GOVERNANCE AND INDEPENDENCE POLICY

 Last reviewed: October 2026
Next review: October 2027

1. Purpose

Caribbean Unity Network is an independent organisation working across publishing, recognition, events and professional services.

This policy explains how we make decisions, protect the integrity of our work and manage relationships that could create or appear to create a conflict of interest.

Our activities currently include:

• REVIEW, our independent publication;
• the Caribbean Honour Awards;
• the Spirit of the Caribbean Ball;
• partnerships, events and public programmes; and
• professional and advisory services.

We aim to operate with integrity, fairness, accountability and respect for the diversity of the Caribbean and its global diaspora.

2. Our governance

Caribbean Unity Network is currently a founder-led organisation. The Founder has overall responsibility for its strategy, operations, finances, legal obligations and reputation.

In exercising these responsibilities, the Founder seeks to act consistently with the principles of transparency, accountability, independence, fairness and responsible stewardship. These principles inform decision-making across editorial activities, Awards, partnerships, events and professional services.

As the organisation develops, we may appoint advisers, independent panel members or other individuals with relevant expertise to strengthen scrutiny and decision-making.

Any person involved in governance or decision-making is expected to:

• act in the best interests of Caribbean Unity Network;
• exercise reasonable care and judgement;
• protect confidential and personal information;
• declare relevant interests;
• avoid using their position for improper personal benefit; and
• uphold the independence and integrity commitments in this policy.

The responsibilities and authority attached to any formal advisory or governance position will be documented when the position is established. 

3. Independence

Caribbean Unity Network is independent and non-party political. We may examine political decisions, public policy and matters of public interest, but we do not operate on behalf of a political party.

Our independence means that:

• editorial, Awards and organisational decisions are made by Caribbean Unity Network;
• sponsors, partners, advertisers and service clients do not receive control over those decisions;
• financial or professional relationships do not guarantee favourable coverage, recognition or endorsement;
• no partner or sponsor may purchase an Award, nomination, editorial feature or favourable outcome; and
• individuals and organisations featured in one area of our work are not automatically entitled to opportunities in another.

Independence does not prevent collaboration. It means that collaboration must not compromise our judgement, values or published safeguards.

4. REVIEW editorial independence

REVIEW is the independent publication of Caribbean Unity Network. The Editor has responsibility for editorial direction, commissioning, selection, editing, presentation and publication.

Editorial decisions are based on factors including:

• relevance to REVIEW’s purpose and readership;
• public interest and editorial value;
• quality, accuracy and originality;
• the contribution a piece makes to informed discussion; and
• the importance of reflecting a range of Caribbean and diaspora experiences.

Contributors, interviewees and subjects may be invited to correct factual inaccuracies relating to them. They do not have the right to control independent commentary, conclusions or the overall presentation of an article.

Contributions may be edited for clarity, accuracy, length, consistency and house style. Substantive proposed changes will normally be discussed with the contributor before publication.

Sponsored, commissioned or partner-supported content will be identified clearly where appropriate. Commercial support will not guarantee favourable editorial treatment.

5. Accuracy, corrections and editorial complaints

We aim to publish accurate and responsible material. Where a significant factual error is identified, we will assess it promptly and make an appropriate correction or clarification.

Editorial concerns should be sent to:

Email: review@caribbeanunitynetwork.com

The message should identify the relevant article, explain the concern and, where possible, provide supporting information.

We will acknowledge and consider complaints fairly. Corrections and clarifications will normally be appended to or otherwise associated with the relevant published content where practicable. Disagreement with an opinion or conclusion will not, by itself, require a correction where the material is clearly presented as commentary and has a reasonable factual basis.

6. Caribbean Honour Awards

The Caribbean Honour Awards must be conducted fairly and independently.

Award categories, eligibility requirements and assessment criteria will be established before judging begins. Nominations will be assessed against the published criteria rather than the popularity, commercial influence or personal connections of a nominee.

Judges will be selected for their relevant experience, judgement and ability to act impartially. Before participating, judges will be required to:

• maintain the confidentiality of nominations and deliberations;
• declare any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest;
• withdraw from assessing a nomination where impartiality could reasonably be questioned; and
• make decisions without influence from sponsors, partners, nominees or Caribbean Unity Network’s commercial relationships.

Sponsors and partners will not select nominees, determine judging outcomes or receive confidential judging information.

Caribbean Unity Network reserves the right not to present an Award in a category where the judging panel determines that no nomination meets the required standard for recognition.

Where material claims cannot be verified or are found to be inaccurate, Caribbean Unity Network may decline, withdraw or discontinue consideration of the nomination or application concerned.

Caribbean Unity Network reserves the right, in exceptional circumstances, to suspend consideration of a nomination or withhold recognition where credible information raises serious concerns regarding integrity, legality, safeguarding or conduct that may undermine confidence in the Awards process.

Nominees will be contacted privately and given relevant privacy information before their nomination or selection is announced publicly.

7. Awards concerns and procedural reviews

A concern about the administration of the Awards may be submitted to:

Email: enquiries@caribbeanunitynetwork.com

Requests for review must relate to a possible failure to follow the published process, an undisclosed conflict of interest or a material factual or administrative error.

A procedural review considers whether the published process was followed. It does not ordinarily reconsider decisions based solely on disagreement with a judgement reached properly and in good faith.

8. Partnerships, sponsorship and advertising

We welcome appropriate relationships with organisations that respect our purpose, audiences and independence.

Before entering a significant partnership, we may consider:

• whether the organisation’s activities and conduct are compatible with our values;
• any reputational, ethical or legal risks;
• the proposed benefits and obligations;
• whether the relationship could compromise or appear to compromise our independence; and
• whether the arrangement can be described transparently.

Partnership or sponsorship does not provide:

• influence over editorial decisions;
• influence over Awards nominations or judging;
• guaranteed editorial coverage or endorsement;
• access to confidential nomination, contributor or audience information; or
• permission to imply a wider endorsement than has been agreed.

The nature of material commercial or sponsored relationships will be disclosed where appropriate.

9. Professional services

Caribbean Unity Network may provide professional or advisory services to external organisations. These assignments will be managed separately from REVIEW’s editorial decisions and the Awards judging process.

A client relationship does not guarantee:

• editorial coverage;
• favourable commentary;
• an Award nomination or outcome;
• access to confidential information; or
• endorsement by Caribbean Unity Network.

Where a client becomes the subject of relevant editorial coverage, an Awards nomination or another decision, any conflict will be assessed and managed in accordance with this policy.

10. Conflicts of interest

A conflict of interest may arise where personal, family, financial, professional or organisational relationships could influence, or reasonably appear to influence, a decision.

Anyone materially involved in editorial selection, Awards judging, procurement, partnerships or governance must disclose relevant interests as soon as they arise.

Caribbean Unity Network may maintain a register of material interests and conflicts disclosed by individuals involved in governance, editorial decision-making, Awards judging or other significant organisational activities. Information will be recorded and retained only to the extent necessary to support transparency, accountability and appropriate conflict management.

Depending on the circumstances, the interest may be managed by:

• recording the disclosure;
• obtaining an independent assessment;
• limiting the person’s access to confidential information;
• excluding the person from discussion or decision-making; or
• ending or declining the relevant involvement.

Where the Founder has a material conflict, the affected decision should, where practicable, be referred to an independent adviser, judge or suitably qualified person.

A proportionate record will be maintained of material conflicts and how they were managed.

11. Representation and inclusion

The Caribbean is not a single or uniform community. We recognise differences between countries, territories, generations, cultures, identities, experiences and diaspora communities.

We do not claim to speak on behalf of every Caribbean person or organisation. We aim to create space for a range of informed perspectives while retaining the right to make independent editorial and organisational decisions.

We will seek to avoid unfair exclusion and consider diversity of experience when selecting contributors, speakers, judges, advisers and participants. Inclusion does not require every programme, article or panel to represent every perspective.

12. Confidentiality and data protection

Confidential information obtained through nominations, judging, contributions, partnerships, complaints or professional assignments will be accessed only where there is a legitimate reason to do so.

Caribbean Unity Network will maintain appropriate records of decisions, conflict declarations, reviews and other governance matters in accordance with applicable legal, regulatory and organisational requirements.

Personal information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Notice and applicable data-protection requirements.

Confidential information will not be disclosed to sponsors, partners or other third parties merely because they support Caribbean Unity Network.

13. Conduct and safeguarding organisational integrity

We reserve the right to decline or end a relationship where continuing it could:

• compromise our independence or integrity;
• create an unmanaged conflict of interest;
• expose participants or the organisation to unreasonable harm;
• mislead the public about the nature of the relationship; or
• conflict materially with our values or legal responsibilities.

Any such decision will be made carefully and documented where appropriate.

14. General complaints

Concerns about Caribbean Unity Network’s conduct or application of this policy may be sent to:

Email: enquiries@caribbeanunitynetwork.com

We will aim to acknowledge a complaint within 5 working days and provide a substantive response within 20 working days, where reasonably practicable.

If additional time is required, we will explain this and provide an updated timescale.

Caribbean Unity Network encourages the reporting of genuine concerns relating to governance, integrity, conflicts of interest, misconduct or significant process failures. Individuals raising concerns in good faith will not be disadvantaged solely because they have reported a concern. Concerns will be considered fairly and handled in a manner that is proportionate to the nature of the issue raised.

15. Review of this policy

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner if:

• Caribbean Unity Network’s structure changes;
• a formal board or advisory body is established;
• the Awards or publication processes change materially;
• a significant governance concern arises; or
• legal or regulatory developments require an update.

This policy may be amended between scheduled reviews where necessary to address legal, regulatory, operational or governance requirements.

The current version will be published on the Caribbean Unity Network website.

16. Contact

For questions about this policy, please contact:

Caribbean Unity Network

Email: enquiries@caribbeanunitynetwork.com
Website: www.caribbeanunitynetwork.com