s. plummer - social integration in the caribbean community (caricom)
TRANSCRIPT
Sistema Económico Latinoamericano y del Caribe Latin American and Caribbean Economic System Sistema Econômico Latino-Americano e do Caribe Système Economique Latinoaméricain et Caribéen
II Regional Meeting on Social Dimension of Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean Caracas, Venezuela 18 July 2008 SP/RRDSIALC/Di 7-08
Social Integration in the Caribbean Community Sandra Plummer Deputy Programme Manager Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM)
Copyright © SELA, July 2008. All rights reserved. Printed in the Permanent Secretariat of SELA, Caracas, Venezuela. The Press and Publications Department of the Permanent Secretariat of SELA must authorise reproduction of this document, whether totally or partially, through [email protected]. The Member States and their government institutions may reproduce this document without prior authorisation, provided that the source is mentioned and the Secretariat is aware of said reproduction.
CARICOM SOCIAL INTEGRATION IN THE CARIBBEAN
COMMUNITY
Panel Presentation at II Regional Meeting on Social Dimension
of Integration in Latin America and The Caribbean
by
Sandra PlummerCaribbean Community Secretariat
Caracas,VenezuelaJuly 18 ,2008
CARICOM FORMAT OF PRESENTATION
•BACKGROUND OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM)
•BACKGROUND ON THE CARIBBEAN SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME)
•REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN SOCIAL AREAS: HEALTH, EDUCATION , EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING
•POSSIBLE AREAS OF CARICOM-LA CO-OPERATION
CARICOM
Longstanding Vision of Regional Cooperation and Integration
Regional Cricket Team to England1928
Caribbean Free Trade Area (CARIFTA)1968
Political Federation (-1962)1958
Regional University - UCWI1948
Caribbean Community and Common Market1973
Decision to establish the CSME1989
Entry into force of the Revised Treaty2006
CARICOMMember States of the
Caribbean Community
• Antigua & Barbuda• Bahamas• Barbados• Belize• Dominica• Grenada• Guyana• Haiti
• Jamaica• Montserrat• Saint Kitts & Nevis• Saint Lucia• St Vincent and the
Grenadines• Suriname• Trinidad and
Tobago
Main Pillars of the Community
1Economic Integration
(including the CSME)
2Functional andSocial
Cooperation3Foreign PolicyCoordination
With a security underpinning
CARICOM
Governance and Decision Making Structure
The principal Organs of the Community
(a) the Conference of Heads of Government(b) the Community Council of Ministers
Principal Organs assisted by the following Organs:
(a) The Council for Finance and Planning(b) The Council for Trade and Economic Development(c) The Council for Foreign and Community Relations (d) The Council for Human and Social Development(e) The Council for National Security and Law Enforcement
and serviced byThe CARICOM Secretariat, headed by the Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of the Community, the Secretary General
CARICOMThe CSME
A single enlarged economic space
Macro-
economic and
sectoral
policy
coordination
Functionalcooperation
Free movement of goods, services, capital, technology,
labour
Common externaltrade policy
Non- discriminatoryaccess to the region’s resources & markets for CARICOM
nationals
The Single Market
CARICOM
Building, out of separate national economies, a single, integrated, globally competitive, modern market economy within an economic space called the CSME
CSME - The Context
In deciding to establish the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), The Heads of Government noted the
‘need to work expeditiously together to deepen the integration process and strengthen the Caribbean Community in all of its dimensions to respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by the global economy’
CARICOMThe CSME
Full employment of labour and other factors of production
Improved standards of living and work
Accelerated. co-ordinated and sustained economic development
Increased economic leverage and effectiveness vis a vis other states, groups of states and entities
Expected OutcomesGreater opportunities for employment, investment, production and trade for Caribbean people
Competitive products of better quality and prices
Improved services provided by enterprises and individuals
Greater opportunity for travel for nationals to study and work in CARICOM countries
Framework
CARICOMThe Single Market
Single Market Policy Framework is in place
Regimes exist for :
Free intra-CARICOM movement of goods
Intra-CARICOM trade accounts for nearly 20% of merchandise exports and 12% of merchandise imports
Free intra-CARICOM trade in services
Right of establishmentAccess to land
Free movement of capital and skills
CARICOM
The CSME facilitates a collective approach to trade relations with third countries
New market opportunities
Collective negotiation of trade rules and agreements
Negotiation to attract new investment and joint ventures
Collective defense of economic interests in the global marketplace
CARICOM
LegalArchitectureof the CSME
The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas
Inter-governmental Agreements
Implementation of harmonisedlaws, regulations, orders and rules
Dispute Settlement Regime
Enforcement under Domestic Law
Enforcement under the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)
January 2006 - The CSM became operational; six Member States signed the Agreement
January 2006 - The CSM became operational; six Member States signed the Agreement
January 2006 - Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas entered into force through ratification by twelve Member States
January 2006 - Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas entered into force through ratification by twelve Member States
- The Bahamas is not a part of the CSM- Haiti is not yet a member of the CSM- Montserrat is awaiting entrustment
- The Bahamas is not a part of the CSM- Haiti is not yet a member of the CSM- Montserrat is awaiting entrustment
July 2006 – Six other Member States signed the AgreementJuly 2006 – Six other Member States signed the Agreement
CARICOM
Specialised Institutions and Structures
CARICOM Development Fund and Development Agency
Regional Accreditation Agency for Education and Training
Competition Commission
Caribbean Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality
Caribbean Court of Justice
Caribbean Agriculture Health and Food Safety Agency
Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery
CARICOM
CSME
The CSME - providing a platform and enabling environment for a more effective interface with the global economy
CARICOMCARICOM Development Fund
To promote cohesion and to counter polarization discrepancies and anti-convergence tendencies and asymmetries
To foster and support economic transformation to enhance competitivenessin the global economy
To compensate for the adverse effects of trade distortion and economic dislocation arising during intra-CARICOM integration process
CARICOMCARICOM Development Fund (2)
Initial capitalisation of US 250M
US$120M to be provided by Member StatesUS$130M to be raised from development partners
Expected to be operational by mid 2007
Assistance in the form of loans, grants and interest subsidy grants
CARICOM Regional Development Agency
Operationalisation of the CARICOM Development Fund to be complemented with the establishment of a Regional Development Agency (RDA)
Purpose: - to identify and mobilise technical assistance,“to assist disadvantaged countries, regions and sectors towards becoming economically viable and competitive by appropriate interventions of a transitional or temporary nature”
Agency expected to become operational within the next year
Proposals for the establishment of the Agency currently being elaborated
CARICOM Challenges
Need to improve standard of living
Significant geopolitical and geo-strategic shifts
Imperative of optimising development potential of the Region
Need for Improved management of the regional environment
Crime and security, disaster management
CARICOM The Human Face of the CSME
The CSME is anchored in the skills, abilities, attitudes, perceptions, motivations and expectations of people
The extent to which the provisions translate into real opportunities depends on the adequate development of our Human Resources
An informed public which understands and supports the CSME and participates actively in the CSME
Stronger sense of Community and greater social cohesion
Key Desired Outputs
CARICOMHuman Resource Development
HRD - An iterative process involving
Development of human capital
Efficient use of human capital
Preparation for involvement in life of the Community at all levels
Elements of the Regional Agenda
Refocusing and harmonisationof systems for education and training at all levels
Preparation for the Information Society
Youth empowerment
Addressing key health and lifestyle issues – NCDs, HIV/AIDS
Development of sense of Caribbean identity
Preparation for citizenship of the region
CARICOM HEALTH
•NASSAU DECLARATION
•CARIBBEAN COOPERATION IN HEALTH INITIATIVE
•DECLARATION OF PORT-OF-SPAIN ON NCDS
CARICOM
Addressing Social Dimensions of Integration – Education and
Employment
Some Major Issues
• Reorienting education systems to prepare students for a changing workplace and world of work
• Gender issues in education and employment
• Re-tooling of existing workforce/ guaranteeing employability
• Qualification Frameworks /portability of Qualifications in the integrated labour market
CARICOM EDUCATION
CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS
HEALTH AND FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION
REGIONAL ACCREDITATION -TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS-REGIONAL EXAMINATIONS FOR NURSES AND PHYSICIANS
CARICOM EMPLOYMENT:Social Floor & The CSME
• Member States should adhere to the same minimum standards to ensure that
– CARICOM Nationals who move for employment purposes moving are not disadvantaged
– there is no unfair competition in the CSME, be it among businesses or for investment.
– Since 1995 the Caribbean Community adopted a Declaration on Labour and Industrial Relations Principles,
• Workers Rights are highlighted in the Charter of Civil Society, however, no decision was taken to make these rights mandatory.
CARICOM HOUSING• NOT MUCH DONE ON REGIONAL LEVEL
• COUNTRIES HAVE INDIVIDUAL HOUSING SCHEMES
• MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THIS AREA
CARICOMPOSSIBLE AREAS FOR INTRA-REGIONAL COLLABORATION
• INFORMATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MECHANISMS WHICH SUPPORT REGIONAL INTEGRATION
e.g. Free Movement, Regional Framework for Children, CCH Initiative
• EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON CHILDREN
• SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF TRADE AGREEMENTS E.G TRADE AND HEALTH
( utilising the flexibilities in WTO Agreements which address public health )