Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward

Ambassador Curtis Ward's commentary on Diaspora Engagement on the eve of Jamaica's Diaspora Conference in Kingston, Jamaica and virtually, June 2022.

Ambassador Curtis Ward's conversation with Ambassador Denis Antoine on his highly acclaimed book, "Get on Board Dear Children of the World",  China's footprints in the Caribbean and the Americas, and the prevalence of disunity among CARICOM member states. Ambassador Antoine's book on the Sustainable Development Goals, is adopted by UN agencies - UNICEF and UNESCO, is available in five languages - English, Spanish, French, Korean, and Chinese, and is adopted as an educational tool in several countries.Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.

Human Trafficking - Ambassador Curtis Ward and anti-human trafficking expert Shamere McKenzie discuss the scourge of Human Trafficking in the United States, the Caribbean, and globally. Shamere McKenzie, a former victim of human trafficking,  offers important incites into human trafficking and her untiring efforts to end this scourge, how to protect victims, and how to hold human traffickers accountable, including through her testimonies in state and federal legislatures crafting anti-human trafficking legislation, and providing expert testimony in human trafficking prosecutions.Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.

In this Episode of Real Talk, Ambassador Curtis Ward offers a Commentary on the increasing challenges to democracy and human rights on a global scale. Warning of the increasing levels of authoritarianism in certain countries and regions, Ambassador Ward highlights historical precedents in the context of today's realities in making a compelling case for a new paradigm in democracy and human rights advocacy. Apathy is not an option, as no one is free until all are free.Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.

Ambassador Curtis Ward explains why responsibility to hold Vladimir Putin responsible for war crimes and other violations of international law in Ukraine shifts from the UN Security Council to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Ambassador Ward reminds Putin  of his statement, at the historic Security Council Summit of Heads of Government on September 7, 2000, during which he told fellow world leaders of the Security Council's actions "to safeguard politicians from the temptation to use any advantage to pursue objectives unworthy of mankind."  On the primacy of the principles of the UN Charter, Putin said "The most important of these principles is the supremacy of international law."Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.

My special guest Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal, an eminent economist and experienced diplomat, in conversation with Ambassador Curtis Ward  discuss the  fragility of Caribbean economies and the economic impact of the double whammy, the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine . We discussed the disruptions in food and energy supplies and the prospects for near- and long-term relief. Our conversation also elaborated on the positive impact of diaspora remittances on Caribbean development and economies, and the phenomenal increases in remittances during the COVID pandemic and other times of crisis. Ambassador Bernal advises Caribbean governments to view the Diaspora as an integral part of the Caribbean economy .Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.

Ambassador Curtis Ward and Professor Rosalea Hamilton discuss a number of issues including: CARICOM disunity, Caribbean democracy and the importance of participatory democracy vis-à-vis citizen apathy, government accountability, political leadership, and more.Professor Hamilton is the Founding Director, Institute of Law & Economics, a former Vice President of the University of Technology (Jamaica) and was awarded a Chair in Entrepreneurship and Development. Over the past 20 years, Professor Hamilton has given voice to the voiceless through her advocacy to support MSMEs, to eliminate gender-based violence, to protect human rights, and to improve participatory democracy. She is currently Coordinator of the Jamaica-based Advocates Network.Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.

Ambassador Ward occupying the hot seat in this conversation on Mic Check with radio journalists Ras Clem and Anthony Turner on Groovin Radio covered several topical issues - the dynamics of the UN Security Council and the urgent need for reform; Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and how to hold Russia accountable; the media-neglected crisis in Palestine; Jamaica's abdication of its traditional leadership role and erosion of respect on the global stage; misinformation and the implications for democracy in the U.S. and the Caribbean region; citizen apathy, and more.Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.

In this conversation with Attorney Gabriel J. Christian, a national of Dominica, we explored the erosion of democracy and the rule of law in the island nation of Dominica. The resulting political reality, creeping autocracy, is a dangerous trend for Dominica and the Caribbean.Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.

A conversation with Diana McIntyre Pike on Community Tourism with the originator of the concept in Jamaica and across the Caribbean, and who has received national and international recognition for her work.  Diana's pioneering of Community Tourism resulted in Jamaica being designated globally as the home of community tourism.Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.

This Episode "Caribbean Integration Promises not kept - CARICOM needs a Renaissance"  explores Caribbean regional integration as we listen to the voices of the visionaries, former prime ministers Dr. Eric Williams, Michael Manley, and P.J. Patterson as they articulate the vision and the urgency for moving the integration movement forward.Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.

This is the final of a four part series on "Crime & Security  in Jamaica and the Caribbean"  in which we explained the structure and purpose of fusion centers as a critical operational structure and mechanism for dealing with crime and security in the context of Jamaica and the Caribbean.  As we  identify and explain the problems and weakness in crime and security, we offer practical and realistic solutions to political and law enforcement leaders to help them deal with the intractable crime and security problems. Our primary objective is to help political and law enforcement leaders to see beyond their own perceptions to enable them to develop and execute effective crime fighting security mechanisms that provide safety and security for the people in the region.I am joined in these discussions by two experts: Attorney Wilfred Rattigan with some 30 years of experience as a former  FBI Special Agent, and Herbert Nelson, Jr., a former Military Intelligence Analyst, with over 30 years experience in intelligence analysis.Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.

This is the 3rd  of a four part series on "Crime & Security  in Jamaica and the Caribbean"  in this episode we discuss intelligence analysis and the role of intelligence-led policing, and we explain the differences between information (types, sources and collection of information) and intelligence (collation and analysis process to develop and use actionable intelligence); why these two distinct processes should not be confused; and the use of intelligence in policing. As we continue to identify and explain the problems, we offer practical and realistic solutions to political and law enforcement leaders to help them deal with the intractable crime problems. Our primary objective is to help those in charge to see beyond their own perceptions to enable them to develop and execute effective crime plans.We bring to this discussion decades of experience at the highest levels of law enforcement and intelligence from the Jamaican diaspora.  Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.

In this Episode on "Crime & Security  in Jamaica and the Caribbean" , we identify problems, explain issues, and offer solutions to political and law enforcement leaders to help solve crime and security in Jamaican and Caribbean societies. Our objective is to help those in charge to develop and execute an effective crime plan. We bring to this discussion decades of experience at the highest levels of law enforcement and intelligence from the Jamaican diaspora.  My guests were introduced fully in Part 1 of this series.Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.

In this series on "Crime & Security in Jamaica and the Caribbean",  we discuss the seemingly intractable crime and security problems facing Jamaica and Caribbean societies and the failure or lack of capacities of governments and law enforcement to take necessary and appropriate actions to ensure the safety of the populations. We discuss lack of adequate political and law enforcement leadership in law enforcement capacities to employ and empower modern law enforcement strategies and resources, to effectively stem the flow of illicit trafficking in guns, and dealing with other crimes, such as human trafficking and corruption,. We highlight the lack of a comprehensive crime and security plan and other deficiencies.My special guests for this series: Attorney Wilfred Rattigan,  with 29 years experience as a former FBI special agent with  extensive leadership, international experience, and specialization in several areas of law enforcement, enriches this discussion. Wilfred Rattigan served as  unit chief at FBI Headquarters, on counter-terrorism task forces in New York, and as FBI legal attaché in US embassy in Saudi Arabia with responsible for the entire Middle East, and the US embassy in South Africa with responsible for all of southern Africa. Herbert Nelson , a retired military and business intelligence analyst adds his unique experiences and incites as an intelligence analyst developed over 39 years in military and business intelligence. During the final six years of his 24 years service in the army, Herb Nelson provided support to Pentagon and White House units, and he has held Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearances.Produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions

Episode 4  is the fourth and final part in a series of discussions with Caribbean diaspora professional women who share their perspectives on “Caribbean Women Leading from the Front." My special guest, Attorney Dahlia Walker-Huntington, is a Jamaican diaspora leader who exemplifies Caribbean professional women leadership in a wide array of professional disciplines. She is an advocate for immigrants' rights and another example of the vast expertise and experiences of Caribbean women in the diaspora and in the Caribbean region.   Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.(Note: March 8 is celebrated globally as International Women's Day.)

This Episode is the third in a series of discussions in which Caribbean diaspora professional women share their perspectives on Caribbean Women Leading from the Front. Examples of Caribbean women leaders discussed, include, Prime Minister Mia Motley of Barbados; Dr, Carissa Etienne (Dominica), Director of PAHO; Dr, Carla Burnett (Belize), Secretary-General of CARICOM; Rear Admiral Antonette  Wemyss Gorman (Jamaica), Chief of Defence Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force; and US District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan (Jamaica), whose landmark decision denying executive privilege to former president Donald Trump was upheld by the US Supreme Court in an 8 to1 decision.Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass  of Sindass Productions.

Episode 2  is the second in a series of discussions with Caribbean diaspora women leaders on "Caribbean Women Leading from the Front." My special guest, Dr. Goulda Downer, is a Caribbean diaspora leader who exemplifies Caribbean professional women leadership in a wide array of professional disciplines. She is another example of the vast expertise and  experiences of Caribbean women in the the diaspora and in the Caribbean region. Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.(Note: March 8 is celebrated as  International Women's Day.)

This Episode of Real Talk, "Caribbean Women Leading from the Front, Pt.1." begins a conversation with four professional women in the Caribbean Diaspora discussing Caribbean women leaders in different areas of governance at the regional and national levels of the Caribbean experience. The women discussed are Dr. Carissa Etienne (Dominica), Director of PAHO; Dr. Carla Burnett (Belize), Secretary-General of CARICOM; Prime Minister Mia Motley of Barbados; US Federal District Judge Tanya Chutkan (Jamaica); and Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman, Head of the Jamaica Defence Force. My guest on Pt. 1. of Caribbean Women Leading from the Front  is Commander Denise McCala Creary, (Ret'd US Navy).(Note: March 8 is celebrated as #InternationalWomen'sDay.)Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions.

Knowing your Host: This audio profile provides a synopsis of the extensive experience and knowledge which Ambassador Curtis Ward brings to Real Talk. It also provides a brief introduction of the areas of interest that will be covered in Real Talk podcasts. Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward is produced by Larry Sindass / Sindass Productions