On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus set foot on the so called "New World", ushering in a cycle of occupation, violence, genocide and slavery: this was the beginning of colonization. This has been designated the International Day of Reparation. To mark this day, Professor Any Knight, a member of SSCC Scientific and Academic Board, has held a one to one conversation with Sir Hilary Beckles, the Barbadian historian, current vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Committee.