News Releases

UWI Student Tops Regional #IdeasForTheFuture Essay Competition

For Release Upon Receipt - October 29, 2019

St. Augustine


Omari Joseph (centre), Caribbean winner of the #IdeasForTheFuture essay competition, is congratulated by Dr. Alvin Hilaire, Governor of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (Left) and Mr. Gianpiero Leoncini, Corporacion Andina de Fomento (CAF) development bank of Latin America Representative in Trinidad and Tobago

ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. October 21, 2019 –University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus student Omari Joseph is the Caribbean winner of the #IdeasForTheFuture essay competition, organised by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) and the Corporacion Andina de Fomento (CAF) development bank of Latin America. #IdeasForTheFuture is one of the activities promoted by CAF to celebrate its 50th anniversary and aims to build a constructive discussion on key ideas that contribute to sustainable development and regional integration through the promotion of the best university talents in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The winning essay, Becoming roadworthy: improving innovation and labour productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean, explores the root causes behind the underutilisation of human capital in the Region and determines the skills necessary for the future of work. It also identifies key investments needed for integrating with global value chains, as well as the role small and medium enterprises play in a more competitive and productive region. The potential impacts of higher productivity and more innovation within the region are also discussed.

Omari Joseph epitomises the Caribbean citizen – born in Saint Lucia, raised in Guyana, and studying in Trinidad and Tobago. He is in his final year of a BSc, International Tourism Management degree, with a minor in Marketing, and takes co-curricular courses in French to promote his multilingual competence. Pleased with his win, Omari said, “This contest is a worthwhile initiative that encourages us to engage with practical issues affecting the region, generate solutions and discover how our ideas can impact and improve the region.”

Dr. Alvin Hilaire, CBTT Governor, commented on Joseph’s unique and compelling treatment of the subject. Mr. Gianpiero Leoncini, Representative, Trinidad and Tobago CAF Development Bank, notes that the competition aims to promote the exchange of ideas among students so as to build a more prosperous and inclusive country and region. “Trinidad and Tobago’s youth have an enormous talent that can contribute to sustainable development, integration and to building a better future,” said Mr.  Leoncini.

Passing this hurdle means Omari qualifies to compete for the US$2,000 award reserved for the winner of the Latin American and Caribbean contest which will be announced on November 7 at the CAF Conference in Quito, Ecuador.

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