Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Barbados’ diplomatic Missions around the globe taking part in the session with Distinguished Professor at the University of Alberta, Canada, Professor Andy Knight. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade)
Barbados is using the expertise of members of the country’s diaspora to chart a course for navigating the rapidly changing geopolitical environment.
On 24 February, Professor Andy Knight, Distinguished Professor at the University of Alberta, Canada, engaged staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Barbados’ diplomatic Missions around the globe in an online discussion titled Barbados and the Global Interregnum – Punching Above Its Weight.
Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Hon. Kerrie Symmonds, described the intervention as timely. He concurred with Professor Knight that the world is undergoing a period of significant transition—an “interregnum” characterized by geopolitical instability, the erosion of the post-1945 global order, and existential threats such as climate change and pandemics.
Minister Symmonds said, “For small island states like Barbados, this moment presents both profound challenges and unique opportunities to exercise influence on the global stage.” He urged the other participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to engage with Professor Knight.
In his presentation, Professor Knight expressed the view that small island states should not see themselves as passive actors, but rather as agenda-setters capable of influencing global debates and ensuring that the reshaping of the world order reflects their aspirations and needs.
He stated that by leveraging multilateralism, forming strategic alliances, leading on critical global issues, and assertively engaging with major powers, Barbados can continue to “punch above its weight.”
He singled out the thought leadership and advocacy of Prime Minister, the Hon. Mia Mottley, in the context of confronting the climate crisis and seeking a reordering of the international development financing architecture through the Bridgetown Initiative.
The Barbados-born academic is Professor of International Relations in the Political Science Department, University of Alberta, and past Chair of the Department. He is the former Director of the Institute of International Relations at the University of the West Indies at the St. Augustine Campus, and co-founder and the former head of the Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean.
Prof. Knight viewed the session as an opportunity to give back to his country in a tangible way, and gave the assurance that there were other Barbadian professionals in Canada and elsewhere in the diaspora who are eager to share their expertise and experience with their homeland.
Director General, Donna Forde, assured Prof. Knight that the Ministry fully intends to call on other members of the diaspora for future sessions on other topics.
Source: https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/barbadian-diplomats-assess-changing-international-environment/
Author: Government of Barbados
