CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – Two Caribbean nationals have been selected to participate in the United Nations Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent, hosted by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva.
The National Community Foundation (NCF) said its Executive Director, Vanya Reid-Hinkson, and a Jamaican national are among nine fellows selected globally for the 2025 cohort and that their selection speaks to the Caribbean’s enduring resilience and commitment to advancing equitable development, inclusion, and social justice across the region.
“This fellowship is both an honour and a responsibility. It provides an opportunity to represent Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean in the global conversation on equality and human development.
“The lessons from this experience will help strengthen how we, as communities and institutions, respond to the needs of our people with fairness, compassion, and accountability,” said Reid-Hinkson.
The Fellowship Programme was initiated by the Anti-Racial Discrimination Section in 2011. The General Assembly resolution on the Programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent further supported it.
It is an annual, intensive human rights training programme in Geneva for individuals from the diaspora who are actively promoting the rights of people of African descent.
The goal is to provide participants with a deeper understanding of international human rights law, strengthen their advocacy skills, and give them hands-on experience with UN human rights mechanisms. The Programme covers return airfare, living expenses, and basic health insurance for the duration of the training.
Fellows will participate in an intensive three-week programme at the United Nations Office in Geneva, engaging with experts, international organisations, and permanent missions, while developing practical projects that address the specific needs of their countries.
As part of her fellowship, Reid-Hinkson will focus on strengthening national mechanisms for human rights education, community empowerment, and policy accountability areas closely aligned with Saint Lucia’s development goals and ongoing efforts to promote inclusion, social protection, and citizen participation.
The NCF said it views this fellowship as a valuable opportunity to deepen partnerships with government agencies, civil society organisations, and the private sector, reaffirming its mission to uphold dignity, equity, and inclusion as pillars of sustainable national development.
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