Author: Embassy of Grenada
Holiday Message from the Desk of the Ambassador
Dear Nationals and Friends of Grenada,
The 2019 holiday season is upon us, and as we are seized with the many celebrations, I trust that we will keep family and the gift of giving back foremost in our activities.
The Embassy is grateful for the support of members of the diaspora who have assisted us in many of the initiatives we launched and hosted over the last year. We look forward to your continued support and enthusiastic engagement in 2020 and beyond.
As I reflect on the past 12 months, we have cause to be thankful for the occasions in which we were able to get together in DC, Maryland, Virginia and in New York. I look forward to meeting some of you in Houston during the 2020 independence celebrations, and in Atlanta and Chicago later in 2020.
On behalf of the staff of the Embassy of Grenada in Washington, DC, the Consulate Generals of Grenada in Miami and New York, and on my own behalf, I extend to you and your family, a wonderful, spirit filled and safe holiday season.
May God continue to bless us all.
Grenada’s Permanent Representative to the OAS Delivered Keynote at the 38th Model OAS for High Schools
NOVEMBER 13, 2019 – WASHINGTON, DC
High School students form the USA, Central and South America representing the 34 countries comprising the Organization of American States (OAS), attended the opening ceremony of the 38th MOAS for Secondary Schools to hear the inaugural speech given by Her Excellency Ambassador Yolande Smith, Grenada’s Permanent Representative to the OAS.
In her address, Ambassador Smith, former Happy Hill Secondary School Student Council and National Youth Council Presidents told the audience of over 200 students and faculty advisors that “high school is a time to test theories; a time to feed and fuel your passion; to read, to dream, to take action, to learn, to absorb, to seek mentoring and find positive role models”.
The Ambassador emphasized the importance of youth empowerment for development and shared some of her experiences. She said, “you are the “critical agents for change and since almost half of the region’s population is under the age of twenty-five, the implementation of effective and well-developed national youth policies across this Hemisphere is a timely solution to the woes of the region”.
Ambassador Smith cited Grenada’s 2015-2020 National Youth Policy and accompanying Action Plan as her governments acknowledgement of the importance of youth involvement in the national development agenda. She said, “when your leaders invest in your personal and professional development, as they did in mine many years ago when I was your age, and as they continue to do across the Americas, it is to guarantee a different – a better – world”.
The Model OAS is an excellent opportunity for young people to delve deeper into the issues that our hemisphere is grappling with at this time in our history, and it is also a window into our past as a region.
Ambassador closed her remarks by encouraging the participants to seize the opportunity to engage with their peers and to connect with each other. To take full advantage of all that this experience will offer them, and to do their respective countries proud as they debate real issues.
Grenada was represented by Springfield Township High School from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Christmas in the Gardens – Toys & Lights Drive
Dear Nationals and Friends,
With the holiday season fast approaching, the Embassy takes this opportunity to reach out to you on behalf of the Grenada Cultural Foundation and request your support for their annual Christmas in the Gardens programme.
This year marks the programme’s sixth anniversary. It provides an opportunity for families to enjoy a true Grenadian Christmas and presents an avenue for our local talents to be exhibited. The Christmas festival, which has been growing over the years, beginnings on December 15, with light displays providing the perfect Christmas ambiance that remains throughout the season.
The Embassy, on behalf of the Grenada Cultural Foundation, seeks your assistance in obtaining lights for the displays and toys for the children (ages 0-12).
Please click here to order from our Amazon wish list. You can purchase as few or as many items as you are able and, by purchasing through the wish list, have them shipped directly to the Embassy for packaging.
We thank you in advance for your generous contribution to this worthwhile cause and stand ready to answer any questions you may have!
New Passport Regulations and Fees
Effective November 1, 2019 the fee for Caribbean Community Grenada passports within the United States is US$250.00. The fee for Lost/Stolen/Damaged passports within the United States is US$500.00.
We appreciate your understanding as we update our instruction sheets on the Consular pages to reflect these changes.
Donate Now and Help Our Neighbors in the Bahamas
Grenadians at home and in the Diaspora, can personally contribute to the people of the Bahamas who have suffered in the wake of Hurricane Dorian through NADMA’s Emergency Relief Fund activated at the Grenada Cooperative Bank via Account # 121004900
Grenada’s Ambassador to the United States Presents Credentials to President Trump
April 10, 2019 – Grenada’s Ambassador to the United States, Ms. Yolande Smith this week presented her credentials to US President, Mr. Donald Trump.
In discussion with President Trump, Ambassador Smith said Grenada continues to enjoy steady progress in human and economic development.
Citing the long, friendly and harmonious ties between Grenada and the United States as the platform for mutually beneficial bilateral relations, the Grenadian ambassador expressed optimism for expanded engagement between the two countries.
She also conveyed Grenada’s gratitude for past and ongoing US assistance. Ambassador Smith said, “As a developing country, and one which sits on the shores of a vulnerable Caribbean region, that is susceptible to natural disasters such as Hurricanes, droughts and climate change, Grenada continues to be grateful to its partners. Accordingly, we welcome and appreciate the US Southern Command’s most recent initiative to help in the building of a Headquarters for our National Disaster Management Agency.”
Ambassador Smith also referenced cooperation and training in the area of border security. “Understanding how porous our borders can be, and in full appreciation of our proximity to the United States, Grenada is grateful for the training, interceptor boats, other equipment and support provided to our security personnel—both for our forces on land and sea. In this way, both our countries can be better secured against unwanted and unwarranted security threats.”
Referencing a strong and productive partnership with Grenada that dates back to 1974, President Trump said the United States continues to engage Grenada and other Caribbean islands in the areas of security, diplomacy, prosperity, energy, education and health. He gave assurances of continued engagement through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative.
He said, “It is my hope we will work together to facilitate trade, create favourable business and investment climates and invest in human capital so citizens can contribute to the development of their communities.”
Grenada’s Ambassador to the United States was one of eleven diplomats who presented their credentials to the US President this week.
Download Press Release here.