Breaking Boundaries: Milestones & Momentum at the Caribbean Reparations and Colonialism Symposium

Photo credit: From Bonaire Human Rights Organization. Retrieved from thedailyherald.sx

The 8th Symposium on Contemporary Colonialism & Reparations in the Caribbean culminated in resounding success after five days of engaging discussions, workshops and impactful presentations held across various venues on Bonaire. The symposium brought together distinguished speakers, activists and stakeholders, fostering critical dialogue on pressing issues in the Caribbean region.

This symposium witnessed the active participation of delegates from diverse Caribbean countries and territories, including the hardly known Raizal People, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing colonial legacies and pursuing reparative justice.

The symposium’s agenda was marked by notable events, including a vibrant Youth Political Debate, Dr. Carlyle Corbin’s insightful presentation on Contemporary and Neo-colonialism in the Caribbean and Chief Dr. Eric Phillips’ profound discourse on Reparations, shedding light on historical injustices and the path towards redress. Participants also from the Pan African Student Congress from the United States Chapter presented an enlightening presentation.

This event marked a historical moment whereas Bonaire Human Rights Organization as Associate Member of [Caribbean Community] CARICOM Reparations Commission hosted for the first time CARICOM Vice-Chair Dr. Phillips, who officially made a ground-breaking presentation on Bonaire and the former Netherlands Antilles on Reparations, especially in the context of the recent Dutch Apology by the Netherlands government. Headed by CARICOM Head of States, the reparations movement, which is seeking reparatory justice on crimes against humanity committed against our ancestors, is gaining worldwide traction as the CARICOM and the African Union recently unified in this effort going forward.