Sir Hilary Beckles Appointed Chair/Chancellor of United Nations University: A Milestone for Global Education and Caribbean Development

In a groundbreaking move for global higher education and Caribbean leadership, Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), has been named the Chairman/Chancellor of the prestigious United Nations University (UNU), with his term set to begin in May 2025. The announcement was made following a meeting of the UNU’s governing board in Tokyo, Japan, on December 7, 2024.

Upon accepting the esteemed appointment, Sir Hilary Beckles expressed his profound gratitude to the UNU council and acknowledged the support from the United Nations and its affiliated organizations. He vowed to continue the institution’s trajectory towards becoming one of the world’s leading universities, particularly as UNU approaches its 50th anniversary. Beckles expressed his excitement for the opportunity to contribute to the UNU’s ongoing mission under the guidance of the esteemed university council and its distinguished vice-chancellor.

A Milestone for the Caribbean and Global South

Beckles highlighted the significance of this appointment for both the Caribbean region and the broader Global South, emphasizing that his new role will bring substantial benefits to these communities. He recognized the appointment as a monumental honor for UWI and a reinforcement of the university’s increasing international influence and interconnectedness, elevating its global standing.

A Distinguished History of Engagement with the United Nations

Sir Hilary Beckles brings a wealth of experience in working with the United Nations. His deep involvement with the UN spans various high-level roles, including serving as a historian and Vice President of the UNESCO Slave Routes Project, as well as a consultant for the United Nations Development Report on Latin America and the Caribbean. Beckles has also contributed to critical committees such as the Global Future of Higher Education and co-edited UNESCO’s General History of Africa series, Volume 9.

In addition to his academic contributions, Beckles has been an advocate for global justice and reparatory action, delivering two notable addresses to the UN General Assembly. These speeches focused on reparatory justice in the changing global political and economic landscape, and on supporting the declaration of 2015–2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent. His leadership in these areas extends to global peace efforts, having addressed the UN Security Council with Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, discussing the widening digital divide between the Global North and South.

Strengthening UWI’s Global Leadership in Sustainable Development

Under Beckles’ leadership, UWI has made significant strides in promoting global development. In 2024, he spearheaded the creation of UWI’s International School for Development Justice, an initiative offering postgraduate degree programs online that are focused on achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, UWI’s growing prominence in global development was underscored when the UN Academic Impact Committee named the university as the global hub for SDG 13: Climate Action.

A Visionary Leader for UNU’s Future

As the new Chairman/Chancellor of UNU, Beckles will play a pivotal role in supporting the rector/vice-chancellor in leading the university’s governing council. His position will require maintaining the trust of a diverse array of stakeholders, including United Nations leadership, faculty members, students, private sector investors, and UNU’s global community.

The United Nations University, with its research and teaching facilities spanning several countries, is committed to addressing critical global challenges through multidisciplinary research and education. Beckles’ appointment as Chairman/Chancellor marks an exciting new chapter for UNU and strengthens the bonds between global development, education, and sustainable change.

With this appointment, Sir Hilary Beckles continues to be a key figure in global higher education, advocating for the development of the Caribbean and the Global South while further cementing the UWI’s status as a prominent institution in international academia.

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