Fifteen Jamaican delegates joined 100 changemakers from across Canada and the Caribbean in the Caribbean Canada Leaders Dialogue (CCLD) 2025.

A bold, experiential leadership programme designed to empower leaders in Canada and the Caribbean to drive sustainable community impact, CCLD continues a tradition rooted in ‘learning through observation, dialogue, and on-the-ground immersion’.

The biennial event is held under the patronage of The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, who presides over the Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences Canada Inc, with Jamaican-Canadian business leader and philanthropist Wes Hall serving as chair of the 2025 Caribbean Canada Leaders Dialogue.

The origin of this model dates back to 1956, when Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, witnessed stark inequalities during a visit to northern Canada. Determined to foster solutions through collective thinking, he gathered 300 leaders from business, government, and labour in Oxford, UK, launching the Commonwealth Study Conferences. Today, that vision lives on—championed by his daughter, HRH Princess Anne, who believes in the transformative power of shared learning. Since then, over 10,000 leaders have successfully passed through the initiative.

Wes Hall is one such living example of the leadership model of the CCLD. Raised in a small shack in rural St Thomas, Hall overcame adversity to become a leading force in business and social advocacy. Founder of the BlackNorth Initiative, he continues to invest in future generations across Canada and the Caribbean through mentorship and philanthropy.

“My steadfast commitment to balancing career and charity represents all that is possible when nothing is impossible,” shared Hall.

“I aim to inspire a model of having a vision and achieving a dream, recognising the importance of bringing people and communities along. In essence, when they see it, they can aspire to emulate it,” he continued.

CCLD 2025, held under the theme “Impact-Driven Leadership: Creating Positive Change in Our Communities”, began with a three-day plenary in Toronto, Canada, where delegates engaged with thought leaders, including Wes Hall and other public and private sector dignitaries

A four-day study tour across several Caribbean nations followed the plenary in Canada. Various delegations in the programme were assigned a country and a specific United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to explore, from innovation and economic growth in Guyana to Climate Action in Dominica.

In each destination, delegates met with ministers, public sector leaders, and private sector stakeholders, gaining a greater understanding of local challenges and opportunities. The tour concluded with final presentations to Princess Anne, Wes Hall, and other officials, during which each team shared a one-year action plan to drive measurable impact in their assigned country.

The Jamaican delegation shone throughout the programme, frequently stepping into leadership roles and championing inclusive, collaborative dialogue. Regional tour lead and organising board member Lisa Bell played a pivotal role in designing the Caribbean tours.

“This programme isn’t just about leadership—it’s about legacy,” said Bell. “We’re building a bridge between bold ideas and real impact by giving leaders the chance to see, feel, and shape change first-hand,” she shared.

Jamaica itself hosted a segment of the study tour, led by Colin Ebanks, who curated a cultural deep-dive rich in culture, history, and national pride, featuring visits to the Bob Marley Museum, the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, and conversations with ministers of government and other leaders.

“The goal was to give delegates a true taste of Jamaica—not just the sights, but the soul. Our hospitality, history, and hope for the future left a lasting impression on everyone who visited,” Ebanks stated.

The Caribbean Canada Leaders Dialogue 2025 proved that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about action. Through lived experience and connection, it empowered delegates to not only understand the issues but to help solve them.

For participant Janice Hall, general manager, Mother’s Food Group, “Visiting Guyana at this pivotal moment—when the country is experiencing rapid transformation driven by oil and gas—offered invaluable insight into the delicate balance between growth and sustainability. As I observed how Guyana navigates its economic boom, I couldn’t help but reflect on the parallels and contrasts with Jamaica’s own development journey.”

She added: “These lessons in resource management, policy innovation, and forward-thinking leadership are not only relevant for national progress but will also influence how I lead and grow in my own role at Mother’s. There’s a lot we can learn and adopt.”