A high-level delegation from Barbados’ Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs (MPEA), led by Minister Kirk Humphrey, visited Tokyo for the purpose of integrating some of the advances Japan has made in strengthening its social sector.
The delegation included MPEA’s Permanent Secretary, Jehu Wiltshire; Director of the National Assistance Board, Colleen Walcott; Chief Welfare Officer, Deborah Norville; and President of the Barbados Association of Retired Persons, Marilyn Rice-Bowen.
During Mr. Humphrey’s visit, he made a courtesy call to Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Horii Iwao. The State Minister welcomed Minister Humphrey to Japan, and noted that Barbados has many common issues with Japan, such as developing policies for an aging society and how to mitigate natural disasters.
The year 2019 marked the “Japan-Caribbean Exchange Year” with CARICOM member states, and the State Minister indicated he would like to further strengthen exchanges with Barbados, which is an important partner that shares its values and principles.
In response, Minister Humphrey expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support of the environment and climate change countermeasures, as well as its efforts in the marine field between universities in both countries. He said he hopes that there would be further promotion of people-to-people exchanges, including visits to Barbados by dignitaries from Japan.
On this trip, the delegation will visit facilities for the elderly, persons with disabilities, children, and those offering general welfare services.
With both countries sharing similar challenges, it is hoped that Barbados could learn from Japan and benefit from its technical expertise, as it seeks to improve in these areas.
The exchange was made possible by the Japanese Embassy in Barbados, which coordinated the project.