Bahamian freelance journalist Noelle Nicolls accepted an invitation to speak at a regional seminar on communication rights for migrants in the Caribbean hosted by the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) in Puerto Rico this weekend.

From January 8-10, 2015, journalists, scholars, activists will participate in the regional seminar and assembly under the theme: “Strengthening Communication Rights of Migrants in Host Countries in the Caribbean – Strategies for Integration and Survival”.

Taking note of her previous investigative work and body of personal commentary on immigration issues in the Bahamas, WACC President Embert Charles formally invited Noelle to present issues concerning immigrant rights in the Bahamas. Ms Nicolls'contribution speaks to the reality of life for Bahamians with Haitian ancestry and migrant workers of African descent, with a particular emphasis on low wage workers of Haitian ancestry.

“If we are going to speak about immigrant rights in the Bahamas I think we have to speak about the Haitian experience. And any conversation about strengthening communication rights for this group of migrants must begin with honest communication. There is just too much scapegoating and rhetorical dishonesty, and that is keeping us from effectively speaking to the problems we face much less tackling them," said Ms Nicolls.

“So my contribution speaks to the deep-seated cultural attitudes among Bahamians that deny migrants not only communication rights but also the right to basic human dignities. Thesecultural attitudes hinder any attempt to engender and protect immigrant rights. The society is so exacerbated by whatit calls the Haitian Problem there is simply no appetite for even speaking about fostering immigrant rights.” It is a very sad situation, because what we really have in the Bahamas is an identity problem; ithas festered for so long it has become a cultural neurosis” said Ms. Nicolls.

“What we call the Haitian Problem is in fact a Bahamian problem of having little respect for immigrant rights. So in the spirit of honest communication I will attempt to unpack the Bahamian problem, and speak to the healing that needs to take place to transform our cultural attitudes. This is needed to truly foster and expand immigrant rights in the Bahamas, and build a society that upholds principles of equity, peace, and justice with respect to all communities,” she said.

WACC is registered in Canada as a not-for-profit corporation and an incorporated charitable organization. The objectives of the seminar are to:

1. Share information on the status of language and citizens rights migrant groups in the Caribbean region.
2. Discuss programmes and projects, including those addressing gender-based violation of migrants, to be implemented at the regional levels through institutions such as the UWI (CARIMAC) and the CARICOM, Caribbean Broadcasting Union.
3. Provide skills and competencies to regional media practitioners including WACC Caribe members on best practices in the reporting/coverage of migration issues, including attention to awareness of issues related to gender and the differently-abled.
4. To discuss approaches to the measurement of communications rights n the Caribbean multi-language context
5. To develop guidelines for the treatment of information about migrant communities.
6. To produce a digital interactive report on the issues related to migration and communications rights in the Caribbean region.

Noelle Nicolls Bio

Noelle Nicolls is an award winning freelance journalist. She was a senior writer and editor at the Tribune, one of the leading daily newspapers in the Bahamas. With articles regularly displayed on the front pages, and in the paper’s signature news column,Insight, Noelle was known as a sharp interviewer who brought broad perspective and context to her investigative work. She has also written for the Jamaica Gleaner, a leading national daily based in Kingston, Jamaica.She writes an occasional feminist column –The WatchWoman– where she explores gender issues, and a political column –Talkin Sense– that provides commentary on politics, culture and identity issue on her website www.noellenicolls.com. Noelle’s investigative talent and keen insight have propelled her to the forefront of the profession. Noelle Nicolls is also an entrepreneur. She is the Managing Director of a marketing consultancy, Q-Tech Communications and a travel company, The Domestic Tourist Travel Ltd.