EU talk series ‘Bridges of Innovation’ slated for next week at UWI Global Campus

The Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS, and CARICOM/CARIFORUM has announced the commencement of its ‘Bridges of Innovation’ initiative, which will feature a regional speaker series led by Nobel laureates.

The ‘CONNEXEUS 2025 Talk Series’ will begin at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados on May 10. A UWI press statement said that on the roster will be presentations from Nobel Prize winners from Europe. These distinguished individuals, recognized for their contributions in fields such as chemistry, angel investing, and other areas, will discuss opportunities for partnership between the EU and the Caribbean, aiming to foster greater innovation across both regions.

Professor Morten Meldal, who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2022, will be the keynote speaker at the opening event. The second session will be hosted at the University of the West Indies Global Campus in Dominica on May 12, featuring Dr. Phaedria Marie St. Hilaire, a scientist and business leader born in Dominica.

According to UWI, this speaker series is the main component of the broader ‘Bridges of Innovation’ campaign, which seeks to emphasize the strength and potential of the partnership between the EU and the Caribbean. The campaign will cover various topics, including trade, travel, education, and cultural exchange, illustrating how the two regions can develop collaboratively.

EU Representative Florian Luetticken stated: “CONNEXEUS 2025 signifies an exciting opportunity to bring together Europe’s most pioneering experts and the Caribbean’s brightest minds to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing our regions. We know that by working together, we can make significant progress towards our shared goals and unlock new opportunities in trade, innovation, education, and cultural exchange – this series is a prime example of that collaboration in action. Through the overarching campaign, we aim to deepen regional engagement and highlight the many opportunities available within the EU and Caribbean markets and communities”.

Additionally, several campaign activities will focus on increasing youth participation in EU projects and programs. These will reportedly include the launch of a Youth Sounding Board, a platform to mentor and amplify the voices of young Caribbean advocates, and the introduction of a new YouTube channel dedicated to showcasing the delegation’s regional initiatives and cross-cultural opportunities.