The UWI Regional Headquarters Jamaica. Wednesday, October 11, 2023. The following editorial is
issued by Sandrea Maynard, Pro Vice-Chancellor Global Affairs at The University of the West Indies.
Canada and the Caribbean have been historically longstanding partners but today, many Canadians perceive
the Caribbean as a destination for vacations.
Over the years, as other entities have expanded their presence in the Caribbean, Canadian development
support in the region has moved from physical infrastructure development to more intangible policy
assistance, often delivered through third parties such as international organisations. Consequently, Canada’s
tangible visibility profile in the region has diminished. Together with strategic partners in the Caribbean, the
Canadian Government has been bolstering bilateral ties to address this development and ensure that Canada
and the Caribbean progress as mutually beneficial partners moving together into the future.
Canadian society includes a large number of people of Caribbean origin, many with family connections and
business interests there. Similarly, many Canadian citizens have good reason to care deeply about what
happens in the Caribbean.
Maintaining Caribbean economic stability and economic growth can bring economic benefits to Canada. A
stable market of 16 million people (60% under 30) can be essential market for Canadian traders and
investors.
Collaboration between CARICOM and Canada, for example, between educational institutions such as the ones
we lead, results in international students, exchanges of students and faculty, cooperative research, and
development of the leaders of tomorrow.
The cultural diversity of both CARICOM and Canada can only benefit from greater access to and collaboration
between all levels of society.
Canada’s support to CARICOM in dealing with climate change and its many vulnerabilities, a greener energy
transition, and improved public health is not just the right thing to do, it also highlights Canadian technology,
training, and expertise.
Security cooperation to improve public safety and administration of justice in Canada can also reduce threats
to Canada, given the extensive movement of people between the regions.
Collaboration in international organisations such as the UN and the OAS would benefit both sides. CARICOM
can have a G7 ally to help advance its interests and Canada can expect CARICOM’s support for its foreign
policy objectives such as promoting democracy, equity and human rights. In other areas, Canada stands to
gain insights and support as CARICOM moves to increase links with Africa, a region where Canada is seeking
to make more significant inroads.
Over the past several years, there have been significant increases in engagement between CARICOM and
Canada, including regular meetings with Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development, and leaders
met last year in The Bahamas. Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Ministers Mottley and Holness have
assumed leadership roles together on several important UN initiatives.
The next significant step is a Canada-CARICOM Summit in Ottawa from October 17-19.
The Canada Caribbean Institute (CCI), founded by The University of the West Indies (The UWI) and Canada’s
Brock University and devoted to studying Canada/Caribbean relations, is eager to see the summit realised.
The Institute urges the leaders to build on the legacy of the past to set an agenda that allows CARICOM and
Canada and to move together as closer partners into the future. It stands ready to support such an agenda.
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Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC) Global Affairs, Ms. Sandrea Maynard, LLB (Hons) LLM, SFHEA, PgCHE. Ms. Maynard, was
appointed on January 1, 2023, and leads the regional university’s global engagement portfolio and coordinate all
internationalisation and strategic global initiatives across The UWI system.
About The University of the West Indies
The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre
of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years.
From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally
respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in
Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Global Campus, and
global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.
The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and
Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science
and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of
Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world.
The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times
Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut
in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also
in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80
years old). The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the
world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good
Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action.
2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready.
Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and
articulate plans for the future of the regional University.
Learn more at www.uwi.edu
