University of West Indies event highlights UN Remember Slavery exhibit in the Bahamas
18 November 2018 – Nassau – The University of the West Indies Alumni Association (UWIAA), The Bahamas Chapter, together with the Heads of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Programmes in The Bahamas, rolled out an enlightening and exciting schedule of events in Nassau, The Bahamas, on 16-18 November 2018.
Ambassador A. Missouri Sherman-Peter, the Permanent Observer of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to the United Nations, is the President of the UWIAA, The Bahamas Chapter. And distinguished participants in the activities included the UWI Chancellor, Mr. Robert Bermudez; H.E. Mr. Reuben Rahming, Member of Parliament (MP) of The Bahamas and Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); Professor Verene Shepherd, Director, UWI Centre for Reparation Research and member and past Chair of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Working Group on People of African Descent; and Dr. Sheila Walker, cultural anthropologist and Executive Director of Afrodiaspora, Inc. in Washington, DC.
This year’s celebration was a special one, as 2018 marked the 70th anniversary of the University of the West Indies, and also the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Also in 2018, The Bahamas became the first CARICOM country to be elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The weekend’s theme, “New Eyes on an Old Institution – Remember Slavery and the International Decade for People of African Descent” highlighted the Remember Slavery Programme, which is managed by the United Nations Department of Global Communications’ Education Outreach Section, and the International Decade of People of African Descent 2015-2024, coordinated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The weekend began with an audience with the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Dr. the Most Honourable Hubert Minnis, for the distinguished participants, accompanied by UWIAA President Ambassador Sherman-Peter; Vice-President, Dr. Mortimer Moxey; the Weekend’s Spokesperson for UWI Programme Heads, Dr. Robin Roberts; and Ms. Minna Israel, Special Advisor to the UWI Vice-Chancellor on Resource Development. Prime Minister Minnis is a graduate of UWI.
Chancellor Bermudez and Mr. Rahming officially launched the weekend, the featured events of which were the staging of the Remember Slavery Programme’s exhibit, “A Legacy of Black Achievement”; a lecture entitled “Climb Over That Wall! The UWI Historian as Scholar Activist 70 Years On”, delivered by Professor Verene Shepherd; a UWIAA-Community “Legacy of Black Achievement” Walk-a-thon led off by Mrs. Patricia Minnis, spouse of The Bahamas Prime Minister; and the viewing and discussion of Dr. Sheila Walker’s documentary film “Familiar Faces, Unexpected Places”.
The events captured the attention and keen interest of Bahamians from all walks of life, particularly students and youth. They also served to encourage solidarity and support for United Nations outreach activities in the two specific areas addressed – “Remember Slavery” and the “International Decade” – and to invigorate interest in, and support for, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its 70th year.
The “Legacy of Black Achievers” exhibition, the lecture, and the “Familiar Faces: Unexpected Places” documentary were said to have made an important contribution to raising critical awareness through highlighting the active engagement of CARICOM countries in these areas at the United Nations.
