The Canada-Caribbean Institute will host a virtual event next week to mark the 50th anniversary of the election of Michael Manley and the People’s National Party to government in Jamaica.

“Better Must Come: The Past and Promise of Progressive Politics” will feature:

• Professor Michael Witter, University of the West Indies
• Ambassador Aloun Assamba, former Member of Parliament and Senator for the People’s National Party in Jamaica
• New Democratic Party Member of Parliament Niki Ashton, and
• Associate Professor Simon Black, Brock’s Department of Labour Studies.

“In the name of democratic socialism, the Manley government pioneered a program of progressive social and economic reforms that sought to reduce inequality and advance social justice,” says Black.

He adds that Manley was a figure of “enormous consequence for world politics” who defended the sovereignty of ex-colonial countries and confronted racial oppression, including apartheid in South Africa, as a statesperson.

In addition to reflecting on the Manley government’s legacy, the panelists will confront issues of North-South solidarity and the state of progressive politics today.

“In recent years, we have seen a new generation of young people gravitating toward progressive and socialist politics, from the Bernie Sanders phenomenon in the U.S. to the global movement for Black lives to the resurgence of the Left in Latin America,” says Black. “In a time of increasing global inequality and climate and vaccine apartheid, it’s important to reflect on the legacies of progressive political figures like Manley.”

The public webinar takes places Thursday, March 31 at noon (EDT). Anyone interested in attending can register online.