The Fifth Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) was held at the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown Guyana, 3-5 October 2001 under the distinguished Chairmanship of the Hon Girlyn Miguel, Minister of Social Development, Cooperatives, Family, Gender and Ecclesiastical Affairs, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Heads of Delegation in attendance were the Hon Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of Human Development, Women and Civil Society, Belize; the Hon Roosevelt Skeritt, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Affairs, Dominica; the Hon Lawrence Joseph, Minister of Labour and Local Government, Grenada, the Hon Rudolph Insanally, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Guyana; the Hon Fitz A Jackson, Minister of State, Minister of Education, Youth and Culture/Human Resource Council, Jamaica; the Hon Idabelle Meade, Minister of Health, Education, Community Services and Labour, Montserrat; the Hon Rupert Herbert, Minister of Social Development, Community and Gender Affairs, St Kitts and Nevis; the Hon Girlyn Miguel, Minister of Social Development, Cooperatives, Family, Gender and Ecclesiastical Affairs, St Vincent and the Grenadines; the Hon Manohar Ramsaran, Minister of Community Empowerment, Sport and Consumer Affairs, Trinidad and Tobago; and the Hon Nelson Bascome, Minister of Health and Family Services, Bermuda,
Saint Lucia was represented by H. E. Mr Anthony Severin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary; Suriname by Dr Marcus Djamin, the Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education and Community Development; and the Cayman Islands by Ms Estella Scott, Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Sports, Youth and Culture.
The COHSOD also welcomed Special Invitees from Civil Society for consideration of two issues of great public interest namely HIV/AIDS and the challenges arising from a review of the recently held World Conference against Racial Discrimination and Race Related Intolerance.
Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony was chaired by Dr Edward Greene, Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, CARICOM Secretariat. Remarks were delivered by Mr Edwin Carrington, Secretary-General, Caribbean Community; the Hon Samuel R Insanally, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Guyana; H E Mr Anthony Severin, Ambassador of Saint Lucia to CARICOM on behalf of Hon Sarah Beaubrun, Minister of Health, Family Affairs, Human Services and Gender Relations, the Hon Girlyn Miguel, Minister of Social Development, Cooperatives, Family, Gender and Ecclesiastical Affairs, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Professor Dennis Benn of the University of the West Indies.
Dr Greene expressed his sympathies to those who had lost family members and friends in the terrorist attack which had taken place in the USA on 11 September 2001. He congratulated the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community who had recently received the Order of Distinction of Belize, and is designated to be the recipient of the Pinnacle Award from the United States, which was also to be bestowed upon the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell.
In welcoming delegates to COHSOD V, the Secretary-General said much progress had been made towards achieving the goals of Human Resource Development (HRD) in the Region and urged Member States to intensify their efforts. The Meeting observed a minute’s, silence in honour of the victims of the 11 September tragedy; after which he added that the grim specter of terrorism now compounds the difficulties being faced by the Region.
The Hon Samuel R Insanally paid tribute to the dedication and spirit of unity of those Member States in attendance. He noted that the world’s geopolitical landscape had changed as indelibly as the Manhattan sky line. He informed the Meeting that the Conference of Heads of Government would be convening a Special Emergency Session during the week of 8 October 2001, and that COHSOD V would prepare some recommendations for that Meeting. In this context, the Minister urged the COHSOD to re-examine its 1997 HRD mandate in order to ensure its continuing relevance in the context of the current rapidly, changing global environment. He challenged Organs of the Community to optimise the use of resources through close collaboration. He also urged the Region to enhance equity in development, with special reference to poverty alleviation, and through the enhanced participation of civil society in national and regional initiatives.
Ambassador Anthony Severin on behalf of the Hon Sarah Beaubrun, Minister of Health, Family Affairs, Human Services and Gender Relations, Saint Lucia, commended the Secretariat for the inaugural issue of the COHSOD Newsletter, published in June 2001. He commented that Saint Lucia was pleased to have served as the Chair of the COHSOD and reiterated its commitment to achieving the goals of HRD with equity. He applauded the use of the University of the West Indies Distance Education Centre (UWIDEC) system to hold online meetings on a number of occasions preceding COHSOD V; and urged the Region to continue its commitment to maximining the use of science and technology in the development process.
In his remarks, Professor Dennis Benn informed the Meeting that in 1998/99 the World Bank had circulated a study which suggested that the development of intellectual capital was key to the development process. Additionally, he pointed out that the UN Human Development Index included elements such as longevity, educational attainment and purchasing power parity. Areas such as employment promotion, social integration and poverty reduction were seen as key issues, particularly within the framework of a rights-based approach to HRD.
In her address as incoming Chairperson, the Hon Girlyn Miguel expressed solidarity, with those engaging in the process of the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). She emphasised that her thoughts and prayers were with the United States at this difficult time and pointed to the added urgency that was felt because of the recent events which threaten the Region’s way of life and value systems. She encouraged the continuation of national consultations in Member States and concluded that the interest and well-being of the people of the Region must be at the core of the efforts to develop and implement the CSME.
Working Towards a Human Resource Development Strategy for The Caribbean
The Meeting addressed the issue of the reformulation of the 1997 HRD Strategy that was adopted by the Conference of Heads of Government in July 1997. In reviewing the main thrust with regard to HRD efforts in Member States, the COHSOD identified some useful models and experiences and also clarified the context within which a Regional Strategy should be implemented, taking into account ongoing activities at the national level.
The COHSOD urged that mechanisms for implementation of programmes and projects should be urgently addressed.
In this regard, the COHSOD endorsed the proposals for the establishment of a Futures Policy Group for HRD as a mechanism for furthering the implementation of the Regional Strategy and outlined the Terms of Reference for that Group.
Gender and Development: a Cross-cutting Element in
Human Resource Development
The COHSOD considered a number of issues related to gender mainstreaming. Among these was the proposal for the development of a Social Justice Policy Framework for gender development in the Region.
The Meeting agreed that the strategic goal of such a Framework should be “the building of new structures of power sharing at the household community, national, regional and global levels where both men and women can participate fully in developing a system of cooperation in decision-making as equal partners in the sustainable development of their societies.”
Reduction of Demand for Illicit Drugs: Implementations for Human Resource Development
The COHSOD examined some of the critical challenges related to establishing appropriate policies for reducing the demand for illicit drugs in the Caribbean and the implications for HRD.
The recommendations from a CARICOM Forum on Demand Reduction for Illicit Drugs held on 17-18 September 2001 were also an integral part of the discussions. The Report on Drug Demand Reduction Needs Assessment in the Caribbean which was presented, provided key information on trends and policy responses, prevention and education and drug treatment and rehabilitation.
The COHSOD also noted that research and evaluation were critical to any successful intervention and endorsed the recommendation proposed by the Report.
Report from Special Meetings
The COHSOD received reports from the following Special Meetings:
(i) Ministers of Sport;
(ii) Ministers of Culture;
(iii) Directors of Youth.
The COHSOD noted the recommendations emanating from these Meetings and agreed, subject to amendments emerging from the deliberations of this Meeting, that the Reports be endorsed.
Caucus of Ministers of Health
The COHSOD received a Report of the Caucus of Ministers of Health held in Washington, DC on 22-23 September, 2001. The COHSOD accepted the decisions of the Caucus.
Initiatives Being Undertaken to Strengthen Capacity in Social Statistics in the Region
The COHSOD noted the initiatives that are currently underway in the CARICOM Region in the area of social statistics. These included the UNSD/CARICOM Project on “strengthening capacity in the compilation of Statistics and Indicators for the conference follow-up in the CARICOM Region” the ECLAC/CDCC Project on Development of Social Statistical Databases and a methodological approach for Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) for Small Island Developing States and the development of social indicators in the OECS sub-region.
The COHSOD agreed that strengthening the capacity of national and regional statistical offices in collecting, evaluating, analysing and disseminating relevant data in support of policy development on social and gender concerns were of utmost importance.
In addition the COHSOD was of the view that the development of a cadre of trained statisticians in social and gender statistics would contribute significantly to regional development. The COHSOD also endorsed the establishment of the Social statistics databases at three sites, the CARICOM Secretariat, the Derek Gordon Data Bank at UWI, Mona, Jamaica and the ECLAC sub-regional headquarters for the Caribbean.
Pan Caribbean Partnership on HIV/AIDS
The Meeting noted the alarming situation whereby HIV/AIDS was decimating the Region’s population and exacting a heavy toll on the young people which had severe economic implications.
The COHSOD examined the work of public and private sectors in meeting the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS. The Meeting lauded the Pan Caribbean Partnership on HIV/AIDS which was established as a result of an agreement among national, regional and institutional agencies for the purpose of implementing the Regional Strategic Plans on HIV/AIDS.
The COHSOD agreed that it was critical to develop intersectoral activities at the national level to deal with HIV/AIDS and the Governments should be urged to greater commitment in using national resources to deal with the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a national priority.
Nassau Declaration on Health 2001
This Item was taken as part of the Report of the Caucus of Ministers of Health. The COHSOD adopted the recommendation from the Caucus that the elements of the Declaration be supported and agreed that CARICOM and PAHO should urgently support the implementation of the Declaration.
Civil Society Consultation: Forward Together
The COHSOD was provided with a status report of the Civil Society Consultation scheduled for 12-13 November in Barbados. The COHSOD confirmed the critical role of civil society in the design and implementation of strategies for ensuring the continued success of regional integration.
The COHSOD agreed that national consultations should be convened, where this had not yet been done, and that these should provide concrete proposals that would be fed into the Regional Forum.
The COHSOD accepted in principle, the Draft Programme for the Consultation and urged Member States to participate fully in the Meeting.
CARICOM Single Market and Economy
The COHSOD noted the status of implementation of the CSME particularly in relation to the areas under the purview of the Council namely facilitation of travel, social security, human resource development, harmonious industrial climate.
The COHSOD noted that the implementation schedule with regard to facilitation of travel was proceeding satisfactorily, except for the matter of the CARICOM Passport where there were still some issues to be resolved, particularly in respect of security.
The Meeting received a Report on the activities that were being undertaken to facilitate regional accreditation system, the free movement of university graduates, cultural, media and sport workers and service providers.
Panel Discussion on the United Nations World Conference Against Racism,
Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia And Related Intolerance
Three persons from Guyana who attended the recent UN Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance shared their experiences at the Conference and during a panel discussion aimed at looking at Caribbean issues, challenges and responses arising from the Conference. Two members of the panel who were representatives of the Guyana Rights of the Child Organisation (ROC) elaborated on the way they perceived the activities and outcomes of the Conference.
The other presenter highlighted the NGO activities of the event and outlined to the COHSOD some of the areas in which the Conference failed to achieve its expected objectives.
The COHSOD was advised of the ways in which the issues raised at the Conference could impact on Caribbean development.
Upcoming Events of Importance To the Community
The COHSOD noted for information the convening of the following Meetings:
(i) UNESCO General Conference, 15 October- 3 November 2001 to be held at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France;
(ii) United Nations Global Conference on Ageing, to be held in Madrid, Spain, April 2002.
The COHSOD stressed the importance of a strong Caribbean presence at these Meetings.
Appreciation
The COHSOD expressed deep appreciation to the Government and people of Guyana for their warm hospitality and the excellent facilities made available for the conduct of the Meeting. It also expressed thanks to the Directorate of Human and Social Development of the CARICOM Secretariat for its comprehensive and succinct preparation of papers and presentation of issues which greatly facilitated the conduct of an effective and successful Meeting.
