Consulate of Belize in Florida Newsletter February 2022

February 2022 Vol 85

The Consulate of Belize in Florida

Monthly Newsletter

#rememberitsgoodtobebelizean #thewaitisover

Honorary Consul's Monthly Message

Welcome to the February Monthly Newsletter!

As we say “au revoir” to February and its promises of spring and love, let’s carry the hope of beautiful days ahead even as we face turbulent times. After what seemed like a delay in a bitter cold winter for many of you, the sign of spring is near with the slow thawing of the snow bringing in new leaves and blossoms.

In Belize, the air is switching from the occasional north east to the yawning south east, signaling that Easter is near.

Meanwhile in Belize, exciting things are happening from the continuation of the building of a robust economy to social progresses made to help the disadvantaged in Belize.

We mentioned that Belize is Open for Business, an initiative by the Prime Minister of Belize, the Honorable John Briceno who hosted a forum last year in San Pedro, Belize with a view to attract investment to Belize. In next month’s newsletter, we will be bringing you more details on how you can access this investment information, so please stay tuned.

In this edition we shared some interesting stories about Belize in the areas of entrepreneurship, marine wildlife protection, and even a Royal tour of the country by Prince William and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. We invite you to check out our Business and Market News, Trending Topics, and our Scholarships Opportunities section to learn more about amazing educational opportunities abroad in countries like Azerbaijan, Romania, and Costa Rica, among others.

We also will be including a section, “GOB Movers and Shakers” where you will read what ministries like Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Trade, Finance, Agriculture, Education, Tourism, Public Service and others are accomplishing each month.

As always you will read about an outstanding Belizean in our monthly newsletter as the Star of the Month because Belizeans do amazing things wherever they go! This month, read about Noemi Waight who is an Associate Professor of Science Education at the University at Buffalo and serves as an Executive Board Member for NARST, a global organization for improving science education through research. If you know of a Belizean who we can include in future editions as the Star of the Month, please let us know. Perhaps the Star of the Month could even be you!

The country of Belize mourned the passing of Sir Manuel Esquivel whose state funeral was held in Belize City on February 16^th. The Government of Belize called for three days of mourning. Sir Manuel was a humble, soft spoken man of strong conviction who held firm to what he believed was right. The Consulate of Belize in Florida extends its deepest condolences to his wife, Mrs. Kathy Esquivel and family. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Lastly, we upgraded the Recipe of the Month section to showcase how you can create gourmet recipes with Belizean ingredients, so make sure you check it out! This month’s menu is a mouthwatering recipe for Seafood Curry, shared during the last See & Taste Belize event held in Miami, we accompanied the dish with tasty Corn Fritters from our Street Food Series section!

For those of you who have not had the opportunity to visit the Consulate's office nor are familiar with the services that we offer, you may visit our website at www.belizeconsulatefla.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to receive updates about Belize, the Consulate, and upcoming events.

As the Ambassador of Belize in Washington, DC mentioned in his message below, there are exciting additions to our consular services to include the renewal or replacement of social security cards. As soon as this becomes available, we will let you know.

As we update our database, and to serve you better, the Consulate of Belize in Florida continues to conduct phone calls to its constituents to confirm each contact’s information. We appreciate your cooperation and support in sharing your contact information. This is so that you and your family can continue to be informed about services offered by the Consulate as well as get updates on Belize.

Enjoy and share with your friends.

And remember, it is good to be Belizean!

#rememberitsgoodtobebelizean #thewaitisover #staysafe

All my best,

‌

Janine Sylvestre

Hon. Consul of Belize in Florida

Trade Representative of Belize in Florida

P.M. John Briceño on Death of Sir Manuel Esquivel: “Our Nation Recognizes his Service with Gratitude”

Іn Веlіzе’ѕ ѕеrvісе аѕ а tеасhеr, thеn аѕ а nаtіоnаl lеаdеr, “Ѕіr Маnuеl Esquivel ѕtооd mоrе оn hіѕ реrѕоnаl соnvісtіоnѕ оf whаt nееdеd tо bе dоnе fоr the nаtіоn аnd lеѕѕ ѕо оn роlіtісаl ехреdіеnсу. А рlаіn ѕреаkеr… wіth а fіrm grір оn реrѕоnаl іntеgrіtу.” Read More

European Union Delivers a New 17 Million Euro Multiannual Cooperation Program to Government of Belize

Тhе Рrіmе Міnіѕtеr stated thаt thе nеw соuntrу аgrееmеnt, whісh іѕ vаluеd аt аррrохіmаtеlу ВZ$ 38.7 mіllіоn, іnсludеѕ thrее рrіоrіtу аrеаѕ Green growth and sustainable socio-economic development, Regional Integration, and Border Management. Read More

Launching of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño joined Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation Hon. Andre Perez for the launching of the new brand for the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which strives for the preservation and protection of marine life. Read More

Inauguration of the Roaring Creek Bridge

Construction of the bridge is part of the George Price Highway Rehabilitation Project with the two sections of highway constructed by local contractors under the supervision of IMC Engineering, a UK-based company. Read More

Belize and Mexico Discuss Trade Agreement

The two countries discussed the potential signing of a high-level trade agreement which would substantially boost the economic development of Belize, particularly through increased exports to Mexico. Read More

33rd Inter-Sessional Conference of the Heads of Government and IV CARICOM SICA SUMMIT

CEO H.E. Amalia Mai welcomed Hon. Montgomery Daniel, Deputy Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to Belize. Deputy Prime Minister Daniel is in San Pedro for the 33rd Inter-Sessional Conference of the Heads of Government of CARICOM

Launch of the Caribbean Development Bank's Trade Program in Belize.

We invite you to watch the live broadcast of the EDF Stand By Facility Country Launch Belize.

Click to Watch

Belize High Commission London

High Commissioner Therese Rath chaired the CARICOM Heads of Missions in London Meeting as part of Belize’s Chairmanship of CARICOM. Read More

Dear members of the Belizean Diaspora,

As the second month of the year ends, there are encouraging signs that we are now entering the endemic phase of the COVID-19 affliction. I know that we are all yearning for a return to the pre-pandemic normal, but I urge you to continue to be vigilant and protect yourself.

Even as we contemplate what hopefully is the end stages of the Pandemic, we are now facing the reality of serious geopolitical upheavals as the situation with Russia and Ukraine continues to worsen. This will have far-reaching negative effects and again, we will be challenged on a personal level but also on a national level as events unfold. Already, we are seeing significant increases in oil prices, and there are undoubtedly more negative consequences ahead.

These and many other important regional matters will be discussed at the upcoming Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM which Belize will be hosting on March 1^st and March 2^nd. This will be immediately followed by the IV CARICOM-SICA Summit on March 3^rd. Belize is currently the Chair of CARICOM and all events will be held on the beautiful Island of San Pedro which for those three days will be the centre of the Caribbean and Central America!

The following month, March 31^st to April 4^th, we will be in California in coordination with the Belize Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations for meetings with the diaspora in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. We are looking forward to a very positive and fruitful interaction with our Belizean Community in the western United States and hope that you will be able to attend in person as COVID restrictions are being lifted.

I am also excited to tell you about our latest initiative to improve our services. We have been working with the management of the Belize Social Security to enable us to offer replacement and renewal of Belize Social Security Cards here at the Embassy and at our Consulates. This service will also include verification for persons who are receiving pensions from the Belize Social Security. We hope to have this in place by May, and we will keep you informed of progress towards that end.

Finally, I want to add our congratulations to renowned Archaeologist, our very own Dr Jaime Awe. Dr. Awe is an associate professor in the Department of Anthropology at the Northern Arizona University (NAU). Dr Awe was selected as the recipient of the Society for American Archaeology’s 2022 Award for Excellence in Latin American and Caribbean Archaeology. The award is presented annually to an individual who has made a lasting and significant contribution to the practice of archaeology and/or to the construction of archaeological knowledge in Latin America or the Caribbean. Dr. Awe will be honoured at the organization’s award ceremony on April 1. You can read about Dr Awe’s proud achievement at https://news.nau.edu/featured-spotlight-jaime-awe/

In closing, I hope to see you soon if you are in Los Angeles or Las Vegas. With the lifting of the COVID restrictions, we plan to visit as many places as we can to meet with you and hear first-hand from you what we can do to improve our service and our connections.

Best Regards,

His Excellency Lynn R. Young

Ambassador of Belize to the United States of America

& Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States

2535 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.

Washington D.C. 20008

Tel: (202) 332-9636

Email: amb.usa@mfa.gov.bz

Website: belizeembassyusa.mfa.gov.bz

Click below to watch the Memorial Concert for Rt. Hon. Dr. Sir Manuel Esquivel, KCMG, PC

Memorial Concert

GOB Highlights of the Month

“Anyone Leaving Through the Land Borders for an Overnight Must Take a $100 COVID-19 Test Upon Return” Says Minister of Health Read More

Curfew Extended in New Statutory Instrument Read More

Ministry of Infrastructure, Development, and Housing Replacing Mile Marker Signs on George Price Highway Read More

Government Departments Participate in Radiation Monitoring Training with International Atomic Energy Agency Read More

For detailed Press Releases of the Month Please Click Here

The Ministries of Energy and Transport, the Belize City Council & UNDP Launch E-Mobility Pilot Program for Belize Learn More

Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations to Collaborate with Dangriga Town Council on Infrastructure Projects Read More

Belize Tourism Boards Donates Computers and Printers to the Ministry of Health and Wellness Read More

San Estevan Community and Nature Park Benefited From a Collaborative Effort with the Department of Environment. Read More

Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology and the Belize Social Investment Fund Finish a New 8 Room Building for Orange Walk Technical High School Thanks to Funding from the Caribbean Development Bank. Read More

Minister of Religious Affairs, Henry Charles Usher Spoke About the Community’s Commitment to Making Meaningful Changes in the Nation’s Youth. Read More

Tidbits

Tourism Tidbits

Belize Tourism Board Names Destiny Wagner as Sustainable Tourism Ambassador

Dеѕtіnу Wаgnеr, whо wаѕ rесеntlу сrоwnеd аѕ Мѕ. Еаrth, has been named BTB's nеw Ѕuѕtаіnаblе Тоurіѕm Аmbаѕѕаdоr. Тhе ВТВ mаdе thе аnnоunсеmеnt durіng thе ѕіgnіng оf а mеmоrаndum оf undеrѕtаndіng wіth thе Аѕѕосіаtіоn оf Рrоtесtеd Аrеаѕ Маnаgеmеnt Оrgаnіzаtіоnѕ (АРАМО) gеаrеd tоwаrdѕ ѕtrеngthеnіng соореrаtіоn іn thе ѕuѕtаіnаblе dеvеlорmеnt оf thе соuntrу’ѕ рrоtесtеd аrеаѕ. Re ad More

Trade and Investment Tidbits

The Caribbean Development Bank Launches Belize Trade Program

The aim of the projects, made possible through approximately US$1.5 million worth of funding, is to assist and enhance the capacity of trade-interfacing agencies like the Customs and Excise Department, Belize Bureau of Standards, and Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) as well as the Toledo Cacao Growers Association (TCGA). Read More

Cultural Tidbits

Belmopan Art Teacher and Students Take a Stand Against Gun Violence Through Street Exhibit

Веlіzеаn аrtіѕt аnd аrt tеасhеr Rаquеl Rоdrіguеz, аnd hеr ѕtudеntѕ frоm Rаquеl Аrt іn Веlmораn, аrе uѕіng thеіr сrаft tо tаkе а ѕtаnd аgаіnѕt gun vіоlеnсе іn Веlіzе, thrоugh а ѕtrееt аrt ехhіbіt іn Веlіzе сіtу.

Learn More

The information you provide is strictly confidential and used for database purposes only.

Click Here to Register

Noemi Waight

Noemi Waight is an Associate Professor of Science Education in the Department of Learning and Instruction, in the Graduate School of Education at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Waight earned her Masters and PhD in Science Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Bachelors in Biology Education at the University of Belize. Dr. Waight hails from Santa Elena, Cayo District, where she attended Sacred Heart High School, Saint John’s College Sixth Form (now Saint John’s College Junior College), and later taught Science to young men at Saint John’s College High School.

Dr. Waight’s research addresses four cross cutting themes in Science Education and STEM teaching and learning: (a) the full cycle from design and development to implementation and enactment of technological tools in science classrooms; (b) critical analysis of the factors, conditions, and agencies that impact and mediate enactment of technologies in science education; (c) the experiences of marginalized and racialized students, and teachers in STEM-focused schools; and (d) affirming experiences that honor the brilliance and contributions of racial, ethnic, and linguistically diverse students in precollege science and STEM classrooms. The above work occurs at the intersection of race, ethnicity, and linguistic diversity; urban, inclusive STEM-focused schools; and community-embedded formal and informal science teaching and learning

Dr. Waight serves as an Executive Board Member for NARST, A Global Organization for Improving Science Education Through Research. She currently serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Science Teacher Education and has served as an Associate Editor and Guest Editor for the Journal of Research in Science Teaching. She has served as A Co-PI of a National Science Foundation grant: Connected Chemistry as Formative Assessment, and a reviewer for the National Science Foundation, Israel Science Foundation, and various organizations such as NARST, AERA, ESERA, ISLS, and UCEA, and a host of journals. Dr. Waight’s research has been published in the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, International Journal of Science Education, Educational Technology Research and Development, and Science & Education, among others. In addition to her research in the US context, Dr. Waight engages in collaborative research with colleagues in Belize and Japan.

We are proud to call you

our Star of the Month!

Belize is Open For Business

Investment Incentives Learn More

Beltraide Trainings and Workshops Learn More

Offshore Real Estate Investment Considerations for 2022 Read More

Belize and the World

Belize to Benefit from the UK's £500 Million Blue Planet Fund Read More

Mexico and Belize Reopened Border After Two Years of Closure by Covid-19 Read More

Belize Opens up to Region and the World Read More

Belize-Style ‘Orange Walk’ Tacos Restaurant Opens in Los Angeles, USA. Read More

UK Hydrographic Office Supports Maritime Trade and Economic Growth in Belize Read More

China Expands Influence in Central America Read More

Dr. Alvaro Rosado Donates Land for Leadership Intervention Unit Read More

Jose “Elito” Arceo Receives 36th James A. Waight Conservation Award Read More

Belizean Archaeologist Dr. Jaime Awe to Receive 2022 Award of Excellence from the Society for American Archaeology Read More

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Belize National Team Player Mike Salazar Signs with Major League Soccer Club LA Galaxy Read More

Aspire for Greatness Foundation Preparing to Launch Breakfast Feeding Program for Southside Belize City High Schools Read More

Stig Da Artist New Release with Afrobeats Star Davido Promoted on the Wendy Williams Show Read More

FFB Women’s Football Director Iris Centeno Featured by TNGS Academy in Valencia Spain Read More

Science, Technology, & Infrastructure

Wetlands Protections in Belize Are Bolstered by Science Read More

Belize Extends Protection for Sharks After Research Documents Population Decline Read More

Belize Sugar Industries Limited Touts Cleaner Air Emissions from New System Read More

Business & the Market

Region Set for Strong Economic Growth in 2022, Reports Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Read More

Agriculture and Tourism Delegates Represent Belize Well at LATAM Business Summit Read More

Entrepreneurship in Belize, Learn About Chucky Godoy’s ME (Money Eyes) Clothing Line Read More

Dangriga Development Plan: From Culture Capital to Tourism Capital Read More

Belize Sugar Industries Tries Out Golden Granulated Brown Sugar in Belize Market Read More