Ms Lolita Applewhaite was Director of the Centre for International Services at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies in Barbados. Ms Applewhaite is on loan to the University from the Barbados Government where she spent 30 years. She has served in the diplomatic service of her country with postings in North and South America and Europe, her most recent assignment being that of Ambassador to Venezuela. Ms Applewhaite has also served as Permanent Secretary (i.e.