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UWI TODAY
– SUNDAY 22 JANUARY, 2017
CAMPUS ACTIVISM
Sustain T&T in collaboration
with UWe Speak presented
the
Green Screen – The Environmental Film Festival Art x
Activism
films and panel discussion, the first of its kind,
thanks to the expansion of the Green Screen Environmental
Film Series into a 12-day Film Festival in November 2016.
Screenings of short films included
Teach aMan
directed
by Carver Bacchus, Green Screen series founder and
Horse
directed by Ozy Merrique. The featured film was the
documentary
Ai WeiWei: Never Sorry
directed by Alysson
Klayman which is the inside story of a dissident for the
digital age who inspires global audiences and blurs the
boundaries of art and politics. First-time director Alison
Klayman gained unprecedented access to Ai while working
as a journalist in China. Her detailed portrait provides a
nuanced exploration of contemporary China and one of its
most compelling public figures.
Teach a Man
highlights the plight of a fisherman in La
Brea, south Trinidad. With beautiful images and candid
interviews, it discusses the increasing difficulty fisherfolk
face due to decreasing catches, pollution and fish kills and
the resulting precariousness of their livelihoods.
Horse
explores the work and artistic practice of Damien Agostini.
The artist works with ‘found’ wood and transforms them into
one-of-a-kind sculptures.The film looks at conservation and
recycling from a creative’s point of view.
The discussion that followed focused on how art and
activism are connected for the panelists. Known social
environmentalist Kemba Jaramogi, founder of Fondes
Amandes Community Reforestation Project and Akilah’s
Jewelry highlighted the importance of natural forest
products similar to how she incorporates them in her
jewelry which is constructed out of seeds and other organic
materials. Jean-Claude Cournand, Director of the group
The 2 Cents Movement
discussed how his organisation
uses spoken word and digital media to support the work
of various non-profits, NGOs and smaller actors in the
civil society space. Moderator Wendell Manwarren of
the group
3 Canal
elaborated on the background of art
for communication and agitation through Carnival with
J’ouvert, ole mas and rapso as examples.
Students were encouraged to get involved with an
organisation on campus that they can support and help to
grow. They were also asked to continue supporting similar
organisations after graduation and bring that passion to
their homes, communities and places of work. Members
of The UWI community highlighted the ample spaces and
ART + ACTIVISM
B Y J E A N E T T E G . AWA I
Panelists deep in thought (from left): Kemba Jaramongi of Akilah’s Jewelry, Jean-Claude Courmand of 2 Cents Movement and Wendell
Manwarren
PHOTO: ISRAEL RAMJOHN
opportunities for art and activism to come together on
campus, however it rarely happens because of a somewhat
apathetic attitude by students.
Speaking on the event, Green Screen Series founder
Carver Bacchus stated, “The intersection of art and activism
is important to us because we live in that space – creating
and exhibiting films to catch the attention of our audiences
and move them to action. Bringing this type of event to
UWI, in conjunction with Bocas Lit Fest and 2 Cents, was
an important step for us in building a relationship with the
campus community and reigniting social and environmental
awareness among students. We’re keen to establish a formal
Sustain T&T presence on campus so this was a natural step
toward building relationships to make that happen.”
All screenings took place at the Student Activity Centre
on Campus.
For more about the Green Screen
Environmental Film Festival, please visit
their website
/
Jeanette G. Awai is a freelance writer and Marketing and Communications Assistant at the Marketing and Communications Office
Staff members getting ready to bring awareness to the campus community on the celebration of the United Nations’
International Day of Persons with Disabilities. From left: Bridgemohan Harry, Angela Gomez, Kelva Richards, Nicholin
Brathwaite-Copeland, Cheryl Williams, Kharissa Chow, Dr Jacqueline Huggins (Manager) and Samson Yakubu
In Trinidad and Tobago
, similarly around the world, persons with
disabilities face physical, social, economic and attitudinal barriers that
exclude them from participating fully and effectively as equal members
of society. On December 2, the staff of the Student Life and Development
Department (SLDD, and formerly ASDLU), celebrated International Day
of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) in recognition and in celebration of our
students with disabilities. SLDD is a department in the Division of Student
Services and Development (DSSD)
The IDPD has been commemorated since 1992 to promote awareness
and mobilise support for critical issues relating to the inclusion of persons
with disabilities in society and development. This year’s theme was
“achieving 17 goals for the future we want.”
The day was commemorated with an informational booth which
was located at the SLDD office at the Heart Ease car park. The public was
provided with information on disabilities as well as the services of the
Department. Staff and students also visited a number of car park on the
campus to distribute flyers on the importance of the provision of reserved
car park spaces for persons with disabilities in an effort to prevent the
indiscriminate use of these spaces on a daily basis.
DISABILITY AWARENESS
