News Releases

UWI and PADF Symposium Examines Education and Social Inclusion of Refugees

For Release Upon Receipt - October 22, 2024

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, October 22, 2024 – The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine Campus, in partnership with the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), recently hosted “Migration Talks: Rethinking Diversity and Integration - A Symposium on Migrants and Refugees.” The event, held on October 4, 2024, aimed to address the integration challenges faced by migrants and refugees in Trinidad and Tobago, with a focus on education and socio-cultural inclusion.

This initiative comes at a critical time, following the enrolment of Venezuelan migrant and refugee children into Trinidad and Tobago’s national education system in September 2024. The achievement, facilitated by key local and international stakeholders, was hailed as a major milestone in the country’s humanitarian efforts. Scott W. Hansen, Political & Economic Counsellor at the US Embassy, emphasised the importance of this integration, calling it "a significant step in strengthening Trinidad and Tobago’s support for vulnerable communities."

The Education Panel of the symposium explored the challenges faced by migrant children and proposed strategies to improve educational outcomes. Dr. Nicha Selvon-Ramkissoon of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) highlighted the importance of "ethical language education" to reduce vulnerabilities and ensure full participation in society. Sharon Mangroo, CEO of the Catholic Education Board of Management (CEBM), outlined the collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Education, The UWI, and other partners in developing specialised teacher training in inclusive pedagogy for multilingual classrooms.

A key highlight of The UWI’s contribution was the development of the English as a Second Language Proficiency Test, administered in collaboration with CEBM, the Living Water Community, and PADF. Romulo Guedez Fernandez, Programme Coordinator at The UWI, shared that this test helps ensure that Spanish-speaking migrant children receive targeted educational support.

St. David’s RC Primary School Principal, Ginnall Thomas, shared the positive impact of culturally inclusive teaching methods, noting that these approaches fostered better integration between local pupils and migrant children. Additionally, Tracey M. Lucas, UNICEF Education Officer, discussed ongoing capacity-building efforts within the Ministry of Education to support full educational access for migrant children, with schools serving as models for successful integration.

The symposium also featured discussions on socio-cultural integration, with Deserey Jordan-Whiskey of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) highlighting efforts to combat discrimination through community outreach and social media campaigns. Amanda Solano Badilla, Head of Office for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), outlined the agency’s collaboration with local partners to ensure access to informal education for migrant children while awaiting formal status determinations.

In his address, Heroes Foundation CEO Lawrence Arjoon emphasised the need for cohesive policy and practical initiatives to foster integration, stating, “The migrant and refugee community are part of our community." He pointed to the success of pairing migrant and local youth in cultural exchange programmes as a model for promoting inclusivity.

Attendees of the symposium included representatives from international agencies, governmental and non-governmental organisations, and academic institutions. Among the key figures present were Ambassador William Bush, US Embassy officials, Professor Derek Chadee, Deputy Principal of The UWI St. Augustine Campus, and Dr. Nicole Roberts, Director of the Centre for Language Learning (CLL).

The symposium underscored the importance of systemic, culturally inclusive approaches to education and social integration in Trinidad and Tobago’s increasingly diverse society. Dr. Selvon-Ramkissoon concluded with a call for ongoing efforts, remarking, “These children are not a social burden but a valuable part of our multicultural fabric.”

End

 

Scott W. Hansen, Political & Economic Counsellor, US Embassy Port of Spain

 

Education Panel, L-R: Giselle Mendez, Project Manager, PADF; Ayana Jack, Master of Ceremony; Dr Nicha Selvon-Ramkissoon, Assistant Professor, UTT;  Romulo Guedez Fernandez, Programme Coordinator, UWI; Sharon Mangroo, CEO, CEBM; Ginnall Thomas, Principal, St. David’s RC Primary School; and Tracey M. Lucas, Education Officer, UNICEF.

 

Socio-Cultural Integration Panel, L-R: Hannah Katwaroo, Project Director, PADF; Deserey Jordan-Whiskey, Officer in Charge, IOM; Amanda Solano Badilla, Head of Office, UNHCR; and Lawrence Arjoon, CEO, The Heroes Foundation.

About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier, higher education institution. One of only two regional universities in the world, it comprises five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE).

 

Learn more at www.uwi.edu

Contact