The need for ongoing dialogue and multi-stakeholder participation is critical as the region engages in what is now the final stage of the EPA negotiations. The CRNM has already established a number of successful communications outreach initiatives designed to capture the input of the business interests of the Regional private sector through education and training. However, accommodating the conduct of consultations with all Regional civil society constituents is challenged by limitations in the availability of resources. The CRNM has therefore sought to collaborate more closely with Regional agents with the aim of intensifying the communications outreach to a range of Regional Stakeholders. Strengthening the capacity of regional agents like the Media to meaningfully engage in dialogue about trade negotiations with regional stakeholders like civil society can significantly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the communication outreach about the EPA negotiations and its importance to regional development. In recognition of this, the CRNM hosted a workshop for regional journalists entitled Regional Journalism and the EPA: Mitigating Communications Challenges at Grand Barbados Hotel February 26, 2007. The purpose of which was not only to inform regional journalists about current outstanding issues within the EPA but also to engage in dialogue about deepening the role of regional journalists as partners in the dissemination of information about the EPA and its importance to the people of the Caribbean. Additionally, the workshop included training on how journalists could develop a generic approach to reporting on the EPA and the trade negotiations for print, broadcast and new media. During the Opening Ceremony, directed by Master of Ceremonies CRNM’s Trevor Boothe, The Hon. Kerry Symmonds, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, in delivering a well received keynote address, outlined the realities of the international trading environment and explained that the new trade relationship with Europe could no longer be based on non-reciprocal and preferential arrangements. The aim of the EPA as he explained is ‘not only to replace the existing system of preferences…’ but also directed at ‘…building meaningful economic partnership between Europe and our countries of the Caribbean…’ He also lauded the importance and timeliness of the CRNM’s initiative in hosting the workshop, expressing that given the nature of the times, the press plays and important role in the social and economic development of the region and that the region needs Caribbean journalists more than ever. The Workshop was chaired by Canute James, regional journalist and senior lecturer at CARIMAC. In his capacity as Chair, he conducted the training seminar on generic approaches to reporting. Journalists also benefited from a number of enlightening and provocative presentations from key resource persons including CRNM trade specialists Malcolm Spence and Ramesh Chaitoo; Dr. Steven Mac Andrew, Specialist in Movement of Skills/Labour of the CSME Unit of the CARICOM Secretariat; and Carlos Wharton Trade Consultant of the Barbados Private Sector Trade Team. The presentations focused on a range of pertinent topics related to the EPA negotiations which included innovation and competitiveness; opportunities and challenges in services; the relationship between development of the regional integration process and the EPA; and stakeholder participation in the EPA process beyond implementation. Other resource persons from the CRNM included Derek Browne and Emerson Bryan.
