The Canada-Caribbean Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme is over 50 years old and stands as a model for temporary foreign worker initiatives.

In this second part,  hear from the President of the Foreign Agriculture Resource Management Services in Canada, Ken Forth and regional about the this hallmark programme.

INSIDER'S REPORT - 50 GOING STRONG - PART 2

• UN Secretary-General condemns deadly attack on Hannukah celebration in Sydney
• Amid “unending atrocities” around world, UN Refugees chief Filippo Grandi reaffirms solidarity with asylum seekers
• Ukraine: Aid teams provide relief after another weekend of Russian strikes on vital infrastructure - OCHA

Audio credit: Charlotte Frantz, UN News

UN News Today 15 December 2025 - attack in Sydney, asylum seekers, Ukraine

An independent journalist is warning against the unchecked rise of artificial intelligence (AI), comparing the public to “guinea pigs” in a global experiment. 

Atif Rashid, Editor in Chief of Analyst News – a non-profit international news website – was a panelist in the thematic session held during the UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 14-15 December.

Speaking to UN News’s Reem Abaza, he urged governments and tech companies to slow down, protect children, and treat AI with the same caution as they would untested medications.

Audio credit: Reem Abaza, UN News

‘We are the guinea pigs’: independent journalist warns AI Is developing faster than safety measures

• Afghanistan: mothers turned away at health centres amid dire funding cuts, warns WFP 
• DR Congo violence pushes 500,000 from their homes: UNHCR 
• New influenza variant is surging, but vaccination still our best bet: WHO

Audio credit: Daniel Johnson, UN News

UN News Today 16 December 2025 - Afghanistan, DR Congo, new influenza variant

Three young women peacebuilders from Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan - Ana Kuprava, Maria Yesayan, and Shahim Afandiyeva – participated at a Youth Forum in Riyadh, and shared how their joint initiative From Borders to Bridges brought together youth from divided communities across the South Caucasus. 

Supported by the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)’s Young Peacebuilders programme, the project connected participants from different backgrounds, many of whom had never interacted before.

The impact continues beyond the project, with lasting connections and new initiatives emerging across borders.
 
Audio credit: Reem Abaza, UN News 

Three young women reimagine peace across borders

Ukraine suffering continues as electricity is cut for days amid ongoing Russian attacks
Imagine living through a war and not being able to make a meal or heat your home; that’s the reality today for thousands of Ukrainians who’ve seen repeated Russian attacks knock out their electricity for days at a time.
In an update from Ukraine, the UN’s top aid official there, Matthias Schmale, reported that half of the population in Kherson city have been without electricity for several days - about 30,000 or more residents.
It’s not the only city without power, he told UN News on Wednesday, while on mission to southern Ukraine: “The big challenge is how do you support people if electricity is cut off for several days, more than a week, let's say, in a row, like is currently the case in Odesa. The authorities are fairly confident that they can deal with a couple of hours or even a couple of days in a row. but more than a week will be very challenging.”
The top UN aid coordinator said that one solution to the energy crisis was to ensure that schools and health centres are provided with generators and enough fuel, “so that people can gather there if there is a crisis and if needed for several days in the row”.


Ukrainian cities left without electricity for days - Matthias Schmale

- Concerns grow for Ukrainians in cities left without power for days: OCHA
- Key water pipeline repaired in Gaza, but dire conditions remain: OCHA
- ‘High or very high’ levels of early season influenza sweeping across Europe: WHO

Audio credit: Daniel Johnson, UN News

UN News Today 17 December 2025 - Ukraine electricity, Gaza conditions, flu in Europe

Catch up on information you might have missed during the week.

This week's programme features:

1.	Did you know a liquor licence is required for any event where alcohol will be sold?  Apply today https://liquorlicence.gov.bb/.
2.	Selling or buying online? The Barbados Police Service shares tips to help you avoid theft and scams.
3.	Healthcare going digital! Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael, says a new Health Information System and major upgrades are on the way.

This Week’s In Case You Missed It Opportunities - December 17 - 23:
-	The Barbados Employment and Career Counselling Service is recruiting for employment opportunities in the USA.  Check @molbarbados246 or molbarbados on Facebook for details. 

-	Teachers needed in a range of subject areas, including Information Technology and Geography!  (download)

To download a copy of these opportunities, go to https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/download/in-case-you-missed-it-december-17-23-2025/ 


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT DECEMBER 17 - 23 (2025)

• António Guterres calls for de-escalation in Yemen
• Sudan war: UN Human Rights office puts spotlight on horrific violations, executions
• Volker Türk alarmed by spiralling Thai-Cambodia conflict and impact on civilians

Audio credit: Daniel Johnson, UN News

UN News Today 18 December 2025 - Yemen, Sudan war, Thaiu-Cambodia conflict

Mass atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur region show alarming indicators associated with the risk of genocide, according to the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Chaloka Beyani, who has completed a mission to Kenya.

Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), alongside other armed groups, has plunged large parts of Sudan into a deepening humanitarian and protection crisis since April 2023.  

More than 11 million people are now internally displaced, while up to four million have fled to neighbouring countries and beyond. 

Mr. Beyani has completed a mission to Kenya and spoke to UN News’s Stella Vuzo in Nairobi, where he met several Sudanese refugees. She began by asking about his main message to the Sudanese people. 

Audio credit: Stella Vuzo, UN News 

People in Darfur ‘need healing’, says UN adviser amid escalating mass atrocities

As the world debates how technology is shaping societies, actor and filmmaker Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been sharing why people and purpose must remain at the heart of the digital future.

UN News’ Vibhu Mishra spoke with him on the sidelines of a high-level UN meeting marking 20 years of global cooperation on the internet and digital technologies.

Mr. Gordon-Levitt reflected on creativity, inclusion and the responsibility that comes with powerful digital tools, especially as technology becomes more embedded in everyday life.

He said he was inspired by people working not just for profit, but to make the world better – even when the challenge feels like a “David and Goliath” battle.

Audio credit: Vibhu Mishra, UN News 

A human digital future: Joseph Gordon-Levitt at the UN

The Barbados Government Information Service has been established since 1958 as the Barbados Government's public relations and information arm.   This dynamic channel profiles Barbadian people, places and programmes which make up this Caribbean island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.  We hope you enjoy and feel free to comment.  We want to hear from you.

INSIDER'S REPORT - 50 GOING STRONG - PART 2

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