Throughout history, university campuses have almost always been centres for progress and protest against the established order. From racial and gender justice, to anti-war and imperialism, to political and economic transformation, university students have been a perpetual resource for the advancement of society.
On March 10, 2020, student representatives from the University of Louisville visited the St Augustine Campus during their semester break and participated in a roundtable discussion titled “The Role of Student Engagement in Advocacy and Social Justice”. The discussion was held at the Centre for Language and Learning (CLL).
“Social justice movements require voices and leaders ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ the infrastructure of power in our society,” says Amilcar Sanatan, social activist and lecturer in the Department of Geography, who moderated the roundtable event. “Sustainable movements have committed activists and well-positioned advocates.”
The panel included UWI student representatives Meshonn Persaud, Jensen Samaroo, Nathaniel John and Nikolai Chin Hong. The University of Louisville’s panellists were Tiffany Murray, Diamond Davies, Caitlin Powell, Leondra Gully and Shwanzya Rivers.
The panellists shared their experiences with social justice and explored the difference between charity and social justice. One Louisville student expressed her belief that “if the intent is to help and foster social development in a fair way, it is social justice”.
Speaking on his efforts as a student advocate, UWI’s Nikolai Chin Hong said, “I strive to ensure all students are granted the best opportunities and they are equally available for all.”
Nikolai also described how he benefited from student engagement, particularly through UWI St Augustine’s Division of Student Services and Development (DSSD):
“The financial assistance they offered me allowed me to continue school when I needed it most. When I realised what they offered and how little students know about it, I began encouraging students to explore the various opportunities and amenities available for them at DSSD.”
Arising out of the discussion was a need for campus- wide awareness around volunteerism because sometimes students are not sure of where their passions lie and how to pursue them.
Discussants spoke about actions students can take to stand against inequality and oppression on campus in creative ways. One student from the audience highlighted the importance of volunteerism and advocacy in multi- cultural and multi-racial societies like Trinidad and Tobago.
The visiting students from Louisville, as well as students from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill were hosted in Trinidad and Tobago by the Careers, Co-curricular and Community Engagement Department in the DSSD.
