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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Organization of American States (OAS)
Minister of Education, Science and Technology of The Bahamas, Hon Jerome Fitzgerald, delivers statement at the First Round Table on Education in the Americas at the OAS on the topic: "Science and technology as catalysts for education and life opportunities". Washington, DC - The Minister of Education, Science and Technology of The Bahamas, Hon Jerome Fitzgerald, was in Washington DC for a series of education-related meetings from 27-28 April, 2016. On Wednesday, 27th April, 2016, Minister Fitzgerald was a panelist in the First Round Table on Education in the Americas at the OAS and he presented on the topic: "Science and technology as catalysts for education and life opportunities". During his statement he implored OAS Member States to "advance the national development agenda of our respective countries through the architect and construction of robust national science, technology and innovation policies and systems." He also announced that, in partnership with the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU), New Providence, the capital of The Bahamas, had been officially designated as the world’s first ever “smart island”, with the expectation to make The Bahamas “smarter, more competitive and more sustainable”.
The Minister also met with the OAS Executive Secretary for Integral Development, Ambassador Neil Parsan, and OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro, and signed an agreement to host the next Inter-American Meeting of Education Ministers in The Bahamas in February 2017. The primary purpose for the Minister's visit, however, was to represent The Bahamas at the Regular Meeting of the Inter-American Committee on Education (CIE) at the OAS on 28-29 April, 2016. The Minister also met with private sector and NGO entities in the field of education in the margins of the Meeting. The Bahamas was elected Chair of the Inter-American Committee on Education (CIE) for 2016-2018 on Friday, 29 April, 2016. Colombia and Antigua and Barbuda were also elected as Vice Chairs of the Committee. In his statement as Chair-elect, the Minister assured that "we are certain that the work of the Committee to build a focused Inter-American Agenda, which emphasizes quality, inclusive and equitable education, strengthening the teaching profession and provision of comprehensive early childhood care, will animate our collective efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal to 'ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all'.” He also reiterated "the commitment of The Bahamas to hosting a meaningful, outcome-oriented Ministerial Meeting, on the 9th-10th February, 2017".
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