The Bahamas host the 4th Annual Friendship Retreat

The Bahamas hosts the Fourth Annual Friendship Retreat co-sponsored by the Governments of Argentina, The Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Liberia, South Africa and the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the International Women’s Health Coalition. The annual Retreat brings together delegates from UN Member States in a relaxed environment outside of the UN headquarters to promote decreased tensions and polarised positions around specific issues, more effective and less combative negotiating strategies, trust and strengthened relationships. Forty representatives from countries all of the world participated, and were provided a number of presentations, exchanges and international dialogues, as well as two site visits to the PACE School and The Bahamas Crisis Centre.

The Director General of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Sharon Brennen-Haylock, was invited to give a keynote presentation to provide an overview of gender affairs in The Bahamas, and Mrs. Angelika Hillebrandt and Ms. Deandra Cartwright, Second Secretary and Third Secretary, within the Permanent Mission of The Bahamas to the United Nations, respectively, participated as members of the Friendship Group.