BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A contingent of students from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus returned to Barbados yesterday (Nov. 29) with an improved understanding of regional integration after a week spent in the Federation.
Some 25 students from a variety of disciplines arrived on St. Kitts on November 22 for the week-long project, dubbed ‘Students engaging the CSME through field participation’.
The UWI participants received an all-expenses paid trip to the Federation to get an “on the ground” feeling of the transition into the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). About 225 individuals from around the Caribbean participated in the exchange, and the project was financed under the 9th European Development Fund (EDF).
Upon arrival, participants were divided into four groups: free movement of skills, free movement of services, right of establishment/movement of capital and free movement of goods. Based on their groupings, the students then visited business places, manufacturers, service providers and government agencies responsible for issuing skills certificates.
Leading the contingent was lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Government, Sociology and Social Work, Dr. Pearson Broome, who told SKNVibes that the students had an intense learning experience that assisted them in understanding the dynamics of Caribbean integration.
“They have been learning a lot; they have come from the classroom where they got the theory and they are here to face the reality and see what exactly is being done on the ground. This would give them the chance to see how these two correlate. They are very thankful for this opportunity,” Broome said.
Beyond their scheduled appointments with businesses, the various groups spent time interacting with the general public and networking with social and corporate groups in order to have a more accurate understanding of how well the Federation has been transitioning into the CSME.
Last Tuesday (Nov. 24), the students had the opportunity to dialogue and socialize with local students who had undergone a similar programme in St. Lucia in early October. The group made a visit to businesses in Nevis and spent some time with the Deputy Premier Hon. Hensley Daniel.
Dr. Broome noted that the visits “fuelled the students’ curiosity” as they understand more of the practical implementation and challenges of CSME.
“They are not just looking at challenges, but they are looking at how to find new opportunities or new ways to resolve some of these challenges and that’s what they are taking back home with them,” he said.
Broome indicated that not only did the visits help the students to assess if government policies have filtered down to the person at the desk, but also gave much “food for thought” regarding mechanisms that companies in Barbados can implement to make the integration process smoother.
The students will organize a symposium upon return to Barbados, in which they will pool their observations and recommendations and produce a report.
“The students will not be resting,” Broome said. “They are writing feverishly, and when that report is compiled, it will be presented at the Heads of Government Meeting. The students have been very impressed and they continue to relate what they learn to back home.
“Some have shown interest to do further studies in the area to try to resolve some of the challenges and improve the implementation,” he stated.
