GE National Dialogues in Caribbean
GE National Dialogues in Caribbean
GE National Dialogues in Caribbean
The Caribbean has embarked on a process to develop a position statement on moving towards a green and resilient economic pathway for the region. As an initial step in this process, a workshop was held in Trinidad in February 2011, at which key components of a regional position were discussed and agreed, for further development and discussion with a wide range of stakeholders over the coming months. This note summarizes the main points that were proposed at the Trinidad workshop.
Poverty and social inequality: Per capita income ranges widely, from $24,233 in Trinidad and Tobago to only $949 in Haiti. Many countries are classified as middle income, masking wide, and growing, economic disparities. Levels of poverty and near-poverty have increased with the economic crisis, with declining educational performance also contributing to rapidly increasing rates of unemployment. Poverty is often linked to issues of social inequality. The region has a large percentage of female-headed households, many below or close to the poverty line. Disaster risk: The region is highly vulnerable to natural hazards. Hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides cause tremendous loss of life as well as environmental, social and economic impacts (in some cases exceeding 180% of GDP1). Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of hurricanes, droughts and other climate-related hazards.
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pathway for the region insofar as it is able to contribute to addressing these key challenges:
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The current strategy of externalizing the costs of disasters on the assumption that the state or international aid agencies will cover them is unreliable and unsustainable. Public indebtedness: Public debt is skyrocketing, with combined external and domestic debt ranging from over 70% to nearly 200% , and the cost of debt servicing is
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people are engaging in development issues. As a result, civil society is increasingly demoralized and dispersed, despite the continued leadership shown by a few. Declining human resource base: The region has long suffered brain drain; this is now compounded by the poor performance of national education systems. In many countries, drop-out rates are at all-time highs, especially for boys, and illiteracy is increasing. Most countries lack training programmes in skills that match the opportunities available. Skilled jobs are often outsourced or filled by outsiders, and opportunities to add value to existing sectors through enhanced human resources are lost. Outdated and inadequate regulatory frameworks: Legal frameworks do not encourage improved environmental and economic practices or innovations that could create new, sustainable economic opportunities. In some cases, they actually encourage perverse practices.
eroding state capacity. The burden of the reduction in public services has been largely felt by those who need the services the most, thus contributing to further poverty and social inequity. Diminishing sectoral benefits: Returns from major economic sectors are decreasing. Growth in the tourism sector now brings only marginal net benefits because of heavy reliance on imported goods and services. Agriculture has been neglected into virtual stagnation. In the energy sector, unsustainable consumption and lack of investment are shrinking the benefit-cost ratio even in oil-producing countries. There is insufficient effort to create mutually reinforcing sectoral linkages, which could increase sectoral resilience while reducing dependency on imports.
once played by NGOs have been captured by the state; financial support to NGOs has therefore declined; issues that once created a sense of solidarity among civil society and academia are no longer on the table; and few young
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Involved young people who have a vision of the regions potential and the talents and motivation to become its future leaders. An informed and mobilized civil society that takes a prominent role in national and regional development debates, engages effectively with all sectors of society, gives priority to the needs of the poor and marginalized, and reflects a diversity of viewpoints and ideologies. A commitment to pan-Caribbean cooperation across political, cultural and linguistic divides, in order to expand economic markets and opportunities, facilitate the exchange of skills and labour, reduce dependence on uncontrollable external economic drivers, spread risk and increase resilience.
l Educational systems offer young people knowledge, disciplines and skills that are relevant to their lives and potential career opportunities. l Dependency on imported or high carbon sources of energy is reduced and eliminated where feasible. l Available natural, human, and physical resources are used efficiently based on realistic assessment and optimal deployment. l Positive and mutually reinforcing rural-urban and other inter-sectoral economic linkages are created.
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Move up the value chain, through the generation of highskill services and value added products in sectors such as energy, tourism, agriculture, and the cultural arts. This can increase returns on investment, reduce vulnerability to competition and expand employment opportunities. Diversify export markets to reduce dependency on a small number of trading partners; reach out to underdeveloped markets. Develop business continuity plans, at scales from microenterprise to industry-wide, to enhance resilience to shocks such as natural disasters. Tap existing but unexploited incentives to stimulate green jobs and businesses; for example, through REDD+ facilities. For more information contact Nicole Leotaud, Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI): [email protected]
Institute for
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