Poverty & Social Development: A Caribbean Perspective

2007-07-30T10:14:00.001-04:00

Budget in Sessions (2006-2007, Trinidad & Tobago): The Role of Infrastructure Development to Mainstream Social Connectedness The upcoming budget sessions (for 2006-2007) for Trinidad & Tobago, are not only setting the tones about the testing issues that surround matters of fiscal spaces as government strives to address various scenarios about the effectiveness of public expenditures, and the

2007-07-29T10:29:00.000-04:00

ECLAC: Economic Survey of Latin-America and the Caribbean, 2006-2007This is the latest edition by ECLAC that covers the state of economic progress and transitions to sustainable growth for Latin-American and Caribbean countries between 2006-2007. Readers will be glad comprehensive data sets that highlight the dynamics that moved the process of growth in the region, and how economic, technological

2007-07-23T15:49:00.000-04:00

CEDAW: Moving Across the Lines of Participation and Consultations in Antigua & Barbuda The development of CEDAW has long been hailed as a central mechanism to attack at full fledge matters of gender equality as they move throughout the realms of human rights realities. As an ongoing platform to strengthen the reach of consultations and assessments vis-à-vis the engagement of Rights-Based

2007-07-09T21:33:00.000-04:00

Leveling the Playing Field to Address the Dynamics of Child Labor A recent article in the Stabroek News about the status of Child Labor in the country (Guyana), see here, unravels in many instances some food for thoughts re the development and focus in perspectives about the relationships between Child Labor and Poverty. As challenging as it is to fully grasp the many gray areas underneath those

2007-07-08T20:51:00.000-04:00

Batey (Dominican Republic): Innovations in Practices toward Access to Universal Care and HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs In the fight against HIV/AIDS, Universal Access to Care and Prevention Programs brings-in numerous challenges, where the calls for improvements in terms of sectoral planning and capacity development can be summed up as quintessential and pro-active measures.And within this nexus,

2007-07-07T18:29:00.000-04:00

ODA, Community and Infrastructure Development for HaitiAnd straight from Canada, CIDA (The Canadian International Development Agency) has just approved a US$16.5 million grant that will be applied to the upgrading of infrastructures in Haiti, with an aim toward the strengthening of inclusive participation in community development projects for local populations. More >>>Tags: Caribbean

2007-07-06T13:26:00.001-04:00

Digging into the Evidence: The comparative advantage of Regional Integration for the CARICOM It’s very good to know that the process of Regional Integration for the CARICOM has been refreshed in the lights of new thinking that surfaced from the past CARICOM Heads of Government Conference. As noted by some analysts, see here, this perspective comes to the shores by trying to move beyond the

2007-07-05T17:53:00.000-04:00

ICT.... Double Jeopardy or Key to Transformational and Comprehensive Development for the CARICOMOh la la, shy steps for me as I'm trying to get back on tracks with this blog. I have to confess though that running a blog is not a small matter, a lot having to deal with time and motivation.But.... as I couldn't let go, here I am stepping back into the fora. And as a best way to re-fashion these

2007-03-23T15:07:00.000-04:00

Addressing Early Childhood Education in Jamaica In Jamaica the designs of appropriate standards and partnerships to enhance early childhood education are part of a broad national strategy, where capacity development schemes are geared to enlarge research and practices, and examine “What Works” between various concepts and approaches to learning and center-based early childhood education. Within

2007-03-22T15:32:00.000-04:00

Looking into the Nexus of Pro-Poor Growth and Equality of Opportunities in Latin-America and the Caribbean In his own words, Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the IDB, asserts that: “Latin-America and the Caribbean need a contract of equality of opportunities to ensure that the benefits of economic growth reach the region’s majority”. As we all know, and taking into context the debates

2007-03-22T02:09:00.000-04:00

In Remittances We Believe…. Let’s hope that the power of gross projections will not derail the real prospects for aid effectiveness and development cooperation, in relation to the real impacts of remittances on development planning. With all the recent hypes surrounding the amazing growth of remittances in the Caribbean region and Latin-America, see here, and here [Remittances to the Caribbean

2007-03-09T12:12:00.000-05:00

Child Protection in the Bahamas: A Revamped Approach in Regulations and Legal Provisions Hey there! I hail these developments toward the enhancement of Child Protection Legislations in the Bahamas (see here). And as demonstrated these adaptations strive to broaden legal provisions vis-à-vis the notion of sexual and emotional abuses; such frameworks have to be part of ongoing and comprehensive

2007-03-07T23:43:00.000-05:00

2007-03-07T12:39:00.000-05:00

A Tale of Rising Inflation and High Food Prices in Barbados When for example excessive increases in food prices constitute a quagmire for decision-makers and elected officials to sort-out, we can honestly say that we are gradually falling into a theatrical demonstration of blame-making.And on the other end of the spectrum such distortions in the economy bring serious questions in

2007-03-06T13:56:00.000-05:00

Reversal of Fortunes, or…. (Price Control System in St-Maarten) The debates over Price Controls can be contentious at least, to very divisive in the first place, as it involves many distinctive views vis-à-vis the policy alternatives needed to level the playing field.For instance in most forms or attempts of regulations, protagonists find themselves mired in tugs-of-war over the advantages/

2007-03-06T09:58:00.000-05:00

Regionalism in Full Fledge With the growing awareness of the interdependence among countries in the Caribbean zone, the CARICOM is fully embracing a framework for cooperation that take into account the many challenges of globalization, and how to adapt regional economic cooperation iniatives. _________________________________________________________________________ “Caribbean leaders are

2007-03-04T13:45:00.000-05:00

Trade and Economic Integration in the Caribbean: A Distinctive Approach to Address Welfare and Economic Efficiency For a variety of reasons, the coordination of economic policies either at global or regional levels does make sense. And in the current waves that evolve around the objectives of trade liberalization, the process of economic integration comes with many different degrees in terms of

2007-02-28T19:32:00.000-05:00

Trinidad & Tobago: Vision 2020 (and its operational plan) I’m just a bit late on that one.... Nonetheless, it’s still a piece of news with great resonance, as it carries out the roll-out of Vision 2020 for Trinidad & Tobago.And in case that some of you out there, don’t already know, this is the blue-print of the T&T government to carry the country toward a developed nation status by 2010. And

2007-02-28T18:26:00.000-05:00

5th Annual Latin American Leadership ForumMarch 14 & 15, 2007 Santo Domingo & Cap Cana, Dominican RepublicThe 5° Annual Latin American Leadership Forum is a multi-level marketplace, hosting the lead decision-makers of the top 50 Strategic Infrastructure projects throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, including an additional Top 10 Strategic Infrastructure projects from the Dominican

2007-02-27T10:17:00.000-05:00

FDI in Focus If Foreign and Direct Investment (FDI) can be described as an integral component for effective international economic system, yet some questions are still pending regarding the distributional effects of this mechanism, and its sectoral and local impacts among others. In a nutshell for host countries (developing nations), the pre-requisites for development effectiveness invite

2007-02-26T23:07:00.000-05:00

Minimum Wage Laws and the Context of Poverty Reduction Well! That’s quite a serious matter trying to reconcile minimum wage laws and their impacts on output and employment. And during one of those timeless internet searches of mine, these issues came to my mind after reading about the upcoming debates set to unfold in the Cayman Islands about minimum wage laws and future strategies to revamp

2007-02-25T16:38:00.000-05:00

An Interesting One…. (But not too long) Based on the assumption that good governance is a pre-requisite to conduct effective application of conceptual and operational synergy, this process underlines the imperatives to fashion the best lessons and experiences toward the development of a holistic approach, as institutions have to consider and respond to the needs of regional and local communities

2007-02-23T17:22:00.000-05:00

Education Reforms and Content Delivery in Puerto-Rico: Riding the Waves of Change One of my views regarding education reforms is that before all, any attempt to overhaul a system within this body, should pay close attentions to ensure that recruitment and quality of teaching are reflective of effective preparation and training practices.And due to the growing and challenging conditions that

2007-02-22T13:24:00.000-05:00

The Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), and The Development Outlooks vis-à-vis Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women in the Americas Among one the huge challenges facing the world today, the questions of gender equality and empowerment of women stand firms in regards to their ramifications to various development aspects, and just to name a few, I can cite such elements as democratic

2007-02-21T17:57:00.000-05:00

Second MOST-UNESCO Summer School for Latin America and the Caribbean Local development policies and social management. Overcoming poverty and inequality in Latin America. This Summer School aims to bring together young researchers, scholars and students following a Masters degree or a PhD from the region. It will take

2007-02-21T15:00:00.000-05:00

Broadening the Scope of Poverty Assessments in Grenada In what can be seen as a right move, the government of Grenada has taken steps toward the implementation of a comprehensive poverty assessment analysis of the country, see here. By converging adequate resources to support the development of such an approach, the importance of poverty measurement will be further demonstrated by

2007-02-20T22:43:00.000-05:00

Juggling Between, Two Lanes: The Informal Sector and Economic Growth What a puzzling issue! The role of the informal sector in economic growth has always drummed up some heated exchanges re the adaptation of policy measures to monitor its expansion and changing structures.At these junctures, one of the problematique is the extent to which an approach toward formalization could affect the process

2007-02-20T11:52:00.000-05:00

Scrunching the Latest re the National Assessment of Living Conditions: Cayman Islands The development of a comprehensive household living conditions assessment for the Cayman Islands, dubbed: “The National Assessment of Living Conditions”, has also come with a huge tab, given the emphasis placed by the government on the implementation of a well-informed strategy to directly communicate the

2007-02-19T10:02:00.000-05:00

Revamping Child Protection for the British Caribbean Territories It’s interesting to take stocks of a new initiative that has been taking roots in the British Caribbean Territories, with the aim of strengthening their protective environments for children, see here. As many of us are aware, this specific issue is a key element when addressing human development objectives by emphasizing the

2007-02-15T12:43:00.000-05:00

Till Growth do us apart! In releasing their latest projections re economic growth, and outcomes for 2007 for member countries, the CDB (Caribbean Development bank) has underlined the facts that: “The economy of St Kitts and Nevis and other borrowing member countries of the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) showed strong economic growth among its borrowing member

2007-02-14T18:49:00.000-05:00

Fiscal Prudence has Never Been a Smooth Road When pushing the arguments for fiscal prudence, governments are never left off the hook, given the many challenges that come with the necessity to maintain long-term sustainability in expenditure programs and finances.And at times, it comes with no surprises that the recurring problematique liaised with prospects of growth and poverty rates are always

2007-02-13T09:41:00.000-05:00

Haiti: Rural Water and Sanitation Project This project by the World Bank in Haiti is rounded around the implementation of Demand Responsive Approach (DRA) in the delivery and provisions of water services in rural areas. The project takes aims at enabling and empowering communities to take responsibility for service planning, and then input into the designs of major investment decisions….. More

2007-02-12T13:13:00.000-05:00

In the Dominican Republic (DR): What Kinda Growth, and Where to? The concerns raised by some stakeholders in the Dominican Republic (DR) vis-à-vis the current process of growth have been inflaming the debates about the government’s policies in its growth strategy. As some issues liaised in the macro-economic framework have leveled serious inquiries about the relevance of targeted

2007-02-11T14:31:00.000-05:00

New caribbean exam gets local endorsementBut teachers say SBAs matter requires resolution BY LUKE DOUGLAS Sunday Observer writer editorial@jamaicaobserver.comSunday, February 11, 2007JAMAICA'S teachers and employers have given their stamp of approval to the new Caribbean-wide examination geared at readying students for entry-level employment, and life-long learning.Full ArticleTags: education

2007-02-10T16:36:00.000-05:00

Stretching the Lines of Cooperation for the CARICOM As the CARICOM Single Market Economy is getting days after days as a gradual trail to be reckoned with, which is pushing the boundaries of development, and the role of the different institutions in the region, a good consensus has been steadily getting grounds among regional planners to carry-out a broad and integrated framework with the most

2007-02-09T12:17:00.000-05:00

CSME and its Roll-out: Matters of Public Education…. Well, well, well, it’s time for me to get back to the writings, and after quite a long hiatus (so to speak), where to start can be an interesting question. So, with that in mind I started to crawl the web for essential highlights about this lovely area which is the Caribbean, and as a matter of fact I came across an interesting piece in

2006-12-20T15:44:00.000-05:00

Agriculture and Poverty Reduction: Closing the Gaps in Evaluation and Policy Implementation When looking the linkages between development and macro-economic processes one element that should not be left alone is the question of agrarian development and its fit within macro-economic analyses.As a matter of fact, by engaging this approach, policy-makers, and analysts can have a broader

2006-12-19T13:20:00.000-05:00

Preliminary Overviews of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)The latest release of ECLAC’s 2006 report on the state of economic growth for Latin-American and the Caribbean comes with some words of cautions about the pace and future and this expansion for the region. Nonetheless, from all angles it appears that the current projections have been quite positive, but on the other hand for this

2006-12-17T10:22:00.000-05:00

December, 17 - 10:12 AMSocial security for domestic workers SANTO DOMINGO.- The Women’s Constitutional Reform Forum is proposing that domestic work should be recognized as an economic activity that creates added value and

2006-12-16T10:04:00.000-05:00

Social Exclusion and Political Participation: The Radicalization of Political Voting In the analysis of poverty determinants, social exclusion has become seen as a phenomenon that takes many forms with wide causes and consequences.And within this spectrum, one element worth looking into is the concept of functionings, as it involves at times some very complex dynamics in terms of individuals’

2006-12-10T10:30:00.000-05:00

The Growing Pain of HIV/AIDs and its Impacts on Economic Growth The growing evidence about the impacts of HIV/AIDS on economies in developing countries has drawn a grim picture about a cycle where lower economic growth and increased poverty has fast-tracked the falls into deepening deprivations for many households and families.And in regards to this problematique, many experts have come to

2006-12-10T09:24:00.000-05:00

True education is a life-long process, says PMCareer & Education Sunday, December 10, 2006 PRIME Minister Portia Simpson Miller has emphasised that true education was a life-long process, and much more than just acquiring knowledge and competencies.Full ArticleTags: Capacity Development Education Caribbean Development Human Development Jamaica Poverty Reduction Strategies Public Policy

2006-12-06T11:38:00.000-05:00

Competitiveness and Regional Integration: Where to for the Caribbean?In the news this week, the issues of competitiveness and business development have been shaking agendas in regards to the evolution of the Caribbean region, and its futures as the CSME is gradually spreading its wings (see here). This is quite a laudable call, considering the fact that the role of business in

2006-12-04T20:33:00.000-05:00

Health Enquiry resumes todayMonday, December 4 2006THE COMMISSION of Enquiry into the Operation and Delivery of Public Health Care Services in TT will resume public sittings at 9.30 am today at the Industrial Court in Port-of-Spain.Full ArticleTags: Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean Development Public Health Services Human Development Monitoring and Evaluation

2006-12-03T14:51:00.000-05:00

Moving toward the Common Cause In fact the title of this small piece relates to an article in the Jamaica Observer, where the author makes the case about the implementation of the CSME, and its meaning for regional collaboration (here). It is quite an interesting argument, and as we all know within this dynamic “making progress” under this endeavor goes along with the political will to

2006-11-29T13:33:00.000-05:00

Transparency and Public Disclosure: The IMF Article IV Consultations It was quite a remarkable piece in the Barbados Advocate re the application of the famous IMF Article IV Consultations, see here. As a matter of fact, the points clearly raised and articulated the irrelevant position of such a framework in terms of procedures and benchmarking when it comes to financial and fiscal discipline as

2006-11-29T08:28:00.000-05:00

Swapping the Debts for Social Investments “Debt Swaps” also known as the process of forgiving monetary debts in exchange of certain priority actions by debtors, has been part of the agenda brought-forth by some members of CARIFORUM in meetings with the European Union, see here. By emphasizing the importance of an action plan toward the implementation of social investment schemes, this debt

2006-11-24T13:10:00.000-05:00

What to Choose! In the complicated world of moral, political and economic challenges, what could be the best way forward to move economic growth and prospects for development? Time is up now. If some of you said: “The Private Sector”, allow me to pass along this invitation to examine Antigua & Barbuda’s framework for sustained economic growth. At the core of this process lies ahead the

2006-11-23T09:50:00.000-05:00

Science & Technology do Matter When It Comes to Socio-Economic Developments Numerous appeals have stressed the role of Science & Technology as enablers for change and socio-economic progress, and in one instance (here). Of course, it goes without saying that the expansion of such capacities goes along with the integration of constructive dialogues, and above all a clear understanding of the

2006-11-22T12:08:00.000-05:00

Golding plans to slash taxes published: Wednesday | November 22, 2006Opposition Leader Bruce Golding says a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)-led administration would remove Education Tax and HEART deductions and replace these revenue sources with low-interest loans from multinational agencies including the World Bank.Full ArticleTags: Jamaica Caribbean Development

2006-11-22T11:35:00.000-05:00

República Dominicana: El Seibo, primer Pueblo del MilenioLa provincia dominicana de El Seibo tiene identificadas las intervenciones necesarias para alcanzar los ocho Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio y además sabe cuánto

2006-11-21T13:47:00.000-05:00

Constructing a Viable Approach to Deter Violence Against Children ‘Violence against Children’ is a topic, or I should rather say a phenomenon that has been taking, unprecedented forms, and disturbing themes.In all consequences, these issues bring to the fore-front the needs to strengthen investigative analyzes, and protective regulations to curb these ills. An in the recent UN gathering in

2006-11-21T10:34:00.000-05:00

Intellectual Property Rights: An E.U Definition toward the EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement), and the Caribbean FrameworkOh Lord! In a sudden reversal of fortunes, the European Union (E.U.) has outlined intellectual property standards as core components for upcoming discussions re global trade rules, see here. As I read this article one question came to my mind, and that vis-à-vis the

2006-11-17T09:58:00.000-05:00

An Educational Approach into the Relations between Language and Literacy in the Trinidadian Context Now turning to the ever growing prospects in open educational resources, this module by Barbara Joseph was developed for teachers in Trinidad & Tobago to address the various facets of language, communication and literacy. This open course explores three components in the relations between

2006-11-16T16:50:00.000-05:00

Democracy also comes with Gender Equity In her new capacity as elected president of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), setting the right agenda means for Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro to re-adjust the relationship between the concept of liberalism, and women’s struggle. As much touted issues in these debates, diversity and democracy as concepts and practices vis-à-vis women’s rights

2006-11-16T13:52:00.000-05:00

2nd Round of the Policy Delphi about ICT (for the Year 2010) in Latin- America and the Caribbean (LAC) This is the direct access (here) to the second round of public consultations about the future of ICT in Latin-America and the Caribbean. As a continuum of the Regional Action Plan eLAC 2007, this open discussion platform touches the various issues in terms of policy implementations and

2006-11-15T19:27:00.000-05:00

Regional Public Goods (RPGs): Setting Rooms for Regional Cooperation in Latin-America and the Caribbean (LAC) As an effort to bridge and overcome some gaps about the concept of Regional Public Goods (RPGs), the IDB has launched an initiative that aims to reinforce academic collaborations about the multi-faceted aspects of these issues. Under a grant of US$ 600,000, this endeavor will look

2006-11-15T14:25:00.000-05:00

‘Women Empowering Women’ This will be the theme for the upcoming National Women’s Week in the Bahamas. An event that will run from November 26th to December 2nd, 2006. “ In today’s Bahamian society, women continue to grapple with challenges in several areas including financial stability, domestic violence and health issues,” she said. “The week’s activities will focus on several of these

2006-11-14T13:28:00.000-05:00

Non-State Actors advisory panelWeb Posted - Tue Nov 14 2006CIVIL society groups will now have a greater say in the decision-making process between Barbados and the European Union (EU). This was made certain yesterday with the signing of a memorandum of understanding establishing a Non-State Actors (NSAs) Advisory Panel here.Full ArticleTags: Civil Society Development Cooperation Caribbean

2006-11-13T12:39:00.000-05:00

Ayiti: ‘The Cost of Life’ No worries, and thanks god, this is no pessimistic news about Haiti. Many thanks to the PSD blog, which pointed this interactive computer game which is a simulation about the cost of living, and well-being, as experienced on a daily basis by thousands of people over there.And this game is part of an awareness campaign launched by Gamelab, Global Kids and UNICEF about two

2006-11-12T14:05:00.000-05:00

Will Concentration On a New Agriculture Change Lives in Rural Areas of Caribbean Countries This the title of a piece by Deniece Alleyne, which took the second place in an essay competition organized by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) In this essay, she explores the linkage between agricultural development and the role of technological innovations to curb

2006-11-12T10:03:00.000-05:00

In the Caribbean, it’s been all about the Role and Standing of Civil Society Bringing civil society as an active participant in development, can add substantive leverage in the formulation of policy, and in the implementation and development of action plans.And within this framework, an evolving relationship has to move toward the expansion of dialogues and participation between CSOs, and

2006-11-08T16:01:00.000-05:00

MECOVI Is the Spanish acronym for: “Mejoramiento de las Encuesta de Hoyares y la Medicion de Condiciones de Vida”, and which in english stands for: “Program for the Improvement of Surveys and the Measurement of Living Conditions in latin-America and the Caribbean”. Linking research and policy in poverty assessments has never been an easy task to go about. Nevertheless, taken from a broad

2006-11-08T13:01:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, November 8, 2006 - Philipsburg, St Maarten, N.A. Laveist, youth department embark on youth projects PHILIPSBURG--Youth and Social Affairs Commissioner Louie Laveist and the Department of Youth and Cultural Affairs have teamed up to embark over the next few weeks on a number of youth-related projects geared towards empowering youth, weeding out youth violence and encouraging

2006-11-08T11:37:00.000-05:00

Oh, la, la, these Bad and Old Corruption IssuesIt is interesting to note that from the latest Transparency International (TI) Corruption Index, that Barbados made the marks with a ranking of 24 (Corruption Perception Index 2005). Now on a regional standing, what is left for other Caribbean nations? I do not wanna sound like a pessimistic dude, but the news seem to be somber for other countries as

2006-11-07T12:50:00.000-05:00

Talking about Caribbean Indigenous Knowledge and LanguageToo often in the context of development practices, the issues of indigenous knowledge and languages are passed by. And despite ongoing efforts by indigenous people throughout the world to make the points about the revitalization of their languages, which represents a great part in the diffusion of their knowledge, development circles are

2006-11-06T16:04:00.000-05:00

Barbados Investment and Development CorporationThe Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) is the industrial development agency of the Barbados Government. It has special responsibility for promoting and facilitating the establishment and expansion of business enterprises in Barbados, and for export promotion of Barbados' goods and services. The BIDC also administers the

2006-11-06T14:25:00.000-05:00

The Role of FDIs (Foreign Direct Investments) to Sustain Economic Expansion and Growth for Eastern Caribbean Member States The effects of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) on economic development, can take various forms, as to sustain the pace of growth.It has been clearly demonstrated that the impacts of FDIs can be quite significant as to facilitate, and reach certain level of economic

2006-11-05T19:50:00.000-05:00

Youth Development Issues: Rated High in Caribbean DevelopmentThe upcoming release by the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre, titled: “Building the Future Today”, will provide social workers and NGOs with a blueprint to examine existing evaluations, and operational definitions of youth development programs. This project will feature a broad base review of the current state of findings

2006-11-02T14:13:00.000-05:00

entra21: Preparing Youth in Latin America and the Caribbean to Enter the Modern Workplace"Para Información en Español, clic aquí." The International Youth Foundation (IYF) and the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) of the Inter-American Development Bank have joined forces to prepare workers for the jobs of the new economy in Latin America and the Caribbean. Together we created a US$29

2006-11-02T13:29:00.000-05:00

Globalization and Regional Integration: Still so Many Question to PonderIn recent remarks on the subject of the CSME, and the impacts of globalization on the Caribbean, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller defined among others, that: The region,“must now stand even more firmly as an economic bloc and devise and implement strategies based on each island's strengthens and competitive

2006-11-01T08:29:00.000-05:00

Government's e-learning project to enhance education CARL GILCHRIST, Observer staff reporterWednesday, November 01, 2006GOVERNMENT'S US$50 -million investment in an e-learning project, launched earlier this year, is expected to significantly enhance the quality of secondary teaching and learning.Full ArticleTags: e-learning Education ICT4D e-readiness Capacity Development Caribbean

2006-10-31T12:52:00.000-05:00

‘Child Protection Act’ Mending Fences and Legislations in the BahamasIn a sound governance process for any country, Child Protection is an instrument that bears witness to the country’s willingness and capacity to ensure that all children are protected from all forms of abuses and exploitations. Under this praxis, investments in children and youth through the umbrella of social protection

2006-10-30T11:43:00.000-05:00

Increasing women's political participation:Twenty Countries Discuss the Need to Adopt Quota Laws and Promote Parity(6 October 2006) Eleven Latin American nations have adopted legal quotas to increase women's political participation, but in no country does the number of women elected to national legislatures surpass 36%. This year, with nearly half the countries in the region holding

2006-10-30T10:24:00.000-05:00

Signs of Progress, Signs of Remission towards Haiti’s FutureWell, well, well…. It’s been said that the impacts of the new elected administration of René Préval in Haiti, is starting to bear some fruits.Of course, this is not an easy task in a country that has been mired with systemic governance challenges, and constant insecurity (see here). But as Haiti gradually moves into a process of

2006-10-29T10:43:00.000-05:00

A new Caribbean economy beckons published: Sunday | October 29, 2006Late last November when Commonwealth leaders met in Malta, a blunt exchange took place between Caribbean heads of government and the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.It reflected a sense, then preva-lent across the region, that the United Kingdom could have done more with its European Union (EU) counterparts to ameliorate the

2006-10-29T09:52:00.000-05:00

Capacity Development and ICT: Rallying the Strength of Media Tools to Sustain Development Goals and Inclusive Access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for the Poor Photo: Courtesy of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL)An idea that sprung from the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), and to date has proven quite successful is the use of media instruments to engage and strengthen

2006-10-27T10:46:00.000-04:00

Cayman Islands: Tackling Aid Effectiveness and Regional CooperationAnd straight from the Cayman Islands came this announcement in regards to the implementation of the National Study of Living Conditions, and its future fallouts to link new disbursements for disaster funding, see here and here.For the Cayman Islands these perspectives highlight a positive shift for planning capacities by setting

2006-10-27T08:45:00.000-04:00

Major conference on Caribbean investment to take place in LondonLONDON, England, October 27, 2006 - 'Transforming the Caribbean economy - new avenues for investment' is the title of of a conference on the Caribbean economy to hosted by the British government on November 2 at the initiative of Prime Minister Tony Blair. It will explore how within two decades the Caribbean economy is likely to

2006-10-20T16:17:00.000-04:00

Juggling in the Web of Politics, and a Barbadian Definition about the ‘Cost-of-Living” As treacherous as it can be, the involvement of political gamuts to define national agendas, and the creation of strategies to define poverty levels, can leave development practitioners with sour tastes in their mouths.I read this article in the NationNews (Barbados) where from all accounts a race toward

2006-10-20T15:15:00.000-04:00

Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA) Thursday, October 19th, 2006 UN Delegations: Consider St. Lucia for the Security Council’s Latin American SeatGuatemala and Venezuela have persistently fallen short of the two thirds majority needed to secure GRULAC’s (the UN’s Latin American and Caribbean caucus) seat in the UN Security Council (UNSC) after more than two days of voting

2006-10-20T13:06:00.000-04:00

The EPAs (Economic Partnership Agreements): Mythical and Unbalanced options between the E.U and the Caribbean There are clear options to balance when it comes to the prospects liaised with the European Union’s EPAs and how this process could impact upon any comprehensive development approach for the Caribbean. In the words of the Jamaican Foreign Affairs Minister: “We are concerned that (EU

2006-10-19T09:12:00.000-04:00

19th OctoberDeaths From Non-Communicable Diseases Increase By Bianca Symonette The number of deaths in The Bahamas due to chronic non-communicable diseases rose from nearly 45 percent of all deaths in 2001 to just under 60 percent in 2003, according to Minister of Health Dr. Bernard Nottage.Full ArticleTags: Health Financing National Health Insurance Health Policy Health Care Human Development

2006-10-18T15:11:00.000-04:00

Micro-credit and the Poor, Learning by Experiences: The Case of Sogesol in HaitiWith the recent recognition bestowed upon Muhammed Yunus, founder of the micro-credit movement (The Noble Peace Prize 2006), micro-credit programs have been rolling at full speed as more and more governments and multi-lateral organizations are setting them up as cornerstone of their poverty reduction policies.

2006-10-18T10:46:00.000-04:00

Cayman debuts in Caribbean Week of Agriculture Wednesday, October 18, 2006A six-member delegation, which represented the Cayman Islands at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) in the Bahamas for the first time, is back home. Leader of Government Business the Hon Kurt Tibbetts, Minister responsible for Agriculture, led the delegation at the 2 to 7 October event in Nassau.Full ArticleTags:

2006-10-18T10:24:00.000-04:00

Promoting Caribbean food security Web Posted - Wed Oct 18 2006By Nigel Wallace An impressive line-up of professionals within the agricultural sector of Barbados gathered yesterday to view two displays highlighting the vertical component here in Barbados of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO)/CARICOM/ CARIFORUM Food Security Project (FSP).Full ArticleTags: Food Security

2006-10-17T13:05:00.000-04:00

Consensus-Building in the Caribbean re Issues in Compliance and Labor StandardsThe maintenance and harmonization of stable labor relations is a necessary factor as the expansion of market economy systems call for adaptations in laws and regulations to adjust labor contracts, and coordination mechanisms for labor standards, labor protection and labor handling dispute systems. These pre-requisites

2006-10-16T14:42:00.000-04:00

Sexual Violence against Women and Girls in Jamaica: “Just a Little Sex”The absolute necessity to advance human rights, and in particular the advancements of women’s right to gender equality have been a critical component behind the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Within this framework there is a broad recognition of the

2006-10-16T11:20:00.000-04:00

Debt Reduction and Control for Nevis: Some Questions about the Policy ConditionalitiesIn one stroke of googling I read on the Leeward Times that not so long ago, discussions between the IMF and the NIA (Nevis Island Administration) had conveyed some kinda agreements re the pending issues of Nevis debt control.As a matter of fact, the agenda was set to address this issue by looking into the

2006-10-13T14:45:00.000-04:00

Manning at the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)In a recent conference that took place at the famous MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago underscored the importance of leadership and progressive thinking for Caribbean leaders. In a nutshell, his speech delivered some straightforward thinking in regards to future policy

2006-10-12T16:41:00.000-04:00

Caribbean islands become Dutch municipalities by Gijs van den Heuvel* 12-10-2006 Bonaire, Saint Eustace and Saba, three small islands in the Caribbean, are to become part of the Netherlands. With this decision the dismantlement of the Netherlands Antilles as a single state within the kingdom of the Netherlands has begun. The three islands have come to

2006-10-12T15:22:00.000-04:00

The Making of a Stand-by Agreement between the IMF and the Dominican RepublicIt was interesting to learn today that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the government of the Dominican Republic (DR) are on the verge to work-out a stand-by agreement.Quite interesting indeed, when knowing that in order to move this process forward strong requirements are called upon with the introduction of

2006-10-12T11:47:00.000-04:00

Statistics in Development Planning in the OECS The OECS has released a discussion paper on the role of statistics in development planning. This endeavor characterizes the need to bridge certain gaps for the region in terms of data production, collection and application. As a matter of fact, the notion and setting of principles for official statistics is a fundamental approach to redefine the way

2006-10-11T11:40:00.000-04:00

Roberts: Poverty levels falling in TTClint Chan Tack Wednesday, October 11 2006POVERTY LEVELS in Trinidad and Tobago seem to be falling and Government is making fundings available to communities in order to help them alleviate poverty.This was the disclosure made by Social Development Minister Anthony Roberts during the Budget debate in the House of Representatives on Monday night.Full

2006-10-11T10:02:00.000-04:00

October 11, 2006IDB launches historic Guyana schemeBy Mark RamotarTHE Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) yesterday launched a ground-breaking US$100,000 programme aimed at moulding young leaders in several Amerindian communities, especially in the North Rupununi.Full ArticleTags: Sustainable Development Indigenous Youth Indigenous Development Food Security Social Inclusion Community

2006-10-10T15:41:00.000-04:00

At-risk Youth and the Development of Social Cohesion Mechanisms: The IDB Expert Panel Debate The increased surges in youth violence throughout the Caribbean have proven that no communities can be immune from such societal shocks. The stakes here are huge given the needs to address this issue in parallel with pro-active steps to strengthen the socio-economic fabric of some of these islands.Thus a

2006-10-10T11:14:00.000-04:00

Making Fiscal Prudence ‘Work’ in Antigua & BarbudaSt John's, Antigua & Barbuda The stakes are high and the ball is rolling, this can be a message to sump up the position taken by the government of Antigua & Barbuda, vis-à-vis its fiscal policy framework which underlines a call for ‘fiscal prudence’. “Over the past several months, the Government has been grappling with the challenge of

2006-10-10T09:44:00.000-04:00

Tuesday 10,October 2006Studying locally unaffordable for SSC WILLEMSTAD – The subsidy that the Foundation for Educational Financing Curacao (SSC) receives is insufficient to finance the costs of students studying locally. Aside from which the educational institutions are also not yet able to manage the offer. During the deans’ conference in Holland this morning the director of SSC, Pieter

2006-10-09T11:38:00.000-04:00

CSME exports bearing fruit, says ArthurPublished on: 10/9/06.by Julie WilsonDISMISS THE CRITICS; the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) has begun to bear fruit in Barbados.Prime Minister Owen Arthur, one of the main driving forces behind the creation of the CSME, shared the good news as he addressed a Caribbean Community Secretariat/University of the West Indies (UWI) symposium on a

2006-10-08T15:35:00.000-04:00

Remittance Flows, BOP: Mapping out Development Outcomes The undergoing developments that have been touching the remittances market have un-shrouded new shifts for development strategies, where increased attentions from private sector corporations in the banking and financial services are trying to tap into this economic boom, through the integration of technological tools and financial