Shirley, Smith, Grant and Harriott

The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona will next Monday and Tuesday host a two-day regional conference on crime and security.

The objectives of the conference are to identify good practices which can be replicated throughout the region, establish informal networks that will lead to ongoing collaboration and informal exchanges and identify concrete initiatives and partnerships that will positively impact on the problem of crime in the region.

Speaking yesterday during a media briefing to announce the conference, Professor Gordon Shirley, principal of the UWI said crime and violence is seen as a significant impediment to the growth and development of the region.

He also noted that crime was a vexing problem for the people of the diaspora.

Professor Shirley said the conference, which is dubbed 'Crime and Violence in the Caribbean: Exploring Potential Partnerships and Concrete Actions', will provide an opportunity for stakeholders at the highest level to engage the issue of crime and security which is slowing the development in most countries of the region.

A conference with a difference

He noted that the two-day event will be a conference with a difference.

Policy makers, international donor agencies and members of the security forces will discuss a range of topics including crime prevention in inner cities, youth violence and modelling the crime in urban cities.

Derrick Smith, Minister of National Security is expected to address the gathering at the opening ceremony on Monday.

Other participants in the conference include Dr. Jorge Lams and Orville Simmonds of the Inter-American Development Bank; Professor Anthony Harriott of the UWI; Bernice van Bronkhorst of the World Bank; Professor Bernard Headley of the UWI and Assistant Commissioner of Police Novelette Grant.