UWI and Kenya Push Caribbean-Africa Talks

UWI and Kenya Push CaribbeanAfrica Talks

The relationship between the Caribbean and Africa could soon be subjected to critical analysis by academics from The University of the West Indies (The UWI) and their counterparts in Kenya.

UWI officials meeting with delegates who attended the inaugural CARICOM-Africa Summit

Representatives of the Government of Kenya and The UWI agreed on the need for such a discourse to critically examine the areas of cooperation outlined in a communiqué, which emerged from the staging of the inaugural CARICOM-Africa Summit, and to explore ways of holding countries accountable. The summit was held virtually on 7 September 2021.

A subsequent meeting at the Cave Hill Campus involved Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya, Ambassador Raychelle Omamo; Secretary General of the Caribbean Community, Dr. Carla Barnett; Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Sir Hilary Beckles; and Barbados’s Ambassador to CARICOM, His Excellency David Comissiong. Other participants included Ambassador Moi Lemoshira of Kenya; Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Cave Hill Campus, Professor Clive Landis; and Deputy Dean in charge of Internationalisation and Recruitment, Dr. Kenneth Connell.

Sir Hilary said he would welcome such a discourse and spoke of the necessity to mend the rift between the two regions that he linked to a decision made by African leaders

some 20 years ago not to support the push by CARICOM states for reparations from European countries.

“I see the need for the intellectuals to deal with this matter because the intellectual community is trying to find a way to put this back together again,” he said. “Our two universities and other universities in Africa have continued to bond over the years and we are very proud to deepen our bond with that space, so you have our commitment.”

The UWI has been cementing its presence in the African continent in recent years, including through a number of agreements with the University of Johannesburg, the University of Ghana, the University of Nairobi and the Kenyatta University.

Barbados’s Ambassador to CARICOM, His Excellency David Comissiong said leaders should commit to the staging of an annual

African Union-CARICOM Summit

in September to help ensure accountability.

The participants agreed the two regions could deepen cooperation almost immediately in the area of health care, using the African Medical Supplies Platform as an example. The platform was used by member states of CARICOM to source personal protective equipment and other medical supplies last year amid a global shortage.

During the meeting, Dr. Connell reported on the outcome of a visit to Nairobi, Kenya last year by a Cave Hill delegation. He said agreement was reached on the migration of Kenyan nurses to service the healthcare needs of Barbados, to have joint reciprocal medical training, and on the exchange of artists and cultural practitioners. He explained the next stage of discussions between the University of Nairobi and the Cave Hill Campus would revolve around the formation of a joint articulation agreement committee.

From left: Barbados Ambassador to CARICOM, His Excellency David Comissiong; Ambassador Raychelle Omamo, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kenya; Dr. Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary General; and Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, ViceChancellor of The UWI Ambassador Omamo commended Dr. Connell and the other members of the Cave Hill team on the work done in advancing the partnership in the area of health and pledged to move with alacrity on these issues.

“We aim to accelerate the execution of the framework document that would facilitate the implementation of these agreements so they can bear fruits quickly. There’s urgency on our part. The next six to seven months are critical for us to lock things down.”

She said Kenya was also keen on leveraging ICTs to allow Africans to tell their stories through 3D technology, gaming, and other areas, as well as to enhance cultural exchanges with the Caribbean.

Secretary General of Caribbean Community, Dr. Carla Barnett, said youth involvement would be imperative, particularly in the area of culture. l