The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) sponsored nine researchers from the Caribbean and region around, to support their work on climate challenges. The sponsorship assisted the selected researchers to present their studies at the Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI) Research Symposium 2024. The event is organised at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, from 16 October to 18 October.
The Canada-Caribbean Institute Research Symposium is a platform that brings together a diverse network of practitioners, policymakers, scholars, stakeholders, and researchers. The forum focuses on highlighting regional challenges like energy sources, public health, climate vulnerabilities, environmental justice, housing and food security and finding ways to tackle them.
The nine researchers sponsored by the Caribbean Development Bank are actively studying the climate challenges in the region. They worked on exploring ways to advance climate resilience and sustainability. These nine researchers come from six different nations around the region to participate in the Research Symposium 2024.
From Trinidad and Tobago, a PhD candidate at The University of the West Indies, Bhopendra Maharaj; Lecturer in Social Work at The University of the West Indies in St Augustine, Dr Cheryl Ann Boodram; and Founder of The Crystal-Clear Initiative, Crystal Roberts, made their way to present their work.
Bhopendra Maharaj worked on climate change mitigation strategies that could deal with challenges in the transportation sector. Dr Cheryl Ann Boodram focused on flood-prone areas and headed his work for community resilience and disaster literacy. Crystal Roberts shares expertise in community resilience and disaster risk management.
An Environmental Engineer at the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre in Belize, Dr Elon Cadogan, is another researcher along with the President of the National Garifuna Council, Sheena Zuniga, who are supported by the Caribbean Development Bank for the Canada-Caribbean Institute Research Symposium 2024.
Dr Elon Cadogan’s studies are specialised in the development of wastewater systems for climate resilience. Whereas, Sheena Zuniga emphasises Indigenous knowledge to face climate challenges and to enhance climate resilience.
A Conservationist at The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, Trevon Cal Lender, focused on the preservation of sea turtles and coral reefs. Trevon also advocated youth involvement in the initiative to get better and sustainable results.
From Suriname, an Energy Regulation Specialist at the Energy Authority, Sorayadebie Jhagroe’s work focuses on the use of renewable energy along with existing power systems. A Master’s student at the University of Technology in Jamaica, Getinella Daley, is also sponsored to present his work.
Getinella Daley is focused on helping rural communities, and his work is exploring the feasibility of small-scale hydroelectric projects. Founder of Akata Farms, Bevon Charles, is coming from Grenada to disclose his innovative projects based on AI and blockchain that could lead to sustainable small-scale farming.
William Ashby, the Division Chief (Ag) for the Economic Infrastructure Division, shred his words on the sponsorship given to nine researchers for the Canada-Caribbean Institute Research Symposium 2024. He highlighted the bank’s commitment in way of empowering the innovators and scholars in the region.
Division Chief William Ashby said, “As the Caribbean grapples with the multifaceted and complex impacts of climate change, platforms like the Canada-Caribbean Institute Research Symposium are essential for exchanging ideas, fostering innovation, and building networks.”
He continued, “These interactions will strengthen the adaptive capacity of the region and bolster its resilience. This Research Symposium will also highlight the youth’s work, with papers presented by the Future Leaders Network members supported by the Caribbean Development Bank.”
