Blog
Statement from the Vice-Chancellor: Harvard Law School is fully aware of the truth and ethical power of Prime Minister Browne’s case
Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, and Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles commented on the letter, penned by Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne to Harvard University’s President, Lawrence Bacow, demanding reparation payments “for the gains Harvard enjoyed at the expense” of Antiguan slaves. Prime Minister Browne’s […]
The Pybus Philosophy in Windies Cricket
Two photographs in as many days tell the story of the future of West Indies cricket. The first captures Floyd Reifer, West Indies interim cricket coach, in conversation with Jamaican Dr Glen Mills, the world’s best ever sprint coach/educator. The second is of Richard Pybus, terminated West Indies coach, commenting on the West Indies Test […]
Thanking Sir Alister: Tribute to the former UWI Vice-Chancellor (1988-1998) by Professor Sir Hilary Beckles
I was but a rookie, in UWI years, when Sir Alister, after blazing a global trail, wheeled and returned to the realm as a Caribbean colossus to serve us as Vice-Chancellor. The timing was perfect. His presence powerful and turbulent. Together, they constituted an image reflective of the ground scorching cover drive we had come […]
Kofi Annan: Philosopher Prince
The following editorial on the passing of Kofi Annan—Ghanaian diplomat and seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations—is issued by the Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Professor Sir Hilary Beckles. Mr. Annan was conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by The UWI, Mona in 1998. Africa’s long tradition of producing […]
Windrush: Brexit and Blackxit
Regional Headquarters, Kingston, Jamaica, May 4, 2018 – The following statement is issued by the Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles.
HAITI: Caribbean Dignity Unbowed.
The following statement is issued by the Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles. The democratic, nation-building debt the American nation owes the Caribbean, and the Haitian nation in particular that resides at its core, is not expected to be repaid but must be respected. Any nation without a nominal […]
Britain remembers its past but urges others to forget theirs
Regional Headquarters, Jamaica. November 15, 2017. Director of the Centre for Reparation Research (CRR) at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Professor Verene Shepherd issues the following statement on the recent remarks by Lord Tariq Ahmad, British Minister of State with responsibility for the Caribbean, Commonwealth and the United Nations, as he concluded […]
Irma-Maria: A Reparations Requiem for Caribbean Poverty
Regional Headquarters, Jamaica. September 22, 2017. Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Professor Sir Hilary Beckles issues the following statement on the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria: “Hurricane Irma’s fury preceded Maria’s by a deadly Caribbean second. Together they constitute the familiar sound of death and destruction reminiscent of a […]
UWI’s Vice Chancellor Receives Two Honours in Connecticut, USA
March 2nd, 2017, has been proclaimed by the City of Hartford in the State of Connecticut, USA as “Sir Hilary Beckles Day.” Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, in his proclamation, following a series of public engagements in the city made reference to Vice Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles for his “global service in the cause of social […]
Rekindling the Caribbean Renaissance
I offer support for the objectives of Black History Month by placing on its agenda the need for an urgent Caribbean dialogue on the development challenges facing our people. Where we have reached in our historic flight to freedom as a community needs to be assessed and the depth of our dedication to promoting popular […]