AGP Executive Report

Montserrat Arts Council: Stedroy Duberry Jr has been appointed Cultural Development Manager, effective Sept 1, bringing West End and UK experience back to shape the island’s cultural future. Film & Education: Mexican director Lila Avilés wrapped “Cábula,” a teacher-led story about creativity, community and elites trying to exploit local customs—her follow-up to “Totém.” Digital Skills: The OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship opens Sept 10 (to Sept 20) for Montserrat and other member states, with training in AI, cybersecurity, cloud, data and more. Wellness & Youth: Pink Ribbon Charity urges Montserratians to join the Caribbean Wellness Day 100 Million Step Challenge on Sept 12, including youth walks for safer, supervised activity. Tourism & Tech: Montserrat Tourism Week (Sept 27–Oct 3) spotlights AI and technology for tourism, with youth social media training and school presentations. Festival Build-Up: MAC is meeting calypsonians on 2026 competition changes and is recruiting volunteers for festival committees (deadline Sept 18). Healthcare (Diaspora): A Montserratian US group plans a rotating specialist clinic starting in Salem in Feb 2027, with an online launch Sept 20.

Digital Skills & Jobs: The OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship opens Sept. 10 and runs to Sept. 20, offering Montserratians training and industry certifications in areas like AI, cybersecurity, cloud, data analytics, and digital marketing. Health & Community: Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat is urging residents to join the Caribbean Wellness Day Sept. 12 “100 Million Step Challenge,” including child-friendly walking options and support for youth health. Tourism & Creativity: Montserrat Tourism Week (Sept. 27–Oct. 3) puts technology and AI at the center, with youth social media training, radio events, competitions, and school presentations. Arts & Festival Building: The Montserrat Arts Council is recruiting volunteers for 2026 year-end festival committees and has met calypsonians to refine the competition format and professional expectations. Diaspora Healthcare: A Montserratian group in the U.S. is rolling out an ambitious healthcare vision, starting with a specialist clinic in Salem targeted for Feb. 2027. Faith & Culture Lens: A documentary on Benedictine life, “Pope Weather in Montserrat,” filmed over four years, premieres Sept. 10 after a monastery millennium celebration. Back-to-School Support: St Anthony Lodge donated $4,000 to help children through the Department of Social Services’ Back-to-School Children Assistance Programme.

Digital Skills & Jobs: The OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Programme opens for applications on September 10 and closes September 20, offering Montserrat and other OECS citizens industry-recognised training in areas like AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analytics, digital marketing and e-learning. Health & Community: Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat is urging residents to join the Caribbean Wellness Day on Saturday, September 12, through its 100 Million Step Challenge—inviting adults to bring children for youth-focused movement and breast cancer awareness fundraising. Tourism & Tech: Montserrat Tourism Week 2026 runs September 27 to October 3, themed “Tourism Reimagined” with AI and technology spotlights, plus social media training, radio events, school presentations and tours. Arts & Festival Planning: The Montserrat Arts Council is meeting calypsonians on 2026 competition changes and is also recruiting volunteers for festival committees (from Soca Monarch to Children’s Carnival), with a September 18 deadline. Diaspora Healthcare: A Montserratian diaspora group in the US is unveiling an Emerald Healthcare Group Medical Initiative, aiming for a specialist clinic in Salem as early as February 2027. Church & Women’s Roles: A Vatican synod study report on women’s participation calls for expanded leadership roles in governance and administration, while not addressing a possible female diaconate.

Education & Skills: The OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship opens 10 September and runs to 20 September 2026, offering Montserratians access to industry-recognised training in areas like AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analytics, digital marketing, and e-learning. Health & Community Planning: A Montserrat diaspora group is rolling out an ambitious healthcare initiative, with a first specialist clinic in Salem targeted to open in February 2027 and rotating services across specialties including obstetrics, paediatrics, oncology, cardiology, and more. Tourism & Tech: Montserrat Tourism Week 2026 (27 Sept–3 Oct) puts technology and AI at the centre, with school presentations, social media training, radio events, tours, and a “Faces of Tourism” series. Arts & Festival Culture: The Montserrat Arts Council is meeting calypsonians on competition changes, inviting volunteers for 2026 festival committees (including calypso monarch and children’s carnival roles), and recruiting help for logistics and gate staffing. Faith & Debate: A Vatican synod study report on women’s participation calls for expanded leadership roles in governance and administration, while not addressing a possible female diaconate. Church Documentary: Director Carles Prats’ documentary “Pope Weather in Montserrat” captures the daily life of the Benedictine community, premiering 10 September.

Church & Debate: Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò’s latest book reignites Vatican II-era tensions, arguing that the modern papacy has become a threat to the papacy itself. Local Faith & Culture: A documentary by Montserrat director Carles Prats, Pope Weather in Montserrat, follows Benedictine daily life with a “no voice-over” approach, premiering Sept. 10. Health & Community: Montserratians in the U.S. are planning a rotating specialist-clinic model, with a first Salem clinic tentatively set for February 2027, and Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat announces an October programme expanding breast health and diabetic foot care. Arts & Festival: The Montserrat Arts Council is recruiting volunteers for 2026 festival committees and meeting calypsonians on a new competition format. Tourism & Tech: Tourism Week 2026 runs Sept. 27–Oct. 3, themed around technology and AI, with school presentations and youth-led content creation. Diaspora & Education: A back-to-school donation of $4,000 supports children’s assistance, while a wider week of coverage also spotlights bullying, dialect prejudice, and women’s leadership debates in the Church. Reparations & Heritage: Jamaica’s government moves to petition King Charles on slavery reparations and repatriation of cultural artefacts, using a Privy Council route.

Film & Faith: Carles Prats’ documentary Pope Weather in Montserrat follows Benedictine monks’ daily life with no narration or judgment, built over four years and set to premiere Sept. 10 at a special BCN Film Fest screening. Diaspora & Health: Friends of Montserrat Care and the Emerald Healthcare Group Medical Initiative plan rotating specialist clinics and training, with a first Salem clinic targeted for February 2027 and a diaspora online launch Sept. 20. Tourism & Tech: Montserrat Tourism Week 2026 (Sept. 27–Oct. 3) spotlights “Tourism Reimagined” through technology and AI, with radio, school presentations, tours, and youth-led digital content training. Arts & Community: The Montserrat Arts Council meets calypsonians on a revised 2026 competition format and invites volunteers for festival committees (deadline Sept. 18). Culture, Language & Identity: A study on dialect prejudice traces how “less prestigious” speech patterns shape stigma—echoing wider questions about who gets to sound “proper.” Giving Back: St Anthony Lodge donates $4,000 to back-to-school assistance for children via the Department of Social Services.

Church Leadership & Women: A Vatican synod study group report backs expanded roles for women in Church governance and leadership, but it stops short of examining a possible female diaconate, with an invite-only Sept. 19 session at Siena University set to discuss what the report does and doesn’t cover. Tourism & Tech: Montserrat Tourism Week returns Sept. 27–Oct. 3 with a “Tourism Reimagined” theme, spotlighting AI and technology, plus school presentations, radio events, tours, and youth-led social media training. Calypsos & Festival Planning: The Montserrat Arts Council met calypsonians to refine the 2026 competition format (no points carried forward between rounds) and is now recruiting volunteers for festival committees, including major events like Soca Monarch, Children’s Carnival, and carol singing. Back-to-School Support: St Anthony Lodge No. 4684EC donated $4,000 to the Department of Social Services for its Back-to-School Children Assistance Programme. Health Programme: Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat Inc. announced its October 2026 calendar, combining breast cancer awareness with expanded diabetic foot health and podiatry clinics. Culture, Faith & Heritage: A feature on Our Lady of Montserrat Church traces how cocoa-era wealth shaped the surrounding communities and today’s tourism potential—starting with the challenge of getting roads right.

Tourism & Tech: Montserrat Tourism Week 2026 returns Sept 27–Oct 3 with “Tourism Reimagined,” spotlighting how technology and AI can boost the island’s culture, heritage, businesses and nature—plus social media training, radio quizzes, school presentations, and tours. Arts & Festival Planning: The Montserrat Arts Council met calypsonians to refine the 2026 competition format (one song in eliminations; two in semis/finals, with judging per round) and is now recruiting volunteers for festival committees—from Soca Monarch to Children’s Carnival, plus gate and logistics roles. Community Support: St Anthony Lodge No. 4684EC donates $4,000 to the Department of Social Services’ Back-to-School Children Assistance Programme, backing families as the new term begins. Church & Heritage: A feature looks at Our Lady of Montserrat Church and the cocoa-era landscape around it, arguing that road access is the big barrier to turning the area’s history into a stronger domestic tourism draw. Culture Beyond Montserrat: A new wave of international coverage includes a Majorca-to-US study on dialect prejudice, and fresh attention on Spain’s genre-bending hit “La mesías.”

Montserrat Arts Council & Calypso: The MAC met local calypsonians to tighten the 2026 festival competition format, including one song in eliminations and two in semis and finals, plus plans for contracts and earlier song releases. Community Call-Out: The MAC is also recruiting volunteers for 2026 year-end festival committees, from Soca Monarch and calypso events to Children’s Carnival and logistics support, with a Sept. 18 deadline. Back-to-School Support: St Anthony Lodge No. 4684EC donated $4,000 to Montserrat’s Department of Social Services for its Back-to-School Children Assistance Programme. Faith & Tradition: A reflection on Marian feasts and St Ignatius of Loyola’s devotion highlights how the Church’s calendar shapes community spirituality. Health & Women’s Wellness: Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat announced its October 2026 programme, adding Feet for Life podiatry clinics alongside breast health and mammogram access. Culture Beyond Montserrat: Jamaica’s slavery reparations push heads to King Charles with a petition tied to the Privy Council and talks with the British Museum on returning artefacts. Festival-Ready Culture: Premier Wheatley’s overseas talks in Bermuda and the UK also keep regional cooperation on the agenda, including citizen wellbeing.

Reparations Push: Jamaica is set to file a slavery reparations petition with King Charles III, asking him to refer three questions to the Privy Council, alongside talks with the British Museum about returning Jamaican cultural artefacts. Art & Memory: Tabari Artspace in DIFC hosts Mohamed Monaiseer’s “85 Seconds To Midnight,” linking war, occupation and imperial power to how violence repeats across generations. Local Health: Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat Inc. announces its October 2026 programme, adding Feet for Life podiatry clinics alongside breast health checks and free mammogram bookings. Youth & Farming: OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules urges governments to open crown lands on transparent, affordable terms so young farmers can build sustainable livelihoods. Culture in Motion: A Montserrat-linked profile highlights a new wave of Latino community activism and education pathways, spotlighting how immigrant stories shape local leadership. Music Politics: A dispute erupts over which “Boney M” lineup appeared at Reform’s conference after Liz Mitchell criticized the band’s participation.

Reparations & Repatriation: Jamaica is set to file a slavery reparations petition with King Charles III, asking him to refer three questions on transatlantic chattel slavery to the Privy Council, alongside talks with the British Museum about returning cultural artefacts taken from Jamaica. Art & Memory: Tabari Artspace in DIFC will host Mohamed Monaiseer’s solo “85 Seconds To Midnight,” using cycles and repetition to examine war, occupation, and imperial power, shaped by his work during the Gaza war. Local Culture & Health: Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat Inc. announced its October 2026 programme, expanding breast health awareness and adding “Feet for Life” podiatry clinics for diabetic foot health. Agriculture & Inclusion: OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules urged governments to open crown lands on transparent, affordable terms for young farmers, stressing inclusion for persons with disability. Community Spotlight: Montserrat runs for District 49 in Texas, sharing her education journey from arriving undocumented to becoming a bilingual early-childhood teacher and mentor for Latino candidates. Arts on the Move: Mexican director Lila Avilés wrapped production on “Cábula,” a teacher-led story about creativity and exploitation, with a first look ahead of the Venice Gap-Financing Market. Culture Clash: Boney M’s original singer Liz Mitchell has hit out at a version of the group performing at a Reform conference after-party, reigniting disputes over who can use the band’s name.

Art & Memory: Tabari Artspace DIFC is hosting Mohamed Monaiseer’s solo “85 Seconds To Midnight” (Sept. 11–Oct. 1), a searing look at how war, occupation and imperial power repeat across generations, shaped by news, images and oral histories. Reparations & Heritage: Jamaica is set to file a slavery reparations petition with King Charles III, asking him to refer three questions on transatlantic chattel slavery to the Privy Council, while also meeting the British Museum to discuss repatriating cultural artefacts taken from Jamaica. Human Rights & Food: A new reflection on “Big Meat” traces how the industry’s exploitation—from Sinclair’s “The Jungle” to today—maps onto ongoing human rights abuses. Local Civic Life: Montserrat runs for District 49 in Texas, sharing her immigrant-to-education journey and pushing Latino leadership in local politics. Health & Community: Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat Inc. announces its October 2026 programme, adding Feet for Life podiatry clinics alongside breast cancer awareness and free mammogram bookings. Regional Agriculture: OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules urges transparent access to crown lands for young farmers, with inclusion built into training and finance.

Human Rights in Food: A new look at the meat industry draws a line from Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle to today’s ongoing abuses—long hours, unsafe conditions, and exploitation that still hit workers hard. Reparations & Repatriation: Jamaica’s government says it will file a formal slavery reparations petition with King Charles III during a London visit, asking for advisory opinions on key questions and also pushing for the return of cultural artefacts held in Britain. Montserrat in Politics: Montserrat is running for District 49 in Texas’s House race, with a spotlight on Latino leadership and education as her story of arriving undocumented and rising through UT and bilingual teaching. Agriculture & Inclusion: OECS leaders are urging transparent access to crown lands for young farmers, with training and finance support framed as structural inclusion—plus meaningful participation for persons with disability. Health & Community Programs: Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat Inc. announces its October 2026 programme, including free mammograms and “Feet for Life” podiatry clinics for breast health and diabetic foot care. Film & Culture Buzz: Cannes and Berlin standout Lila Avilés has wrapped production on Cábula, sharing a first look ahead of Venice’s gap-financing market, with the story centered on a teacher defending her community’s creativity.

Jamaica & the Crown: A Jamaican delegation led by Olivia Grange will file a formal petition with King Charles III in London, asking for advisory opinions on three slavery-reparations questions and pushing for the return of cultural artefacts held in Britain. OECS Food & Inclusion: OECS chief Dr. Didacus Jules urged governments to open crown lands to young farmers on transparent, bank-collateral terms, stressing inclusion for persons with disability at the Youth and Women in Agriculture Symposium. Montserrat in Politics: Montserrat Garibay is running for Texas House District 49, highlighting education and mentorship as part of her campaign story. Health & Community Care (Montserrat): Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat Inc. announced its October 2026 programme, adding Feet for Life podiatry clinics alongside breast cancer awareness and free mammogram bookings. Regional Education: Dominica’s CXC June 2026 exams ran across 17 centres, with e-testing used where devices and internet allowed, and two breaches leading to cancelled results. Culture on Screen: Berlin Golden Bear winner Lila Avilés wrapped production on “Cábula,” a teacher-centred story about creativity and exploitation, set for presentation at Venice’s gap-financing market.

Slavery Reparations & Cultural Rights: Jamaica says it will file a slavery reparations petition with King Charles during a London visit, asking him to refer questions on transatlantic chattel slavery to the Privy Council, while also meeting the British Museum to discuss repatriating cultural artefacts taken from Jamaica. Agriculture, Youth & Inclusion: OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules urged governments to open crown lands on transparent terms that young farmers can afford, with inclusion for persons with disability built into training and finance—not treated as an afterthought. Film & Education on Screen: Berlin Golden Bear winner Lila Avilés has wrapped her next feature, “Cábula,” set in a Mexican town and centered on a teacher fighting elites who try to exploit local customs; it’s headed to the Venice Gap-Financing Market. Health & Community Programming: Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat Inc. announced its October 2026 programme, adding Feet for Life podiatry clinics alongside breast cancer awareness and free mammogram booking details. Regional Learning & Exams: Dominica reported on its June 2026 CXC sitting, noting e-testing limits, two exam breaches, and support that let students sit exams across nearby islands. Local Civic Spotlight: Montserrat Garibay is running for Texas House District 49, sharing her journey from arriving undocumented to becoming a UT graduate and bilingual educator.

Reparations & Heritage: Jamaica says it will formally seek slavery reparations from Britain by petitioning King Charles during a London visit, including a request to refer key questions on transatlantic chattel slavery to the Privy Council, plus talks with the British Museum about repatriating cultural artefacts. Local Politics & Representation: Montserrat runs for Texas House District 49, sharing a personal story of arriving undocumented, learning English, and rising through education to inspire more Latino candidates. Agriculture & Inclusion: OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules urged governments to open crown lands to young farmers on transparent, finance-friendly terms, stressing inclusion for people with disabilities and practical support beyond “ceremonial” gestures. Health & Community: Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat Inc. announced its October 2026 programme, pairing breast cancer awareness with expanded diabetic foot health and podiatry clinics, plus a charity dinner and free mammogram bookings. Film & Education: Berlin Golden Bear winner Lila Avilés has wrapped “Cábula,” a Venice Gap-Financing Market first look about a teacher defending students’ creativity against exploitative elites. Arts & Media Memory: A reflection on how Caribbean media shifted from newspapers to radio in the late 20th century, tracing key local publications and broadcasting milestones.