Engagement with Social Partners
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is working to increase national stakeholders’ participation in the regional integration process. By this vision, Heads of Government are expected to engage with Social Partners during the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, which is scheduled for July 3-5 in Grenada.
The engagement aims to increase citizen participation in community governance. It is also intended to strengthen the relationship between and among the private sector, youth, civil society, and labor across the Community, national governments, and appropriate decision-making organs by developing mechanisms to provide opportunities for dialogue, improved information exchange, and input in the Community decision-making process, in accordance with Article 26 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC).
In July 2022 in Suriname, the Conference of Heads of Government welcomed presentations from the CARICOM Private Sector Organization Inc. (CPSO), the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC), and a representative of the Youth sector in keeping with their commitment to engage with all stakeholders in the integration process. The Conference congratulated the youth of the Community for their active engagement and participation at the CARICOM Youth Forum held in June 2022 and agreed that a similar forum would be used for engagement with Civil Society before the meetings of the Conference.
In July 2022 in Suriname, the Conference of Heads of Government welcomed presentations from the CARICOM Private Sector Organization Inc. (CPSO), the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC), and a representative of the Youth sector in keeping with their commitment to engage with all stakeholders in the integration process. The Conference congratulated the youth of the Community for their active engagement and participation at the CARICOM Youth Forum held in June 2022 and agreed that a similar forum would be used for engagement with Civil Society before the meetings of the Conference.
Engaging the Youth: Caribbean Youth Summit 2023
Engaging the Youth: CARICOM SG, Dr. Carla Barnett interacting with youth representatives from Belize, April 2024
Inclusive Stakeholder Consultations
Under a mandate by Heads of Government to examine the process of engagement with social partners, the CARICOM Secretariat has been in dialogue with civil society to establish a structure for the regular exchange of their perspectives on regional development policies and programmes. The Secretariat has also been in discussions with the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC), the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), and individual civil society members to promote greater collaboration and inclusivity between CARICOM and its social partners.
As efforts continue to strengthen the participation of Social Partners in Community governance, two Associate Institutions, the CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) and the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), regularly participate in Technical Working Groups and Community organs, particularly on matters related to the CSME and the Agri-Food Systems agenda. The CPSO participates in Working groups on trade-in-goods, while the CCL participates in discussions on Free Movement.
The CARICOM Secretariat is also implementing its Strategic Plan 2022-2030 which has prioritised strengthening inclusive engagement and communication with Community Stakeholders to realize the objectives of the Community as set out in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
As efforts continue to strengthen the participation of Social Partners in Community governance, two Associate Institutions, the CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) and the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), regularly participate in Technical Working Groups and Community organs, particularly on matters related to the CSME and the Agri-Food Systems agenda. The CPSO participates in Working groups on trade-in-goods, while the CCL participates in discussions on Free Movement.
The CARICOM Secretariat is also implementing its Strategic Plan 2022-2030 which has prioritised strengthening inclusive engagement and communication with Community Stakeholders to realize the objectives of the Community as set out in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Social Partners Engagement: Regional Crime Symposium, April 2023
