Barbados To Hold Hearings on New Constitution for the Barbadian Diaspora

A country’s constitution is its most sacred document. A guide to the culture and defining spirit of the people, their vision, and values. It should represent the widest views, the widest freedoms, and be able to facilitate the biggest dreams so that it could be a guide for generations. This is why an important aspect of the work of the Barbados Constitution Commission is coming to the diaspora to ensure Barbadians who live overseas have some input in our next constitution. This one is a once-in-a-generation opportunity and every Barbadian should seize the opportunity to help frame what will guide Barbados for centuries to come.

— Honorable Mackie Holder, Consul General of Barbados to New York

Barbadians in the Tri-State area have an opportunity to participate in Barbados’ constitution reform process. The Constitutional Reform Commission has been tasked with developing and enacting a new Constitution for Barbados. 

On November 30th, 2021, Barbados announced that it would transition to a republic within the Commonwealth. As part of the process, the nation is creating a new Constitution of Barbados. 

The Barbados government has created an Information Hub as a vehicle for Barbadians to learn about their constitutional rights and be active participants in the constitutional reform process. For more information, Barbadians can text “reform” to (246) 832 – 6775 to access the Information Hub created by the Constitutional Reform Commission in partnership with U-Report Barbados.

Sade Jemmott, Commissioner of the Constitutional Reform Commission, said, “We want people to take advantage of this opportunity as we break down and explain each and every chapter of the Constitution of Barbados via this information hub. It is accessible to anyone with WhatsApp, at any time and anywhere.”

Jemmott stressed the importance of members, both in the country and in the diaspora, to get engaged and learn about their rights as well as help shape the new Constitution of Barbados.

On Thursday, March 9th, there will be an official Constitutional Reform Commission hearing in Plainfield, New Jersey. The reception will be from 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm with the hearing being from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center.

On Saturday, March 11th, there will be an official Constitutional Reform Commission hearing in Brooklyn, New York. The reception will be from 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm with the hearing being from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at St. Gabriel’s Church.

At the hearings, members of the Barbadian diaspora will be able to share their thoughts and offer proposals and ideas for the new constitution. The hearings will also be an opportunity for Barbadians to learn about the constitution, the process behind the creation of the new constitution, and help with outreach through a variety of channels and mediums.

Honorable Mackie Holder, Consul General of Barbados to New York will be at both hearings. When asked for a comment about the upcoming hearings, Consul General Holder said, “A country’s constitution is its most sacred document. A guide to the culture and defining spirit of the people, their vision, and values. It should represent the widest views, the widest freedoms, and be able to facilitate the biggest dreams so that it could be a guide for generations.”

Consul General Holder continued, “This is why an important aspect of the work of the Barbados Constitution Commission is coming to the diaspora to ensure Barbadians who live overseas have some input in our next constitution. This one is a once-in-a-generation opportunity and every Barbadian should seize the opportunity to help frame what will guide Barbados for centuries to come.”

For more information on the hearings, visit crcbarbados.com
See page 7 and page 11 of this newspaper for further information and details on the Plainfield, New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York hearings.

Read the digital edition of the newspaper here