4
UWI TODAY
– SUNDAY 5TH OCTOBER, 2014
OUR CAMPUS
Europe and Caribbean share long history
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen – permit
me also to say that the history of the West Indies and
that of the leading European countries have been
interconnected for centuries because of the experience
of colonialism. In fact, many of the countries in
the West Indies (commonly referred today as the
Caribbean) became involved in the Napoleonic Wars,
and so the islands of the Caribbean were the scene
of considerable fighting during these wars. As a
consequence, even the countries of the Caribbean
(most of which were colonies at the time) were
affected by the Congress of Vienna! And so, I wish
to point out that Europe and the Caribbean share a
very long historical relationship! These relations have
been strengthened throughout the years, through
for example, the partnership between the African
Caribbean Pacific (ACP) region and Europe and trade
agreements such as the CARIFORUM-EU Economic
Partnership Agreement (EPA), and its precursors the
Cotonou Partnership Agreement (CPA) and the Lomé
Conventions. I must say however, that in recent times,
there seem to be diminishing support from Europe to
the small island developing states of the Caribbean. We
see for example the erosion of preferential treatment
for major Caribbean crops such as sugar and bananas.
This has created tremendous challenges for rural
communities, as well as farmers, agro-entrepreneurs
and the economies of several Caribbean states. There
is also the perception that many of the Caribbean
states have migrated/promoted to developed status
and hence many of our Caribbean states may not be
eligible for support traditionally received fromEurope.
In considering this matter, I wish to respectfully
suggest that we take into consideration the reality
of small states – their smallness and vulnerability
including – the constant reality of natural disasters; the
effect of climate change; the reality that fragile states
of the Caribbean are immediately affected by global
shocks such as in the tourism sector and the global
financial crisis; in addition, their heavy reliance on
imported food which has an impact upon their food
security; the challenges of brain drain and migration;
communication and commuting challenges between
islands which sometimes result from remoteness.
These and others characteristics of vulnerability are
therefore special considerations which we must take
into account when deliberating upon the future of the
small states of the Caribbean region. But having said
that, let me also say that there is no doubt that the
small states of the Caribbean region must endeavor
to diversify their economies, and much of this
diversification is predicated on building their human
resource capacity! A focus on building our human
resource capacity to manage our natural resources
must be a priority! And it is in this context that
building strong relationships and linkages between
our higher education institutions, those of Europe
and the Caribbean – and more specifically between
The University of the West Indies and the University
of Vienna are of great significance!
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, Professor Clement Sankat,
addressed the closing ceremony of
a conference commemorating the
Bicentenary of the Congress of Vienna
put on during the
11th International
Association of Latin American and Caribbean Historians meeting
in Austria. Here is an excerpt from
Professor Sankat’s address at the conference,
“The Congress of Vienna and its Global Dimension.”
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, Professor Clement Sankat, addressing the closing ceremony of the conference.
