PM Gaston Browne and 7 other Caribbean politicians to get AFUWI Legacy Award in New York

Prime Minister Gaston Browne be honoured with the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) prestigious Legacy Award for his leadership.

Thursday, 21st April 2022

PM Gaston Browne and 7 other Caribbean politicians to get AFUWI Legacy Award

Prime Minister Gaston Browne be honoured with the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) prestigious Legacy Award for his leadership, which facilitates nation-building. He will travel to New York to accept the award. In his letter to Prime Minister Browne announcing the award, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Sir Hilary Beckles, said AFUWI is proud of Browne's stellar accomplishments as Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Corporate Governance. "Your passion and commitment to improving the lives of the people of your country are evidenced by the many initiatives you and your administration have implemented to address matters germane to nation-building,". Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Sir Hilary Beckles, said AFUWI listed out the following accomplishments of Prime Minister Gaston Browne:

Increasing the housing stock
Reducing unemployment
Improving health care via the upgrade of plant and equipment
Increasing the number of medical practitioners
Infrastructure upgrades of airports and seaports
Funding for venture capital and entrepreneurial endeavours
Increasing investment in building a robust and competitive tourism industry

Other recipients of the award include:

Former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson
Former St Lucian Prime Minister Allen M. Chastanet
Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonsalves
Former Bahamian Priem Minister Dr Hubert Alexan-der Minnis
Former Prime Minister of Jamaica P.J. Patterson
Former Prime Minister of Grenada Tillman J. Thomas
Former Prime Minister of Barbados Late David Thompson

Sir Hilary Beckles also highlighted their shared interest in increasing access to education for all Caribbean nationals and the vital role education plays in advancing the development agenda. "Increases in the capacity in primary and secondary schools and upgrade of physical plants are stark testimony of your commitment. It is, therefore, no wonder that Antigua and Barbuda is the site of The UWI's 5th Campus housed on lands at Five Islands. This facility provides easier access to tertiary education for your citizens and citizens from the other OECS countries," Sir Hilary noted. The Awards Gala to be held in New York City on Thursday is themed "Together, through our resilience and determination, we can conquer any adversity." Sir Hilary stated this is a perfect background due to Prime Minister Browne's forceful and unapologetic discourse on the issue of Climate Change, citing the apparent absence of urgency by the developed and industrialized nations to arrest the crisis meaningfully. "Part of your abiding legacy will be the ability of the people of Antigua and Barbuda to leverage their resilience and determination to overcome challenges and to be better for it in the aftermath. The remarkable resurgence of your country's economy, post the devastation caused by hurricanes Maria and Irma also stand as a formidable reference in the annals of history," Sir Hilary pointed out. In concluding his letter, Sir Hilary commended Prime Minister Browne for his signature brand of excellence and leadership in his role as Prime Minister and outlined that