UWI conference to foster action towards a more equitable, just Caribbean society

The University of the West Indies (UWI)’s 25th Annual SALISES Conference has been scheduled to take place from May 1-3 at The UWI Regional Headquarters in St Andrew under the theme ‘Translating Thought into Action: Towards Decolonial Equity and Justice in the Caribbean’.

According to The UWI, the landmark event will be aimed at fostering dialogue and action towards a more equitable and just society in the Caribbean region.

The conference will convene leading scholars, policymakers, activists, and practitioners from across the Caribbean and beyond to explore pressing issues related to decolonial equity and justice.

“In a time when discussions around decolonisation and social justice are at the forefront of global discourse, the 25th Annual SALISES Conference provides a vital platform for examining the unique challenges and opportunities facing the Caribbean,” The UWI said.

Participants will engage in thought-provoking discussions on various topics, including but not limited to:

• The legacy of colonialism, its impact on contemporary Caribbean society, and the quest for reparations;

• Strategies for decolonising institutions and promoting inclusivity;

• Indigenous knowledge systems and their relevance to development;

• Environmental justice and sustainable development in the Caribbean context;

• Social movements and activism for transformative change;

• Economic equity and pathways to prosperity for all Caribbean citizens.

“This conference is a significant opportunity for scholars, practitioners, and activists to come together in person and put great ideas for a more equitable Caribbean into action,” said Dr Holger Henke, director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) at the Mona campus.

“The thematic focus is timely, as issues such as climate justice, food security, the rise of the green, blue, and orange economy, fair trade, repatriation of cultural items, recognition of indigenous people and their rights, gender and youth rights are examples of issues at the centre of equity and justice concerns. This conference gives an opportunity to change the way we think and talk and take action about these issues.”

The conference will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing. Attendees can expect to gain insights, exchange ideas, and forge meaningful connections with colleagues who share a commitment to advancing social justice and equity in the Caribbean region.

This year’s speaker delivering the opening address is Dr Peter Phillips, former minister of finance and planning. His topic, ‘The Search for Growth and Social Equity: The Persistent Conundrum’, will seek to explore an issue Caribbean nations, as individuals and as a community, face.

A keynote address by Dr Didacus Jules, secretary general of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, will be delivered as a recording.