnering with local entrepreneurs to create internships and work experience that prepare participants for life after their studies. The SIDF also sponsors the Supporting Advancement of Further Education (SAFE) programme, which provides students in tertiary-level education with financial assistance, and underwrites a Student Assistant Fund for local students who might struggle in obtaining a loan.
FAMILIES IN THE CARIBBEAN SPEND MORE TIME TOGETHER BECAUSE OF THE ISLANDS’ LAID-BACK PACE.
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Lifestyle
St Kitts and Nevis’ newly-established Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) is also expected to fund education, as SGF legislation specifically mentions the financing “of school construction and education related initiatives,” as well as “funding for computers, books, scholarships, and bursaries.” Similarly, in Dominica, the Ministry of Education revised its budget to provide assistance to those pursuing studies in hospitality, hotel management, the culinary arts, and landscaping, as well as to those seeking to develop technical and manufacturing skills. Education is not the only element that contributes to a wholesome family, and these Caribbean isles provide a myriad of reasons for children to thrive. Not least of these are the societal values that prevail, and that place significant emphasis on the protection of children. Childrearing in the Caribbean is shared, encompassing members of the extended family, close friends, and even neighbours. The islands’ laid-back and slower pace, with less pressures and distractions, results in families having more time to spend together. Moreover, the fact that English is spoken at home as well as in schools means that children are raised from birth with the ability to communicate internationally.
Children are also more inclined to spend time outdoors, taking full advantage of the islands’ natural environments, and joining peers in popular sporting activities, such as cricket, diving, surfing, or hiking – freeing them, at least partly, from the pull of television and computers. Safe and peaceful, Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis have little that could negatively influence children. Instead, youths form healthy habits in their early years, which guide them to becoming confident, constructive, and optimistic – ultimately shaping them for a future as global citizens.
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Dominica ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACROSS THE OCEAN
T
he business that Wendy started in Tanzania, connecting women in agriculture to one another so they can share learnings and experiences, was so successful that a buy-out offer allowed her the financial freedom to re-evaluate her life. One of her apprehensions related to safety. As one of a small group of female entrepreneurs, she had to face the trust hurdles and preconceived gender notions that many women confront today, and that sometimes prevented her from closing deals or resulted in her competitors gaining the upper hand. On top of this, she became worried about what too much exposure could lead to. Her cousin, who had political aspirations, had been the victim of verbal and physical abuse to discourage her from joining the country’s closed political elite. Wendy no longer wanted to feel like she needed to live in the shadow to feel secure. Wendy’s search for a new home culminated in her successful application to the Citizenship by Investment Programme of the Commonwealth of Dominica, where a single applicant can become a citizen with a one-time, US$100,000 donation to the country’s Economic Diversification Fund (EDF).
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Citizens of the world “In a way, the Programme reminded me of my own business. It involves investment, but the ultimate result is encouraging for the economy and improves the lives of those who face obstacles,” says Wendy, who is proud of her contribution to the EDF. “I also find myself inspired by the lifestyle in Dominica. Women come together to help each other, even in the face of adversity. I see here the chance to apply my expertise in agriculture to revitalise and boost production. I have plenty of new ideas!”
“I also find myself inspired by the lifestyle in Dominica. Women come together to help each other, even in the face of adversity. I see here the chance to apply my expertise in agriculture to revitalise and boost production. I have plenty of new ideas!”
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St Kitts and Nevis THE EXCITEMENT OF CHANGE
A
fter a decade of heading up a hedge fund investment team for a multinational asset management firm in China, Chen, 58, reached retirement age. But in this phase of her life, she found herself “pottering about, trying to find my niche.” Widowed and with grown-up children, Chen had lived a largely independent life, made busy by her demanding work schedule. Now, city life was less appealing to her. “I wanted a complete change of scenery. The fast pace no longer excited me. People are always in a rush, ill-mannered, and self-focused. I tried doing Tai Chi, and ended up being exposed to the fumes of industry and cars.” The citizenship by investment brochure that brought Chen to St Kitts and Nevis lies on the coffee table in her island condo. “I look at those pictures of the beautiful beaches and the clean green life, then I look out of my window and pinch myself to make sure that I’m really here.” Chen has taken up golf, and says her new lifestyle means she is healthier than she has ever been. “It’s like being on a permanent holiday,” she says.
“I am also exposing myself to new experiences, and meeting with other retirees with whom I have a lot in common. We get together regularly for outings, or just socialise, have lunch, and go on hiking adventures. Not only is my retirement fully satisfying, my children and grandchildren are visiting me regularly. “St Kitts and Nevis, with its wide expat community, has changed everything; instead of being bored in my old age, I am experiencing the most joyful years of my life.”
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Citizens of the world
“I look out of my window and pinch myself to make sure that I’m really here. It’s like being on a permanent holiday.”
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Sponsored content
60
Days
to Freedom: What you Need to Achieve Second Citizenship Victoria Vella, Head of Russia and CIS Desk at CS Global Partners and expert in citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes, explains the process of obtaining a second citizenship. With a distinguished history working in the investment immigration industry as a law professional advising high net-worth individuals (HNWIs), Victoria understands what ensures a smooth journey to second citizenship. With the rapid expansion of CBI around the world and new countries looking to adopt such programmes, how do you know where to start and who to trust?
needs, and as authorised agents within the investor immigration industry, we can also guide you through the application process when your decision has been made.
The first step is to decide which of the currently existing CBI programmes around the world best suits your needs, whether that be greater financial security, global mobility, or a ‘Plan B’ for you and your family. One way to distinguish the quality of a CBI programme is to rely on the CBI Index – a special report issued by Financial Times subsidiary Professional Wealth Management magazine. Thus, the most reputable programmes according to the CBI Index are those belonging to the jurisdictions of Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis. However, depending on your needs and requirements, citizenship in Malta or Cyprus, for example, may be your preference. It really depends on the client’s goals and budget – that’s where CS Global Partners comes in. We provide specialist advice on which programme may be best suited for your
What is the hardest part of the process?
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The hardest part is over once you have chosen the programme best tailored to your needs, and enlisted a reliable agent. The agent will be authorised by the government of your chosen country to act on your behalf, have the necessary application forms, and will work closely with you to gather all the required documentation. In my experience, our clients are international businesspeople who have very little time to dedicate to their citizenship application. They truly value a streamlined and efficient process to citizenship from a trusted advisor. In order to save the precious time of our clients, many of the programmes do not require an applicant to travel to attend an interview, or reside in the country they desire the citizenship from. As an authorised
Sponsored content agent we can represent you (and your application for citizenship), without you needing to travel anywhere. Once all the documentation has been submitted in full, the government will commence their thorough due diligence checks. This ensures programmes remain robust and strong against undesirable characters, thereby protecting your investment too. The older programmes in the industry are both thorough and efficient during this process. For example, St Kitts and Nevis offers the Accelerated Application Process (AAP) for an additional fee, which guarantees citizenship (providing all criteria is met) including the issuance of a passport in 60 days or less. You’ve submitted to the government of your choosing, then what? Once processed and deemed qualifying, your application is sent to the Prime Minister or Cabinet for review and final approval. If successful, a letter of confirmation will inform you that your application has been ‘approved in principle’, which means that all you must do is either contribute to a government fund (starting from US$100,000 in the case of Dominica’s Programme, with substantial discounts for family members) or invest in real-estate projects that have been pre-approved by the government. What’s the best part of the application process? The best part of the application process is shared by both the client and the immigration advisor – the granting of the citizenship and passport. The client gets the feeling of eternal security and belonging to the exclusive club of true citizens of the world. At the same time, they experience a strong sense of positive impact by having significantly financially contributed to the vital development of a country where they are now a citizen.
About CS Global Partners A leader in the citizenship and residency by investment industry, CS Global Partners offers tailored, strategic advice to both clients and countries. Our multilingual, awardwinning team is led by CEO Micha-Rose Emmett from our London headquarters. Driving economic prosperity and transforming lives in the process, CS Global Partners transcends the traditional investment immigration industry framework, supporting the governments of Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia to promote their CBI programmes. In so doing, CS Global Partners leads by example, providing investors and governments alike with unparalleled, intelligent citizenship and residency solutions.
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Citizenship Benefits
The
Dominica
Citizenship by Investment Programme
Dual citizenship is allowed under local law
Established: 1993 Known for: Cost-effectiveness and quick processing
Safe and secure environment
Programme Benefits
Visa-free travel to hundreds of nations Cost-effective
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Processing speed
No interview
No culture or history test
No language requirement
No business experience requirement
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Right to live, work, and study in Dominica
Business and tax incentives
Citizens of the world Citizenship Benefits
The
St Kitts and Nevis
Citizenship by Investment Programme
Dual citizenship is allowed under local law
Visa-free travel to hundreds of nations Established: 1984 Known for: The platinum standard of citizenship by investment
Programme Benefits
Processing speed
Accelerated Application Process
Wide choice of luxury real estate options
No interview, no language requirement
No business experience requirement
No culture or history test
Right to live, work, and study in St Kitts and Nevis
Safe and secure environment
Business and tax incentives
Direct flights to and from the Americas
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St Kitts and Nevis
Dr the Honourable Timothy S. Harris, Prime Minister, Federation of St Kitts and Nevis
Welcome to
ST KITTS AND NEVIS
F
or over three decades, St Kitts and Nevis has been synonymous with economic citizenship, a second home, and sound investment. In 2018, our Federation has surpassed itself. It is the Platinum Standard of citizenship by investment, the industry innovator, and the market leader – with accolades mounting from all over the world. My Government has made it a priority to develop a citizenship programme that is the frontrunner in due diligence, and that is quick to respond to the needs of the citizens of today and of tomorrow. This year, we concluded our successful Hurricane Relief Fund initiative, channelling donations into infrastructure and climate resilience projects, and launched two new routes for prospective citizens. First, we established a Sustainable Growth Fund to empower our people and increase our pace towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Second, we consulted with our property developers to devise a joint investment option for real estate buyers. The real estate market in our nation has never been so buoyant. The firstever Park Hyatt in the Caribbean opened its doors in November 2017, and chose no other setting than St Kitts’ Christophe Harbour. Both the Six Senses and Ritz-Carlton groups are also scheduled to be operating on our shores, giving us but a taste of the path that luxury brands and St Kitts and Nevis will be paving together. St Kitts and Nevis is on the cusp of sensational growth, with unprecedented activity by hoteliers, tourist inflows, and investment in new and exciting industries, such as alternative energy. We hit record highs for our annual wage bill, business licences, and jobs. We are also the only nation in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) that can boast a predicted five percent GDP growth for 2018. I look at our citizens and I see optimism, strength, and confidence. With the Citizenship by Investment Programme, I welcome you to become part of our story – a story that has a proud past, and an even greater future. Dr the Honourable Timothy S. Harris, Prime Minister, Federation of St Kitts and Nevis
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O Introducing
the Newest Investment Channel A STABLE AND SECURE PATH TO SECOND CITIZENSHIP IN ST KITTS AND NEVIS
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n 25 September 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, “a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity” calling on all nations to work collaboratively towards 17 goals. Ranging from climate action to quality education, the goals encapsulate the ambition to render the world sustainable, and to allow future generations to thrive. Providing nations with a 15-year timeframe for action, the United Nations also recognised the additional challenges that small island developing states may face in their efforts towards sustainable development. Yet the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, the smallest island-nation in the Americas, has not shied away from the challenge, turning even its Citizenship by Investment Programme to the task. On 29 March 2018, St Kitts and Nevis formalised into law a new citizenship route, enabling applicants to direct their investment to a new fund specifically devised to address sustainability in the Federation. Aptly named the ‘Sustainable Growth Fund’ (SGF), it is used for the funding of school construction and education-related initiatives, to mitigate the effects of
St Kitts and Nevis
climate change, to support economic growth, to build infrastructure and support ports of entry, to enhance medical facilities, to support tourism development, and to promote and protect culture. Applicants who choose this route must make a minimum non-refundable contribution, beginning at US$150,000 for a single applicant, and increasing by US$10,000 for each additional family member other than the spouse of the main applicant, for which the mandatory payment amounts to US$25,000. Just as with all other citizenship options in St Kitts and Nevis, application results are issued within three months of submission, although investors may choose to hasten their application by paying a premium fee under the Accelerated Application Process (AAP). Under this option, successful applications are processed, and passports issued, within 60 days of submission. The SGF reflects the meaningfulness of the commitment that St Kitts and Nevis has made to sustainability, and provides the opportunity for foreign investors to play a part in the fulfilment of that commitment. It also epitomises the innovative drive that lies at the heart of St Kitts and Nevis’ Citizenship by Investment Programme, and that has enabled it not just to survive, but to blossom, for more than 30 years.
W W W. C I U . G O V. K N
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St Kitts and Nevis
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HOW TO APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT IN
St Kitts and Nevis There are three options that qualify an investor under the Programme: 1. Contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) 2. Contribution to the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) 3. Investment in real estate
Contribution to the SGF The Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) channels resources to priority areas like education, health, climate change and resilience, infrastructure, tourism and culture, and the promotion of entrepreneurship. Foreign nationals who contribute the qualifying amount (starting at US$150,000) and meet the other Programme requirements, may apply for citizenship. Below is a schedule of fees applicable under this option.
SGF Required Contribution Amount
Due Diligence Fee
$
$
$
$
150,000
175,000
195,000
195,000 plus 10,000 per additional dependant after the third dependant
7,500
7,500
7,500
main applicant
main applicant
4,000
4,000
per dependant aged 16 or over
per dependant aged 16 or over
186,500
206,500
157,500
Total
7,500 main applicant
4,000 per dependant aged 16 or over
216,500
Children in this schedule of fees are all aged under 16 * Other fees payable include professional fees, and passport fees where applicable. Fees are subject to change.
The SGF option is the fastest and most straightforward route to obtaining citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis. VISIT THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION: WWW.CIU.GOV.KN
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St Kitts and Nevis
Contribution to the SIDF The Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) is a charitable organisation established in 2006 with the primary purpose of assisting the country to transition from an economy dependent on sugar production, to one that is diversified and fuelled by various growth engines. The Foundation has been designated as an approved project, solely for the purpose of citizenship by investment.
Investment in Real Estate To qualify for citizenship under the real estate option, applicants must invest in Government-approved real estate developments with a value of at least US$400,000, to be held for five years. Or US$ 200,000 for a joint investment with another main applicant of US$ 200,000 each to be held for seven years. Governmentapproved real estate includes hotel developments and residential properties located on either St Kitts or Nevis, such as luxury villas and condominium units. By investing in property, applicants may enjoy the added benefits of having a second or holiday home, and possibly receiving a return on their investment.
Real Estate Minimum Required Investment Due Diligence Fee
Government Fee
$
$
400,000
400,000
7,500
35,000
$
$
400,000
400,000
7,500
7,500
7,500
main applicant
main applicant
main applicant
4,000
4,000
4,000
per dependant aged 16 or over
per dependant aged 16 or over
per dependant aged 16 or over
35,000
35,000
35,000
main applicant
main applicant
main applicant
20,000
20,000
20,000
for the spouse
for the spouse
for the spouse
10,000
Total
442,500
466,500
10,000
for another dependant
for another dependant
486,500
496,500
Children in this schedule of fees are all aged under 16 * Other fees payable include professional fees, passport fees, and property purchase fees where applicable. Fees are subject to change.
VISIT THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION: WWW.CIU.GOV.KN
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Dr the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit Prime Minister Commonwealth of Dominica
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Dominica
Dr the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit Prime Minister Commonwealth of Dominica
Welcome to
DOMINICA
D
ominica is more than just its breath-taking nature. It is the island of promise and rebirth, where, no matter your place of origin or the anxieties that plague you at home, you can find serenity and a new you. This is because Dominica, and Dominicans, understand what it means to face adversity and to be recreated into something better. In September 2017, Dominica had to rise to the challenge of Hurricane Maria – a natural disaster that called for all the spirit and ingenuity that we, and our global community, could muster. Yet Dominica is alive; vying to be the first climate resilient nation in the world. We are building to resist winds, to cope with storms, and to address disaster risk. We are collaborating with international and local partners, drawing on the skills of a wide net of experts to ensure sustainability and resilience is achieved in all sectors. We have the support of people from all corners of the globe – everyone, from heads of state to the UN Secretary General, is looking to Dominica to achieve total climate resilience – and we do not intend to disappoint. With this in mind I welcome you to be a part of our national project, and to help us shape ourselves into a stronger Dominica. We want to inspire you with thoughts of a safer, formidable future, but we also want to be inspired by your knowledge and expertise. Our Citizenship by Investment Programme is a vital component of our mission. This longstanding Dominican institution, finding its roots in legislation passed as early as 1993, allows us to extend the rights of citizenship to you and to your family. It lets you, and those you love, join in our vision and call it your own. Every donation to the Programme’s Economic Development Fund brings us closer to our goal, and every investment in our pre-approved, eco-friendly real estate ensures we construct a Dominica that is at the forefront of the fight against climate change. Every new economic citizen we count among our people is a fresh source of thoughts and know-how, and of points of view we may have ignored so far. We value this tremendously, and we value you, first as an applicant and second as a lifelong Dominican. Dr the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit Prime Minister Commonwealth of Dominica
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Secret Bay
The Unlikely Couple:
Citizenship
and
Real Estate in Dominica AN INVESTMENT CHANNEL WITH COUNTLESS OPPORTUNITIES
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M
ore often than not, property investors need to arm themselves with patience and steadfastness. Neighbourhoods take years to gentrify and cities decades to develop. Yet sometimes an opportunity presents itself for an investment in real estate that promises – and delivers – quick returns. The property market in the Caribbean island of Dominica is one such opportunity. Dominated by lush forests and tumbling waterfalls, Dominica has recently come under the radar of high-profile developers, who have recognised the island’s potential for growth and its unique appeal to the modern, environmentally-conscious tourist. One of the latest projects to launch on Dominica is Marriott International’s Anichi Resort and Spa, a luxury development bringing with it a 91-year-old pedigree.
Dominica
Another is Tranquility Beach Resort, a Curio by Hilton hotel, showcasing unique villa suites perched on cliff-edges. A third exclusive resort, scheduled to open by the end of 2018, is the Cabrits Resort Kempinski, offering 160 rooms hidden in one of Dominica’s most famous national parks. These projects are enticing – promising high profits to investors and idyllic retreats to visitors – and there is more to them than meets the eye. All three have been approved under Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme, a Government-regulated scheme that allows foreigners with full or fractional ownership of these resorts to obtain citizenship of the island in as little as three months. The purchase price is fixed at a minimum of US$200,000 plus US$25,000 in Government fees, which grow to US$35,000 for a family of four and US$50,000 for a family of six. Upon receiving citizenship, the investor must retain the property for at least three years. Applicants wanting to re-sell their property to another prospective citizen must wait at least five years to transfer their shares. Real estate and citizenship may seem like an odd couple, but Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme has found a way to bring the two together – merging into a single transaction a strong investment performance and a straightforward route to second citizenship.
“Dominica has recently come under the radar of high-profile developers, who have recognised the island’s potential for growth and its unique appeal to the modern, environmentallyconscious tourist.”
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Dominica
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HOW TO APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT IN
Dominica To obtain citizenship of Dominica through the Citizenship by Investment Programme, you can either:
1. Contribute to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) 2. Invest in real estate
Investment in Real Estate The Government recently introduced an option to invest in real estate to qualify for citizenship. An applicant must purchase approved real estate for a minimum value of US$200,000. The real estate must be held for three years and a further two years if the intended buyer is also an applicant for citizenship by investment.
Real Estate Minimum Required Investment Processing Fee
$
$
200,000
200,000
200,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
per application
per application
per application
233,500
Total
200,000
1,000
25,000
Government Fee
$
per application
7,500
Due Dilligence Fee
$
7,500
7,500
7,500
main applicant
main applicant
main applicant
4,000
4,000
4,000
spouse
spouse
spouse
4,000
4,000
per dependant aged 16 or over
per dependant aged 16 or over
35,000
35,000
50,000
for a main applicant applying with his or her spouse
for family up to 4 persons, including the main applicant
for family up to 6 persons, including the main applicant
247,500
247,500
262,500
Children in this schedule of fees are all aged under 16. Other fees payable include professional fees, certificate of naturalisation fees, passport fees, and bank fees where applicable. Fees are subject to change.
VISIT THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION: WWW.CBIU.GOV.DM
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Dominica
Contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund A ONE-OFF CONTRIBUTION TO DOMINICA’S GOVERNMENT FUND The Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) was established as a means of developing and strengthening Dominica through the diversification of its economy. Funds generated by the Citizenship by Investment Programme under this option are utilised for public and private sector projects where a need is identified. The minimum required contribution under this option varies in accordance with the number of dependants that the main applicant submits along with his or her own application.
EDF $ Required Contribution Amount
Processing Fee
Due Diligence Fee
Total
100,000
$ 175,000
$ 200,000
$ 200,000 for family of four
25,000 for each additional dependant
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
per application
per application
per application
per application
7,500
108,500
7,500
7,500
7,500
main applicant
main applicant
main applicant
4,000
4,000
4,000
per dependant aged 16 and over
spouse
spouse
187,500
4,000
4,000
per dependant aged 16 or over
per dependant aged 16 or over
212,500
237,500
Children in this schedule of fees are all aged under 16. Other fees payable include professional fees, certificate of naturalisation fees, passport fees, and bank fees where applicable. Fees are subject to change.
The EDF option remains the fastest route to obtaining citizenship of Dominica. VISIT THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION: WWW.CBIU.GOV.DM
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Dev BATH A SELF-CONFESSED CITIZEN OF THE WORLD
E
ntrepreneur Dev Bath has a knack for investment, having established a real estate empire that spans multiple continents. Yet there are few investments that have given him better returns than his participation in the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme. “I was only 27 when I applied for my second citizenship, and, years later, I can now say with some certainty that it transformed me into the global individual I am today.” Bath was younger than the average individual seeking an economic citizenship, but believes there’s no fixed rule on when a person should look to become a dual national: “I like to plan ahead, and make sure my decisions aren’t driven by urgency. Why wait, when I knew I was ambitious, wanting to grow, and aspiring to greater freedom? The result is that I have reaped the benefits of holding a St Kitts and Nevis citizenship for more than a decade. Among other things, I can travel with ease and I effortlessly establish the networks I need to pursue my business interests.” Bath has continued to follow the citizenship by investment industry closely, and points out that technology has played an important role in its evolution. “Knowledge of the industry has grown an extraordinary amount since the inception of smartphone technology. Information is now much more accessible, and people can make informed decisions based on data and statistics available to the general public. Governments
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have appointed Citizenship by Investment Units that have official websites and channels of communication.” Another important factor in the development of citizenship by investment has been socio-political uncertainty across the globe, including in developed nations. Beginning with the Arab Spring, second citizenship has become an ever-more desirable solution for high net worth individuals needing a Plan B for themselves, their family, and their business. “It has been an interesting journey watching the industry unfold and learning about the new reasons why people invest in citizenship,” notes Bath.
©Dev Bath twitter
Business Bath says that another revolution in the industry has come with the emergence of the female citizenship advisor, who, in general, has a more incisive understanding of the factors that motivate modern families. “One woman who I have words of praise for is Micha-Rose Emmett, who heads CS Global Partners. Micha is strong, sharp, and dedicated, with immense knowledge and experience,” he says. In Bath’s eyes, CS Global Partners is defying the status quo: “I attend a large number of conferences and various gatherings – most of the citizenship by investment industry is run by men. CS Global Partners is the only industry heavy-hitter led by a woman. It serves as an inspiration to other women who have started to populate the industry, and who can see that, with focus and dedication, it is possible to make it to the top.” The gender balance at CS Global Partners is also a refreshing contradiction to the current state of play in the broader financial sector, which statistically has one of the most severe gender gaps. A Financial Times study released in April 2017 revealed that, of the 50 biggest banks, insurers, asset managers, and professional services firms in the world, only 25.5 percent can count on women in senior management roles. That figure increased by less than two percent from the previous survey conducted in 2014. In October last year, Government data from the United Kingdom revealed that financial services suffered from the widest pay gap of any sector listed in the study, at 31 percent. “For now, CS Global Partners is an exception to the rule, but it is a success story that has the potential to repeat itself,” concludes Bath.
©Dev Bath twitter
“I attend a lot of conferences and various industry gatherings – most of this industry is run by men. I’m proud to be part of a successful enterprise that is the only industry heavy-hitter headed by a woman.”
©Dev Bath twitter
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Top Female Entrepreneurs Inspiring a Better Future Sara Blakely
From the United States Sara Blakely is the name behind Spanx, the underwear that women all over the world use to obtain a shapely silhouette. The Spanx concept was born from Blakely wanting a better profile in white trousers. When Oprah, in 2000, picked up on the brand, it went viral – achieving some US$8 million in sales during its first year and US$10 million the following year. Today the Spanx brand has been extended to include bras, menswear, activewear, swimwear, and other apparel. In 2013, Blakely became the first woman to sign the Giving Pledge, whereby half of her wealth supports her charitable vision of empowering women. She also established the Leg Up Programme to raise awareness of women’s entrepreneurship, as well as the Sarah Blakely Foundation, which makes donations to worldwide charities that empower underserved women and girls. Blakely, 46, has four children. She features 16th on America’s Self-Made Women List.
In many cases, self-made female entrepreneurs have had to overcome significant barriers, including those that are gender specific. As a result, they are more inclined to be generous with both their time, and their money. Many such women have made it their mission to empower other women, either by mentoring them, providing a platform for their voices to be heard, funding causes focused on upliftment, and even engineering innovating products and services that concentrate on women’s needs. Here are six extraordinary women who have changed the world or the environment in which they live, whether through their work or philanthropic efforts:
From Nigeria Cynthia Ndubuisi is the 2016 recipient of the Young Entrepreneurs Award from Unilever – a result of setting up Kadosh Production Company (KPC) in 2014, a mechanised operation that can process one of Nigeria’s main base food products, cassava, in 12 hours instead of four days. In so doing, Ndubuisi has played an important role in the empowerment of female farmers, who account for 70 percent of the workforce involved in cassava processing in Nigeria. Ndubuisi was moved by the frustrations voiced by her aunt, who, as a cassava farmer, was exposed to labour-intensive cassava peeling and processing. KPC aims to reach 65 percent of the women farmers and retailers in the Niger Delta and southeast regions by 2020, ultimately impacting some 10 million households. Ndubuisi is 26, and has a BSc in textile science and polymer technology.
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From India Kiran Mazumdar-Shawis India’s wealthiest self-made entrepreneur. Biocon, her brainchild, is Asia’s largest producer of insulin and a manufacturer of other biotechnology products. This qualified zoologist and brew master started her billionaire journey from the garage of her rented home in Bengaluru in 1978. So successful was Biocon’s industrial enzymes operation that, within one year, Mazumdar-Shaw had turned profit enough to purchase a 20-acre property, start a research and development facility and, by 1990, manufacture and market biotherapeutics. Her focus is on affordability, something she has achieved by applying cost-effective procedures and selecting low-price alternatives. Mazumdar-Shaw is known for her philanthropic activities. Using the term ‘compassionate capitalist,’ she has concentrated her efforts on health, education, and infrastructure. Mazumdar-Shaw, who is 64 and received the Othmer Gold Medal for her contribution to chemistry and science in 2014, is one of the world’s most influential people.
Business
From Yemen Wafaa Al-Rimi was just 16 when she, along with school peers, started Creative Generation, a company aimed at providing solar power solutions to Yemen’s ongoing power outages. Such outages, which can last up to 18 hours a day, are highly affected by the armed conflict currently plaguing the country.
Marina Malykhina
From Russia Marina Malykhina is a tri-talented achiever. She is the co-founder and CEO of the largest independent market research firm in Russia, Magram Market Research, a tv host, and the co-owner of Republika Fitness Clubs. Malykhina’s dynamism saw her earn her first million by age 19, which, notable by global standards, is even more impressive when considering that female CEOs are still a rare breed in her country of birth. Malykhina, who believes the business start-up process in Russia is overly complicated, focuses her tv show, Kapitalisti, on improving the entrepreneurial spirit in Russia, as well as educating, through the experience of others, those who are keen to start their own businesses. Malykhina has been credited by Kommersant newspaper as having one of the 100-best professional business careers (2004) and won Ernst & Young’s Russian Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005.
Creative Generation’s first invention was an umbrella with top-mounted solar cells that allow for mobile phone charging and the operation of a small lamp; the second, a solar propeller; and the third, a solarpowered lamp. All three were significant innovations in that they could provide even the poorest with a source of clean energy, as well as an alternative to generators that are both costly and responsible for substantial carbon emissions. Al-Rimi, 20, and her peers continue to develop Creative Generation, aligning products and services to the needs of Yemenis while producing robust energy shortage solutions.
Malykhina is 38 and a graduate of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.
From Taiwan Cher Wang is responsible for the birth of HTC Corporation, which has endowed her with a net worth of some US$8 billion and made her a key figure in the world of technology. Wang wanted to alleviate the inconvenience of carrying a personal computer during travel and to create a handheld device that could offer touchscreen capabilities. The result was a mobile phone and PDA business that today is the official manufacturer of handhelds for all top mobile phone brands.
Cher Wang
Wang continued to use her technical and engineering expertise to pursue new avenues for technological development, and is today tapping into the virtual reality market with the release of the HTC headset Vive, which allows for a 360-degree room experience to explore virtual worlds. Wang is 58 and one of the most powerful women in the wireless industry.
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Caribbean Investment: A Strong Option for the Financially-Minded Woman UNDERRATED INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRENDSETTERS
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omen are savvy investors. Gone are the days when they would place their money into winsome, idyllic funds. Today’s woman considers and weighs the pros and cons, asks the right questions, and investigates options. She is wily, she is independent, and she wants security. Her investment choices are affected by who she trusts, and, in this modern world, she trusts herself the most. And it’s not always about making huge amounts of money. Many women are content with earning enough to be comfortable, to be able to provide for their family, and to look after themselves in their old age. These women’s aspirations are cut to fit the size of their cloth. Some are driven by their entrepreneurial spirit, while others seek to uplift those who are less fortunate. There can, of course, be overlap, as successful businesses can positively impact and fund the lives, ideas, and aspirations of those who are exposed to them. Women are turning to setting up their own businesses, ensuring work-life balance and personal control over their investments. These can be both in fresh, creative domains, and in industries that are historically sound but needing innovation or growing in popularity. Tourism is one such example, as is natural resources and the digital industry.
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Business
Tourism Tourism is considered a growing market in the Caribbean. Dominica attracts eco-travellers, while St Kitts and Nevis’ broad resort base beckons the leisure-seekers. The health and wellness sector of the entire region is also growing and becoming a tourism niche market. Women with a background in science, and in particular the medical sciences, can also benefit from the development of another form of niche tourism: health tourism. Investment in this area ranges from medical education to hospitals and clinics, and can be especially appealing to women whose natural instinct as care-givers sees them setting up ventures that have a wholesome approach to looking after the body, mind, and soul. In nature-rich locations this extends to yoga, meditation, and therapeutic massage services.
Added Benefits No matter what sector entrepreneurial women may be interested in, Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis present multiple generous incentives, ranging from import and VAT waivers to tax holidays on profits generated by investment. And tax incentives are not the sole added benefit of investment in these three nations. Citizenship is also something that can be invested in, either through a contribution to a national development fund or through the purchase of pre-approved real estate. The latter has encouraged a number of new island estate developments, providing valuable options for those participating in citizenship by investment programmes, and boosting independent investment in real estate. More women have also been entering the market as property sales representatives.
Technology
Nature Natural resources are vast in the Caribbean: Dominica boasts an abundance of water, sulphur spas, and underground hot water, and St Kitts and Nevis offers organic products and geothermal energy. The latter is also a newfound resource for Dominica. These countries provide the opportunity for women to invest in wholesome living, be that in nutrition or in how they source their power and water.
St Kitts and Nevis, with the world’s oldest Citizenship by Investment Programme and Dominica, with its 25-year old Programme, give businesswomen the chance to travel, build networks, and identify even more opportunities for investment.
Although information and communications technology (ICT) is dominated by men, women participation in the sector is increasing, especially as it allows individuals to work remotely and to become more flexible. Similarly, ICT in the Caribbean is also expanding. Dominica has a sturdy telecommunication sector, plans to grow its fibre system, and intends to develop an International Business Park with the capacity to house a number of ICT-related services, including retail. In 2015-2016, St Kitts and Nevis was ranked in the World Information Society Report as the most dynamic country in the world in terms of its ICT, jumping 20 positions from its ranking in the previous year and, within the Americas, coming just behind the United States and Canada.
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Millennial Meander A STUDY OF TODAY’S YOUTH
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cross the globe, ‘Generation Y,’ also known as ‘Millennials,’ have started to find their place in the working world. They are considered the generation that is smart and savvy and this is no wonder given that, in being born between 1981 and 1997 (or 1982 and 2002 – definitions vary), they have grown up in an era of ‘smart’ technology. Millennials are hooked on technology and, through their use of modern devices, they have turned the world into a smaller, more accessible entity. With screen vision they have become global travellers without needing to be mobile, and they have developed a knowledge – and contact-base – that was unfeasible for their parents and grandparents. In so doing, they have nurtured wide interests, encompassing things they see at home and abroad, and cultivated international aspirations for the future. Researchers are discovering that Millennials have clear personal goals. They are vocal about these and not afraid to seek advice, be that from professionals or their peers, who, after all, are a simple click or text away. And, because they are accustomed to quick and easy
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communication, they have developed a ‘need-to-haveright-now’ attitude. Deloitte Global’s annual Millennial Survey (2017) showed that 2016 was a somewhat turbulent year for Millennials in the working environment. In the previous year, said the survey, many of them seemed to be planning near-term exits from their jobs, but, in 2016, they showed anxiety about leaving their employers and concern for the future. Apprehension had primarily risen from events such as the European terror attacks, Brexit, and the contentious US presidential election. The survey also highlighted that terrorism and conflict had replaced the environment as top personal concerns. This is not to say that Millennials discount environmental concerns: they remain determined to reduce their ecological footprint and to make a positive impact. They participate actively in what they see as good causes, especially when enabled by employers. On the job front, Millennials want the best of both worlds: to have the same flexibility as a freelancer but with fulltime stability. They have been educated with laptops and iPads, and use texting and messaging systems. They are therefore comfortable in careers that embrace the digital world and that present elevated STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) elements. They are
Culture also excited to problem-solve, and choose careers that reflect this, including jobs in advertising, social media, data analysis, the sciences, and therapy. Whatever their chosen profession, Millennials also crave mobility. If their work takes them travelling they are less likely to change jobs. Their demand for good wages, which they compare to others not just locally, but globally, impels them to be intrepid and energetic travellers. Being constantly exposed to images and accounts of far-away destinations, they also yearn to immerse themselves in new cultures and eat exotic foods. A new focus on fitness has resulted in them not minding physically taxing journeys and adventures, or backpacking and camping.
The majority of Millennials exercise at least once a week, and smoke less and eat healthier than their parents. They prefer to be outdoors, pushing for open-air experiences and finding in these a way to bond with others – including former strangers they meet through online ‘shared interests’ groups. They take part in group fitness classes, run, cycle, and push the limits of sports, challenging and encouraging one another. Island lifestyles are not discounted, for it is here that Millennials can satisfy many of their needs: healthier eating habits, outdoor water and nature-related exercise, environmental and social good causes, and, most importantly, connectivity that allows them to work and roam as global citizens.
MILLEANIALS ARE MORE LOYAL TO JOBS THAT TAKE THEM TRAVELLING
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Zaha Hadid WOMAN. ARCHITECT. ARAB.
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hen Zaha Hadid passed away in 2016, she left an extensive portfolio of architectural works that were equally admired and criticized across the world.
The British-Iraqi architect was known for having a bold personality accompanied by an even bolder design ethic. Although criticized for her approach to deconstructivism, Hadid received a myriad of prestigious awards, including the Stirling Prize (equivalent to literature’s Booker Prize) from the Royal Institute of British Architects. She was also the first woman to win both the Pritzker Architecture Prize and Royal Gold Medal – a female pacesetter with landmark buildings from London to Hong Kong. Born in Baghdad, Hadid was schooled in London and Switzerland, setting the tone for her global lifestyle to come. She attended the American University in Beirut to study mathematics before pursuing architecture in London. Following her training, Hadid turned from student to teacher, working in Rotterdam for her former university professors at the Architectural Association School. Once naturalised as a British citizen, Hadid opened her own business – Zaha Hadid Architects – which today is comprised of 400 staff and 950 projects in 44 countries. Hadid’s architectural achievements include the Aquatics Centre for the 2012 London Olympics, Michigan State University’s Broad Art Museum, and the Bergisel Ski Jump in Austria. Not only did Hadid excel as a practitioner, she also thrived as a mentor, passing her learnings on to budding architects. She taught in Ivy League institutions including Harvard and Columbia, as well as internationally in Hamburg and Austria. When describing her work and its impact, Michael Kimmelman of the New York Times said, “her work, with its formal fluidity — also implying mobility, speed, freedom — spoke to a worldview widely shared by a younger generation.” Hadid’s passion to showcase futuristic, modern design, in turn ignited that same passion in the younger generation as she shared it.
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Culture After her untimely death, British writer Deyan Sudjic wrote an obituary for the architect in The Guardian, describing Hadid as “a dedicated teacher, enthused by the energy of the young.” Hadid was a citizen of the world, and her work transcended any one culture or tradition. Whether by the marshes of Southern Iraq, the supremacist work of avant-garde Russian artist Kazimir Malevich, or the naturally occurring shapes of the landscape, Hadid’s work was inspired by an emulsion of experience, rather than any one country or place. In summarising these sentiments, Iranian Professor Hamid Dabashi said: “Hadid took a fistful of everything that was good and beautiful in her homeland... and with it, she signed her signature on every corner of the globe she visited.” She was a proud architect before anything else, but her identity as an Arab woman meant that she was consistently breaking barriers set by pre-existing standards and traditions in the industry. No stranger to prejudice or discrimination, Hadid once stated, “I used to not like being called a woman architect. I am an architect, not just a
woman architect… but if it helps younger people to know they can break through the glass ceiling, I don’t mind that.” Hadid had to push many boundaries before she could become a pacesetter, but her headstrong personality allowed her to fight for her place in the industry and transcend stereotypes. Although dubbed ‘Queen of the Curve,’ and subject to both reverence and admonishment, Hadid undoubtedly left a mark on the field of architecture, and remains the first and only woman to win the Royal Gold Medal for Architects – a prize steeped in history and grandeur. Hadid not only reshaped architecture and how the public perceives it, but redesigned the industry as a place in which women can succeed and excel. Her strong brand lives on in her name and in her company, which reports 40 percent female employees. In an industry where 70 percent of women drop out due to a lack of role models – a figure estimated by a 2014 study by the San Francisco division of the American Institute of Architects – the loss of Zaha Hadid will be felt immensely.
Baku, Azerbaijan: The Haydar Aliyev Centre New York City, USA: Condominium Residences
Beijing, China: The Galaxy SOHO building
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
“Hadid took a fistful of everything that was good and beautiful in her homeland ... and with it, she signed her signature on every corner of the globe she visited.”
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Women on Nevis BY JUNE GOODFIELD “A plantation can never flourish until families be planted with the respect of wives and children and fix the people on the soyle.” Anonymous, 1609
June Goodfield
June in St Kitts and Nevis
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he crucial importance of women has been recognised on Nevis for centuries but alas, there is little to no mention of their efforts in the history books. This is not unusual for small islands, particularly where slavery undermined women for centuries. It is only through my research, which took some 22 years and culminated in my book Rivers of Time, that I can introduce you to the life of Phillipa Prentis, a young woman born to abject poverty in Ashburton, Devon. Unknown circumstances took Phillipa to Nevis in 1634 where she married, settled on Saddle Hill, bore children, and helped create an estate and rebuild the country. When she died in 1682, aged 75, she was honoured by her own marker tablet, a tribute that in the 17th century was accorded only to queens or courtesans. Some 200 years later – in 1806 – a descendant, Eliza Prentis(e), was to reverse Phillipa’s journey. Eliza emigrated to England and lived as a domestic servant in the Cotswold village of Hazelton. She was one of many who left Nevis after the abolition of slavery, when estates went into catastrophic decline.
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One slave, Catherine, was not as fortunate. Originally from the Ibo tribe in West Africa, she had been branded with a C, the initial of the company that captured her. Exquisitely beautiful, she was a house slave on Thomas Brazier’s estate, and bore him two children, one of which, a son, died before he could be baptised, the other a daughter. Catherine appears to have been rather religious and, on hearing an evangelist preach of the evils of fornication and fiery Hell, she courageously told her master she could no longer co-habit with him. Her punishment was to work in the cane fields, a result of which was her premature death only three months later. Catherine’s daughter and her fisherman husband bore two male sons. John Pod Bridgewater was the first slave to buy his freedom and became the first Nevis Postmaster. He also built the Methodist Church and Manse in Charlestown. His brother, John Henry Bridgewater, was a Methodist Minister who preached on many islands besides Nevis. Catherine’s story was related to me by her seventhgeneration granddaughter, Jan Grell-Hull, who is
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today considered one of the most formidable and influential women on Nevis. Jan has made numerous contributions to the Nevisian lifestyle, be that in fashion, tourism, property and rental management, netball, or hotel management, for which she was recognised with an award on her 70th birthday. Yet another descendant of Catherine, is Helen Bridgewater, MBE, who opened the first secondary school on the island. I have also met Vanessa Paris, Senior Concierge at the Four Seasons Resort in Nevis. Her ancestor, an Irishman named Roach, had left County Cork during the 19th century Great Famine to make his fortune in America but settled in the Caribbean because its greenness reminded him of his homeland. Vanessa, who had largely been brought up by her grandmother on Nevis before joining her parents in England, returned to the island after marriage. We will never truly know the trials and tribulations that women like Catherine and Phillipa endured, but we honour them for the contribution they have made to Nevis. It is from these women, their descendants, and indeed all the others that did so much without their stories being recorded, that we use as a touchstone and a reminder that women can drive change for the better, no matter what the challenge.
June meets Hon Minister Mark Brantley Mrs Brantley and Mrs Amory wife of previous Premier of Nevis, Vance Amory
“Women’s crucial contribution has been recognised on Nevis, alas with little mention in the history books.”
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I
n 2008, three young women from the Caribbean stepped up to their running lanes to compete in the 200 m track event at the Junior World Championships, held in Poland. 23.52 seconds after the starting gun, Janelle Redhead, a 19-year-old from Grenada, crossed the finish line to take the bronze medal, milliseconds behind her fellow Caribbean competitors, Meritzer Williams from St Kitts and Nevis, who achieved silver, and Sheniqua Ferguson from the Bahamas, who finished first.
Born to Run JANELLE REDHEAD
Janelle did not count on being on the podium: “I went in as the underdog, hoping to make the finals, but not expecting the result I achieved.” This is particularly poignant because Janelle had not had the same training opportunities as other young athletes. It was only after qualifying for the World Championships the year before, and after she joined her mother in Canada, that Janelle had begun to receive professional coaching. But credit must go where it is due, and that would be to her father, a Grenadian footballer, and to her uncle, who had represented Grenada in track and field events in the 1980s. It was they who inspired and encouraged her to look at sports from the perspective of an athlete, and not just an amateur. “When I was 10 years old I started taking sport seriously, and they were behind me every step of the way.”
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Janelle’s devotion to training was rather rigorous for a young girl. “I didn’t really have much time for a social life. I trained before, during, and after school. This is better than it sounds because teenagers on Grenada tend to live outdoors. It’s much safer being on your own in Grenada than it is in large cities.” In some ways; Janelle feels she put Grenada on the map with her World Championship achievement – and this was not the last time she would bring attention to her country. In 2011, at the 13th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in South Korea, Janelle was a semi-finalist in the Women’s 200m dash.
WHEN YOU COMPETE INTERNATIONALLY, YOUR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN STOP THEIR LIVES FOR A MOMENT TO CHEER YOUR ON.
“Many asked me about Grenada, most not realising it was part of the Caribbean. Today, I see a number of rising and talented athletes coming out of Grenada, and our tri-island nation is evermore the talk of the town. What is also wonderful is that when you compete internationally, the whole country is behind you. Whatever they are doing, when you compete as a Grenadian, your fellow countrymen and women stop their lives for a moment to cheer you on. This has meant a lot to me. I believe that if you support someone you don’t go halfway, you go all the way, and it works the same in reverse.” This is one of the aspects that Janelle believes
epitomizes life in Grenada. “Welcoming, helpful, and supportive is how I describe Grenadians. What this leaves you with is a sense of respect, both for others and from others for you.” Although Janelle now lives in Canada with her mother, she returns frequently to Grenada to visit her father. A few off-peak training years dictated by injuries meant Janelle could only recently return to full-time training. She intends to compete in the 2019 World Championships in Athletics in Qatar and the 2020 Olympics in Japan, hoping to participate in both the 100 and 200m races. “It’s a funny thing,” says Janelle, “but most of my peers in the track team are from the Caribbean, so we have common ground. They understand what it is like to come from a small island and lift yourself to the world stage. I’m proud of my heritage and humbled by all the efforts that my family made in getting me to where I am today.”
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Culture
A
n iconic pop feminist, created a century ago as a comic book character, was propelled onto the big screen in 2017. The result was the highest grossing superheroorigin film of all time. With box office totals of some US$821.74 million, Wonder Woman smashed the glass ceiling that had been held up by her Spider- and Bat- male counterparts. Heroic women are starting to gain ground in the entertainment industry by replacing their male counterparts in roles like Doctor Who and the Ghostbusters, in later instalments of movies such as Mad Max, Ocean’s 11, and even in the forthcoming remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Change is definitively on the horizon for the largely male-dominated screen narrative. What is also emerging from these screen productions, whether streamed or traditional, is a platform for women to expound the societal issues that affect them. One such, The Handmaid’s Tale, set in a dystopian future where women have been stripped of their rights and live in servitude to men, has created a global activist movement. Women dressed as characters from the show in red-cloak and white-bonnet costumes, are gathering in different locations to protest current violations of women’s rights. Broadcasts of such protests are prolific across social media, allowing women to shape, transmit, and transform our culture. #MeToo is, sadly, a poignant example, set in motion by, and accelerating the fall of, movie producer Harvey Weinstein. Although #MeToo is not gender specific, more women than men were able to speak out about sexual harassment in their industries, leading to a deluge of allegations, resignations, dismissals, and even criminal prosecutions.
“The Handmaid’s Tale”
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“The Crown”
the National Sexual Violence Resource Centre, the odds are that many other industries also experience an imbalance of power that make women vulnerable at work – a point made clear by the 700,000 Latino farmworkers that expressed their solidarity in a letter to Time’s Up. Today’s pop culture has opened eyes to women’s plights, and, more importantly, effected real change. Quite aptly, Wonder Woman 2 will be the first Hollywood film to implement the Producers Guild of America’s new Anti-Sexual Harassment Guidelines.
The Crowning Glory No less influential than motion pictures are TV series. The Netflix production The Crown focuses on Queen Elizabeth II, and how she led her nation within the constraints of rules set by men. It is a powerful portrayal of how women can overcome being hemmed in by men but still honour traditions.
A spin-off of #MeToo is ‘Time’s Up,’ a Hollywood-led movement against sexual harassment that defines itself as “a unified call for change from women in entertainment for women everywhere. From movie sets to farm fields to boardrooms alike, we envision nationwide leadership that reflects the world in which we live.” On Twitter #TimesUp allows women to ‘text out’ sexual abuse, discrimination, and harassment, but Time’s Up is more than just a social media tool. It provides a Legal Defence Fund for those who have experienced any, or all, of its targeted issues, and it promotes awareness and solidarity by encouraging concerted action, such as wearing black at the BAFTAs. With some 94 percent of women in Hollywood having been sexually harassed or abused, claims a survey conducted by USA Today in partnership with
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It seems that the producers of the popular series are intending to introduce Princess Diana in Season 3. Diana was a game-changer in terms of celebrity pop culture. Some 750 million global viewers watched as she married Prince Charles, and more than two billion did so for her funeral. Immortalised now as the iconic royal image of a tragic princess, particularly given her untimely death at 36, the charitable activities she pursued in life, her openness towards people across all societies, and her well-publicised private life, Diana completely modernised the monarchy’s image, leaving a legacy that continues to impact and influence women today.
THE ST KITTS AND NEVIS CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
The St Kitts and Nevis Programme R A N K E D N U M B E R ONE for ease of processing,
due diligence, and residency requirements in a special report by the Financial Times’ PWM magazine.
The SUSTAINABLE GROWTH FUND (SGF) is the faster and more affordable route to St Kitts and Nevis’citizenship. The funds from the SGF also help develop socio-economic initiatives that improve the lives of current and new citizens alike.
I N V E S T. G R O W. PROSPER. WWW.CIU.GOV.KN
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LO N D O N • Z U R I C H • H O NG K O NG • B E IJING • DU B A I • N E W D E LHI • W I N D HOE K • S T K I T T S & N E V I S • S I NG APO RE