The University of the West Indies (UWI) is set to host a pivotal Vice-Chancellor’s Forum on October 21, focusing on one of the Caribbean’s most pressing issues: the free movement of CARICOM nationals. Titled ‘Promises, Passports, and Possibilities: Free Movement, the CSME, and the Caribbean Regionalisation Project,’ the event will delve into the aspirations of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) for seamless mobility across the region. The Forum will be globally accessible via UWI TV, providing a platform for scholars, policymakers, and industry experts to engage in constructive dialogue. Despite the provisions of Articles 45 and 46 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC), which aim to facilitate unrestricted movement for leisure and employment, challenges such as immigration checks persist, hindering the vision of a unified Caribbean. The discussions will explore proposals to amend the RTC and the 2025 Protocol of Enhanced Cooperation, aiming for deeper regional integration. Countries like Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are actively pursuing the goals of the CSME, making this Forum crucial for transforming promises into reality. Chaired by Professor Canute Thompson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies, and featuring remarks from UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the event will include perspectives from prominent figures such as Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dr. Indira Rampersad, Head of the Political Science Department at UWI St. Augustine Campus. UWI TV will broadcast the Forum live, allowing global participation in the discussion. Tune in at www.uwitvglobal and www.facebook.com/uwitv to watch the expert discussions and engage in a question-and-answer session.
The UWI presents Vice-Chancellor’s Forum on Free Movement in the Caribbean
