Guest Speakers
Meet the exceptional lineup of thought leaders, policymakers and researchers whose work is shaping the future of climate resilience in the Caribbean and beyond. Drawing on expertise in sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, climate justice and public policy, our speakers will share cutting-edge research, practical solutions and bold ideas to inspire action toward a climate-smart future.
Day One
Wednesday, 7 April 2027
Dr. James Fletcher
Founder of SOLORICON
About the Speaker
Dr. James Fletcher is a former Minister for Public Service, Information, Broadcasting, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology in Saint Lucia. During his tenure, James Fletcher led Saint Lucia on an aggressive path toward the modernization of the energy sector, with a strong push for the use of renewable energy. He has been very active in international climate change negotiations. He played a leading role in the Caribbean’s ‘1.5 to Stay Alive’ climate change campaign. During the COP21 negotiations on the Paris Agreement in 2015, he was a member of a small group of 14 ministers from various countries around the world who were selected by the French Presidency to help achieve consensus among the parties on the more contentious elements of the agreement.
Day Two
Thursday, 8 April 2027
Dr. Evangeline Inniss-Springer
The University of the West Indies
TOPIC: Resilient Communities: Livelihoods and Infrastructure
About the Speaker
Dr Evangeline Inniss‑Springer is Director of the Disaster Risk Reduction Centre at The University of the West Indies, a role she has held since 2021. She also serves on the Management Committee of The UWI Global Institute for Climate Smart and Resilient Development and previously held the post of Deputy Director. A Certified Emergency Manager and Certified Continuity Manager, Dr Inniss‑Springer brings more than 25 years of expertise in disaster risk management, supported by advanced academic training in health studies and leadership, including a doctorate with a focus on organisational behaviour.
Day Three
Friday, 9 April 2027
Dr. Patrica Northover
The University of the West Indies
TOPIC: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in a Changing Climate
About the Speaker
Dr Patricia Northover is a critical development economist and Senior Research Fellow at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), The University of the West Indies, Mona. A graduate of the University of Cambridge and The University of the West Indies, her work draws on the philosophy of economics and race‑critical and decolonial approaches to development, with a strong focus on Caribbean and rural studies. Her current research examines climate change, climate justice, critical disaster studies, and just food transitions.
