The Jane E. Toussaint (JET) Foundation and The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWI-FIC) are pleased to announce their partnership for the hosting of the Wadadli Healing Symposium, with UWI-FIC serving as the venue for the two-day event on 6 and 7 October 2026. Designed as a national and regional response to historic injury and present-day social challenges, the Symposium will bring together local and international voices, including Dr. Joy DeGruy, to deliver data-informed, culturally grounded healing strategies at no cost to the public.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing community well-being, strengthening public access to knowledge, and creating a platform for meaningful dialogue across Antigua and Barbuda. By hosting the Symposium at UWI Five Islands Campus, the collaboration positions the institution as a central convening space for timely research, public education, and practical solutions that address both intergenerational harm and current social realities.
The Wadadli Healing Symposium will focus on four critical domains that emerged as priority areas through pre-symposium research and community inquiry:
- Mental Health and Healing
- Parent Engagement
- Youth Development
- Male Engagement
These areas reflect pressing concerns affecting families, communities, and future generations. The Symposium is intended to move beyond conversation by offering actionable, data-informed strategies that practitioners, families, educators, civil society groups, faith-based organisations, and members of the public can apply in real-world settings.
Dr. Joy DeGruy’s participation will bring internationally recognised insight to the event’s exploration of multigenerational trauma, healing, and social recovery. Her work will sit alongside contributions from local and international professionals, creating a high-value forum for learning, reflection, and practical engagement. Together, these perspectives will support a stronger regional conversation on healing frameworks that are relevant to Caribbean realities.
A core goal of the Symposium is to ensure broad and inclusive participation. By offering the event at no cost to attendees, the JET Foundation is working to remove barriers to access and make high-quality programming available to parents, youth, students, educators, mental health professionals, NGOs, faith-based organisations, and the general public.
On the topic of the importance of the initiative, Joan H. Underwood, Director, Jane E. Toussaint Foundation, said:
“My grandmother always told us that education was the one thing no one could ever take from you,” said Joan H Underwood, Director of the Jane E. Toussaint Foundation. “I carry that with me every day — because when we combine what our elders taught us with real research and practical knowledge, we create genuine opportunities for people to build better lives, no matter where they’re starting from.”
This partnership also carries wider significance for the Caribbean educational landscape. It demonstrates how academic institutions and community-led organisations can work together to advance public education, support evidence-based social development, and expand access to transformative learning opportunities. In doing so, the collaboration sets a strong example of how strategic partnerships can contribute to long-term national and regional impact.
Further, Dr. Camille Samuel, Campus Registrar, The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, stated that:
“The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus exists to be more than a place of academic study in our region; it is a space where knowledge meets the needs of our community. Hosting the Wadadli Healing Symposium is a natural expression of that mission. We are proud to partner with the JET Foundation to bring these critical conversations to Antigua and Barbuda and working together to build healthier, more resilient communities.”
The Jane E. Toussaint Foundation, established by the Underwood family in honour of their maternal grandmother, is committed to advancing healing, equity, and community wellbeing through culturally grounded, research-informed initiatives. Its work is focused on addressing the enduring effects of historic and contemporary harm while creating practical pathways for stronger families, healthier communities, and sustained social development.
The UWI Five Islands Campus, established in 2019 as The UWI’s fifth campus, brings world-class Caribbean higher education to Antigua and Barbuda and the OECS. Ranked among top global universities by Times Higher Education, the campus offers 45+ degree programs across four schools: Humanities and Education, Business and Management, Health and Behavioural Sciences, and Science, Computing and Artificial Intelligence. It also houses the Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE), advancing marine science and blue economy research. Learn more at www.fiveislands.uwi.edu.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: JET Foundation and UWI Five Islands Campus Partner to Host the Wadadli Healing Symposium in Antigua and Barbuda.