Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ConnecCaribbean (Connected worlds: the Caribbean, origin of modern world)
Période du rapport: 2021-10-01 au 2024-06-30
1- The aim is to study the history of the Greater Caribbean in a comparative perspective. The aim is to overcome the geographical isolation of the islands, which has also led to a lack of knowledge of the region's history. Our aim is to transcend borders and national and regional histories to trace long-term processes in a transatlantic space. To this end, it is essential to make a counterpoint between imperial policies and resistances, which generated different economic, social and cultural practices, as well as multiple identities and cultural forms.
The Caribbean as a meeting place is a favourable scenario to analyse the arrival, generation and dissemination of ideas, economic and commercial systems, individuals, practices and identities. What makes the area different is the transnationality or trans-colonialism. Where formal European and African cultural aspects could be found; as well as other lesser represented but still important ones such as ethnic Asian, indigenous population and so on, within a transcultural process that generated its own identities. The proposed research topic promotes networking as a strategy to achieve considerable comparative and transdisciplinary results. The Caribbean history invites us to analyze events utilizing a comparative approach. Analyses are performed at several levels, from macro to microhistorical examinations, from Atlantic to regional histories, from the national to the local contexts.
The project has allowed us to discuss our common history. This dialogue sometimes involves a deconstruction of national history. It is a matter of breaking down national imaginaries on which national histories have been based. Our researches will contribute to the dismantling of “national prejudices.”
2-The social impact of the project.
Our studies connect the past with the present to discover the roots of some contemporary challenges in today's societies. We study some phenomena that are present today in the Caribbean countries. For example, the racialization of populations and the origin of racism and xenophobia. The analysis of these phenomena has an important social impact since some of the results may contribute to discussions about possible political solutions or help to combat the stigmatization and racism against non-white populations in Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.
We have a commitment to society. Education can change feelings and culture, especially in societies where racism and xenophobia exist.
The social impact of our research connects to the challenges that we proposed from the beginning of the project. We believe that culture and science are engines of economic development. Both contribute to more equal, tolerant, and democratic societies.
History and the social sciences collaborate to reveal myths and break social and cultural barriers. Knowledge contributes to valuing human diversity, and is an instrument to create freer and more egalitarian societies.
The education is one of the ways to fight for the human rights, and to democratize societies and eradicate ethnic or religious prejudices.
In summary, the project’s results may be useful for: a) Designing public policies to combat the stigmatization of, and racism against, non-white populations in Europe, Latin American, the Caribbean region and other parts of the world; b) Formulate possible policies or action plans in the Caribbean region; c) Develop economic growth strategies based on the knowledge of local and regional successes and failures in the past; d) Our research will underscore the protection and rescue of historical memory and promote cultural expression. We also develop action research to facilitate the implementation of heritage studies.
The Caribbean as a meeting place is a favourable scenario to analyse the arrival, generation and dissemination of ideas, economic and commercial systems, individuals, practices and identities. What makes the area different is the transnationality or trans-colonialism. Where formal European and African cultural aspects could be found; as well as other lesser represented but still important ones such as ethnic Asian, indigenous population and so on, within a transcultural process that generated its own identities. The proposed research topic promotes networking as a strategy to achieve considerable comparative and transdisciplinary results. The Caribbean history invites us to analyze events utilizing a comparative approach. Analyses are performed at several levels, from macro to microhistorical examinations, from Atlantic to regional histories, from the national to the local contexts.
The project has allowed us to discuss our common history. This dialogue sometimes involves a deconstruction of national history. It is a matter of breaking down national imaginaries on which national histories have been based. Our researches will contribute to the dismantling of “national prejudices.”
2-The social impact of the project.
Our studies connect the past with the present to discover the roots of some contemporary challenges in today's societies. We study some phenomena that are present today in the Caribbean countries. For example, the racialization of populations and the origin of racism and xenophobia. The analysis of these phenomena has an important social impact since some of the results may contribute to discussions about possible political solutions or help to combat the stigmatization and racism against non-white populations in Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.
We have a commitment to society. Education can change feelings and culture, especially in societies where racism and xenophobia exist.
The social impact of our research connects to the challenges that we proposed from the beginning of the project. We believe that culture and science are engines of economic development. Both contribute to more equal, tolerant, and democratic societies.
History and the social sciences collaborate to reveal myths and break social and cultural barriers. Knowledge contributes to valuing human diversity, and is an instrument to create freer and more egalitarian societies.
The education is one of the ways to fight for the human rights, and to democratize societies and eradicate ethnic or religious prejudices.
In summary, the project’s results may be useful for: a) Designing public policies to combat the stigmatization of, and racism against, non-white populations in Europe, Latin American, the Caribbean region and other parts of the world; b) Formulate possible policies or action plans in the Caribbean region; c) Develop economic growth strategies based on the knowledge of local and regional successes and failures in the past; d) Our research will underscore the protection and rescue of historical memory and promote cultural expression. We also develop action research to facilitate the implementation of heritage studies.
Perhaps the originality of the project lies in how we communicate. The project opens spaces for dialogue and education. Some examples:
-The Universidad del Norte de Colombia has created the Cátedra de Afrodescendientes. This is a space for academic debate in which civil society has a voice.
-Conferences in secondary schools and other spaces open to a non- specialist public.
We also circulate knowledge through the participation of some researchers from different countries in programs coordinated by the CSIC in different colleges and municipalities throughout Spain. These programmes are Ciencia en el Barrio y Ciudad Ciencia (CSIC). A similar approach is carried out in other countries in which we work with students at different levels.
-We produced documentaries on slavery, race, African legacy and memory of slavery. In these films, we weaved the history of Africa with that of the Caribbean and a large part of the population is made visible through oral testimony.
-Part of this dissemination work includes interviews we conducted with specialists who, through the project entitled, “Conversation about Caribbean history,” can be accessed via the ConnecCaribbean YouTube channel.
-ConnecCaribbean possess a profile in the institutional repository of the CSIC through the support staff for the investigations at the Library of the CCHS-CSIC.
-The Universidad del Norte de Colombia has created the Cátedra de Afrodescendientes. This is a space for academic debate in which civil society has a voice.
-Conferences in secondary schools and other spaces open to a non- specialist public.
We also circulate knowledge through the participation of some researchers from different countries in programs coordinated by the CSIC in different colleges and municipalities throughout Spain. These programmes are Ciencia en el Barrio y Ciudad Ciencia (CSIC). A similar approach is carried out in other countries in which we work with students at different levels.
-We produced documentaries on slavery, race, African legacy and memory of slavery. In these films, we weaved the history of Africa with that of the Caribbean and a large part of the population is made visible through oral testimony.
-Part of this dissemination work includes interviews we conducted with specialists who, through the project entitled, “Conversation about Caribbean history,” can be accessed via the ConnecCaribbean YouTube channel.
-ConnecCaribbean possess a profile in the institutional repository of the CSIC through the support staff for the investigations at the Library of the CCHS-CSIC.
3-The project involves a renewal of studies on the Caribbean from transdisciplinary and comparative approaches that have integrated several disciplines of the humanities and social sciences.
Each of the objectives have contributed to a global and transversal knowledge of Caribbean societies and cultures.
Objectives 1, 4 and 6. The Caribbean, as a privileged space of knowledge circulation and cultural dialogue, will provide useful tools for understanding the region's cultural richness, both the similarities and differences. This knowledge will be used to empower the CARICOM, which includes more countries of the area. Some of the results will include working out common projects to enhance the economic and cultural value of the area, and lead to a more equitable wealth distribution, setting up social welfare policies and designing strategies to deal with those outside the area. Strengthening CARICOM would give them more bargaining power with the European Union.
Objectives 2, 3 and 4. The slave system and race study will help understanding of how race is a cultural construction that went on to become the key element in explaining political, economic, cultural and social aspects. Its deconstruction will be a key element for creating societies that are more inclusive and mindful of the still prevailing biases in relation to individuals' origin and their supposed "race". Racial inclusion indicator systems may be made from these studies, so that Caribbean region and European Governments can develop public policies to combat stigmatization and racism.
Objective 5 deals with one of the big problems in the Caribbean region: violence. Studying its causes contributes to finding peaceful resolutions to armed conflict. Often, the studies need to be linked the region's economic and social models. Some of these models, mainly the plantations, are a legacy of economic systems from earlier Centuries. Knowing that the crises and models sometimes fail to get them out of trouble is the bases on which to develop new strategies in the region.
Objective 7. Historical knowledge of the Caribbean cities' urban development will have a positive influence on heritage management, especially in city restoration projects.
On the other hand, the project has generated new synergies through secondments, seminars and publications.
Each of the objectives have contributed to a global and transversal knowledge of Caribbean societies and cultures.
Objectives 1, 4 and 6. The Caribbean, as a privileged space of knowledge circulation and cultural dialogue, will provide useful tools for understanding the region's cultural richness, both the similarities and differences. This knowledge will be used to empower the CARICOM, which includes more countries of the area. Some of the results will include working out common projects to enhance the economic and cultural value of the area, and lead to a more equitable wealth distribution, setting up social welfare policies and designing strategies to deal with those outside the area. Strengthening CARICOM would give them more bargaining power with the European Union.
Objectives 2, 3 and 4. The slave system and race study will help understanding of how race is a cultural construction that went on to become the key element in explaining political, economic, cultural and social aspects. Its deconstruction will be a key element for creating societies that are more inclusive and mindful of the still prevailing biases in relation to individuals' origin and their supposed "race". Racial inclusion indicator systems may be made from these studies, so that Caribbean region and European Governments can develop public policies to combat stigmatization and racism.
Objective 5 deals with one of the big problems in the Caribbean region: violence. Studying its causes contributes to finding peaceful resolutions to armed conflict. Often, the studies need to be linked the region's economic and social models. Some of these models, mainly the plantations, are a legacy of economic systems from earlier Centuries. Knowing that the crises and models sometimes fail to get them out of trouble is the bases on which to develop new strategies in the region.
Objective 7. Historical knowledge of the Caribbean cities' urban development will have a positive influence on heritage management, especially in city restoration projects.
On the other hand, the project has generated new synergies through secondments, seminars and publications.