Media and communications professional Laura Dowrich shares her deep-rooted passion for Caribbean culture. With nearly 30 years of media experience, she reflects on how the communications industry, particularly digital media, has transformed. \

Dowrich currently serves as the PR manager for the Turks and Caicos Islands’ destination management organization. She highlights the challenges and benefits of social media, emphasizing the importance of countering misinformation.

Her advice to young people interested in communications is to study the field, find mentors, and develop strong interpersonal skills. She also underscores the need for leaders to respect their communications advisors.

Apart from her professional life, Dowrich speaks about her love for music and her efforts to support the Caribbean music industry through her podcast. She calls for more structured industry support and encourages Caribbean unity through travel and cultural exploration.

Just over 100 days have passed since the UNC (United National Congress) returned to office. While it’s still early, I had hoped to see stronger direction—especially in dealing with crime and education, two critical areas that continue to cripple our nation.

Instead, the government is pushing forward with a Stand-Your-Ground Bill—a law modeled after the U.S. that allows someone to use deadly force if they feel threatened, even when retreat is possible. But Trinidad and Tobago is not the United States. We are a nation of 1.3 million people with deep community ties, high tension, and low public trust in law enforcement.

Many citizens are already speaking out. Across social media and in public forums, people are warning that this law could increase violence, encourage aggression, and distract us from the real causes of crime, like the steady inflow of illegal guns and ammunition.

Criminologist Daurius Figueira has warned that such legislation could worsen racial tensions, citing parallels to high-profile U.S. cases such as Trayvon Martin.
https://newsday.co.tt/2025/06/08/criminologist-stand-your-ground-could-fuel-racial-tensions/

Others have pointed out that our current laws already offer self-defense protections under the castle doctrine and Section 7 of the Summary Offences Act. So why rush to add a controversial law we may not need?
https://villagevoicenews.com/2025/06/03/beckles-calls-for-consultation-on-proposed-stand-your-ground-laws/

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has cautioned against rushing this bill through Parliament without first educating the public and holding national consultations. She cited research from Oxford that showed Florida saw a 24% rise in homicides after passing similar legislation.  https://azpnews.com/penny-wants-education-first-on-stand-your-ground/

The Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) and the Tobago Chamber of Commerce have also voiced concern. They’ve called for a more community-centered approach, investing in youth prevention, not just harsher laws.

http://martingeorge.net/v2/index.php/2025/05/29/ida-tobago-chamber-urge-caution-in-implementing-st look and-your-ground-law/

We’ve had better responses in the past. Under former Prime Minister Patrick Manning, discussions about stopping the flow of illegal weapons and ensuring cross-party collaboration were serious. The Special Anti-Crime Unit (SAUTT), though controversial, made real progress in border protection and reducing kidnappings. But SAUTT was disbanded under the current Prime Minister, and the gap it left remains unfilled.

Crime in Trinidad and Tobago cannot be solved with imported policies or political posturing. We need long-term planning, stronger investment in education, and national collaboration.

The UNC must do better. We need laws that are rooted in our reality—not borrowed from countries with different cultures, systems, and histories.

When Farley Augustine and his team won the election in Tobago, many of us celebrated the arrival of a younger, seemingly more progressive leadership. We expected bold new ideas, forward-thinking policies, and a tangible shift toward modernization. His calls for Tobago’s autonomy and his determination to transform the governance model are commendable. However, my recent experience using the APT James ferry service reminded me just how far we still have to go, especially when it comes to basic digital systems and customer service.

The process feels stuck in an outdated, public-service mindset. For instance, passengers traveling with vehicles are required to remain in their cars for almost two hours before departure. Why can’t they be allowed to board the vessel and access basic amenities like restrooms or the restaurant during this waiting period? From a business standpoint, keeping passengers engaged and comfortable on board for longer could generate more revenue.

Another example of the absence of progress is the inconsistency in how identification is handled. I was able to use my driver’s permit in Port of Spain but was required to show my national ID in Scarborough. Why aren’t these protocols standardized? And why, in 2025, are we still dealing with printed paper tickets followed by tiny paper stubs as tickets?

In a world where digital solutions are standard, why can’t we simply show our ticket on a phone? The reliance on paper signals resistance to progress and a failure to modernize basic operations.

There are also serious safety concerns. Hundreds of vehicles idling in tight quarters for extended periods is a risk. In the event of an emergency—an explosion or fire—how would people escape?

With a youthful leadership team at the helm, I expected bold steps toward digitization and efficiency. Instead, I’m seeing a continuation of old-fashioned, inefficient methods dressed in youthful enthusiasm.

Finally, I couldn’t help but notice that the captain of the APT James appeared to be a foreigner. While I fully respect experience and global expertise, it raises a valid question: Are we doing enough to develop and promote qualified local talent to hold these key positions?

Tobago deserves better. We deserve systems that reflect the modern world and leadership that not only envisions transformation but delivers it. A younger face alone is not enough—we need meaningful change.

https://trinidadexpress.com/opinion/letters/youthful-leadership-little-progress/article_bd3da400-c177-48eb-80af-2dcffb778fde.html?utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwY2xjawL97-1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkIGAiIJjNXtTsXRUx_zmKYeZzEvx5OfVUAs9CI1JVsQ_AmLcmvwonp_p-eu_aem_O1JfhdXZ0lEEEJyiJ9-1ig#google_vignette

Melissa Comeau discusses her journey into Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) after discovering Dr. Paul Guillory’s,EFT work which focuses on black and brown people and people of color. She highlights the importance of his resources, including his book, which is a case study collection on African American couples.

Melissa emphasizes the significance of Caribbean EFT, which culturally tailors EFT processes for black and Caribbean clients, and recounts her valuable experiences in their four-day training program. She appreciates the sense of community and culturally specific training provided by Caribbean EFT, and how it has influenced her practice as a solo practitioner in Florida.

She plans to integrate more culturally focused questions in her assessments and expresses strong support for Caribbean EFT, urging other therapists interested in culturally informed EFT to engage with the organization.

Dear Editor: Public figures must stop reckless habit of filming while driving

video

Michael Phillips shares his life journey, highlighting his multifaceted talents and achievements. As a national cyclist, artist, and musician, Phillips discusses his upbringing in a family passionate about cycling, his mother’s influence on his artistic side, and how art helped fund his cycling endeavors. Unexpectedly, music became a significant part of his life during the COVID-19 lockdown, leading him to compose and perform songs.

Despite his diverse interests, Phillips grapples with procrastination and constantly strives to push his limits. He reflects on Trinidad and Tobago’s culture, noting a lack of support for sports and the arts, which is influenced by societal tendencies towards alcohol consumption.

Phillips emphasizes the importance of resilience, personal growth, and pursuing one’s passions, regardless of external validation.

He concludes by encouraging others to learn new skills and embrace activities that challenge them.

Amanda Thomas shares her experience attending an EFT externship program, highlighting how the program exceeded her expectations by focusing on culture and race in relationships.

She appreciates the global applicability of the EFT model and its specific relevance to the Caribbean context, particularly in fostering nonjudgmental listening and understanding between partners. Amanda notes the importance of cultural influences in couple dynamics, underscoring the need for therapists to consider these factors during counseling. As a counseling psychologist, she finds joy in helping couples achieve deeper connections through understanding and sharing their emotions.

Amanda recommends the EFT externship for therapists seeking to improve their skills and encourages both therapists and couples to persevere in their efforts, emphasizing that the work is worth it if done with love.

In this video, Dr. Jo-Anne Tull — educator and cultural industries consultant—explores the many roles she balances and her impactful work in arts administration and entrepreneurial development. She sheds light on the opportunities and obstacles Caribbean artists face, particularly the policy gaps that limit standardized earnings and access to financial systems.

Drawing on models from countries like Canada and Ireland, Tull illustrates how sound policy can empower the arts. She advocates for greater financial literacy and structural support for emerging creatives, emphasizing the Caribbean’s vast and untapped cultural wealth. Despite the pressure to pursue conventional careers, she notes a growing enthusiasm for arts education among young people.

Tull also highlights the importance of dreaming and strategic thinking for creative success, closing with an encouraging message: pursue your passion, trust your talent, and never stop imagining what’s possible.

I recently experienced a nourishing and eye-opening workshop on Interventive Interviewing, led by the brilliant Jomo Phillips, MSSW, RMFT (Canada). His teaching style blended warmth and expertise, making every concept feel practical and human.

Three Central Learnings

1. Questions as interventions
   Every question we choose is more than information gathering — it has the potential to spark insight, shift negative patterns, and foster change.
2. Circular & reflexive questioning
   These styles broaden perspective, inviting clients to see their relationships and dynamics in new ways and tap into their strengths.
3. Presence over force
   How we ask matters: tone, curiosity, and genuineness can transform a question into an invitation for growth.

This workshop reaffirmed for me that healing and connection often unfold in the questions we ask — and the spaces we hold when we ask them. I left inspired to integrate these practices into my work with couples, families, and individuals.

About Jomo Phillips, MSSW, RMFT.
Jomo is a Fulbright Scholar and ICEEFT-certified Emotionally Focused Therapist and Supervisor with over 25 years in systemic therapy, couples and family practice, social work, and EMDR. An Approved Supervisor with the AAMFT, he is Founder and Clinical Director of The Relational Practices Ltd., co-founder of the Caribbean EFT Community, and leads the Caribbean EFT Project. Known for his clinical skill, cultural insight, and inclusive approach, Jomo mentors across the region and creates affirming spaces for all.