ROSEAU, Dominica – Dominica’s Tourism Minister Denise Charles has called on members of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) movement in the Caribbean to be part of the efforts to further develop the regional integration movement in the face of mounting global challenges.
“Your theme for this conference raises the issue of regional unity. It calls on you to celebrate our cultural diversity, but also presents an ideal opportunity to make recommendations for furthering cooperation amongst our member states,” Charles told the opening ceremony of the 62nd national convention of the JCI on Monday night.
The JCI West Indies annual convention is being held here under the theme “Celebrating Regional Diversity’ and attended by more than 100 delegates from across the region.
Charles told the ceremony that there is no better time than now to consider “how we can combine our resources as a region for the greater good of our people.
“In tourism, agriculture, trade, business and travel…we see the opening of new opportunities to tackle our common challenges and create a brighter future for our citizens”.
She said that it was also important for the region to ensure that the issue of climate change” remains on the forefront of the global agenda.
The Tourism Minister said she hoped the conference would also exam the many challenges faced by the region as it emerges from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine, occasioned by the Russian invasion of that Eastern European country “and suggest ways we can respond as a region”.
She congratulated the national JCI for hosting the conference since it was last held here 23 years ago, saying “it is significant that they have been able to build JCI into a household name once again and are making a mark on the Dominican landscape.
“Certainly you are building on the proud legacy of the Jayvees that came before,” she added.
JCI West Indies National President, Brettney Romeo, said “we stand tall on the shoulders of giants who came before us.
“This week intends to be a memorable one where we as JCI members unite for a positive and sustainable impact,” she said.
Earlier, she told a news conference that this year, the organization is building a resilient future together, which reflects the ongoing transformation which they’ve had to deal with while navigating through the ongoing pandemic.
Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a global network for young people between 18 to 40, present in more than 100 countries and boasting a membership of over 200,000 members across the world.
JCI West Indies which was established in 1960 forms part of a voluntary, worldwide personal development organisation for young professionals and entrepreneurs with the mission of providing development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.
and then 
