Tag: 2024-06-22

MOU Enhances Opportunities for UWI Students in International Trade

Students at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Cave Hill Campus are set to benefit from expanded opportunities in international trade policy research and professional development, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between The UWI and the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services (SRC) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The agreement, signed on June 18th, 2024, by Principal of The UWI Cave Hill Campus Professor Clive Landis and UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General Pedro Manuel Moreno, promises to enhance the educational experience for students in the Masters in International Trade Policy (MITP) program, including their annual study tour to Geneva, and promote research in trade and trade related areas that the SRC has been leading on over the past years. The signing took place at the UN Palais in Geneva, Switzerland, coinciding with the annual study tour of Geneva undertaken by the MITP students from the SRC.

Building on over a decade of collaboration between UNCTAD and The UWI, the MOU strengthens joint research on trade-related topics of particular relevance to the Caribbean region. It also enhances capacity building through student study tours, which have been a cornerstone of their partnership. Since 2012, over 200 students have benefited from these tours, both in-person and virtual, gaining cutting-edge knowledge on the ever-evolving global economy and exposure to multilateralism in action.

The yearly visits have covered a range of critical issues on the Caribbean’s development agenda. These include the economic challenges faced by small island developing states, the sustainable ocean economy, climate change, regional trade integration, and preferential agreements like the European Union-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement.

The signing ceremony was attended by Director of the SRC, Dr. Jan Yves Remy; Geneva-based Ambassador to the UN, Matthew Wilson of Barbados; Dean of Social Sciences at Cave Hill Campus Professor Troy Lorde; and staff from both the SRC and UNCTAD, as well as the MITP students.

Principal Clive Landis praised the “thriving partnership” for strengthening trade research and engaging Caribbean students.

“This MOU signifies the joint commitment between our organizations to provide our students with unparalleled opportunities to gain practical experience and deepen their understanding of international trade policy, benefiting not only their academic pursuits but also their future careers”, Landis added.

Pedro Manuel Moreno echoed these sentiments, highlighting the mutual benefits of the partnership, particularly in the area of research.

“Research is one of our main pillars of work,” said Mr. Moreno, referencing the organization’s core strength in providing data and analysis, facilitating consensus building, and offering technical assistance to developing countries. “Research is fundamental to inform policy dialogues and intergovernmental deliberations but also to feed our technical cooperation activities,” he added.

The new MOU is set to provide a robust platform for UWI students to engage in meaningful research and professional activities, further positioning them to become impactful contributors to the field of international trade and sustainable development.

(Press release) 

Op-ed: Haiti: a call to action for all Caribbean and Latin American countries 

By: Mario Lubetkin, FAO Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean

Although the most recent evidence shows signs of improvement in food insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean, the data reveal a worrying upward trend in Haiti and sectors of the subregion.

The situation in Haiti is particularly alarming: violence, a prolonged economic crisis, and extreme weather events have brought the country to a critical point with devastating consequences for its population. A further deterioration in acute food insecurity is projected between June and October 2024.

Haiti is the only country in the region that is considered to be in a major protracted food crisis, is one of nine countries in the world at risk of famine and is among the five countries with more than 10% of the population in Emergency. This translates into 1.6 million people with food consumption shortfalls, reflected in very high acute malnutrition and excess mortality that they can only mitigate through emergency livelihood strategies and liquidation of their assets. On the other hand, almost half of the population, about 5.5 million, could face high levels of acute food insecurity.

El Niño caused crop failures in 2023, and this year, forecasts warn of more intense hurricanes due to La Niña, which could cause flooding and landslides, causing additional damage to crops, livelihoods, and infrastructure.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), committed to supporting Haiti, is working intensively to mitigate the impacts of the humanitarian crisis through emergency agricultural assistance, strengthening livelihood resilience and specialized technical assistance while ensuring the nexus between humanitarian response, resilience, and development. FAO estimated it would require $42.6 million to assist 528,000 people, but it has received only 6% of the funding.

In 2023, FAO reached some 120,000 people across Haiti through emergency agricultural and livestock interventions to support local food production and sustain rural livelihoods. In 2024, FAO continued to provide emergency assistance in Haiti, focusing on food security and agricultural resilience amid global challenges, assisting 44,000 beneficiaries in various country departments.

In the face of increasing violence and food crises, the FAO calls on donors and governments to increase their support. Ten million dollars are needed to assist 80,000 people, ensuring the protection of their livelihoods, covering minimum food needs, and improving the availability and access to food for the most vulnerable households.

FAO appreciates the efforts of local authorities to stabilize the country through the appointment of Garry Conille as interim Prime Minister. We are confident that steps such as these will help Haiti embark on a normalization path, which could also improve food security for all its inhabitants.

The food insecurity situation in Haiti requires urgent and coordinated action. A rapid, effective response and the mobilization of the necessary resources will mitigate the impact of this crisis, support the vulnerable population, and help Haiti regain its path to food security and stability. Humanitarian aid must reach those who need it most. Only in this way can we ensure a better life for all, leaving no one behind.

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