The prime minister of St. Kitts-Nevis has tapped a University of the Virgin Islands professor to become an ambassador on economic and foreign affairs for the island nation.
Dr. Simon Jones-Hendrickson, a UVI economics professor, will serve as ambassador of foreign affairs, international trade and Caricom affairs for St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas. Jones-Hendrickson was born on St. Kitts and has lived on St. Thomas and St. Croix for more than 20 years.
"I maintain my links both with St. Kitts and the Virgin Islands," Jones-Hendrickson said. "I am very, very active with economic issues in the Caribbean, with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and Caricom."
Douglas said Jones-Hendrickson has been designated non-resident high commissioner to the OECS and the Caribbean Community countries and ambassador to the Association of Caribbean States, replacing St. John Payne.
Jones-Hendrickson, who is on sabbatical from UVI, said he will request two additional years of leave to pursue his new endeavor.
While the Virgin Islands is mostly separate from other Caribbean countries in terms of economics, especially on issues such as bananas and sugar, Jones-Hendrickson said cultural and geographic ties are constant. "We have to be certain to maintain links to the greater Caribbean," he said.
Issues he will tackle in his new post include the effects of globalization on the Caribbean and the costs and benefits of being in the European Union.
The OECS nations include Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Kitts-Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Association of Caribbean States includes Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela, Martinique and Guadeloupe. Caricom countries are Trinidad, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Belize.
Jones-Hendrickson is married to Dr. Cora Christian. They have two children.
