"One UWI, One Alumni Family"
The PJ Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Public Advocacy Symposium
On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the PJ Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Public Advocacy at The UWI hosted a symposium. Themed Strengthening Cooperation Between African & Caribbean States: Facing the Challenges, Creating Solutions, it facilitated the sharing of ideas, experiences, and best practices, to develop a framework for advancing collaboration between African and Caribbean entities, researchers, and even policymakers. Positioned as a hybrid event, the Symposium was held at The UWI’s Regional Headquarters Jamaica and carried live via UWItv.
Renewed efforts by African and Caribbean countries are underway to broaden, deepen, and accelerate functional cooperation in a wide range of development-related areas. Launched in June 2020, the PJ Patterson Institute situated within The UWI, was established to build bridges between CARICOM and African States through academic exchanges and collaborations with institutions as part of a specialized institutional agreement. The Institute is led by Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable PJ Patterson who was appointed Statesman in Residence at The UWI.
Advancing its mandate, the PJ Patterson Institute is initiating public dialogue in the region on climate change, information technology, and innovation. During the symposium’s opening session, remarks were given by the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister, Barbados, The Most Hon. PJ Patterson, Statesman-In-Residence, PJ Patterson Centre for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy at The UWI, Senator, Dr the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, Minister, Office of the Prime Minister, Jamaica, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor, The UWI and H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman, The Brenthurst Foundation, Former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The plenaries included panel discussions on Climate Change Mitigation Strategies: Opportunities for Africa and the Caribbean and Information Technology and Innovation with presentations from Dr Carla Barnett, Secretary-General, CARICOM, Dr Didacus Jules, Director General, and OECS among others.
