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The UWI presents Vice-Chancellor's Forum on Free Movement in the Caribbean

For Release Upon Receipt - October 17, 2025

UWI


The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica, W.I. Friday, October 17, 2025—On October 21, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) will tackle one of the Caribbean's most pressing issues in an upcoming Vice-Chancellor's Forum. Titled "Promises, Passports, and Possibilities: Free Movement, the CSME, and the Caribbean Regionalisation Project," it aims to explore the long-standing aspirations of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) for seamless mobility among Caribbean nationals.

 

 The Forum which will be accessible globally through UWItv, occurs against the backdrop of heightened discussions surrounding the free movement of CARICOM nationals. While Articles 45 and 46 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) were designed to facilitate the unrestricted movement of Caribbean citizens for leisure and employment, the promise of hassle-free travel remains largely unfulfilled. Current challenges, such as immigration checks that contradict the vision of a unified Caribbean, highlight the urgent need for renewed dialogue.

 The discussions will explore proposals to amend the RTC and the 2025 Protocol of Enhanced Cooperation, aiming for deeper regional integration. With countries like Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines actively pursuing the goals of the CSME, this Forum is crucial for highlighting opportunities for transforming promises into reality.

 As the Caribbean's leading educational institution, The UWI is taking a pivotal role in advancing discussion of this critical issue. The Forum will provide a platform for scholars, policymakers, and industry experts to engage in constructive dialogue, assess progress, and identify the ongoing challenges in achieving free movement. Chaired by Professor Canute Thompson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies, and featuring remarks from UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the event creates a rich environment for diverse perspectives.

 Among those perspectives will be those of Dr. the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. the Honourable Justice Anthony Gafoor, the Chairman of the Tax Appeal Board of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Indira Rampersad, the Head of the Political Science Department at The UWI St. Augustine Campus, Ambassador Anthony Hylton, a Trade Policy Expert and Attorney-at-Law, and Dr. Delroy Beckford, an International Trade and Competition Lawyer, and Adjunct Lecturer at The UWI Mona Campus. 

 UWItv will broadcast the Forum live, allowing voices from outside the University to contribute to this important discussion. Tune in at www.uwitvglobal and www.facebook.com/uwitv to watch the expert discussions and actively participate in a question-and-answer session, share ideas and explore innovative solutions.

 

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About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region.

Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Global Campus, along with international centres in partnership with universities across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world.

Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE's prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This recognition has also springboarded the establishment of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISD), a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development.

The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at www.uwi.edu.

 

 

 

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