The UWI will again host its Mona Academic Conference from August 25-27, under the theme “Writing Life: Reflections of West Indian Writers.” The conference will bring together a significant number of poets, writers of fiction and playwrights who have been part of the UWI community, for readings, discussions and other presentations so that the public may become aware of the volume and range of creative writing by UWI-related writers. Some of the writers who have already confirmed their attendance include internationally acclaimed poet Derek Walcott, Kwame Dawes, Jean D’Costa, Honor Ford Smith, Merle Hodge, Olive Senior, Jean Small, Erna Brodber and Kendel Hippolyte.
The Conference opens on Friday, August 25, with a ceremony at the Undercroft of the Senate Building. Guest speaker will be Professor Mark McWatt of the UWI Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, whose collection of short stories recently won three international literary prizes. Minister of Education, the Hon. Maxine Henry Wilson will also address the gathering. Activities continue on Saturday and Sunday with presentations and discussions that will take place in the Social Sciences Lecture Theatre, Faculty of Social Sciences. Performance Nights at 6.00 p.m. on both evenings will feature Paul Keens Douglas, Amina Blackwood Meeks, Mighty Chalkdust, Brother Resistance, Stacey Ann Chin, Joan Andrea Hutchinson. For further information, please contact Jennifer Clarke, Office of Planning and Institutional Research, telephone 702-4241 or email jennifer.clarke@uwimona.edu.jm