Maintaining unity in the region

OBJECTIVES

1. State the functions of: a. OECS Secretariat; b. CARICOM Secretariat; c. Conference of Heads of Government; 2. Explain the role of regional agencies in the integration process.

REGIONAL INTEGRATION THE OECS SECRETARIAT

The general administration of the organisation is coordinated by the secretariat under the direction and management of the director general, located in St Lucia. The secretariat consists of four main divisions responsible for: external relations, functional cooperation, corporate services, and economic affairs. These four divisions oversee the work of a number of specialised institutions, work units or projects located in six countries: Antigua/Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, St Lucia, Belgium, Canada, and the United States of America.

THE CARICOM SECRETARIAT

This is the principal administrative organ of the community. The CARICOM Secretariat is located in Guyana. It is directed by the secretary general, who is regarded as the chief executive officer of the community.

MISSION STATEMENT

“To provide dynamic leadership and service, in partnership with Community institutions and Groups, towards the attainment of a viable, internationally competitive and sustainable Community, with improved quality of life for all.”

Some of the functions of the CARICOM Secretariat: 1. Conduct, as mandated, fact-finding assignments in member states. 2. Prepare the draft budget of the community for examination by the Budget Committee. 3. Provide, on request, services to member states of the community on matters relating to the achievement of its objectives. 4. Initiate, organise and conduct studies on issues for the achievement of the objectives of the community. 5. Provide, on request, technical assistance to national authorities to facilitate implementation of community decisions. 6. Initiate or develop proposals for consideration and decision in order to achieve community objectives. 7. Mobilise resources from donor agencies to assist in the implementation of community programmes. 8. Collect, store and disseminate relevant information to member states.

CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF GOVERNMENT

The Conference of Heads of Government consists of the heads of government of member states. It serves as the highest decision-making body in CARICOM. The conference is: 1. Responsible for determining and providing the policy direction for the entire community. 2. The final authority on questions arising concerning the financial affairs of the community in order to meet the expenses of the community. 3. The final authority for the conclusion of treaties on behalf of the community. 4. Establishes procedures for consulting with other entities and organisations within the Caribbean.

SOME AREAS OF REGIONAL COOPERATION

The following are some of the major areas of regional cooperation in the Caribbean. This involves CARICOM countries jointly operating and sharing common services and cooperating in functional matters such as health, education, culture, sports, security, communications, disaster management, and industrial relations.

AGENCIES, DATES OF ESTABLISHMENT/LOCATIONS AND FUNCTIONS CARDI (CARIBBEAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE)

■ Formed in 1975 with its headquarters at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine. ■ Agriculture: To undertake research to find solutions to various plant diseases. To lower the cost of production of agricultural goods and to improve productivity. It also helps in establishing new techniques to meet the needs of small farmers.

CXC (CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL)

■ Late 1970s ■ Education: CXC was established to generate curricula in various areas with a Caribbean focus.

UWI (UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES)

■ 1948 ■ Education: CXC was established to generate curricula in various areas with a Caribbean focus.

CAREC (THE CARIBBEAN EPIDEMIOLOGY CENTRE)

■ January 1, 1975, with its headquarters in Port of Spain, Trinidad. ■ Health: Its focus is on research, acquiring information, and the introduction of new ways of preventing deceases.

CEHI (THE CARIBBEAN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE)

■ 1988, with its headquarters in St Lucia ■ Health: It is responsible for the preservation and protection of the environment: air, land and water.

OECS SPORTS DESK

■ St Lucia ■ Sports: Promoting the introduction of physical education in all schools in member states. Assisting in the coordination of regional championships. Mobilising international, regional and local resources in support of sport development initiatives.

CONCACAF (THE CONFEDERATION OF NORTH, CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL)

■ 1978 ■ Sports: It serves as the governing body of football in this