UWI Centre for Reparation Research Reparation Debates Kick Off February 9

The Centre for Reparation Research (CRR) at The University of the West Indies has officially commenced the second staging of the International Reparation Debate Competition for secondary schools.

A kick-off event was held virtually on January 20, signalling the launch of the 2026 competition, and welcomed students, teachers, partners, stakeholders and advocates from across the Caribbean and the diaspora.

The competition which aims to transform how Caribbean students engage with history, justice, and the global reparation movement has grown significantly. This year, thirty-six (36) secondary schools have registered, up from 24 schools in the inaugural year. Participating schools span Jamaica (15), Trinidad and Tobago (12), The Bahamas (3), the United Kingdom (2), and Guyana (1). The cohort includes returning schools, new entrants, and defending champions reflecting the growth in regional and international interest.

The student debates start on February 9, 2026, and run for just over 9 weeks, culminating with the Grand Finale scheduled for April 17, 2026.

The Centre for Reparation Research seeks to continue to highlight the power of education grounded in historical fact and critical thinking — equipping a new generation of Caribbean leaders with the relevant skills to engage in one of the most consequential matters of justice for Caribbean people.

The International Reparation Debate Competition enjoys the support of several key partners, including The Repair Campaign, the Jamaican Association for Debating and Empowerment (JADE), UWI Press, the CARICOM Reparation Commission, and the Wilberforce Institute at the University of Hull.

Professor Sonjah Stanley Niaah, Director of the Centre for Reparation Research delivered the opening remarks at the January 20, launch event and emphasised the urgency of embedding the reparation discourse within Caribbean education. Various speakers underscored the importance of equipping young people with the tools to think critically about the past and to engage in the rapidly unfolding present-day movement for repair.

Ms. Melissa Beckford, Head of the History Teachers Association (Jamaica), highlighted the role of history education in building informed, confident students who can engage meaningfully with the reparation movement. Dr. Niambi Hall Campbell-Dean and Chair of the Bahamas National Reparation Committee, spoke on the significance of The Bahamas’ participation in the competition and the value of regional collaboration.

Contributions were also made by Mr. Brian Royes of The Repair Campaign, who addressed the central role of education in effective reparation advocacy; Ms. Karen Smith of UWI Press, spoke to knowledge production and access; and Mr. Germaine Barrett of the Jamaican Association for Debating and Empowerment (JADE) Limited, outlined the structure and flow of the competition.

Adding a powerful youth perspective, former student debaters Ms. Kaysie Marin (Arima North Secondary), Ms. Shanna Kay Willis (Clarendon College), and Ms. Julianne Solomon (St Joseph Convent, Port of Spain) reflected on how participation in the competition sharpened their critical thinking and sparked a passion for advocating for reparatory justice.

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