The High Commission of India in Trinidad & Tobago is inviting everyone to attend its Academic Conference on India – Caribbean relations. This is also a co-operation with the University of the West Indies and GOPIO.
The Conference is taking place at Daaga Auditorium, University of West Indies (31 May) and then at the Learning Resource Centre, University of West Indies (01 June).
The theme of the Conference is a very strategif one : BUILDING A NEW PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN INDIA AND CARIBBEAN: THE ROLE OF DIASPORA.
It is very much in keeping with the significance of the visit to Florida, Guadeloupe and Trinidad & Tobago by Indian Union Minister Sri Vayalar Ravi who is responsible for Overseas Indian Affairs.
The potential of India – Caribbean relations is boundless. It is very much the case that the existence of a large Indian Diaspora accross the Caribbean islands and nations does represent a great asset in the face of increasing Indian clout and involvement in world affairs. Just as it has just been announced in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the 2nd India-Africa Forum that the Union Government of India is dedicating $ 5 million to African states over the next 3 years, it is an inescapable fact that rising Indian economic and cultural power can only but represent a tremendous and great opportunity for the whole region of the Caribbean as well.
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PROGRAMME
Academic Conference on
BUILDING A NEW PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN INDIA AND CARIBBEAN : THE ROLE OF DIASPORA
ORGANISED BY
HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA (31 MAY – 01 JUNE 2011)
Venue: Daaga Auditorium, University of West Indies (31 May)
Learning Resource Centre, University of West Indies (01 June)
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST INDIES
CONFERENCE PARTNER GLOBAL ORGANISATION OF PEOPLE OF INDIAN
ORIGIN
Programme
31 May 2011
Venue: Daaga Auditorium, University of West Indies
1400 – 1500 hrs Registration
1500 – 1600 hrs Inaugural Session
Master of Ceremonies: Prof. Kapil Kumar, Chair Contemporary Indian Studies
•Welcome Remarks by High Commissioner Mr. Malay Mishra
• Address by Hon’ble Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs & Civil Aviation,
Govt. of India.
• Address by Hon’ble Dr. Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic
of Trinidad & Tobago.
• Vote of Thanks by Dr. Jerome Teeluck Singh, Deptt. Of History, University of West
Indies
1600 – 1730 hrs
1st Session
Theme: Presentation & Networking of Diaspora Associations in the Caribbean
Moderator:
Prof. Brinsley Samaroo – 5 minutes
Chair:
Prof. Clement Sankat (TBC) – 5 minutes
Panelists:
1. Mr. Kumar Moorjani, French Guyana
2. Dr. Arnold Thomas, St. Vincent
3. Mr. Michel Narayaninswamy, Guadeloupe
4. Ms. Shadel Compton, Grenada
5. Ms. Sylvia Gilharry Perez, Belize
6. Mr. Sabir Nakhuda, Barbados
7. Mr. Pitamber Persaud, Guyana
(10 minutes each)
1730 – 1900 hrs
Reception hosted by Prof. Clement Sankat, Pro-Vice Chancellor & Principal, UWI at
Principal’s Office Lawns
1800 – 1900 hrs
Cultural Programme (Bhangra Group from India)
01 June 2011
Venue: Learning Resource Centre, UWI
0900 – 1030 hrs
2nd Session
Theme: Culture, Identity & Roots in a Globalising World
Moderator:
Mr. Ravindranath Maharaj- 5 minutes
Chair:
Ms. Leela Gujadhar Saroop – 5 minutes
Panelists:
1. Mr. Shamshu Deen, T&T
2. Ms. Christelle Gourdine, Guadeloupe
3. Dr. Prem Misir, Guyana
4. Mr. Maurits S. Hassan Khan, Suriname
(15 minutes each)
1030 – 1100 hrs
Tea Break
1100 – 1230 hrs
3rd Session
Theme: Building a Knowledge Economy: Role of Youth
Moderator:
Mr. Ronald Chuckaree – 5 minutes Chair: Dr. Bhoendradutt Tewarie – 5 minutes
Panelists:
1. Ms. Amrita Priya Ramcharan, T&T
2. Dr. Terencia Joseph, Saint Lucia
3. Mr. Roberto Persaud, Suriname
4. TBD
(15 minutes each)
1230 – 1330 hrs
Working Lunch
1330 – 1500 hrs
4th Session
Theme: Caribbean Diaspora: Role in Development
Moderator:
Dr. Kumar Mahabir – 5 minutes
Chair:
Mr. Ashook Ramsaran – 5 minutes
Panelists:
1. Mr. Fred Negrit, Guadeloupe
2. Ms. Shundell Persad Jha, USA
3. Dr. Ron Sookram, Grenada
4. Dr. Sherry- Ann Singh, T&T
(15 minutes each)
1530 – 1630 hrs
Valedictory Address & Wrap up Session
• Valedictory Address by Dr. Kenneth Ramchand, President, UTT
• Wrap up by Chief Rapporteur Mr. Paras Ramoutar
• Closing Remarks by High Commissioner Mr. Malay Mishra
1630 – 1800 hrs
Presentation of Documentary Film on the Diaspora by Shundell Prasad Jha followed by
discussions