Barbados and the OECS

More  countries than ever before are working to build democratic governance. Their challenge is to develop institutions and processes that are more responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens, including the poor. UNDP brings people together within nations and around the world, building partnerships and sharing ways to promote participation, accountability and effectiveness at all levels. We help countries strengthen their electoral and legislative systems, improve access to justice and public administration, and develop a greater capacity to deliver basic services to those most in need.

UNDP Barbados and OECS supports the strengthening of democracy and governance and the creation of an enabling environment for sustainable human development for its 10 programme countries by:

• Promoting alternative development frameworks and strategies for sustainable and equitable growth
• Promoting global and regional cooperation to achieve human development
• Strengthening capacity of key governance institutions for people-centered development and fostering social cohesion
• Promoting decentralization that supports participatory local governance
• Strengthening local organizations and empowering communities
• Promoting an efficient and accountable public sector that serves all citizens

Governance Portfolio In Brief:

In Antigua and Barbuda (ANT), UNDP provided technical assistance to support the mobilization of civil society groups (economic, social and educational) and to build their capacity to participate in the reform process through training workshops. In these workshops, which have been utilized by the women’s forum, the Rastafarian Movement (a minority grouping), the Church and the Chamber of Commerce,
the Constitution is explained in simple layman’s language and participants are guided in examining clauses that are particularly relevant to their constituency. Out of these workshops, groups have drafted their submissions to the Constitutional Review Commission. Assistance is also provided to the senior level public officers whose duties and obligations to the State are explicitly identified in the Constitution.

St. Kitts and Nevis (STK), provides a special situational context where the first stages of the Constitutional Review process were completed in 1998 and 1999. UNDP worked with the political bodies and civil society organizations to create a consultative mechanism for intra-state dialogue outside of the Parliamentary structure, to oversee the proper operation of the constitutional arrangements between the two entities and to promote consensus. At present the process of debate and dialogue has virtually halted and when it does occur is heavily politicized. There is no institution, which is non-political, with a mandate to troubleshoot and promote the virtues of harmony and peaceful co-existence. UNDP has proposed the establishment of a Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), composed of a representative from various interest groups with a chairperson who commands the respect of the Federation.

Anguilla has commenced the implementation of ANL/01/001- Support to the Constitutional Reform Process - which was signed in August 2001 (US$25,000) to fund the services of an advisor to the Constitutional and Electoral Reform Committee.
 
St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Grenada has initiated a Constitutional Reform Project building on UNDP project support to the Governments of Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis in the area of Constitutional Reform. While UNDP will seek to provide the same type of support to other OECS countries, an additional dimension has emerged where UNDP is building on the lessons and best practices from Antigua and St. Kitts/Nevis to advise Governments on the most appropriate methodologies for the process. This speaks to UNDP’s role as policy advisor.

Programmes currently supported under Democratic Governance Practice Area

Project Documents

In an effort to support civil society's participatory involvement in constitutional reform initiatives in the region, UNDP's Governance programme has compiled an NGO directory as a resource document for identifying potential project partners.