At the recent Vice-Chancellor’s Forum hosted by The University of the West Indies (UWI), regional policymakers and academics convened to discuss critical issues surrounding Free Movement, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and the Caribbean Regionalisation Project. Held on October 21, the forum highlighted the urgent need for strategic unity among CARICOM member states to address shared demographic and economic challenges.
Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, a UWI alumnus, emphasized the importance of fully implementing freedom of movement across the Caribbean. He warned that hesitations or delays by member states could jeopardize long-term regional development. Dr. Gonsalves outlined several pressing challenges, including declining fertility rates, ageing populations, trade impediments due to currency exchange issues, and disparities in energy costs. He also stressed the need for increased funding for the CARICOM Development Fund, improved airspace management, and a more unified approach to foreign policy coordination.
UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles framed the push for deeper integration as both a moral and historical imperative, rooted in the shared destiny of Caribbean people. He acknowledged progress but highlighted persistent internal and external forces that hinder unity. Professor Canute Thompson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies, chaired the forum and questioned whether the promises of the 50-year-old integration treaty had been fulfilled.
Other notable speakers included Dr. Justice Anthony Gafoor, Dr. Indira Rampersad, Ambassador Anthony Hylton, and Dr. Delroy Beckford, who provided insights on legal frameworks, data-driven mobility analysis, and the need for aligning domestic laws with treaty obligations. Dr. Rampersad revealed gaps in regional data collection, while Ambassador Hylton urged greater use of the Caribbean Court of Justice to enforce CSME provisions.
The forum underscored the Caribbean’s ongoing struggle for deeper integration and the critical role of UWI in fostering regional development. With its rich history and global recognition, UWI continues to be a cornerstone of Caribbean progress, addressing both regional and global challenges.