About

About Us

Africa and the Caribbean have enduring historical, cultural, ethnic and experiential ties and there is growing potential for enhancement of trade, investment and diplomatic linkages between them. Africa, for most Caribbean people, is the source of a heritage central to their behaviour, traditions, and belief systems. African continuities proliferate in several aspects of daily life which have been examined by Caribbean scholarship.

In today’s world, the tidal wave of globalization provides a strong impulse for building strong and enduring linkages on both shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

Statesman-in-residence

The Most Honourable P. J. Patterson is UWI’s first “Statesman-in Residence”.

The honorary title of Statesman in Residence is conferred by The University of the West Indies on women and men of great distinction and acclaim; is attached to a body of work to be undertaken in the interest of The University, and is to be self-funding.

Since his official retirement from politics, he has emerged as a prominent figure in UWI alumni matters and serves as patron of the University’s Global Giving Programme. A generous donation from him established the ‘P. J. Patterson Endowment Fund’ to provide scholarships for students to spend up to a year at another UWI campus and help to foment the spirit of regional integration. The net proceeds of his book – “My Political Journey” – have been assigned to augment the funds contributed to The Endowment.

He also serves as Co-Chairman of the Rex Nettleford Foundation.

He is a recipient of the Chancellor’s Medal and The Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC) in addition to The Order of Oliver Tambo (South Africa) and The Order of the Volta (Ghana).

Located on the Mona Campus, the wide range of activities at the P.J. Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy will encompass all the University Campuses and its several institutions to promote the University’s academic and public advocacy identity.

ROLE OF UWI

The current development plan for The University of the West Indies (UWI) mandates increased global linkages as one of its primary objectives. In pursuit of this goal there have been three initiatives to date in the form of MOUs with the University of Lagos in Nigeria, University of Johannesburg in South Africa and the United States International University in Kenya. The natural extension of strengthened African-Caribbean relations is the linkage with the globally dispersed African Diaspora constituting “Global Africa”.

Photo: Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies

our objectives

Assist in developing the framework for the coordination of public advocacy and development partnering between the Caribbean and Africa.

Provide a framework to enable leaders and academics from Africa, the Caribbean and the Diaspora to engage in a strategy to provide public advocacy around major issues affecting both regions.

Develop a programme of work to engage, with the full range of UWI academics and pertinent research from scholars in the Diaspora for the production of a strategic framework for African-Caribbean cooperation and action which is flexible, creative, gender conscious and adaptable to the priorities in the developing world and changing global circumstances.

Promote, encourage, facilitate a fertile exchange of cultural groups, artistes, scholars, entertainers, athletes, sportspersons to build the ties between Africa, the Caribbean and our Diaspora.

Assist governments, regional organizations, international institutions, the private sector and civil society to understand and advance existing schemes of regionalism in Africa and the Caribbean and promote studies, exchanges inter-governmental or institutional groupings for the development of economic and human resources within the Continent, the Caribbean and the wider Diaspora.

Support the quest for reparative justice, the fight against racism and discrimination to achieve economic and social empowerment for people of colour.

Assist the Governments and Institutions of Africa and the Caribbean in the design and establishment of a New World Order so as to promote the interests and security of Developing Countries in global governance, economic growth, trade, technology, health, culture and climate change.

Widen and deepen relationships between the people of the African nations and people within the Caribbean and of African descent worldwide.