UCCI tackles identity politics

(CNS): The topical issues of culture, social development and identity will be the subject of academic discussion next month when the UCCI hosts the Caribbean Conference on Literature, Culture, and Identity. This is the first time that such a broad range of representatives from the Cayman Islands community and internationally will come together to discuss the these issues on an accademic platform.  The two-day conference begins on Thursday, 11 March, with a reception hosted by the National Museum at 5pm, followed by the formal opening at 6 pm.

The keynote speaker will be Dr Brian Meeks, director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Centre for Social and Economic Studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona and an eminent author and scholar in the areas of politics and culture. Professor of Social and Political Change and one of the founders of the Centre of Caribbean Thought , he is also the former head of UWI’s Department of Government and has written extensively on Caribbean politics and political theory and culture.

Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Meeks has completed visiting appointments at several universities throughout the United States, including Florida International University in Miami; Stanford, Brown, and Cambridge universities; and Michigan State University.

Following Dr. Meeks’ Keynote Address on Thursday evening, the conference begins a programme of presentations on Friday morning, from 9 am.  A slate of some thirty presenters, many drawn from the local community, is scheduled mainly for panel discussions in breakout sessions the UCCI said.

“Anyone interested in aspects of culture, social development and identity, and regional literature is invited to register,” a university spokesperson said.  “To encourage a wide cross-section of the community to attend, the local registration fee has been set at CI$25, to include lunch on Day Two of the conference.”

To register visit www.UCCIconference.ky, select “Registration”, and “Local Registration Form.” People wanting to attend limited session can do so free of charge. All registered participants as well as non-registered persons interested in aspects of the conference agenda are invited to the opening reception, at 5 pm on Thursday.  Persons attending should RSVP to Leigh Smellie, lsmellie@ucci.edu.ky, or 623-0545. Details of most presentations are now online.  Visit UCCIconference.ky, “Conference Agenda”, and “Papers