1st MIT Caribbean Students’ Conference

Technology and Society in the Caribbean

Friday October 6th – Sunday October 8th

1. The Caribbean "Euro"?
2. Drinking Water in Haiti
3. Aerospace Technology in the Caribbean
4. Solar Power in the Caribbean
5. The Caribbean in the World
6. AIDS
7. Crime
8. The Legacy of Race
9. "Brain Drain" or "Brain Gain"?
10. Diversifying Entrepeneurship in the Caribbean
11. Caribbean Examples of Good Leadership
12. The Music Industry in the Caribbean

Schedule for Workshops

Details of Workshops

1. The Caribbean “Euro”?

            For almost 30 years, the British Caribbean used a common currency, which was eventually abandoned by all but the current 9 OECS members. In recent years, the move to create the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) involves some discussion of creating a common currency. Like all questions of political economy, such a move will have advantages and drawbacks. A debate will focus on two issues: Is such a move beneficial? How could a common currency be best implemented?

2. Drinking Water in Haiti

            In Haiti, approximately 80% to 90% of the population does not have access to clean drinking water, and ranks last in water-poverty. Half of all infant mortality can be attributed to water borne diarrheal disease. Currently, water treatment machinery is available, but is somewhat expensive.

3. Aerospace Technology in the Caribbean

            The aerospace industry encompasses producers of vehicles for flight (airplanes, jumbo jets, guided missiles, gliders, etc.) as well as everything from seat belts to jet engines and missile guidance systems. This industry is almost non-existent in the Caribbean.

4. Solar Power in the Caribbean

            Solar energy has been used in many traditional technologies for centuries and has come into widespread use where other power supplies are absent, such as in remote locations and outer space. Its use is spreading as the environmental costs and limited supply of other power sources, such as fossil fuels, are realized. The benefits of a robust solar energy industry in the Caribbean are immense.

5. The Caribbean in the World

            Imagine you are a leader representing the Caribbean view at the G8 Summit held in Saint Petersburg, Russia from July 15th – 17th, 2006. The issues approached are: Global Energy Security, Energy for Innovative Societies in the 21st Century, Fighting Infectious Diseases, Trade, an Update on Africa, Fighting High Level Corruption, Combating IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) Piracy and Counterfeiting, the G8 Summit Declaration on Counter-Terrorism Program, the G8 Statement on Strengthening the UN’s Counter-Terrorism Program, the G8 Declaration on Cooperation and Future Action in Stabilization and Reconstruction, the Statement on Non-Proliferation, the Middle East, the Report on the G8 Global Partnership (Annex A), the Report of the Nuclear Safety and Security Group, the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. By reading what was said along with fact sheets from select Caribbean nations, what is your take on these issues?

6. AIDS

           Concerning the worldwide AIDS epidemic, the Caribbean is the second-most affected region in the world, with higher prevalence rates being found only in sub-Saharan Africa. At the end of 2005, an estimated 330,000 people were living with HIV in the Caribbean. An average of 1.6% of the adult population is living with HIV. Women comprise 51% of adults living with HIV. An estimated 37,000 people were newly infected with HIV in 2005. AIDS is the leading cause of death among adults (15-44 years) and claimed an estimated 27,000 lives in 2005. (Source: UNAIDS)

7. Crime

           Crime is a major concern of the governments of the nations in the Caribbean. The countries of the Caribbean face serious security threats from narcotics trafficking, the influx of smuggled small (and even sophisticated) arms, growing crime rates, and the dumping of criminal deportees from developed countries such the United States. The governments of these nations continue to work together to combat the prevalence of crime in their nations.

8. The Legacy of Race

           The main theme of this workshop is celebrating diversity. Some people think race affects everything while at the other end of the spectrum, some people think race isn’t real – that culture defines us and that culture and race do not necessarily correlate. The goal of this workshop is to build unity and open-mindedness in a 60-minute racially diverse, guided conversation.

9. “Brain Drain” or “Brain Gain”?

           Merriam-Webster defines Brain Drain as “the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field for another usually for better pay or living conditions.” People constantly look at the negative impact of the migration of students and professionals leaving Caribbean nations (some stats here). However, to simply step back and look at the picture from another point of view will yield interesting results. In fact, you may begin to call this very same phenomenon brain gain half of the time.

10. Diversifying Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean

           Unequal wealth distribution, cultural expectations and logistic constrains prevent holders of capital from capturing and developing the best talent. How can we use technology and/or problem solving techniques to broaden the opportunities for Caribbean people as stakeholders to approximate their full potential?

11. Caribbean Examples of Good Leadership

           Shirley Chisholm, Marcus Garvey, and Alexander Hamilton are just a small subset of examples of the high quality of leadership that stems out of the Caribbean. Let's examine what these people had at their disposal and the nature of the impact they made. How do their opportunities compare with ours? What have we done already? What are some of the things we are empowered to do?

12. The Music Industry in the Caribbean

           The music of the Caribbean is a diverse grouping of musical genres. They are each syntheses of African, European, Indian, and native influences. Some of the styles to gain wide popularity outside of the Caribbean include reggae, soca, zouk, and calypso. Due to the worldwide popularity and success of these genres, the music industry continues to be a lucrative market for the Caribbean.

Biographies of Knowledge Bases

Knowledge Base – Brain Drain or Brain Gain workshop, Caribbean Examples of Good Leadership workshop, Alternate Keynote Speaker

Dr. Nelson, Claire

Dr. Claire Nelson is Founder and President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS).  Under her leadership the non-profit community organization, founded in 1993, has succeeded in placing the Caribbean American agenda on the Washington policy stage.   She is the driving force behind the Campaign to declare June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month in the US, approved by both Houses in the US Congress and entered into effect by President George Bush on June 5, 2006.  ICS is also producer of activities which include for example,  the  only White House Caribbean Community Briefing; the Annual US/Caribbean Legislative Forum on Capitol Hill; and  the acclaimed Caribbean American Heritage Awards, which has honored such Caribbean American notables as Earl Graves, publisher of Black Enterprise Magazine;  Hon. Eric Holder, Former US Attorney General; and Cicely Tyson, actress.

Dr. Nelson has been actively engaged in the business of international development for about twenty-five years, working in the area of project development and management on issues ranging from private sector development to public sector modernization to women in development. 
Distinguished as the first Jamaican woman to earn a Doctorate in an Engineering discipline, and the only woman of African descent in her graduating class, Dr. Nelson holds a Bachelors and Masters in Industrial Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo and Purdue University, and a Doctorate in Engineering Management from the George Washington University.  

Knowledge Base – The Caribbean “Euro”? Debate session, The Caribbean in the World – G8 Summit 2006 workshop

Dr. Irish, George

Dr Irish hails from Montserrat and was formerly Head of the Spanish Department at UWI, Mona, Jamaica.  Currently, he is Professor of Caribbean and Latin American Studies, Executive Director of the Caribbean Research Center and the Office of International Programs at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York.  He also serves as Chancellor of the Peoples of the Americas Consortium of Research Centers and Universities for Sustainable Development, Universidad Popular de Desarrollo Sostenible de Las Americas, Panama. 

He is the author of 17 books on Caribbean and Diasporic issues, Editor-in-Chief of the refereed journal, WADABAGEI: A Journal of the Caribbean and its Diasporas published by the Caribbean Research Center and Lexington Books in Maryland, and President of Caribbean Diaspora Press Inc. in New York.  He is founder of the Leeward Islands Inter-School Debating Competition and member of the Executive of the Caribbean Inter-Collegiate Debating Competition.

Knowledge Base – Solar Energy in the Caribbean workshop

Mr. Hussam, Shaheer

Shaheer Hussam is an Associate with the Massachusetts Green Energy Fund.

His work with the Fund focuses on technology and company due diligence, as well as deal sourcing.  Prior to MGEF, Mr. Hussam worked in the Energy Markets practice at ICF International.  Mr. Hussam's other work has included the design of a photovoltaic solar power system in rural Haiti with the MIT Lab for Energy & the Environment and the Edgerton Center Development Lab, green design engineering with EMO Energy, energy economics research at ETH-Zurich, and work with Shell Oil at an oil & gas business program in Spain.  He began his career in the energy industry through an internship at Levitan & Associates, a boutique energy consulting firm.

Mr. Hussam holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, where he was also a Burchard Scholar. Email: shussam@massgreenenergy.com, shaheer@alum.mit.edu

Knowledge Base – AIDS workshop

Ms. Baptiste, Solange

Solange has been working in International Public Health consulting for over two (2) years and has experience in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. Most of her work has centered on working with communities and projects that focus is on mitigating the impact of HIV and on improving maternal and infant health. She has also co-authored a John Snow Inc. and World Education Inc. workplace implementation toolkit aimed at realizing corporate policies.

Her most recent experience in the Caribbean has been as an Associate Consultant with the National AIDS Coordinating Committee of Trinidad and Tobago where she created a management strategy to approach and engage with dominant religious communities regarding HIV prevention and transmission. With a Masters in Population and International Health from the Harvard School of Public Health, Solange continues to pursue her career in development through a health lens for underserved populations across the globe.
 

Knowledge Base – Aerospace Technology in the Caribbean workshop

Ms. Samuels, Ayanna

AYANNA SAMUELS B.Sc., M.Sc., was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. She is a firm believer in the potential of Satellite Communication Technologies to provide greater access to human needs for those that exist on the lowest rungs of the social ladder. Her passion is centered on utilizing Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) broadly defined, to affect poverty reduction, promote sustainable development and hence empower the underserved. In 2005 Ayanna earned dual Master of Science degrees in a) Aerospace Engineering and b) Technology and Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is also a member of the class of 2002 at MIT where she graduated with a B.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering and Information Technology.  Ms. Samuels returned to Jamaica after graduation where she has been involved in various public and private sector initiatives focused on revolutionizing the way Jamaica utilizes Science and Technology within its development agenda. 

Ayanna’s thesis was focused on Assessing the Technical, Economic and Policy-Centered Feasibility of a Proposed Satellite Communications System for the Developing World. This remains her area of professional interest buoyed by her conviction that bridging the digital divide is a global mandate that we as global citizens must address. 

She is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Sigma Xi Research Society. Ayanna is also a member of the Caribbean ICT Virtual Community (CIVIC). Her work experience spans academic public, private and NGO institutions spanning a range from the International Telecommunication Union (an international organization within the United Nations system) to the Ministry of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce within the Jamaican Government.  

Ayanna is a dancer and avid fitness enthusiast and is currently training for Jamaica’s December 2006 Reggae Marathon. She also enjoys interacting with new cultures, her continual discovery of her island home and in general living life to the fullest. She can be reached at asamuels@alum.mit.edu.  

Knowledge Base – Crime workshop, The Legacy of Race workshop

Dr. Zamor, Patricia

Dr Patricia Cedeño-Zamor joined Wheelock College fall 2005 as an Associate Professor and Director of the BSW Program. Her practice and academic expertise is in the area of Immigrant/Refugee Adaptation, Health and Mental Health Concerns. Dr. Cedeño-Zamor was a tenured professor at Salem State College. Her teaching includes courses in the area of social work practice, international social welfare policy, human behavior and diversity.  Zamor has also been engaged in a number of consulting projects as Research Associate, co-principal investigator, Child Welfare Grant and Director/, McNair Scholars Program and Regional Coordinator, or Massachusetts Women in Higher Education. She held clinical positions in several hospitals, Boston University, Carney Hospital, and Tufts New England Medical Center; management positions as Director of Field Staff, Lead Free Kids, Health and Hospitals; Field Supervisor, De Witt Scholars Program, Boston College SSW.

She earned an MSW Simmons College, 1981, PhD, Boston College, 1999 and in June 2005 completed a postgraduate fellowship at UMass Medical School Leadership in Education. She is a candidate for a Masters in Health Administration at Suffolk University concentrating on Global Health Issues with an emphasis on the service needs of youths with neurodevelopmental disabilities.  Founder and principal partner of Zamor Associates she consults widely on workforce changes, acculturation, and health disparities and cultural competence.  

Patricia has been a member of NASW for over 20 years held various leadership roles on the Board, and was elected to a national office as Region 1 representative, for RI, NH, VT, ME, MA. She serves on voluntary committees such as founding member of UNITY, serving in the capacity as Vice President, and Trustee; Training Director of MA Chapter of Amigos; The Peace Institute, Survivors of Homicide; proposal reviewer for Senior Fulbright Fellows.  Cedeño-Zamor received doctoral awards from NIMH, SAMSHA and CSWE.  

Her life’s work involves making a difference by learning, sharing and providing support to children and families wherever she can, including the U.S. and, her birth country, Trinidad and Tobago. 

Knowledge Base – Music Industry in the Caribbean workshop, Diversifying Entrepreneurship workshop,

Mr. Lammy, Ron

Ronald H. Lammy is an international management consultant and founder of the eCaroh Caribbean Emporium, a commercial cultural center established and located in Boston. It is a one-stop full service e-commerce resource for information and products of West Indian heritage and several thousands of audio samples of many genre of Caribbean music.

The Emporium is the home of www.PanOnTheWeb.com - the Place for Pan, www.SweetSoca.com - where SOCA means Sounds of Caribbean Artists, and www.BourdaMarketPlace.com - all things Caribbean: Arts & crafts, clothing, food and music. In July 1997, PanOnTheWeb.com defined the Internet space for steelband music and it has the largest and most varied collection of steelband music. A sister site, www.BostonCarnival.com, showcases and supports Trinidad & Tobago style carnival.

Ronald Lammy has substantial senior management and leadership experience as a corporate manager and social entrepreneur. Born and raised in Guyana, he graduated from Columbia University of New York and has lived and traveled extensively in the West Indies, Africa, the Middle East, and the USA.

Corporate social responsibility is a subject dear to Mr. Lammy. He is active in local and international business, community and cultural undertakings and marks the two presentations of steelband and calypso music at Boston's Symphony Hall as proud accomplishments.

Knowledge Base – Aerospace Technology in the Caribbean workshop

Mr. Townsend, Adrian

Adrian Townsend grew up in Rochester, New York in a home rich with the cultures of Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, thanks to his father and mother.  These roots were always a strong part of his personality and drive throughout primary school. He earned his Bachelors in Aeronautics & Astronautics in June 2004 and completed his thesis Master's thesis in September 2006. As an undergraduate at MIT Adrian
 participated in Immobilaire, NSBE and tutored for the office of minority education (OME) for the STEM program in the summer of 2004 for SEED Academy for three semesters until the spring of 2006.

This fall Adrian joined the High Speed Aerodynamics group as a Product Development Engineer at the Boeing Commercial Aircraft Company in Seattle, Washington, where he now resides.  He looks forward to a career doing what he loves, "making airplanes", and plans on pursuing a PhD in Aeronautics.

Knowledge Base – Diversifying Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean workshop

Ms. Drees, Karina

Karina Drees is a 2007 MBA candidate at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and Chair of the MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition. Prior to coming to MIT Sloan, Karina had operations and finance roles within several small and start-up companies.

She had successfully co-founded a company by combining her finance knowledge with her management skills. Subsequent to leaving MIT Sloan, Karina aims to combine her business experience with her newfound knowledge to help companies develop and grow.

Knowledge Base – AIDS workshop

Mr. Balkaran, Steven

Stephen Balkaran currently teaches at Central Connecticut State University. Prior to CCSU, he served as a Fellow at both Harvard and Yale University.  His academic experiences during the last 8 years have included faculty appointments in the past at University of Connecticut-Waterbury, Post University and Capital Community College.  

Before launching his academic career, Mr. Balkaran worked for the African National Congress (Nelson Mandela’s ruling party in South Africa) in partnership with the University of Connecticut.  He was also a Research Associate for the United Nations in New York, a Consultant for the World Bank, and an aide to the CT Secretary of State.  He is also the President & CEO of TRI CAN Consulting Group based in Hartford, CT, broking several international projects.   

Mr. Balkaran’s educational background spans from the Presentation College in Trinidad, to Oxford University, to the University of Connecticut, and Quinnipiac University School of Law. He has authored over 25 articles on American Foreign policy, Race Relations, and Public Policy.  His interests include traveling and meeting new people, playing soccer, and conducting research.  Mr. Balkaran is a native of Trinidad, W.I. and currently resides in Hartford, CT. 

Knowledge Base – AIDS workshop

Dr Dookeran, Nameeta

On graduating from St. Augustine Girls' High School in Trinidad & Tobago, Dr. Dookeran continued her studies in Boston, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from MIT in 1996. During her subsequent medical training at Dartmouth and Brown, Dr. Dookeran had the opportunity to do volunteer work as a medical student in Hyderabad, India, as well as in Okhaldunga, Nepal. In 2001, upon graduation from Brown Medical School, Dr. Dookeran continued her clinical training in the internal medicine residency and chief residency programs at Boston University (B.U.).

In 2004, as a medicine resident, she was able to broaden her exposure to the challenges of health care in developing countries through a volunteer rotation in the first HIV/AIDS clinic in Ghana, under "Foundation for African Relief," a non-governmental organization. Dr. Dookeran is now in her final year of General Internal Medicine Fellowship at B.U., involved in health services research while pursuing a MSc. degree in Health Services at B.U.'s School of Public Health. Her long-term career interests lie in addressing health care quality and access issues in developing countries.

Knowledge Base – Drinking Water in Haiti workshop

Ms. Bird, Sarah

Sarah Bird, from the United Kingdom, graduated from Cambridge University in 2004 with a Master's in Mechanical Engineering. As part of Amy Smith’s D-Lab teams, she has periodically visited Haiti to work with rural communities.  Her work has been on agricultural technologies, water supply and quality, and alternative energy sources.

Since 2004, she has been working in information and communication technologies for development. As part of Aidworld, a UK based not-for-profit, she has worked in Haiti, Ethiopia and Kenya developing software and hardware products to make the internet and email more accessible.

Sarah has recently returned to MIT to undertake a Master's of Science program in Technology and Policy.  Her research is focused on novel ways to commercialize small scale, simple technologies for developing countries.

Knowledge Base – Caribbean Examples of Good Leadership workshop

Ms. Stark, Nicole

An alumna of Brown University, Nicole Stark holds degrees in English and American Literature and African American Studies. Her career in nonprofits has included extensive work in educational policy, focusing on national teacher recruitment and professional development issues; educational media; and advocacy for students of color.

Ms. Stark came to MIT from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, where she was the Director of Outreach for the Annenberg/CPB Channel. In addition, she worked for the national offices of A Better Chance and Recruiting New Teachers, Inc.  Currently, she directs two pre-college academic enrichment programs in MIT's Office of Engineering Outreach Programs -- the Saturday Engineering Enrichment and Discovery (SEED) Academy for local public high school students and the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Program for Boston and Cambridge public middle school students.  Through both programs, Ms. Stark and her colleagues at MIT are working to increase the numbers of traditionally underserved young people in the pipeline to careers in science and technology.  To date, they have served over 150 families and look forward to continuing to increase their capacity to grow the nation's technical workforce locally