AGP Executive Report

Music & Urban Culture: CASA CUPRA Raval kicks off July with the Raval Music Sessions in Barcelona, launching July 2 with experimental rap/electronic artist Erik Urano (plus an interview and full album listen), followed July 9 by Maria Arnal’s voice-and-sound technology work that blurs pop, electronics, and performance. Regional Tourism & Community Life: OECS tourism officials met in Saint Lucia (June 9–11) to push community-based tourism, training member states to move from “assessment to action” so local entrepreneurs—especially youth and women—stay at the center of benefits and cultural protection. Health & Women’s Burden: A Spain-based study on food allergy quality of life finds women hit hardest, with multiple food allergies linked to the poorest outcomes and a history of severe reactions raising risk. Church Leadership & Women in Roles: Pope Leo XIV appoints Italian Salesian nun Sister Alessandra Smerilli to lead the Vatican’s integral human development office from Sept. 1, adding another senior woman role as curial leadership shifts. Montserrat Community Spotlight: Rotary Club of Montserrat launches “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Island Arts Calendar: Montserrat Arts Council releases the 2026 Calabash Festival calendar (July 18–26), themed “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” with tours, church events, youth showcases, and market-day food celebrations.

Women’s Health: A new Spain-based study on food allergy quality of life finds women report a heavier burden than men, with multiple food allergies and past severe reactions linked to the poorest day-to-day impact. Montserrat Community & Skills: The Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council released the nine-day Calabash calendar (July 18–26), packed with tours, church and beach events, teen showcases, and a big Market Day and Grand Food Fair. Regional Education: The ECCB announced a free 2026 STEM Camp for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to build youth tech skills and leadership. Vatican Leadership: Pope Leo XIV appointed Italian Salesian nun Alessandra Smerilli to lead the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, continuing a push for more women in top church roles. Local Heritage Milestone: Six Montserrat centenarians were honoured at a Brades Arts and Education Centre ceremony celebrating lives, service, and cultural legacy.

Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council has released the full nine-day calendar (July 18–26) under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” with new events like Worn Crossroads, Sip N’ Craft, teen talent showcases, and a big Market Day and Grand Food Fair. Women’s Empowerment: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills through a Rotary District Grant and hands-on support from Unsewcial. STEM for Youth: ECCB will host a free four-week STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to build tech and leadership skills. Local Milestone: Six Montserrat centenarians were honoured at Brades Arts and Education Centre, celebrating lives and community legacies from 101 to 109 years old. Regional Governance: OECS leaders reappointed Dr. Didacus Jules as Director General for a fourth term, backing priorities like digital transformation and educational reform. Vatican Leadership & Church Life: Pope Leo XIV appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli to lead the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, continuing a push for women in senior roles, while a Vatican ruling keeps homilies at Mass reserved for ordained ministers.

Church Leadership & Women in Power: Pope Leo XIV appointed Italian Sister Alessandra Smerilli to lead the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, replacing Cardinal Michael Czerny, and named Cardinal Fabio Baggio as pro-prefect for the Laudato si’ education centre—another high-profile step for women in senior church roles. Local Heritage & Community: Montserrat honoured six living centenarians at a Brades Arts and Education Centre ceremony, celebrating their lifelong service—from fishing and craftsmanship to seamstress work, Sunday School leadership, and community legacy. Women’s Empowerment: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. STEM for Youth: ECCB announced a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to build tech creators and future leaders. Calabash Festival Countdown: Montserrat Arts Council released the 2026 Calabash Festival calendar (July 18–26), packed with tours, church events, teen showcases, market days, and food-focused community fun. Regional Integration: OECS leaders reappointed Dr. Didacus Jules as Director General and called for an “OECS renaissance” as chairmanship shifted to Gaston Browne. Culture in the Spotlight: A new exhibition on critical raw materials opens to the public, linking everyday tech to the planet’s most essential resources.

Church Leadership & Women’s Roles: Pope Leo XIV appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli as prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, adding a new pro-prefect role for Cardinal Fabio Baggio and reshuffling key leadership posts tied to migration, social justice, development and the environment. Charity & Communications: Father Lucio Adrián Ruiz was named Secretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, while Montserrat Alvarado’s Vatican communications leadership move continues to ripple through the Curia. Local Faith Debate: A Vatican ruling barring laypeople, including women, from preaching the homily at Mass is testing how far Leo’s openness to women in church leadership will go. Montserrat Community & Skills: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. STEM for Youth: ECCB announced a free 2026 STEM Camp for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, including Montserrat, focused on tech creation and leadership. Calabash Festival 2026: Montserrat Arts Council released the nine-day Calabash Festival calendar (July 18–26), packed with culture, food, faith events, and youth showcases. Tourism & Lifestyle: A travel feature pitches Montserrat as a safer, less crowded Caribbean escape—highlighting the volcano-shaped landscape and guided access to Plymouth’s buried remains.

Montserrat & Travel: A fresh wave of interest is being pitched at Montserrat as the “safe, uncrowded” Caribbean alternative, with the island’s volcano-shaped Plymouth framed as a modern-day Pompeii you can only visit with certified guides. Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council has released the nine-day Calabash Festival calendar (July 18–26), packed with food, faith, youth events, and community favourites like Market Day and Sip N’ Craft. Women’s Empowerment: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. STEM for Youth: ECCB will host a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to build tech creators through leadership and hands-on learning. Regional Culture & Policy: OECS leaders marked 45 years of integration and called for an “OECS renaissance,” with renewed focus on trade, connectivity, and resilience. Church & Gender Debate: Vatican rules barring laypeople—including women—from preaching the homily at Mass are testing how far Pope Leo XIV’s openness to women’s leadership will go. Public Service Week 2026: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week with calls for efficiency, accountability, professionalism, and people-centred service delivery.

STEM & Skills for Youth: The ECCB is set to launch its 2026 STEM Camp on July 6, a free four-week programme for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, including Montserrat, aiming to turn young people into tech creators through training in areas like AI, design thinking, and collaboration. Women’s Empowerment: Rotary Club of Montserrat has launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and garment construction with a goal of income opportunities and home-based entrepreneurship, supported by a Rotary District grant and partner Unsewcial. Calabash Festival Calendar: Montserrat Arts Council released the 2026 Calabash Festival schedule (July 18–26), themed “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” with events spanning tours, church service, teen art, market day, and family-friendly fun. Public Service Week 2026: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week with calls for efficiency, accountability, professionalism, and people-centred service delivery—an approach many in the region will be watching closely. Regional Integration Focus: OECS leaders marked 45 years of integration and pushed an “OECS renaissance” agenda at the 78th Authority meeting, with priorities including trade, connectivity, climate resilience, and security. Men’s Health Push: Community advocate Basil Chambers is hosting a Men’s Health Fair on July 3 in Brades, offering free screenings and raising funds for Meals on Wheels.

World Cup & Community Spirit: Mauricio Pochettino’s U.S. run is being framed as more than results—his coaching is credited with rebuilding belief and bringing a divided nation together around the sport. Public Service Week 2026: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week with calls for innovation and a people-centred culture of efficiency, accountability, and professionalism. Calabash Festival 2026: Montserrat Arts Council released the nine-day calendar (July 18–26) under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” with events spanning tours, church service, teen showcases, market and food fairs, and family-friendly fun. Women’s Empowerment: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. STEM for Youth: ECCB’s free 2026 STEM Camp (July 6, four weeks) targets ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, focusing on tech creation, leadership, and AI-linked learning. Regional Integration: OECS marked 45 years with an “OECS renaissance” push—leaders in Antigua highlighted trade, connectivity, climate resilience, and stronger implementation across the Eastern Caribbean. Montserrat in the Spotlight: A new feature pitches Montserrat as a safe, uncrowded travel choice, spotlighting the Plymouth exclusion zone and guided access to the “modern-day Pompeii” landscape.

Public Service Week 2026: Saint Lucia marks June 21–26 with a push for more efficient, accountable, people-centred public service, with Minister Stephenson King urging innovation and stronger collaboration. Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council releases a nine-day cultural calendar (July 18–26) under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” mixing tours, church events, kids’ activities, teen showcases, and major market and food-fair days. Women’s empowerment via skills: Rotary Club of Montserrat launches “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills through a Rotary District Grant and hands-on support from Unsewcial founder Kristen Taylor Hilton. STEM for youth: ECCB announces a free four-week STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to turn young people into tech creators using AI-focused Python learning and design thinking. Regional resilience and integration: OECS marks 45 years with an “OECS renaissance” call at its 78th Authority meeting in Antigua, spotlighting trade, connectivity, climate resilience, security, and freedom of movement. Tourism spotlight on Montserrat: A travel feature pitches Montserrat as a safer, less crowded Caribbean escape, highlighting the island’s dramatic volcanic history and the “modern-day Pompeii” of Plymouth. Catholic church and women’s roles: Vatican guidance blocks laypeople, including women, from preaching the homily at Mass, testing how far Pope Leo XIV’s openness to women’s leadership will go. Luxury cruise routes include Montserrat: Aman at Sea opens reservations for Amangati’s inaugural Caribbean season (Nov 2027–Jan 2028), with stops including Little Bay, Montserrat. Health and community: Basil Chambers turns 60 into a men’s health push with a free HD Birthday Men’s Health Fair on July 3, featuring prostate and general screenings and fundraising for Meals on Wheels.

Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council has released the full calendar for nine days of culture, cuisine and community (July 18–26), with events ranging from Sea Scape tours and church services to teen art nights and a big Market Day and Food Fair. Women’s empowerment: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills through a Rotary District Grant and local partner Unsewcial—aimed at income and entrepreneurship. STEM for youth: The ECCB is set to run a free four-week STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, including Montserrat, blending tech skills with leadership and design thinking. Regional culture & governance: OECS leaders marked 45 years of integration in Antigua, calling for an “OECS renaissance” focused on resilience, trade and stronger implementation—an agenda that directly shapes life across member islands. Church and gender debate: Vatican rules barring laypeople, including women, from preaching homilies at Mass are testing how far Pope Leo XIV’s openness to women’s leadership will go. Public service spotlight: Public Service Week 2026 in the region urged a people-centered push for efficiency, accountability and professionalism.

Public Service Week 2026: Montserrat readers can take note of how public service culture is being framed across the region, with Saint Lucia’s Minister Stephenson King urging innovation, accountability, and people-first delivery during June 21–26 celebrations. STEM & Youth Skills: The ECCB is set to run a free 2026 STEM Camp from July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to turn young people into tech creators through training that includes AI and design thinking. Women’s Empowerment: The Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council has released the nine-day Calabash Festival calendar (July 18–26), packed with tours, church celebrations, kids’ activities, teen events, and major market and food-fair days. Regional Integration: OECS marked 45 years of cooperation in Antigua, with leaders calling for an “OECS renaissance” focused on trade, connectivity, climate resilience, and stronger implementation. Church & Gender Debate: A Vatican decision barring laypeople—including women—from preaching homilies at Mass is reigniting questions about how far Pope Leo XIV’s openness to women in church roles will go. Montserrat in Travel Talk: A travel feature pitches Montserrat as a safer, uncrowded alternative, highlighting the island’s volcano-shaped “modern-day Pompeii” experience and the role of local guides.

Women’s Empowerment: The Rotary Club of Montserrat has launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills through a Rotary District Grant and hands-on support from Unsewcial founder Kristen Taylor Hilton. STEM & Youth: The ECCB is set to run a free 2026 STEM Camp from July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to turn young people into tech creators with Python, design thinking, and leadership training. Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council released the nine-day Calabash calendar (July 18–26), packed with tours, church events, children’s activities, teen art, and major market and food-fair highlights. Health & Community: Broadcaster Basil Chambers turns 60 by hosting a free Men’s Health Fair on July 3, offering screenings and prostate checks to encourage preventative care. Regional Culture & Policy: OECS marks 45 years of integration and pushes an “OECS renaissance” agenda at its 78th Authority meeting in Antigua, with Montserrat among member states. Tourism Angle: A new travel piece spotlights Montserrat as a safer, less crowded Caribbean option, highlighting Plymouth’s volcano-era history and guided access to the exclusion zone. Church & Gender: Vatican rules barring laypeople—including women—from preaching homilies at Mass are testing how far Pope Leo XIV’s openness to women’s leadership will go.

Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council has released the full nine-day calendar (July 18–26) for “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” with events for all ages—from Sea Scape tours and church celebrations to teen art, market days, and a big Grand Food Fair. Women’s Empowerment: The Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing, garment-making, and turning skills into income through a Rotary District Grant partnership. STEM for youth: The ECCB will run a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6, targeting ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, with tech and leadership training. Montserrat tourism spotlight: A travel feature pitches Montserrat as safe and uncrowded, highlighting Plymouth’s “modern-day Pompeii” feel after the Soufrière Hills eruption. Regional culture & policy: OECS leaders marked 45 years of integration and pushed an “OECS renaissance” agenda at the 78th Authority meeting, with Montserrat included among member states.

Women’s Empowerment: The Rotary Club of Montserrat has launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing, garment construction, and turning skills into income—backed by a Rotary District Grant and led in partnership with Unsewcial founder Kristen Taylor Hilton. STEM & Youth Skills: The ECCB is set to run a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6, targeting ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, with tech and leadership training tied to digital transformation. Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council released the nine-day Calabash Festival calendar (July 18–26), packed with tours, church and beach events, craft and children’s activities, teen showcases, and major market-and-food fair programming. Regional Integration: OECS leaders marked 45 years of integration in Antigua, with a renewed push for an “OECS renaissance” focused on resilience, implementation, and shared action. Church & Women’s Roles: A Vatican ruling barring laypeople—including women—from preaching the homily at Mass is testing how far Pope Leo XIV’s openness to women’s leadership will go. Montserrat in the Spotlight: A travel-focused piece pitches Montserrat as a safe, uncrowded destination, highlighting Plymouth’s “modern-day Pompeii” and the island’s dramatic volcanic history. Community Health: Basil Chambers turns 60 by hosting a Men’s Health Fair on July 3, offering free screenings and prostate checks to encourage preventative care. Workshop for Women: EMERGE at the Montserrat Public Library brought women together for a faith-based growth workshop using the butterfly stages to reflect, release fear, and step into purpose.

STEM & Youth Skills: The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is set to launch a free 2026 STEM Camp on July 6—four weeks for ages 14–18 across all ECCU territories, including Montserrat—aimed at turning young people into tech creators using Python, design thinking, and AI-focused learning. Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council has released the nine-day Calabash Festival calendar (July 18–26) under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” with events spanning church service, children’s activities, teen art and talent nights, and major market-and-food fair programming. Women’s Growth Workshop: Seventeen women met at the Montserrat Public Library for EMERGE, a faith-based workshop using the butterfly stages to reflect, release fear, and step into purpose. Local Church Policy Watch: Vatican rules now bar laypeople—including women—from preaching the homily at Mass, a move that’s testing how far Pope Leo XIV’s openness to women in church roles will go. Montserrat Ferry Update: Government says it’s still completing its ferry tender; a recently spotted vessel is described as a private initiative, not a government-backed service. Health & Community: Veteran broadcaster Basil Chambers turns 60 by hosting a Men’s Health Fair on July 3 with free screenings and fundraising for Meals on Wheels.

Montserrat Culture & Faith: Pope Leo XIV’s Spain visit is still reverberating, with Vatican guidance now tightening rules on women preaching homilies at Mass—an openness-versus-limits moment that’s drawing fresh debate across the Catholic world. Local Community & Wellbeing: At Montserrat Public Library, 17 women joined the EMERGE workshop, using the butterfly stages to reflect, journal, and step into “God-given purpose.” Local Agriculture & Pride: Shanyon McPherson received Montserrat’s inaugural Governor’s Award for farming that supports food security and community development. Regional Governance: OECS leaders marked 45 years of integration and pushed an “OECS renaissance” agenda at the 78th Authority meeting in Antigua, with chairmanship shifting to Gaston Browne. Money & Public Service: The ECCB highlighted how its agency offices across member states support currency operations and public education—Montserrat’s office has been serving since 1991. Island Life Watch: Questions remain over Montserrat ferry plans as private operators market routes while government work on a tender is still underway. Science Legacy: Geoff Wadge, a pioneer in remote sensing for monitoring active volcanoes, has died at 76.