PJ Patterson Collection goes to UWI Main Library
THE P.J. Patterson Collection, consisting of more than 600 files, will be formally handed to the Main Library of the University of the West Indies, Mona, during a function at the UWI Regional Headquarters today at 5:30 p.m.
The collection consists of 538 files, 70 of which include speeches. UWI, Mona, said the collection is considered to be special, as it includes published and unpublished materials, reports, speeches and other materials generated by the retired prime minister during his tenure as minister of government and prime minister of Jamaica.
“The collection bears witness to P.J. Patterson’s contribution to Jamaica, the Caribbean and the wider international community, providing detailed factual information of the role he played in the development of the Jamaican economy,” said the UWI in a release. “Evidence of this can be seen in his participation with Highway 2000, the reform of education in Jamaica, the development of social and economic policies, the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, as well as the Regional Negotiating Machinery,” the release added.
“Many of these primary source documents offer researchers a unique opportunity to investigate the issues of the period within a regional context, rather than through the narrow prism of nationalism,” the UWI noted.
‘Many of these primary source documents offer researchers a unique opportunity to investigate the issues of the period within a regional context, rather than through the narrow prism of nationalism.’
REGIONAL INTEGRATION
“Patterson’s pan-Caribbean viewpoint recognises that regional integration in the Caribbean requires the adoption of consistent long-term policies in a great variety of areas. Patterson’s position is not a rejection of nationalism but more a rejection of narrow regionalism,” the university stated.
The subject coverage of the Patterson Collection is representative of many contemporary topics and documents cover various Jamaican public bodies, national infrastructure projects, CARICOM initiatives, and regional and international trade agreements and treaties.
Other notable themes covered include the Emancipation Park development, ACP-EU Cotonou Partnership Agreement (2000), CARICOM Haiti initiative (2004), Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) (2005) and ICC Cricket World Cup (2007)
Material on CARICOM alone covers more than 15 per cent of the collection. The majority of documents cover the period 1992-2006.
Sir George Alleyne, chancellor emeritus, will provide reflections on the collection, while campus librarian Dr Paula Kerr will provide an overview. Ambassador Richard Bernal, pro-vice chancellor, and professors Sir Hilary Beckles and Archibald McDonald will also give remarks.