Your Excellency, Prime Minister Jean Cretien, Heads of States and Governments, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Mr. Chairman I feel particularly privileged today to speak at this historic Summit that highlights the importance of the process of democracy and good governance. This is so, as Grenada has gone through the process of a revolutionary dictatorial system in the period 1979 to1983; and has emerged into a striving democratic system of government. It is said that those who feel it, know it best.
Mr. Chairman, several hundred Caribbean organizations participated in a series of Civil Society Consultations over a period of six months in preparation for this Third Summit of the Americas.
This exercise highlights the long and proud history of inclusion of Civil Society in the process of policy formation in the Caribbean.
Our history has demonstrated that we cannot successfully pursue social and economic development in our respective countries and regions, nor can we expect to sustain good governance, without full inclusion of all our people.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government adapted a Charter of Civil Society in 1997. This Charter serves as an important instrument in dealing with such issues as the effective functioning of parliamentary systems and the open democratic process as well as respect for fundamental, civil, political, economical, social and cultural rights. CARICOM is also planning a regional Civil Society Encounter to be held later this year to address developmental issues of our region, in collaboration with non-governmental and other social partners.
Mr. Chairman, CARICOM Governments seek to address the challenges of poverty eradication, connectivity and the application of information and communication technologies, as well as economic diversification and the provision of adequate health care, access to quality education and other essential social services. The Caribbean Community has embraced these challenges in the face of liberalization and the threats of globalization, which have increased the burden on our limited financial resources.
Moreover, the special circumstances of Small Island Developing States dictate that in the pursuit of the Free Trade Areas of the Americas (FTAA), provisions be made for transitional support in acknowledgement of the special needs of Small Island Developing States.
Mr. Chairman, CARICOM has always held the view that the involvement of Civil Society in addressing development issues, as well as in the formulation of government policies and programs, is essential to the attainment of genuine transparency and good governance. However, we cannot ignore the growing number of instances in our Hemisphere in which this noble attempt to involve Civil Society has been used by some to violate the rules of democratic behavior.
It is both necessary and noble to aspire to involve citizens in the process of decision-making. However, such involvement requires a degree of responsibility on the part of all concerned, including Civil Society. Governments and leaders are encouraged to continue to engage Civil Society in meaningful consultations; these consultations must include the private sector, religious and non-governmental organizations, among other groups. Civil Society must be called upon to adopt and enforce codes of conduct, which would submit them to the same standards of disclosure, oversight and accountability, which is demanded from the private sector and Governments.
Like every age and every era in human history, this third millennium will generate hope and despair, promise and peril, triumph and tragedy. But the 21st century will be special in one sense. It would bring to the forefront the great paradoxes in the emerging global civilization. It seems certain that democratic forms and symbols of governance will undoubtedly spread in the present century and democracy is supposed to empower people.
Let us endeavor; through the Summit process, to strengthen our democracies, and in so doing, we will be protecting the rights of all our citizens. It is said that in the first rule of winning, the will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win. The preparation and the opportunity, which this Third Summit provides us as leaders, to focus on creating prosperity for all our people, can only be achieved if we walk away from this Summit with an implementation plan that truly focuses on the needs of Small Island Developing States, and the neediest among us. Then the people of our hemisphere will be the winners.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, colleagues, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Grenada would like to add its voice of thanks to the Government and people of Canada for the warm and generous hospitality which has been accorded my delegation. As we meet in this beautiful and historic Quebec City, let us ensure that the decisions taken will guarantee that all our people will be included in sharing the prosperity of our Hemisphere.
I thank you.
