The Third Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) got underway in Georgetown today 13 January, 2000 amidst optimism by top officials for the speedy implementation of decisions in the hands of this Council.
In the context of the Year 2000, and recent fears about “the millennium bug”, the new chairman of COHSOD, Mr. Damian Greaves, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Community Development, Culture, Local Government and Cooperatives, told the delegates attending the session that as they address the agenda items “we should get rid of the ghosts of the Caribbean that have plagued us in the past, and set ourselves on a new path of visioning to ensure that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is indeed compliant in terms of attitude, dedication, and implementation.”
Minister Greaves said the opportunity should be used at this meeting to rid the Community of the “bug” he referred to as “Failure To Implement (Y2KFTI)”.
The Minister applauded the effort of the COHSOD in ensuring prominence of social sector issues in the Region. He, however, said that there is need for a more coordinated and cohesive approach to development in this sector, and pointed to the necessity for national bodies to coordinate activities in some Member States.
In his remarks, Secretary-General of CARICOM, Mr. Edwin Carrington, said, with specific reference to items dealing with free movement of skills and people throughout the Region, that the people of the Community have waited long enough, and “it remains now for the implementing organs and bodies of the Community to translate these into operational practice.” He further urged that COHSOD push ahead with the satisfactory translation of this matter from Conference decision into man-in-the-street daily enjoyment.
The Secretary-General highlighted the responsibilities of this Council pointing to its key role in the creation of a CARICOM Single Market and Economy. In this regard COHSOD is responsible for several areas including matters relating to the right of establishment, the creation of a single labour market, the range, quality and, and quantity of skills required, scientific and technical capability, the industrial environment, health, and education. Given these responsibilities, Mr. Carrington wants to see greater attention placed on the efficient functioning of this Council.
Guyana’s Minister of Health and Labour, Dr. Henry Jeffery welcomed the delegates to the country, and outlined some of the progress made nationally in the two areas under his portfolio. Minister Jeffery noted that Guyana, the Caribbean, and Latin America have set this decade as a time when they will confirm, ratify, and do all the things necessary to help in the realisation of goals set for children. Other issues engaging the attention of the Region to which the Minister referred included, gender equality and equity, and health and the ageing.
Speakers at the opening session paid tribute to former Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism of Guyana, Mr. Michael Shree Chan who passed away on 12 January, 2000. They also joined with delegates in observing one minute’s silence on his passing.
