Premier of the Virgin Islands Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE during the  Summit of Political and Business Leaders being held on Necker Island, and North Sound, Virgin Gorda today. The Territory is hosting the summit in conjunction with the Government of Grenada and Virgin Unite, which represents Phase II of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative where governments and business leaders are setting a new course for the region’s marine and coastal environment. There is also participation from the governments of Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Governments are joined by corporate leaders and international partners. The government leaders have just signed a Leaders Declaration, while business leaders have signed a Corporate Compact to pledge actions towards the preservation of the environment....

Today, we join the rest of the world in celebrating International Museum Day, a day when the world celebrates the importance and relevance of museums in our daily lives. This year’s theme, “Museums (memory + creativity) = social change” speaks to making a difference. Breaking down the theme, let’s start with Memory. Memory is an integral part of the museum experience. Memories are held in museums through the many collections of objects that express specific aspects of life in a community. Here in the Virgin Islands our four museums: VI Folk Museum, VI Maritime Museum, Old Government House Museum and 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works individually and collectively hold our memories in the natural and cultural history embodied in the numerous artifacts displayed in their collections. New and creative ways need to be explored to bring this cultural heritage alive and increase the community’s...