Dr. June Soomer has received congratulations from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus for being named the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent’s chair-designate (PFPAD).
In addition to being the chair of The UWI Global Campus Council, Ambassador Soomer was the secretary general of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS). On January 1, 2024, her appointment became official.
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Along with Gaynael Curry of The Bahamas, she is one of two members from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on the PFPAD, out of five individuals chosen by the UNGA.
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UWI Global Campus, Dr Francis O. Severin remarked, “These outstanding and prominent appointments of Dr June Soomer at the helm of well-respected regional and international bodies are irrevocable proofs of her standing and profile in the eyes of her peers.”
He continued by stating, “The foregoing has not in any way altered the person she is, that is, pleasant, down-to-earth, authentic, and calmly confident. We are proud of and honored to have her as our Campus Council Chair, and the fact that she is a UWI alumna gladdens our hearts tremendously. The Global Campus Senior Management Team congratulates Honorable Ambassador Dr June Soomer and wishes her success in this new role.”
At the Cave Hill campus of The UWI, Soomer became the first female doctorate holder in history, having earned her degree in 1994.
“As an accomplished author and historian, she served in the diplomatic, financial, and educational fields regionally and internationally. She also has over 40 years of academic and professional experience in management, operational and technical areas; has developed a solid understanding of contemporary development issues; and continues to advocate for equality and equity in sustainable development, particularly in the Caribbean region,” The UWI noted.
In addition to becoming the first woman to represent St. Lucia as ambassador to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and CARICOM, where she oversaw diaspora relations from 2008 to 2016, Soomer has served on other national and regional committees since 2008.
According to UWI, she has won multiple accolades for her work throughout the region over the years, including the St. Lucia Cross, the highest national award in her country, in 2021 for her exceptional work in the fields of education, diplomacy, regionalism, and development specialty, as well as the Order “José de Marcoleta” in the Degree of Grand Cross from the Republic of Nicaragua.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established the Permanent Forum for the People of African Ancestry in 2021 as a means of consultation for individuals of African descent and other pertinent parties to enhance their safety, standard of living, and means of subsistence. According to the schedule of activities for the International Decade for People of African Descent 2015–2024, the Permanent Forum also acts as an advisory body to the Human Rights Council.
The Permanent Forum on People of African Ancestry’s mandate includes the responsibility of facilitating the complete political, economic, and social integration of individuals of African descent using its many modalities, forms, and substantive and procedural features.
