Called by the Department of Government and Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, the Second Colloquium on the Legacy of Fidel Castro at UWI Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, was held on November 24-25, 2017 with the participation of a VIP Cuban political and academic delegation and other distinct Caribbean intellectuals, marking the first anniversary of his passing. The forum was opened by the Minister of Education of Barbados, Hon Ronald Jones, the Deputy Principal, Dr. Clive Landis, and the Cuban Ambassador, Dr. Francisco Fernández. A ceremonial signing of two MOU between UWI and the University of Havana as well as with the Ministry of Health of Cuba preceded the opening session of the colloquium, in which Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal of UWICHILL, Professor Eudine Barriteau, recognized the relevant role of the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution in defence of the socioeconomic development, independence and sovereignty of the third world countries and Africa and the Caribbean in particular.
During two days, meaningful discussions were developed around ten presentations on different topics related to the life and contribution of that universal leader. Dr Francisca López, President of José Martí and Fidel Castro Chairs at University of Havana, presented a paper entitled “José Martí and Fidel Castro: the philosophical roots of the Cuban Revolution”. She was followed by Dr. Alafia Samuel, Chronic Disease Research Centre, UWI, with “The transformation of the Cuban health system under Fidel´s philosophy”. Then UWI Professor, Dr. Kay Ann Skeet, continued with “Fidel´s Cuba and the integration of Latin América and the Caribbean”. Afternoon session was opened by MsC Idalmis Brooks, Senior Officer, Caribbean Desk, International Relations Department, Cuban Communist Party with “Fidel Castro: the architect of unity”; Dr. Yanique Hume, UWI Faculty of Humanities, continued with “Fidel and Religious and Spiritual Diversity in Cuba and the Caribbean” and after a section of public feedback, the first day closed by Professor Dr. Tennyson Joseph, Head, Department of Government, Sociology, Social & Psychology, with the paper “A Tale of Two Independences: Cuban vs Caribbean Conceptions of the use and Practice of Sovereignty”.
The second day was opened by Professor Dr. Jacqueline Laguardia, on behalf of the University of Havana´s Norman Girvan Chair on Caribbean Studies, with “The Cuban socio-cultural transformation on Fidel´s Thought and its impact in the Caribbean”, to be followed up by Dr. Anthony “Mighty Gabby” Carter, who complemented the previous topic with “Personal experiences on cultural exchanges between Cuba and the Caribbean”. Later Attorney-at-Law David Comissiong, President of Clement Payne Movement and member of the Executive Secretariat of the International Network In Defence of Humanity, Coordinator of the Caribbean Chapter, presented “Fidel and his Antimperialism, a legacy for humankind”. After another section of public feedback, Dr. José Ramón Balaguer, Member of the Secretariat and Head of International Relations Department, Central Committee of Cuban Communist Party addressed the closing remarks of the event with “Internationalism in Fidel Castro’s Thought: Africa and the Caribbean”.
Other relevant activities completed this conference in different moments. For example, at the opening session Professor Rosa Ana Herrero, UWI Faculty of Humanities, introduced a painting expo by Víctor Mora and others Cuban contemporary painters. In the morning of November 25, in the first anniversary of Fidel´s passing, the iconic Barbadian calypsonian, “Migthy Gabby” dedicated two songs to the audience, one to Fidel (Well Done) and other to the Caribbean (Massa Day Done). On the other hand, Dr. Francisca López presented a donation of books related to the life and work of Martí and Fidel, as the initial contribution by the University of Havana to the further creation of a homonymous chair to be launched very soon at UWI Cave Hill Campus. This action was reciprocated the next day by UWI Deputy Principal, Dr. Clive Landis, with several books to be delivered to the University of Havana.