SRC Working Paper: The Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Caribbean: Economic, Governance and Political Contexts
In this latest SRC Working Paper, the author Dr. Nand Bardouille, Manager of the Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean (DAOC), considers how thenovel coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), using economic, governance and political lenses. Have a read of the paper here. You can also find this and other COVID-19 related publications from the SRC and elsewhere on our dedicated COVID-19 Portal.
SRC participates in Afronomics Symposium: Vulnerability in the Trade and Investment Regimes in the Age of COVID-19
SRC Deputy Director Dr. Jan Yves Remy and trade researcher Alicia Nicholls are among the contributors to a Symposium convened by the Afronomics Law Blog entitled ‘Vulnerability in the Trade and Investment Regimes in the Age of COVID-19’. The Symposium was convened by Prof. Olabisi Akinkugbe and Dr. Clair Gammage, who are also among the esteemed contributors. This Symposium is a follow-up to the Afronomicslaw.org Webinar III on “Vulnerability in the Trade and Investment Regime in the Age of COVID-19”, in which both Dr. Remy and Miss Nicholls presented on the SRC’s proposed Trade Vulnerability Index. For the published Symposium, Dr. Remy co-authored an article with a noted economist entitled ‘Our Trade Vulnerability Index Explained: Why, What, How and What’s Next?’. Their article explains the Trade Vulnerability Index the SRC is currently formulating. A conceptual paper on the proposed TVI authored by the SRC in 2019 may be accessed here. Miss Nicholls’ contribution entitled ‘Vulnerability and Resilience in the Investment Context in the Age of COVID-19: A Caribbean Perspective” extends the SRC’s conceptual research on vulnerability and trade to include investment. Their contributions will be posted on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. The introduction to the Symposium by Prof. Akinkugbe and Dr. Grammage may be read here. All Symposium contributions may be accessed here. We again thank the Afronomics Law Blog for the opportunity to be a part of this timely symposium.
Nations to meet in Barbados to chart new path for post-coronavirus economic recovery
UNCTAD’s 15th quadrennial ministerial conference (UNCTAD15) to be held in Bridgetown, Barbados from 25 to 30 April 2021 will present the world with the first opportunity to align the sustainable development agenda with global efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full article here.
Musical giant Eddy Grant sues Trump campaign for unauthorised use of song ‘Electric Avenue’
Guyanese-born musical giant Eddy Grant is taking legal action against the campaign of United States President Donald Trump for the unauthorised use of Grant’s 1983 hit song ‘Electric Avenue’. The song was used without Grant’s permission in a campaign ad against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee former Vice President Joe Biden. Mr. Grant’s legal counsel has issued a cease and desist letter. Grant is among several artistes, including in the US, who have complained about the unauthorised use of their songs by the Trump campaign. However, this is not a problem unique to the US as in the recent Trinidad & Tobago general election, several Trinidadian artistes complained of unauthorised use of their music by political campaigns. Photo credit: Wikipedia
To P.M. Arthur, With Love from the SRC!
Staff of the SRC bids farewell to former Prime Minister of Barbados, the Right Honourable Owen Seymour Arthur in a touching tribute.
Virtual Signing Ceremony for the UNCTAD 15 Host Country Agreement with Barbados
The Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley and UNCTAD Secretary-General Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi signed an agreement for the hosting of UNCTAD 15 during a virtual signing ceremony on 5 August 2020. UNCTAD’s 15th quadrennial conference originally scheduled to take place in Barbados during 2020 is now set to take place in Barbados from 25 to 30 April 2021.
Online Conversation with WTO DG Candidate Dr Jesus Seade
Invitation to an online conversation with WTO Director-General Candidate Dr. Jesus Seade on Wednesday 5 August, 2020. See flyer! Access the PDF version for registration link here.
SRC Statement on the passing of The Rt Hon. Prof. Owen S. Arthur, former Barbados PM
The SRC joins the people of Barbados and the Caribbean in mourning the passing of former Barbados Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Prof. Owen S. Arthur. Prof. Arthur was a friend to the SRC and his presence will be greatly missed. We express our sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time.
19th Annual Caribbean Commercial Law Workshop
Commercial Law in the Digital Age Following last year’s successful gathering in Habana, Cuba, and in line with its current theme, the Faculty of Law of the University of the West Indies is pleased to announce that the 19th Annual Caribbean Commercial Law Workshop will be hosted online as a half day interactive webinar on July 30, 2020, from 9-11.00 AM Barbados/EC time. The event will be open to the public on a first come basis, without charge. See flyer for further details!
SRC congratulates former director on appointment as new ITC head
The Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy & Services (SRC) of The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados wishes to congratulate its former director, Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, on her appointment by the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as the new Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC). ITC, a joint agency of UNCTAD and the World Trade Organization (WTO) based in Geneva, Switzerland, focuses on supporting the internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and is an important partner for the SRC. Ms. Coke-Hamilton was the first director of the SRC, serving in this capacity from 2005 to 2007. She currently remains a member of the SRC’s Advisory Board and is a former chairperson of that Board. She was instrumental in the design and implementation of the Centre’s flagship Masters in International Trade Policy (MITP) Programme. Ms. Coke-Hamilton has an extensive and distinguished career in the field of trade and development, working with a variety of regional and international organizations. She previously served as the Head of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, the regional trade and investment promotion agency mandated to enhance the competitiveness of CARIFORUM SMEs and promote trade regionally and internationally. She was also the Director of Trade and Competitiveness at the Organization of American States (OAS) dealing with issues facing small island developing states and small economies in international trade and globalization. Most recently, Ms. Coke-Hamilton served as the director of UNCTAD’s division on international trade and commodities. The SRC wishes Ms. Coke-Hamilton well in her new post and looks forward to our continued partnership and engagement with the ITC on trade and development issues.