Who we are
The idea of creating an institute focussed on Canada and the Caribbean grew out of conversations between Gervan Fearon, Sir Hillary Beckles and Richard Bernal. Founded in 2020 by The University of The West Indies and Brock University, with the goal of positively contributing to the quality of life of those living in Canada and the Caribbean, the Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI) is now a collaboration between a number of colleges and universities from Canada and the Caribbean. See Member Institutions page
Our Mission
The mission of the Institute is to provide a forum
- to connect academic institutions, scholars, the business and public sectors, civil society, the cultural and diaspora communities
- to inform and encourage collaboration across Canada and the Caribbean to advance important social, environmental, and economic issues that are vital to the shared prosperity and advancement of both regions; and
- to identify impediments and opportunities related to such progress.
The objectives of the institute are to:
- Create awareness of the need to have detailed studies on Canada-Caribbean relationships and issues.
- Provide a platform for cross-fertilization of ideas related to Canada-Caribbean relationships in a multi-disciplinary manner.
- Provide education and a forum for research into Canada-Caribbean studies, inclusive of cultures, language, history, philosophy, politics, sociology, economics, geography, religion, medicine, and other multi-disciplinary perspectives.
- Establish a platform for capacity-building and mentorship through seminars, teaching, and research.
- Facilitate a collaborative approach to pursing grants, bequests, gifts, and endowments from international bodies and foundations for research activities related to Canada-Caribbean issues.
- Facilitate through special arrangements, visits of academics and students to be in residence.
Our History
The idea of creating an institute focused on Canada and the Caribbean grew out of conversations between Gervan Fearon (O.Ont), now President of George Brown College in Toronto, Canada and Sir Hillary Beckles, Vice Chancellor of the University of West Indies. Sir Richard Bernal, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs at The University of West Indies also played a key role in supporting the establishment of CCI.
Founded in 2020 by The University of The West Indies and Brock University, with the goal of positively contributing to the quality of life of those living in Canada and the Caribbean, the Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI) is now a collaboration between a number of colleges and universities from Canada and the Caribbean. See Member Institutions page.
After years of partnering with one another on various initiatives, Brock University and the University of the West Indies (UWI) signed a MOU on April 5, 20219 to begin talks related to the proposed institute that would later be named Canada-Caribbean Institute. More information here on the visit from UWI’s Vice Chancellor and CCI Co-Founder, Sir Hilary Beckles.
Significant interest in fostering Canada-Caribbean collaborations continued to build throughout 2019 with the Governor General of Antigua’s visit in May 2019 to the Niagara Region and Brock University. In December 2019, UWI provided an update on the proposed institute and the positive momentum of conversations.
In February 2020, after a year of collaborative planning, Brock and UWI announced that the Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI) was formally launched with its inaugural Canada-Caribbean Research Symposium, held at the UWI’s regional headquarters campus in Kingston, Jamaica. The first issue of the Canada-Caribbean Institute Journal was published a few months later, showcasing the proceedings of the presentations that took place at the first CCI Research Symposium in February 2020.
CCI was pleased to witness continued strengthening of Canada-Caribbean ties in April 2022 with the efforts by the the Government of Canada and CARICOM Member States to advance mutual relations and development. In February 2023, the second CCI Research Symposium was held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Barbados, bringing together scholars from multiple institutions to discuss a variety of topics, such as Indigenous research, physical activity, economic growth and trade, and gender diversity. A report is available here.
In the later part of 2023, on October 19th, Canadian and CARICOM governments concluded the conclusion of the Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership a move that was welcomed by the CCI.
The third CCI Research Symposium took place at McMaster University, which became the Canadian host institution in 2023. The focus of the Symposium was “The Climate Crisis, Resilience, and Alternative Energy Sources“. It brought together researchers, scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders across disciplines to exchange ideas, share insights, and explore innovative solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change and environmental in/justice, climate vulnerabilities, enhance climate resilience, and promote the adoption of alternative energy sources. The symposium emphasized McMaster’s ongoing partnerships and commitment to internationalization, sustainability, and collaboration and members such as George Brown College were pleased to send faculty delegations.
Our Activity
Through this website we will provide information on how Caribbean and Canadian colleges and universities are helping to build the bilateral relationship. We will organize research symposia and panel discussions and to deepen understanding of the key issues. We will report on how governments are managing the bilateral relationship and, where we can, offer recommendations. And we will tell the stories of the people who shape our two regions.