|
|
|
  
|
|
Check Out Our New Blog Posts!
Dear Friends of the Canada-Caribbean Institute:
|
This newsletter brings you a number of stories we hope you find interesting.
|
The big CCI news is that we have started planning our 2026 Research Symposium, to be held at the St. Augustine Campus of the The UWI in February 2026. Watch for the program to released shortly.
|
Other big news...tickets are now available for the Harmonies of Hope Hurricane Melissa Benefit Concert in Toronto on December 10, 2025.
|
If you enjoy receiving this newsletter, please consider forwarding it to those in your networks who might also find it interesting... and tell them to subscribe.
|
If you have a story, or ideas for relevant content, that you think we should look at, please do not hesitate to get in touch,
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harmonies of Hope Concert: TICKETS NOW ON SALE
|
|
December 10th, 2025 Check out the great lineup! It's now been 3 weeks since Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica, and I'm sure you've seen, heard, read about, or maybe even witnessed first hand the devastation the island and the nation experienced. Families and communities are in serious need for help and support, but they continue to stand strong and resilient. Let's …
|
|
|
|
Jamaica needs our help!
|
|
Hurricane Melissa has left Jamaica in a difficult situation. With lives lost and lives upended, key infrastructure knocked down, and with agriculture and tourism threatened, the economic success story that was Jamaica is facing the huge challenge of rebuilding. See the document below to find trusted organizations and make a donation today. JTC Donor Engagement FlyerDownload
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenyan police arrive in Haiti in first deployment since UN expands mandate
|
|
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Dec 8 - A new contingent of 230 Kenyan police arrived in Haiti on Monday, Haiti's national police said, marking the first foreign deployment since the U.N. Security Council approved expanding an existing gang-fighting force in the Caribbean island. This marks the first deployment since the last time the force was bolstered in February this year, force spokesperson Jack …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Toronto communities come together for Hurricane Melissa benefit concert
|
|
Hurricane Melissa, the first Category 5 storm to make landfall in Jamaica in recorded history, caused catastrophic and unprecedented damage. CBC's Dwight Drummond spoke with Angella Bennett from the Jamaica Tourist Board to learn more about how Toronto is coming together to support those affected at an upcoming benefit concert. Watch the interview at this link.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chinese hospital ship visits Jamaica as US gunboats ply the Caribbean
|
|
December 6, 2025 A Chinese hospital ship quietly docked in hurricane-hit Jamaica this week, projecting soft power into the heart of the Caribbean where a US armada is conducting a controversial anti-narcotics mission targeted at Venezuela. The Silk Road Ark, a massive Chinese Navy vessel with 300 hospital beds and some 100 doctors and support staff, is a potent symbol …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canada 'continues to monitor' US boat strikes in Caribbean as questions swirl and allies squirm
|
|
U.S. has placed Canada in an impossible position, military expert argues Ryan Cooke · CBC News · Posted: Dec 09, 2025 The federal government says it is keeping a close eye on lethal strikes by American forces on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean, while continuing with operations in the region. Canada has conducted Operation Caribbe — an anti-drug trafficking mission in partnership with …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Navigating Change: CARICOM’s Path to Sustainable and Resilient Trade in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape
|
|
SRC has released another analysis of the challenge to CARICOM of the new trade environment. Its a good read, but the absence of any reference to the Canada-CARICOM trade and investment relationship is disappointing. As we have pointed out there are things that can be done, and that would be worth doing, between Canada and CARICOM to diversify trade and …
|
|
|
|
|
|
‘Barbados must prepare for rapid ageing’
|
|
Barbados, all of the Caribbean, and Canada must prepare for aging populations. This will be an issue of increasing priority over the next years. By: Antoinette Connell Date: December 4, 2025 The Senate will return to a resolution dealing with a policy on ageing after it was introduced yesterday. Senator Lisa Cummins introduced The Resolution: Parliament Of Barbados Take Note …
|
|
|
|
|
|
From Ashes to Ferro-Concrete: A History of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Guyana 1914-2014
|
|
On December 13, 2025 Dr. Joanne Collins-Gonsalves will be sharing research from her book 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨-𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞: 𝐀 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐆𝐮𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐚) 𝟏𝟗𝟏𝟒-𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟒 published by the Guyana Heritage Society in 2014, as well as subsequent research findings. This will be exactly 100 years after the Cathedral was opened. Incidentally, Dr. Joanne Collins-Gonsalveswas honoured as …
|
|
|
|
|
|
“New Dynamics in the Americas: Counter-Narcotics? Counter-Regimes?”
|
|
The Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University along with the Caribbean Policy Consortium is holding a webinar on the recent tensions across the Americas. As political shifts in the United States continue to reshape foreign policy, ripple effects are being felt across the Americas—from trade relations to counternarcotics efforts to broader regional power dynamics. These developments carry …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trump revives Monroe Doctrine, vows to reassert US dominance in the Americas
|
|
Canada, and the Caribbean... indeed all of "The Americas", have to take the role and interests of the United States into account with regard to almost any aspect of foreign policy, and in many areas of domestic policy. That has been a given in the region for a very long time. Taking U.S. interests into account has usually been accomplished …
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Belize Policy Research Institute at University of Belize
|
|
The Belize Policy Research Institute at the University of Belize (BELPRI-UB) is Belize’s newest institute for public policy research with the vision to become a widely respected and essential policy actor whose evidence-based work influences public policies and behaviours toward a more prosperous, just, equitable and peaceful Belizean society. The establishment of BELPRI-UB is rooted in UB’s own determination to …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deadline: Canada–Caribbean Institute (CCI) Logo Design Competition
|
|
Deadline: 18 Jan 2026 Audience: All students The Canada–Caribbean Institute (CCI) is pleased to announce a Logo Design Competition! Calling all students from CCI member institutions, including The UWI! This is your chance to create an original logo that embodies the spirit of collaboration and celebrates the diversity of our regions. What’s in it for you? Your design could become the official logo …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Webinar: The Importance of Transportation in Disaster Management
|
|
Webinar: The Importance of Transportation in Disaster Management Event Date(s): 15/12/2025 Location: Online Exploring the Critical Role of Mobility in Caribbean Disaster Preparedness The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, in collaboration with Tamper Consulting (Jamaica), invites you to a timely webinar examining the indispensable role of transportation systems in effective disaster management across the Caribbean. Event Details - Date: Monday, 15 December 2025 …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Caribbean gun trafficking tied to hubs in Florida and Georgia, study finds
|
|
By Sarah Morland December 2, 2025 Report by Geneva-based Small Arms Survey links Caribbean gun trade to areas in US Southeast Thirty percent of traced firearms were bought in two Florida counties, study finds Seventy-eight percent of illegal arms shipments were detected in Florida and Georgia ports Dec 2 (Reuters) - Organized crime in the Caribbean is being fueled by arms …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Haiti sets August 2026 date for first general elections in a decade
|
|
December 2, 2025 Gang-destabilised Haiti took a major step on Tuesday toward holding its first elections in nearly a decade after transitional authorities announced the Caribbean country would hold a vote next summer. The first round of a general election is to be held in August 2026, but restoring security across Haiti is essential for polls, according to the Provisional Electoral Council, …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indigenous Surinamese accept Dutch king's apology for colonial slavery
|
|
PARAMARIBO, Suriname — Representatives of the descendants of African slaves and Indigenous peoples of Suriname on Monday formally accepted an apology from visiting King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands for widespread slavery during Dutch colonial rule. The monarch made the apology back in 2023 but it was accepted during a meeting and ceremony behind closed doors Monday in Paramaribo, the Surinamese …
|
|
|
|
|
|
St. Lucia's Pierre re-elected PM, ruling party holds majority
|
|
CASTRIES, Dec 1 (Reuters) - St. Lucian Prime Minister Philip Pierre's Labour Party (SLP) held its legislative majority on Monday, putting Pierre on course for reelection after a campaign centered on economic management, violent crime and passport sales. Shortly after 10 p.m. (0200 GMT), official election results showed the social democratic SLP winning at least 13 seats in the small …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jamaica Secures a Package of US$6.1 Billion Over Three Years in International Support for Recovery and Reconstruction After Hurricane Melissa
|
|
Following Hurricane Melissa and at the request of Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank Group (WBG) have jointly assembled a comprehensive package of up to US$6.1 billion over three years to strengthen Jamaica’s recovery and reconstruction efforts. This coordinated effort reflects …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE): Hurricane Melissa 2025 Jamaica
|
|
World Bank Caribbean Director Lilia Burunciuc has posted on LinkedIn that the results from the Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) Report on Hurricane Melissa’s impact on Jamaica are available. The early estimates are sobering:• US$8.8 billion in direct physical damage — about 41% of Jamaica’s GDP• Seven parishes — St. Elizabeth, St. James, Westmoreland, Trelawny, Manchester, St. Ann, and …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brown Bag with Audra A. Diptée - Chained in Paradise: History as the Battlefield for the Caribbean Future
|
|
When and Where Tuesday, January 13, 2026 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm William Doo Auditorium, New College III 45 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 1C7 Speakers Audra A. Diptée, Ph.D Description Join us for a community event with Audra A. Diptée, 2025/2026 Visiting Public Humanities Faculty Fellow at the Jackman Humanities Institute, University of Toronto. Dr. Diptée will present on her most recent work entitled Chained in Paradise: …
|
|
|
|
|
|
St Vincent’s Ralph Gonsalves suffers crushing defeat after 25 years in office
|
|
Friday, 28 November 2025, by Denis Chabrol KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, Nov 27, CMC – The New Democratic Party (NDP) stormed to an almost total landslide victory in Thursday’s general election, with preliminary results showing that the party had won 14 of the 15 seats in the Parliament. In the process, the NDP prevented the Caribbean’s longest serving Prime Minister Dr. Ralph …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Newfoundland and Labrador companies explore energy opportunities in Guyana during productive trade mission
|
|
A delegation of companies from Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) concluded a highly successful trade mission to Guyana from November 17 to 21, aimed at strengthening commercial ties, exploring emerging energy opportunities, and supporting NL firms as they engage with one of the world’s fastest-growing energy markets. Supported by Fiscal Frontier, the mission featured six NL companies offering expertise in energy …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Governors of Caribbean Central banks approve plan to pilot instant payment system
|
|
By Robert Andre Emmanuel robert.emmanuel@antiguaobserver.com Caribbean Central Bank governors have agreed to advance the CARICOM Payment and Settlement System (CAPSS) beyond its proof-of-concept stage, launching a pilot involving The Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. The decision came during the 65th Bi-Annual Meeting of CARICOM Central Bank Governors held November 13-14 in Willemstad, Curaçao, where …
|
|
|
|
|
|
From Kingston to the world: Jamaican music and film legend Jimmy Cliff passes on at 81
|
|
‘Cliff was a poet set his words to music, broadcasting them to the world over speakers and screens’ Jamaican reggae icon Jimmy Cliff passed away on November 24, 2025, at the age of 81. His wife Latifa announced on social media that he had died of pneumonia, following a seizure. She expressed her thanks to everyone who shared his amazing life’s journey with him, including his …
|
|
|
|
|
|
PREE...an online magazine for writing from and about the Caribbean
|
|
Just became aware of this online magazine for new Caribbean literature...PREE. PREE is a unique online magazine for new contemporary writing from and about the Caribbean. We publish original works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, essays, interviews and experimental writing, giving our authors international visibility far beyond the islands. We aim to engage each other as well as transmit Caribbean writing to …
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
About the the Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI)
|
The CCI is a collaboration between Caribbean and Canadian universities and colleges. 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.
|
|
For more information please visit our website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|