Frank Moya Pons, the most widely read historian of the Dominican Republic, set out to write a book that reveals the structural similarities of Caribbean economies of diverse colonial affiliation and the continuities of their experience through historical time. For my review of this excellent book click here
Does Caribbean integration have a future? Whichever configuration of the Caribbean we talk about, an economically integrated region seems to be remote. The only areas of relatively successful regional integration are functional cooperation; intra-Caribbean migration, and cultural intercourse.
The EU decision to apply ‘Differentiation’ in its aid programme has caused consternation in the Caribbean. But could this be a blessing in disguise?
Do Cubans see themselves as part of a Caribbean family? Are there historical, social and cultural reasons for a ‘Caribbean Cuba’ and how does the Caribbean appear in the Cuban imaginary? How is this conditioned by attitudes to race in Cuban society? A conversation taking place within Cuba and between Cuban and Anglo-Caribbean scholars…
My book in Spanish, El Caribe: dependencia, integración y soberanía was recently presented at the International Book Fair in Havana. Here is a report of the presentation and panel discussion and the comments of one reviewer, in English and in Spanish.
Report on Girvan book launch (English)
Remember that great story you learnt at Sunday School, about the little guy with the slingshot who took down the big bully with a single stone to a part of his anatomy where it really hurts? Well, its happening right here in the Caribbean.
In the 21st century Caribbean version of the timeless Biblical story, the little guy is Antigua and Barbuda; the big bully is the United States; the slingshot is the World Trade Organisation and the stone is international trade law…
Sitting in my hotel room in Geneva Thursday night, I tried to access my personal website for a document I needed. Imagine my amazement when the following message popped up on my computer screen:
“ The web access is restricted. Please contact with administrator.(Political/Activist Groups)”
Continue reeadng at Girvan-Internet-restrictions-target-political-activism
Prepared For IV International Seminar Africa, The Caribbean And Latin America, St. Vincent And The Grenadines, 24th- 26th November, 2012.
The contemporary Caribbean is one of the most politically fragmented regions for its size on earth; and one with the strongest remaining colonial presence… (but) slowly but surely, a pan-Caribbean consciousness is emerging, led by the vision of cultural practitioners; and containing the seeds of a future Caribbean nation….
On January 1, 2013—209th anniversary of Haiti’s Declaration of Independence and 54th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution–1804CaribVoices went online. Inspired by the freedom struggles of Caribbean people through the centuries; 1804CaribVoices will aim to give expression to the myriad voices calling for a united and sovereign Caribbean with social justice, responsible governance and sustainable living. It invites participation from across the Pan-Caribbean space—the islands and adjacent mainland communities—to disseminate critical analyses and to facilitate collaborative activity among organisations and individuals sharing these objectives. Its aim is to fertilise the further development of a collective Caribbean consciousness; rooted in our rich history of resistance and creativity; transcending regional differences of language, ethnicity and political status; and supporting the emergence of a united community of Caribbean nations charting its way in the world. Visit the new web forum at http://1804caribvoices.org/
1804CaribVoices is a joint initiative of www.normangirvan.info – Caribbean Political Economy – and of the Caribbean Movement for Civic Empowerment, an organisation formed in 2011 by a group of young academics and social activists at the St Augustine (Trinidad) Campus of the University of the West Indies. www.normangirvan.info will now publish the majority of its new blogposts in Caribbean Political Economy at www.1804caribvoices.org; and will make available to the latter its extensive list of contacts, collaborators and contributors. www.normangirvan.info will continue to operate as the personal blog of the publisher and in order to make accessible to the public its previously accumulated stock of online materials.
I thank readers of www.normangirvan.info for their support and encouragement over the past six years and invite you to support this new initiative by registering for updates and sending us your critical analyses, commentaries and information.
Norman
January 2, 2013.
The National Gallery of Jamaica is pleased to announce that Jasmine Thomas-Girvan, jeweller and sculptor, has been awarded the 2012 Aaron Matalon Award…
About 15 organizations representing a broad cross-section of Jamaican society, including NGOs, the government and the private sector participate din a forum marking the first anniversary of the 51% Coalition: Women in Partnership for Development and Empowerment through Equity. This coalition’s primary thrust is to increase women’s participation in decision-making at the highest levels …
A release from the Highway Re-Route Movement (HRM) in Trinidad and Tobago late on December 5, 2012 indicates that agreement has been reached to conduct a full independent review of the proposed Debe to Mon Desir Highway with terms of reference that address their main demands; pending which no work will begin on the contentious highway. Accordingly, Dr Wayne Kublalsingh ended his hunger strike the same evening. On the face it this constitutes a significant victory, not only for him and the HRM, but more broadly for civil society in Trinidad and Tobago; with wider regional implications…
It is difficult to speak without repetition at this stage of the proceedings; after so many have spoken so eloquently about Angela; and from the heart.But I would like to say that of all the qualities that we have heard about; the quality that most earned for Angela the love and respect and esteem of her colleagues, her friends, was the quality of integrity…
Today marks Day 19 since Trinidadian Wayne Kublalsingh, a 53 year old environmental activist and member of the Highway Re-route Movement in Trinidad and Tobago, went on hunger strike to demand an independent technical review of a portion of a planned highway that will connect San Fernando and Point Fortin in the southwestern part of the island…
