BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS (Press Secretary, PMO): The 42nd Anniversary of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) will be celebrated in Saint Kitts and Nevis from June 13-19, 2023, under the theme ‘Vision. Integration. Sustainability.’
The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States is a global intergovernmental organization whose mission is to promote regional integration in the Eastern Caribbean. Regional integration occurs when countries in close proximity, that share physical or cultural characteristics, join forces to pursue similar goals, such as facilitating trade, exchanging resources, and solving problems collectively.
Saint Kitts and Nevis will host several activities to commemorate the celebrations. From June 13 to June 16, there will be an OECS in the Classroom – School Tour. Commissioner to the OECS for Saint Kitts and Nevis, Ambassador Larry Vaughan, and Head of Communications for the OECS, Ms. Loverly Anthony will be visiting several primary schools throughout Saint Kitts and Nevis to share insight on the topic of Regional Integration and provide students with a working knowledge of the OECS and its part in the integration process.
The team will visit the Bronte Welsh Primary School, Sandy Point Primary School, and St. Paul’s Primary School on Tuesday, June 13th. On June 14 the team will journey to Nevis to visit the Violet Jeffers, St. Thomas’, and Elizabeth Pemberton Primary Schools. Then on Thursday, June 15th, they will visit the Saddlers, Joshua Obadiah, and Cayon Primary Schools. The school tour concludes on Friday, June 16th with visits to the Tucker Clarke, Irish Town, and Deane Glasford Primary schools.
On Thursday, June 15th a live panel discussion will be aired on ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation platforms at 8:30 pm hosted by prominent lawyer and Regional Integrationist, Mrs. Vadeesha John-Brookes. The panelists include Director-General of the OECS, Dr. Didacus Jules; Ambassador Larry Vaughan; Banking Consultant and OECS Integrationist, Mrs. Frances-Ann Satney; and St. Kitts National Youth Parliament (SKNYPA) Youth Representative, Mrs. Kara Daly-Ferdinand.
OECS Colours Day will be celebrated on Friday, June 16th. Members from all OECS Member States will have the opportunity to participate in the festivities by wearing the colours of the OECS flag to show their pride in and support for the OECS Integration Movement.
On Saturday, June 17th, there will be an OECS Fun Walk sponsored by The Cable, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank, and the Carib Brewery. The OECS Fun Walk begins at 6:00 am from the Caribbean Cinemas parking lot and ends at the Frigate Bay Lawn. Various prizes and medals will be awarded at the end of the walk. The Red Cross Society will also be present to provide medical assistance.
A Flag Raising Ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 18th at the Zuliani Roundabout in Frigate Bay at 4:00 pm. Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas; Director General of the OECS, Dr. Didacus Jules and Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Mr. Timothy Antoine will be present at the ceremony.
Following the Flag Raising Ceremony will be the Opening Ceremony of the 73rd Meeting of the OECS Authority at 5:00 pm, at ECCB.
The Anniversary festivities will conclude on June 25th with a Thanksgiving Service at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Castries, Saint Lucia.