GWP-C Headquarters Moves to WINDREF at the St. George’s University in Grenada

On March 27th, 2018, the Winward Islands Research and Education Foundation (WINDREF) became the new Host Institution (HI) of the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C). Established in 1994, WINDREF is an independent non-profit organisation based at the St. George’s University (SGU) in Grenada. The organisation works to advance health and environmental development through multi-disciplinary research and education programmes. It also promotes regional and international collaborative relationships.

GWP-C and WINDREF representatives at the WINDREF Office at the St. George’s University in Grenada.

Since being launched fourteen (14) years ago in 2004, GWP-C’s headquarters have been based in Trinidad. The move to WINDREF in Grenada is therefore a milestone in GWP-C’s operations and one it looks forward to.  

At the signing of the new Host agreement in Grenada, Trevor Thompson, GWP-C Chair stated, “I believe we will have a fruitful relationship as WINDREF is involved in similar work.”

Dr. Calum MacPherson, Director of WINDREF, echoed these sentiments and said “We are delighted to host the Caribbean arm of the Global Water Partnership here at WINDREFF and in partnership with the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. We fully appreciate the changing global needs for safe water and that the effects of climate change are altering the natural patterns of rainfall and availability and so now perhaps more than ever before, there is a need for such a partnership to help mitigate the supply and the safety of this essential element which fits in very nicely with our Regional Collaborating Centre of the UNFCCC and also with our approach to One Health at the University.” According to Dr. MacPherson, “the partnership between GWP-C and WINDREF is a natural fit.”

Trevor Thompson, GWP-C Chair (left) and Dr. Calum MacPherson, Director of WINDREF (right) are seen here signing the new Host Institution Agreement at the WINDREF Office in Grenada.

GWP-C is committed to working with its over one hundred (100) Partners in more than twenty (20) Caribbean territories to share knowledge and strengthen interaction and co-operation to sustain an integrated approach to water resources management in the region. This focus is intrinsically linked to WINDREF’s vision and goals.