MESSAGE FROM THE
President It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural University of The Bahamas-North Sustainable Grand Bahama Conference. The focus, “Breaking Down Barriers and Shaping the Future”, highlights the University’s role in creating partnerships and linkages that will significantly help in the development of a new future for Grand Bahama. In particular, we have adopted, along with the country, the seventeen sustainable development goals set out by the United Nations to “end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all.” This conference will touch on a few of the goals, but the main goal that we will address is number eight, Decent Work and Economic Growth. UB is committed to its role to serve as an integral part of national development. We will use this role to influence
change, particularly here in Grand Bahama, where we see a need for more research and economic opportunities to reinvent the island in partnership with its people. We want our countrymen to know that we are doing it for the future of our nation; we are doing it for every Bahamian, for every citizen. We are doing it for a future that is stronger and more stable for generations yet to come.
With this in mind, following initial conversations last August with members of the corporate, business and government sectors, we decided to host this conference in Grand Bahama, to demonstrate our firm commitment to help with the rebuilding, growth and development on this island. UBNorth, under Dr. Ian Strachan’s leadership and with community support, took the concept and made it happen.
This is supported in the mission of our institution, which states “the University shall advance and expand access to higher education, promote academic freedom, drive national development and build character through teaching, learning, research, scholarship and service.” Therefore, it is our duty to provide timely, necessary and engaging conferences designed to address some of the most pressing issues in our country.
I am confident that you will find each session engaging and enjoyable. We are grateful for your support and we encourage you to continue to support our University, as we work with you to transform Grand Bahama through sustainable economic investment and sound principles.
Rodney D. Smith, Ed.D. President University of The Bahamas
MESSAGE FROM THE
Vice President UB-North It is with great pleasure and pride that the University of The Bahamas-North hosts the Sustainable Grand Bahama Conference which focuses on the economic prospects of the island of Grand Bahama. Under the theme, “Breaking Down Barriers, Shaping the Future”, public and private sector leaders, academics, civil society organizations and opinion shapers will engage in a robust dialogue about the way forward for Grand Bahama, guided by the concept of sustainability. The United Nations has identified 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030. Often, when we hear “sustainability” we think about environmental considerations, the conservation of natural resources, clean energy, the protection of marine and other sensitive habitats; but sustainability is approached holistically by the United Nations. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions is a sustainable goal, for instance, as is Quality Education, Gender Equality and the elimination of Hunger. In the same spirit, we are seeking to explore the matter of Grand Bahama’s sustainable development holistically, by taking a 360 degree look at the situation, the opportunities, the challenges and the positive lessons learned. We are very pleased with the level of corporate engagement this conference has attracted. GB Power has come on board as a gold sponsor and we look forward to hearing about their vision for a sustainable future for Grand Bahama, in particular, where power generation is concerned. The Grand Bahama Port Authority has also come on board as a Gold Sponsor, continuing their unparalleled role
as a corporate partner of the University in Grand Bahama. We also wish to acknowledge our silver sponsors: Rev TV, Aliv, Insurance Management and Bahama Rock as well as our bronze sponsor, Jamaica Bahamas Imports. We also wish to acknowledge and give heartfelt thanks to the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce and the Inter-American Development Bank for partnering with us in this endeavor. We have an exciting and diverse conference schedule of over 30 speakers, including: elected officials, private sector and civil society leaders, academics, and students. One of the most common criticisms I hear of the University is that we are simply not pulling our weight when it comes to joining critical national conversations about economic, social and educational policy. The Sustainable Grand Bahama Conference is an example of what we can do to promote thought leadership in the country. Grand Bahama is poised for transformation. The Government is intensely focused on it and UB wants to help in whatever ways it can to ensure the future is a very, very bright one for Grand Bahamians and the country at large. Welcome to the Sustainable Grand Bahama Conference! Dr. Ian Strachan Vice President UB-North
REGISTRATION 8:30 A.M. - 9:00 A.M.
Welcome Dr. Ian Strachan, Vice President, University of The Bahamas-North
Remarks Mr. David McGregor, President, Grand Bahama Power Company
Remarks Dr. Rodney D. Smith, President, University of The Bahamas
Keynote Hon K. Peter Turnquest, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
10:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
SUSTAINABLE GOVERNANCE I
Session 1 · Mr. Thomas Dean, Dupuch and Turnquest · Mr. Derek Newbold, Grand Bahama Port Authority · Mr. Kevin Seymour, PharmaChem Technologies G.B. Ltd. · Moderator: Dr. Coralee Kelly
11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. SUSTAINABLE FUTURES I
Session 2 · Mr. Delano Arthur, Grand Bahama Power Company · Mr. Neilsen Beneby, Grand Bahama Power Company · Mr. Mick Holding, Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce · Moderator: Dr. Ian Strachan
LUNCH BREAK 2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT I
Session 3 · Senator Hon. Kwasi Thompson, Minister of State for Grand Bahama · Dr. Donovan Moxey, Grand Bahama Tech Hub Initiative · Mr. Darren Cooper, Small Business Association · Dr. Llewellyn Curling, University of The Bahamas · Moderator: Dr. Kelley Duncanson 3:30 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM I
· Session 4 · Dr. Ian Bethel-Bennett, University of The Bahamas · Dr. Sophia Rolle, University of The Bahamas · Ms. Jessica Minnis, University of The Bahamas · Dr. Kelley Duncanson, Mrs. Brigitte Major-Donaldson, Mr. Esmond Weekes, UB-North · Moderator: Dr. Vik Nair
ALL DAY: STUDENT POSTER PRESENTATIONS · Taje Butler
· Briteni Darling
· Alexandrea Swain
· Van Johnson
· Tamara Perpall
· Michael Ford
· Kah’leah Carnegie
· Patiqua Cooper
· Ricardo Major
· Kerwin Mullings
9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
SUSTAINABLE FUTURES II
Session 5 · Mr. Carlos Palacious, Caribbean Coastal Services · Mr. Gator Halpern, Coral Vita · Mr. Eric Carey, Bahamas National Trust · Mrs. Nakira Wilchcombe, Grand Bahama Port Authority · Moderator: Dr. Andrew Moxey COFFEE BREAK 11:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. 11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT II
Session 6A · Mr. Barry Malcolm, SunCash · Edison Sumner, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation · Dr. Ian Strachan, UB-North · Mr. Robert Robertson, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute · Moderator: Ms. Davinia Blair
Session 6B · Ms. Angelique McKay, Cultural Experience Productions · Mr. Keyron Smith, Sustainability Initiatives at UB · Dr. Erecia Hepburn, University of The Bahamas · Mr. Eddie Victor, Coalition of Concerned Citizens · Moderator: Dr. Teo Cooper
1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. LUNCH BREAK 2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM II
Session 7 · Dr. Vik Nair, University of The Bahamas · Dr. Michelle McLeod, Centre for Hospitality and Tourism Management, UWI · Mr. H. Rudy Sawyer, Blue Green Outdoors · Mr. David Wallace, Arawak Adventure and Commercial Tours · Moderator: Dr. Ian Strachan 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
SUSTAINABLE FUTURES III
Session 8a STUDENT PANEL: CLIMATE CHANGE · Abigail Wallace · Meagan Dareus · Jenna Roxbury · Ronald Stubbs · Tashon Lewis ·
Moderator: Dr. Andrew Moxey
Session 8B STUDENT PANEL: UB MASTER PLAN ·
Cade Darling
·
Chante Pinder
·
Abigail Hanna
·
Moderator: Professor Henry Hepburn ALL DAY: STUDENT POSTER PRESENTATIONS
·
Taje Butler
·
Van Johnson
·
Kah’leah Carnegie
·
Kerwin Mullings
·
Briteni Darling
·
Tamara Perpall
·
Patiqua Cooper
·
Alexandrea Swain
·
Michael Ford
·
Ricardo Major