On 27 February 2026, the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, in partnership with the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, hosted the SIM Caribbean Content Creators Webinar, the third initiative held under the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Inclusive Initiative for Media and Information Literacy in the Caribbean (SIM Caribbean).
The online session, moderated by Arita Phillip, UNESCO’s Associate Program Specialist for Youth and Digital Transformation, brought together nearly 350 participants from across the region, including representatives from government, academia, the private sector, youth organizations, organizations representing persons with disabilities, as well as aspiring and established content creators and social media influencers.
Through presentations from national, regional, and international partners, the webinar explored a few of the key issues shaping the digital information landscape. Discussions focused on journalism ethics and standards, research and fact-checking skills, countering hate speech, misinformation, and gender disinformation, and understanding intellectual property rights for Caribbean content creators.Â
Participants also explored a series of strategies for building regional connections among creators and managing mental health in online spaces, and the session provided an innovative platform as well for Caribbean content creators and stakeholders to exchange knowledge, strengthen digital responsibility, and meaningfully contribute to a safer and more inclusive online information ecosystem in the region.
Digital content creators are no longer just online personalities. You are narrators of our times, chroniclers of political, social, cultural, technological, and environmental realities. Your work matters not just locally but globally. Each story you tell has the potential to educate, to inspire critical thinking, and to bridge communities across borders. You are shaping the future of Caribbean media, guiding audiences through information responsibly, and setting standards for integrity, creativity, and care.
Eric Falt, Regional Director and Representative of UNESCO
In response to growing concerns about misinformation, hate speech, and gender disinformation in the Caribbean, Minkyung Angela Kim, speaking on behalf of the UNESCO Social and Human Sciences Sector, highlighted some of the factors that are currently driving the spread of false and harmful information across the region. On that note, she also shared country-level data illustrating the scale of the challenge.
Her presentation explored practical approaches to addressing these issues, including conducting AI audits to identify bias, responding to gender-based discrimination in digital spaces, and advancing the work of UNESCO on AI ethics and the promotion of safer online environments. Ms. Kim shared as well key messages for strengthening responsible digital engagement and countering harmful online narratives.
The webinar featured contributions from various experts. Speakers included Kiran Maharaj, President of the Media Institute of the Caribbean, and Dr. Lenius Ildephonce, Head of the School of Computer Science at University of the West Indies – Five Islands Campus. They were joined by Jennifer Britton from the Caribbean Community Secretariat, and Carol M. Simpson from the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Additional insights were shared by Dr. Wendy Hollingsworth, Expert and Activities Coordinator at the CARIFORUM Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation Program. Government perspectives were also showcased during the webinar by Harriet Warner from the Ministry of Education of Antigua and Barbuda, and Dr. Alisa Davis from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Energy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-collaborates-caribbean-sids-governments-and-partners-upskill-content-creators-media-and?hub=701
