UWI hosts discussions on cultural integration in the Caribbean
Kingston, Jamaica — Pro vice chancellor and principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, Professor Archibald McDonald, says that regional universities must play a role in establishing “full and complete” appreciation of the factors securing a democratically integrated region.
“A full and complete appreciation of the various institutions, policies, cultures and principles guiding statehood amongst our regional neighbours is key to securing a democratically integrated region,” Professor McDonald stated.
He said that it was important for the UWI to provide a collaborative and educational setting for scholars and researchers to discuss the issues and to provide guidance to complement the growing knowledge base related to regional integration.
“As a group of English speaking nations, it is rather easy for us to focus primarily on the concerns that affect our society- thus isolating ourselves from other multi-lingual neighbours. The seminar, however, provides an opportunity to recognize the voices of our neighbours and realize that, along with our similar histories, we also share commonalities in the manner in which our societies are organized and governed,” Professor McDonald stated.
The UWI Mona principal was speaking at a seminar held Tuesday and Wednesday of this week at Mona, which brought together three Research Centres and institutions participating in the delivery of “Programme France-Caraibe”: the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) and the Department of Government; the CRPLC (Centre for Research on Local Powers in the Caribbean) located in the Universite Antilles-Guyane, Martinique; and the LAM/Africas in the World from the Sciences Po Bordeaux, France.
The seminar, themed “Contending Perspectives on the Caribbean: Institutions, States, Cultures, Concepts” at Mona, was funded by: the Fondation de la Maison des Sciences de l’Homme (FMSH) in Paris, and the Direction des relations europeennes et internationals et de la cooperation (DREIC), Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (France).
The institutions are committed to reinforcing the collaborative network of research based on the “Programme France Caraibe”.