Omari Joseph, a final-year International Tourism Management student at The UWI St Augustine, is the Caribbean winner of the #IdeasForTheFuture essay competition organised by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) and the CAF – Development Bank of Latin America. #IdeasForTheFuture is one of the activities promoted by the CAF to celebrate its 50th anniversary, and aims for discussion on ideas that contribute to sustainable development and regional integration by promoting the best university talents in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Omari's essay ‘Becoming Roadworthy: Improving Innovation and Labour Productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean’ explores the reasons for the underutilisation of human capital in the region and looks at the skills necessary for the future of work. The essay also identifies 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 innovation within are also discussed.
"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," Omari says.
Born in Saint Lucia, raised in Guyana, and studying in Trinidad and Tobago, the Department of Management Studies student epitomises the Caribbean citizen. Apart from his BSc at the Faculty of Social Sciences, he takes co-curricular courses in French for multilingual competence.
Dr Alvin Hilaire, CBTT Governor, commented on Joseph’s unique and compelling treatment of the subject. Gianpiero Leoncini, CAF Representative in Trinidad and Tobago, said, "on the occasion of our 50th anniversary, we want to promote the exchange of ideas among students 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 and integration, and to building a better future."
With this win Omari qualifies to compete for the US$2,000 award reserved for the winner of the Latin America and the Caribbean contest which will be announced on November 7 at the CAF Conference in Quito, Ecuador.
