Amidst increasing global and regional economic challenges, The UWI is making concerted efforts to create innovative and sustainable funding channels. A series of launch events—in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Belize, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and in the diaspora communities in New York and Washington—have successfully set the stage for the inaugural UWI Global Giving Week.  
 
UWI Global Giving Week runs from August 1-7, 2016 under the theme “Emancipate. Educate. Donate.” It is intended to be a frontline programme which calls on alumni, partners and friends in a campaign to build a culture of philanthropy towards strengthening The UWI’s capacity to drive regional development. Global Giving Week marks the beginning of an annual tradition to connect with friends and cultivate support and give financial contributions every year at this time. 
Proceeds of The UWI Global Giving Week programme will go toward scholarships for needy students, research and innovation, facilities and equipment, construction and maintenance of residence halls as well as sports programmes and facilities across the institution.  While contributions to The UWI are welcome throughout the year, the designated "UWI Global Giving Week” kicks off on Emancipation Day (August 1) which is celebrated annually across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). 
 
Contextualising the theme of the initiative, The UWI’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles said, “As we approach yet another Emancipation Day in the region, The UWI is calling upon you, its community of graduates and supporters, to please give generously. Your support will strengthen and expand the emancipation mission we all imagine for our youth. As you donate we will collectively educate and emancipate. Your contribution will give life and offer hope to those deserving an opportunity to fulfill their potential.”
 
The UWI has traditionally relied on regional governments for financial support; this campaign targets alumni, public and private sector organisations, donor agencies and members of the public with an objective of bringing them closer to the University.  
 
Vice-Chancellor Beckles explained further, “This is our attempt to place this philanthropic impulse on a systematic and sustainable basis. The UWI Global Giving Week rests upon decades of generosity and giving that has been a part of our survival culture. In formulating Global Giving Week, the University has made two important decisions: to connect the importance of higher education to the ideology of self-reliance and self-help; and to forge an understanding of giving to the process of self-emancipation. As we celebrate emancipation, and take pride in the justice it represents, we must also celebrate the principle of self-empowerment through education. We call upon our network of over 150,000 graduates, sponsors, partners, friends, at home and abroad, and all who believe in the empowerment of young people to “join with us in strengthening the financial footing of this great university so that it may serve even more effectively in the future. If we are going to make all of those achievements possible, that we have identified in our strategic plan, we must have your support and your assistance.” 
Global Giving Week was initiated by The Office of the Vice-Chancellor, through its Institutional Advancement Division, and is endorsed by global patron, UWI Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne and other regional patrons including: His Excellency Dr. Sir Rodney Williams, Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda, the Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur, former Prime Minister of Barbados, His Excellency Sir Colville Young, Governor-General of Belize, the Most Hon P. J. Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor-General of St Lucia and His Excellency Anthony Carmona, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
 
For more on The UWI’s Global Giving Week and giving to UWI visit: www.uwi.edu/giving or contact Minna Israel at minna.israel@uwimona.edu.jm at the Institutional Advancement Division, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica.