A seminar dedicated to acknowledging historical, cultural, ethical and experiential ties between Africa and the Caribbean will be hosted by the PJ Patterson Centre for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy (PJ CAFRICARA) in recognition of Africa Day 2021.

Titled “Building Africa – Caribbean Solidarity in the Age of the Global Pandemic”, the virtual seminar will be hosted on Monday, May 24, ahead of the May 25, 2021 celebration of Africa Day in commemoration of the founding in 1963 of the Organization of African Unity (African Union). 

Africa Day is intended to celebrate and acknowledge African solidarity, unity in diversity, creativity, challenges and successes.

Monday’s seminar is being hosted under the auspices of the PJ CAFRICARA established within The Vice Chancellery of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), to provide a framework to enable leaders and academics from the Caribbean and Africa to engage in strategies providing public advocacy around major issues affecting both regions.

Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson, the centre’s first statesman in residence said that “presenters at the seminar will be discussing a common approach between the Centres of Africa and the Caribbean to combat the current global pandemics: COVID-19, racism and poverty.”

Produced by UWItv, the seminar will premiere on the channel’s website and social media pages on May 24 at 4:00 pm EST and will be rebroadcast at selected intervals.

Presenters include PJ Patterson; UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria; Inés Fors Fernández, Ambassador of Cuba to Jamaica; Dr Edwin Kessie, Director of the Agriculture & Commodities Division at the World Trade Organization; Professor Verene Shepherd, Director of the Centre for Reparation Research; and Sir George Alleyne, Former UWI chancellor and Executive Director of The Pan American Health Organization. 

Ambassador Dr Richard Bernal will serve as moderator