Conference to explore historic ties between Jamaica and San Andrés

A conference in Jamaica will delve into the historical connections between the island nation and the Colombian archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina. Scheduled for July 23 at The University of the West Indies, Mona, the Caribbean Continuity Conference aims to illuminate the often-overlooked links dating back to the 17th century.

The event is organized by the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/Jamaica Memory Bank (ACIJ/JMB) in partnership with the Embassy of Colombia to Jamaica and the Centre for Reparation Research. Dr. Kirt Henry, director of the ACIJ/JMB, stated that the conference aligns with the institute's mission to connect historical experiences with contemporary cultural realities. "The preservation of cultural memory is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is a necessary foundation for informed policymaking, social cohesion, and sustainable development," he said.

Under the theme 'Shared Histories, Shared Futures: Pathways to Reparative Justice in San Andrés and Jamaica,' the conference is part of a broader cultural exchange program. Diplomats, academics, researchers, cultural practitioners, policymakers, and community leaders are expected to attend. They will examine the historical, linguistic, and cultural ties, exploring how these shared pasts can inform current discussions on identity, cultural preservation, reparative justice, and regional collaboration.

Key components of the conference include a keynote address by educator and community leader Dr. Alberto Gordon May, two panel discussions featuring representatives from traditional communities like the Maroons and Rastafari, and officials from participating institutions. Musical performances from San Andrés will also celebrate the living traditions that connect Caribbean peoples across borders. Colombia's ambassador to Jamaica, Emiliana Bernard Stephenson, is also noted in connection with the event.

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The preservation of cultural memory is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is a necessary foundation for informed policymaking, social cohesion, and sustainable development. The historical relationships between Jamaica and San Andrés have too often existed at the margins of Caribbean scholarship. This conference seeks to bring those connections into sharper focus by creating an interdisciplinary platform where historical inquiry, cultural practice, and community knowledge can collectively contribute to a richer understanding of our shared Caribbean experience.