Chairman
Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett
Ministers of Government and Representatives of Member States
Diplomatic Corps
Members of International and Regional Organs
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is with pleasure, on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, that I welcome my distinguished Colleague Ministers and their delegations to Guyana as we convene this Seventh Meeting of the Council For Human and Social Development (COHSOD). I want to also take this opportunity to welcome and also to wish the incoming Chair of this body, the Hon. Walter Sandriman, Minister of Education and Community Development of Suriname much success as he Chairs this Meeting.
Ladies and Gentlemen this meeting of COHSOD is being convened at a critical juncture in our region’s development. Indeed, it seems that the very existence of our societies seem to be under severe threat – intensification of sophisticated criminal activity sometimes motivated by the upsurge in drug trafficking; the increase in the spread of HIV /AIDS, the evident downturn in our economies and even the inundation by our unprepared societies for the high levels of deportation from the North. At the same time the region continues to witness the increase departure of our skilled working population to the more developed countries.
It is therefore the mandate of this Council from its conception to promote and develop policies and programmes aimed at the enhancement of human and social development in our community. This then is the onerous task that we assume to ensure that the work of this body is made more coherent and relevant to the peoples of this region and for the improvement in the quality of their lives and the development and modernization of this region capable of taking on the challenges of globalization.
Economic development and the enhancement of trade, while having always been the principle focus of the region, assumes even greater proportions particularly with the advent of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy and the approaching FTAA.
However if this region is to really develop then we must ensure that there are positive strides being made in the area of sustainable human and social development. In other words, COHSOD must work with greater urgency to grapple with the demands of finding answers to very critical issues – such as poverty reduction, safety nets for our peoples in periods of economic downturn, finding relevant and innovative solutions to create productive activity for our vulnerable populations, developing a coordinated all-embracing battle against crime and the macro-industry in the region which threatens the survival of democracy in the region, to name a few
I therefore wish to posit the view that our work in this body could be greatly aided/enhanced by the convening, maybe on the margin of other meetings, as is already done effectively by the Ministers of Health, of special meetings focussing on cross-cutting issues to deal with some of the specific aspects on the COHSOD’s Agenda thereby creating a more efficient decision-making mechanism within this body. The meetings of this Council which brings together Ministers of Health, Education, Labour, Housing, Water, Home Affairs, Tourism, Youth, Sport, Culture and Women’s Affairs could then be utilised to critically analyse and review in a more holistic manner the region’s approach to human and social development.
Ladies and Gentlemen, as our region continues to grapple with such critical issues as structural adjustment, the continued erosion of preferential markets, heavy debt burdens, increased unemployment and poverty we must therefore ensure that we creatively utilise our limited resources, both human and financial, effectively and efficiently to achieve the desired result. COHSOD therefore offers us the opportunity to truly adopt an intersectoral approach on a regional basis to the many critical issues on our agenda. Certainly this is a challenge to the Heads of Governments, our individual governments, civil society, bodies such as COHSOD within CARICOM and no doubt the Secretariat itself. How do we evolve into a regional entity where there is respect for the role and functions that governments play and those of civil society, how to strike the balance between imperatives of national and regional interests. Within all this new definitions will emerge as to the role of CARICOM, its Secretariat and the COHSOD itself. This will not be an easy road nor are there any magic bullets to send us flying into the future. We shall find the answers by indepth analysis and much soul searching.
I endorse the view that the HIV/AIDS pandemic particularly for small developing states like ours is a “silent enemy of economic growth, national well-being, and stability” having serious reverberating effects not only on our health sectors but also on our total national expenditure. It has in many states created new groups of poverty since those who are infected become less productive with serious social and economic consequences for their families. To combat the social and economic impact on our society there is need therefore to ensure that all aspects of our social sectors are collaborating fully so that a holistic approach can be achieved.
The new dispensation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy demands also that we strengthen social and human resource development institutions in the region. In such as free movement intra-regionally would require that we change our polices at the national level so as to ensure that every citizen across the region is granted that right to freedom of movement be they professionals, farmers, artists, sportsmen and women etc.
The upsurge in violent crime much of which arises from the penetration of the narco-industry in many of our countries coupled with increasing anti-social behaviour also demands a serious integrated approach not only by those tasked with security responsibilities but by a combination of forces at all levels of our societies to deal with preventive interventions, enforcement and rehabilitation. The level of sophistication both in the use of modern technology and weaponry by these enemies of social stability and development require a regional cross-sectoral mutli-disciplinary campaign of no mean order.
This will also require assistance from the donor community, friendly governments etc in all its forms possible and urgently. It will also require the countries with the greatest users of these narcotics to strengthen their efforts internally to reduce the demand end of the continuum.
Thus, the work of this Council cannot be promoted in isolation. “ I would like to refer here to some aspects of the COHSOD agenda that Guyana considers to be a priority for our region. We must encourage the evolution of a well equipped, relevantly educated, resourceful youthful population capable of operating effectively in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy and the new global dispensation. This will require changes in our education systems and pedagogical methodology, respect for cultural diversity, diversification of economic activity and the concomitant skills. This approach will demand the involvement of governments, the development of private sector entities as corporate citizens, support of religious leaders, the media etc.
We shall need to ensure that regional integration is not just rhetoric but that we access the best that this region has to offer and this region has much to offer: we need to learn to network and share information and best practices amongst counterpart ministries. Whether it be our intellectuals and Universities assisting in the conduct of critical research or our media being an integral component of informing and educating people as the changes take place.
We must adopt a policy of dialogue and effective collaboration as we seek to reposition our society and to improve the social standards of our people.
While there is support from various regional and international institutions for our programmes, certainly to grapple with these very serious issues more assistance that is more readily available will be needed. However, we must at all times ensure that these resources are being effectively and efficiently co-ordinated and are beneficial to our countries and peoples.
2002 marks the thirtieth anniversary of CARIFESTA, which was first held in Guyana. It is most fitting that 2003, CARIFESTA, being hosted in Suriname, will be discussed at this forum – another good example of tradition, creativity, cultural diversity and regional co-ordination. Guyana offers its support to Suriname, our neighbour, in preparation for CARIFESTA 2003.
I look forward to this COHSOD being infected with the new urgency and energy in order to fulfil the mandate bestowed on us by the Heads of Government.
Whilst you are here I hope you enjoy our hospitality and beautiful country.
Thank You.
