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“LOCAL GOVERNMENT, COMMUNITARIANSIM ANDTHE CITIZEN: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES”

Report of the Workshopin

Kingston, JamaicaJune 8-9, 1998

A Sub-regional Meeting of the“Program of Cooperation in Decentralization,Local Government and Citizen Participation”

Of

The Unit for the Promotion of Democracy (UPD)General Secretariat,

Organization of American States (OAS)

In collaboration with

The Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) of theUniversity of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus,

Kingston, Jamaica

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The present report was compiled by Program Coordinator Anne-Marie Blackmanof the Area of Strengthening of Democratic Institutions headed by Rubén M. Perina.Collaboration was received from the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) ofthe University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Mona and St. Augustine Campuses, andspecial thanks are extended to Professor Selwyn Ryan, whose team of rapporteurs IvanCruickshank, Maxine Jackson, Denise Hunter and Norma Williams assisted in synthesizingthe discussions of the Workshop.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction

II. Summary of Workshop Proceedings

III. Exploring the Issues

A. Background Discussion Papers

a. Caribbean Local Governance: Re-examining theBuilding Blocks

b. Caribbean Local Government: Development andEconomic Issues

c. The Ombudsman and Effective Local PublicAdministration

B. Fundamental Themes DecentralizationDevelopmentCommunitarianismCapacity BuildingOmbudsmanship

C. Main Messages from the Discussions

IV. Conclusions and Recommendations

A. General NeedsB. Priorities for the Program of Cooperation in

Decentralization, Local Government and CitizenParticipation

ANNEX I List of Participants

ANNEX II Address by Dr. Elsie Le Franc, Director, Institute ofSocial and Economic Research, Mona Campus, UniversityOf the West Indies, UWI

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ANNEX III Address by Ambassador Christopher R. Thomas,Assistant Secretary General, Organization ofAmerican States

ANNEX IV Address by Professor Rex Nettleford, DeputyVice-Chancellor, UWI

ANNEX V Address by Mrs. Barbara James, Permanent Secretary,Ministry of Local Government, Youth and Community Development of Jamaica

ANNEX VI Background Discussion Paper: Caribbean LocalGovernance: Re-Examining the Building Blocks, byProfessor Edwin Jones

ANNEX VII Background Discussion Paper: The Ombudsman andEffective Local Public Administration, by Dr. DerrickMcKoy and Dr. Yvonne Stone

ANNEX VIII Background Discussion Paper: Caribbean LocalGovernment: Development and Economic Issues,By Dr. Neville Duncan

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1. Introduction

This report summarizes the deliberations and conclusions of the Workshop for States

of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on the theme “Local Government.

Communitarianism and the Citizen: Opportunities and Challenges” held in Kingston, Jamaica

on June 8 and 9, 1998. This sub-regional Workshop initiated the “Program of Cooperation

in Decentralization, Local Government and Citizen Participation” of the Unit for the

Promotion of Democracy (UPD), General Secretariat of the Organization of American States

(OAS), a program aimed at supporting relevant mandates of the Second Summit of the

Americas by helping to strengthen decentralization efforts, local government institutions and

the promotion of citizen participation at the local level. The current Workshop was organized

with the collaboration of the Institute of Social and Economic Research of the University of

the West Indies (ISER/UWI) at the Mona Campus in Kingston, Jamaica, and was greatly

facilitated by the support of the Government of Jamaica.

The Workshop took place against the backdrop of increasing attention, in the

Caribbean as in the rest of the hemisphere, to decentralization and local governance issues,

as well as to empowering local communities for participation in decision-making on public

policy. Indeed, local governance and the delivery of local services, citizen participation, the

protection of citizen rights and the institutional arrangements through which these are

managed are increasingly of interest to regional policy-makers. This Workshop focussed on

policy considerations and effective strategies, mechanisms and instruments for dealing with

key issues in decentralization and local governance with community participation in the

Caribbean sub-region. Permanent Secretaries and other senior officials exchanged

information on processes underway in their respective countries, and concluded by outlining

an agenda of issues for collaboration by countries of the sub-region in the areas analyzed. The

Workshop’s conclusions and recommendations defining important priorities in the areas

examined will be the basis for the Caribbean component of this UPD Program of Cooperation

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The list of participants, whose attendance and deliberations were essential for the

success of this Workshop, can be found at Appendix I, and conclusions and recommendations

have been recorded in Section IV of the report.

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II. Summary of Workshop Proceedings

The Workshop was inaugurated by Mrs. Barbara James, Permanent Secretary in the

Ministry of Local Government, Youth & Community Development of Jamaica, on behalf of

the Minister, the Honourable Arnold Bertram. The Permanent Secretary pointed to the firm

commitment of the Government of Jamaica to creating a strong and vibrant system of local

administration, through local government reform and the empowerment of local communities

and civil society. Mrs. James also emphasized the Government of Jamaica’s support for

regional cooperation on issues relating to local governance, and noted that the hemisphere-

wide Program of Cooperation initiated by this sub-regional event in Jamaica was seen as an

indication of the OAS’ strong commitment to supporting activities to strengthen governance

in the region, and as a recognition that such initiatives are most likely to succeed if

approached on a regional basis, by sharing experiences and developing common policy

initiatives and strategies for meeting challenges.

The featured speakers at the opening ceremony were:

• Dr. Elsie Le Franc, Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research

(ISER), Mona Campus, University of the West Indies (UWI).

In her opening remarks, Dr. Le Franc observed that the global political economy,

driven by philosophies of globalization, the market economy and a minimalist approach on

the part of the State, carried powerful implications for vulnerable regional States. Regional

cooperation on issues such as local government was one possible response. Collaborative

efforts would yield benefits if they concentrated on network-building and collegiality,

institutional strengthening, development of regional expertise and knowledge base, and

promotion of endogenous solutions to development problems.

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• Ambassador Christopher R. Thomas, Assistant Secretary General of the

Organization of American States.

The Assistant Secretary General emphasized that it was essential for peace, stability

and development that lessons learned about governance and social management be channelled

into meeting present challenges. In establishing strong and stable democracies in the face of

such challenges, it was important to institute mechanisms and instruments which would

advance the process of decentralization and re-empower local government institutions. He

considered that such arrangements for local governance must promote the interests of the

entire community; draw on social networks and traditions of neighbourliness, community-

based involvement and volunteerism; promote transparency and confidence in public

institutions; build community leadership. The Assistant Secretary General noted that effective

participation is essential to democracy.

• Professor Rex Nettleford, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West

Indies.1

Professor Nettleford advised that strategies to make local government work for and

through the people must be firmly rooted in a culture of partnership, forged by the state, the

private sector, and the people-at-large mobilized for people-based thought and action.

Strategies must also draw on community action models developed across the region. He

emphasized that local government must be consonant with the aspirations of participatory

democracy, the optimization of productivity and the creation of a well educated, highly skilled

and culturally confident human resource base on which the future of the entire Caribbean

depends.

The complete texts of the speakers’ statements are included at Appendices II, III, IV,

V to this report.

1 (Professor Nettleford has since been appointed Vice-Chancellor of the UWI)

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In the course of its deliberations, the Workshop analyzed three background discussion

papers, prepared with the objective of stimulating an exchange of views:

• “Caribbean Local Governance: Re-examining the Building Blocks” by Professor

Edwin Jones of the Department of Government, University of the West Indies, Mona,

Campus in Jamaica, who also served as local technical coordinator for the Workshop.

• Caribbean Local Government: Development and Economic Issues by Dr. Neville

Duncan, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government, University of the West

Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados.

• The Ombudsman and Effective Local Public Administration co-authored by Dr. Derek

McKoy and Dr. Yvonne Stone of the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies,

Mona Campus.

Complementing the presentation of the above paper by Dr. McKoy, the Workshop

heard from Ms. Lawrence Laurent, the Parliamentary Commissioner (Ombudsman) of Saint

Lucia, on issues related to the Office of the Ombudsman and its role in promoting efficient

public service delivery and good governance, including at the local level. Ms. Laurent also

provided information on the Commonwealth Regional Workshop “Strengthening National

Ombudsman and Human Rights Institutions in the Caribbean” held in Antigua and Barbuda,

March 9-12, 1998, which decided to establish the Caribbean Ombudsman Association, of

which she is interim Secretary.

These presentations and background discussion papers promoted lively debate,

providing a backdrop for the rich exchanges of information and experiences among the

participating Member States, each of which shared information on national developments in

the areas of decentralization, local governance and citizen participation. Interspersed with

these plenary presentations and discussions, informal micro workshops facilitated greater in-

depth examination of specific issues and cases.

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The Workshop also heard a presentation from Ms. Anne Marie Blackman, Senior

Specialist, Unit for the Promotion of Democracy, on the overall objectives of the “Program

of Cooperation in Decentralization, Local Government and Citizen Participation”. The

general Program orientations had been recommended by government officials of OAS

Member States at the Seminar on “Support to Processes of Decentralization, Local

Government and Citizen Participation” held in Caracas, Venezuela in May 1997. Ms.

Blackman stated that the UPD is committed to implementing the Program of Cooperation in

accordance with priorities designated by the participating countries of each sub-region, and

within available resources. She noted that the UPD is particularly interested in collaboration

and coordination with other institutions and agencies working on similar issues.

Mr. Charles Skeete, Senior Advisor in the Strategic Planning and Operational Policy

Department of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) also addressed participants on

IDB operations in the region and the approach of the IDB to the issues under discussion. Mr.

Skeete noted the importance attached by the Bank to consensus and capacity building

activities, given the objective of assisting the region to identify priorities in terms of

strengthening civil society in general, and implementation capacity in particular. He also

observed that, in 1997, the IDB had made several loans or grants to countries in the region

to fund projects designed to improve governance, strengthen civil society, build solidarity

networks, assist small businesses and protect vulnerable groups.

The Workshop concluded with a session at which participants identified shared

priorities as a basis for collaborative action within the UPD Program of Cooperation. In

closing the proceedings, brief votes of thanks were offered by Dr. Elsie Le Franc, Director,

Institute of Social and Economic Research, UWI, and Ms. Anne-Marie Blackman, Senior

Specialist, Unit for the Promotion of Democracy, OAS.

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III. Exploring the Issues

A. Background Discussion Papers

Note: The full text of each of the three background discussion papers can be found at

Appendices VI, VII and VIII, respectively.

a. Caribbean Local Governance: Re-Examining the Building Blocks by

Professor Edwin Jones, UWI, Mona

This paper focussed on the author’s conceptualization of a new orientation for local

governance in the Caribbean to help to meet present regional governance challenges. The

social and political history of local government development in the sub-region were reviewed,

with the observation that such reform as had obtained in the past had primarily been

concerned with creation of bureaucratic structures, rather than with processes designed to

foster accountability and good local governance. Meaningful local or community governance

was defined as "people power" which thrives on arrangements for co-management, using

government as one instrument, and looked outward to the community served, rather than

inward to the bureaucracy and elected officials.

The presenter considered that there was a need to re-examine local governance

structures, re-furbishing them with new building blocks. In recent years, this need was also

recognised by international agencies which had become aware that the mobilisation of civil

society was a critical imperative in democratisation. It was observed, "that a vigorous local

government system is essential for the flourishing of a strong civil society and equally, a

strong civil society is critical for the existence of a creative democratic local government

system."

A review of the doctrine and practice of “new public management” showed that these

new management techniques focussed on output and results. Thus the success of this

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approach depended on effective performance monitoring and control, capabilities which tend

to be in short supply in local level structures throughout the region. New public management

systems may be of benefit depending on context, but they are most effective where civil

society is alive and vigilant, and where people function as active citizens rather than as passive

subjects. The presenter further observed that “market mechanisms do not necessarily resolve

central problems of politicization, accountability, participation and capacity building. If

anything, Caribbean local government systems may require a mix of management

approaches”.

Workshop participants were urged to “rethink" their approaches to local governance.

They should, the presenter advised, think “dangerously”, “in opposites” and in “upside down”

fashion since, in his opinion, conventional approaches had not worked. Thinking should be

visionary, long term and critical. This form of thinking, he noted, carried powerful policy and

management implications for governance at the local and community level.

b. Caribbean Local Government: Development and Economic Issues, by Dr.

Neville Duncan, UWI, Cave Hill

This ppresenter argued the point that Caribbean local governments or local

governance structures should have a special mandate to help eradicate poverty, food

insecurity and joblessness. The aim should be to provide local work for local people in local

areas and communities.

The view was expressed that the State in the Caribbean had a vital role to play in

seeking to achieve the collective good of society, and that local State institutions also had a

critical responsibility to undertake some of the functions which currently bog down state

actors operating at the national level. In the opinion of the presenter, local government is well

situated between central government and non-state actors and their organizations to play a

meaningful role in community development and poverty reduction, effectively contributing

to the wealth of the nation. Thus the point was emphasized that local government should not

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be bypassed in the haste to create parallel institutions.

A central argument of this presenter was that local government in the Caribbean

should be given financial autonomy, as well as status in national constitutions. They should

likewise be explicitly regarded as community development agencies. In commenting on the

role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the presenter noted that most do not have

the resources or capacity to undertake major projects on a sustained basis. As such, they

must be regarded as co-partners with State and local government bodies rather than as their

competitors.

The critical role identified for local government bodies in the context of the new

international economic order was as a component of a new economic system, designated “the

third economic way”. It was considered that there was much scope for this in the Caribbean,

where the focus of local government activity should be to generate internally directed

initiatives which create employment and help eradicate poverty.

The presenter concluded: “The reformed state, it is hoped, would recognize

the necessity to transfer a significant proportion of the national revenues to villages

and rural areas and adopt a third sector economic development approach which would

provide local work for local people in local communities. In all of these processes,

non-state sectors will find an appropriate place with central and local government to

defend and realize national sovereignty, achieve social equity and protect human

rights in the face of the awesome changes occurring in a rapidly re-structuring world

yet to become, in any significant measure, globalized”.

c. The Ombudsman and Effective Local Public Administration, by Dr. Derrick

McKoy and Dr. Yvonne Stone, UWI, Mona

This presentation and accompanying paper outlined advantages and disadvantages of

local government as well as the benefits to be derived from the institution of the Ombudsman

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as an effective arbiter in public administration, including at the local level.

In listing advantages of local government, the presenter mentioned: leadership

training; provision of outlets for broader or unique expressions of views and behaviour than

might be accommodated at national government level; ownership of the policy-making

processes at the community level. On the side of disadvantages, while local government

could and does breed venality, corruption and the abuse of power, it was considered that its

positive potential outweighs these possible drawbacks.

The presenter considered that the powers and function of the Ombudsman, including:

powers of investigation, commanding information, bringing contentious issues to

public attention, interceding on behalf of citizens, were invaluable services in public

administration, and could even be viewed as a type of legal aid. The manner in which the

institution operates is free of the constraints posed by courtroom procedures such as rules of

evidence, considerations of locus standi, among others.

The presenter was of the view that, the Ombudsman institution has not realised its

inherent potential, and, in several countries in which it has been established, suffers from

chronic difficulties such as shortages of human and financial resources and public ignorance

of the role and functions of the Ombudsman, among others.

B. Fundamental Themes

An important aspect of the Workshop was the exchange of state-of the-art

information among the Permanent Secretaries and officials present on policies and

innovations in the areas of decentralization, local governance and citizen participation in

their respective countries. Presentations were followed by the commentary of a

discussant, usually from among the other senior officials present, who elaborated on areas

of particular interest, expressed agreement or disagreement with specific points, cited

additional examples or cases, and generally complemented the presentation. Taking into

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account the information obtained from the national presentations, background discussion

papers and the views expressed on these, as well as deliberations in the micro-workshops,

it can be said that the Workshop focussed on the following key themes:

• Decentralization;

• Development;

• Communitarianism;

• Capacity building;

• Ombudsmanship.

Against the backdrop of the numerous local governance and community

participation experiences in the Caribbean, there was not always consensus nor clear-cut

conclusions on these themes by Workshop participants. Nonetheless, it was generally

agreed that they are among the major themes to be taken into consideration in policy

formulation for decentralization, strengthening local governance and promoting

community participation.

Decentralization

Participants generally agreed with the point in the paper of Professor Jones that

successful local governance requires that decentralization go beyond a simple transfer of

power and responsibilities from central to local levels. It would involve the re-design of

structures, procedures and practices that change the orientations of stakeholders, and deliver

appropriate needs-based goods and services. Decentralization should be accompanied by

systems of multiple accountability reinforced by appropriate audit devices. Such systems

would require direct answerability downward to clients for performance, use of resources,

enforcement of rules of the game, and protection of personal rights. There was general

agreement that institution of policies aimed at strengthening civil society and community

participation is essential for successful local governance. Social capital, reflected in the

willingness and ability of communities to work together for common purposes, is vital to all

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of these processes.

Development

A major challenge in the sub-region is promotion of sustainable local development.

Successful local development must spring from local initiative, official or State facilitation and

market principles; it was considered that this process was achievable through the local

government framework. The process must be oriented to achieving economic growth, social

equity, organizational capability and community empowerment.

It was considered that certain strategies could effectively promote a nexus between

local governance and sustainable development. One such strategy was advocated by the

academic sector, namely legislating local governments as economic development agencies,

mandated to help eradicate poverty, food security and unemployment. This type of strategy

emphasizes a “third sector” approach to development, that provides “local work for local

people in local communities”. In this model, primacy would be given to micro project

development as policy experiments. The special challenge noted by proponents of the model

would be to impart project management skills, protect against the capture of these economic

units by external forces and ensure that NGOs, state and communities work as genuine

partners.

Communitarianism

The Workshop analyzed a definition of the term “communitarianism,

which was, in essence, understood to be community empowerment. Communitarianism seeks

to confront and resolve problems by community discourse and action. It recognizes that the

community is the essential stakeholder and must be ultimately responsible for its own

development processes. The communitarian approach requires sound leadership, a

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community development mission and action programmes, dedicated resources and

institutional connectedness with the people.

Capacity Building.

It was generally agreed that local government and local governance systems in the

sub-region suffer “capacity gaps”, and that capacity building is a major priority. It was agreed

that capacity building could be defined, in the terms presented in the background paper of

Professor Jones, as a process through which individuals, groups and institutions increase, over

time, their ability to comprehend and deal with their development needs. In this respect, it

involves a process of personal, social and organizational change that depends on individual,

local and institutional energy, commitment and ownership. In other words, capacity building

is an action-based, continuous learning process in which stakeholders shape their own

development, building appropriate commitments. This requires certain institutional, normative

and human resource pre-conditions which, might be termed “building blocks”.

Ombudsmanship.

The Workshop agreed that local governance and community-based development are

only possible within a framework of rights and justice. The institution of the Ombudsman

could help to strengthen this framework. It was considered that Ombudsman institutions,

both at the national or local level, could review cases of local level mal-administration and

generally contribute to ensuring ethical and transparent public administration. The

Ombudsman institution could, within the limits of its jurisdiction, assist in developing a

somewhat less formalized justice machinery, capable of providing some measure of legal aid

within local communities.

Minimum conditions seen as necessary for a supportive environment for effective

ombudsmanship included:

1. An alert and informed public, sensitive to its rights and oriented to collective community

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action;

2. An institution adequately resourced in terms of finances, personnel, physical infrastructure

and public accessibility;

3. Powers to enforce decisions;

4. Parliamentary review and debate of Ombudsman reports.

C. Main Messages from the Discussions

Workshop participants identified several factors presenting challenges to the

development of effective local governance in the Caribbean. These include:

• Strong centralization. Participants felt that local communities needed to recoup

the capacity to make an input into decisions which affect them. This would help

to counteract a sense of community alienation and apathy, often reflected in low

turnout at local government elections, and in the reluctance on the part of citizens

to take part in community development activities. Over-zealous party politics at

the local level could also have a negative impact on local governance.

• Lack of human and material resources. While local governments need to be

equipped for effective operation, exclusive pursuit of the goals of efficiency and

cost reduction would run the risk of leaving local authorities severely under-

resourced. This approach was felt to be in need of re-assessment in favor of more

sustainable solutions.

• Reluctance on the part of some central bureaucracies to relinquish what is seen

as their turf and power. There seems to be only a dim perception that the role of

central authorities is not diminished, but rather transformed, by decentralization

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and local governance processes. Central authority is essential for overall national

cohesion and general policy coordination, particularly in certain sectors such as

the environment, health, education, among others.

• Lack of dynamism in local government bureaucracies, some of which may prefer

to adhere to the status quo, contriving to discourage community participation and

input into local public policy issues and priorities.

• Pressing need for partnerships between local government officials, the private

sector, NGOs and other community stakeholders, for the benefit of community

development.

Notwithstanding these challenges, there was general agreement on the positive

potential of local governance and community participation, particularly if given a supportive

operating environment. The following elements were seen as essential in fostering such an

environment:

• Civil society must be mobilized, not only in support of local governance, but as

the hub of its operation. Local authorities require training in this respect, given

that effective local governance encompasses not only the management of physical

infrastructure (water, electricity, garbage, roads, among others) but also demands

vision, creativity and dynamic leadership to energize the community which it

serves.

• The potential for community empowerment needs to be demonstrated by positive

reinforcement. Communities themselves need to be convinced, inter alia by

positive example and experience, that their efforts will redound to their own

benefit.

• Decentralization efforts should be accompanied by greater fiscal autonomy and

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the capacity to access or generate resources; absent such financial support, there

is little scope for meaningful local government. One suggestion put forward was

that a proportion of property taxes and licences, among other revenue sources,

should be transferred to local governments for their own use, subject to proper

mechanisms of accountability and transparency.

• Constitutional or other legal entrenchment of local government and local

governance mechanisms could contribute to avoiding radical policy changes or the

shelving of reform which often follow a change of regime.

• Continuous civic education would greatly assist in sensitizing civil society to the

operations of local governance systems and the means of accessing services and

satisfying needs.

• Closer collaboration and consultation among and between all levels of national

and international agencies must be fostered, given the key role of such

coordination in avoiding duplication and wastage of human and material

resources.

• Documenting and sharing information about which "best practices" obtain

regionally and internationally would provide much needed positive reinforcement

in support of local governance. Information on the various successful experiences

should be analyzed and disseminated.

Several important points were also made with regard to the Ombudsman

institution in the Caribbean:

• It was agreed that the Ombudsman institution has much potential for

strengthening communities in their interface with officialdom, and for

strengthening good governance.

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• Regarding the need for an Ombudsman at the local level, it was noted that

Ombudsmen are not now prevented from investigating local government issues,

and that many in fact do. Some participants were of the view that creation of yet

another regulatory body at the local level was probably not warranted in small

states, and that it would be more feasible and economical to strengthen existing

Ombudsman institutions, rendering them more sensitive to concerns at the local

government and community level. It was likewise suggested that a complaints

desk should be established in local government bodies, as is already the case in

some countries

• It was also felt that the Ombudsman's activities should not be complaint driven

and that even more pro-activity was needed, through recommendations aimed at

alleviating any systematic or systemic injustices.

IV. Conclusions and Recommendations

A. General Needs

The deliberations of the Workshop indicated that while the Caribbean sub-region was

making positive progress in strengthening local governance and promoting community

participation, there are numerous needs and priorities in this area which could benefit from

technical assistance and horizontal cooperation. Some of the general needs articulated in the

Workshop are as follows:

• The potential economic and social impact of local government and local

governance in the individual contexts of small states is an issue requiring careful

analysis and consideration.

• Several countries with local government structures, require development of

strategies to strengthen the framework, and to support institution and capacity

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building, both in the political and administrative sectors of local government

bodies.

• There is also a need for more information dissemination on the legal and

regulatory framework for local government and citizen participation, as well as

on successful strategies, models, innovations and experiences which could

increase the range of options available to, and support the work of, regional

policy-makers in local governance. Information and analysis of such areas as

community mobilization, citizens’ advisory councils, participatory methodologies,

revitalization of community life etc. would be helpful, as would information on

other technical aspects such as fiscal decentralization. A publication such as an

analytical manual of “best practices” would be useful, as would civic education

materials on local and community governance.

• Assistance is also needed in the area of mechanism and strategies for building

partnerships for local and community development, such as partnerships between

local government and the range of community stakeholders, including the private

sector.

• Professional and management training are priorities. Training in some of the

newer management technologies is urgently needed at the local level, but in

general ongoing education and training activities, which include the necessary

research and the development of procedural and operating manuals, are required

for all participants in the local governance process.

Specifically mentioned in relation to training were workshops on local

development; local project formulation, implementation and management;

management of local facilities and infrastructure; workshops for new mayors,

councillors and other officials working at the local and community levels;

workshops for regional Ombudsmen; short term courses in local governance

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issues for all actors at the local government and community levels.

B. Priorities for the Program of Cooperation in Decentralization, Local

Government and Citizen Participation

Notwithstanding the importance attributed to all of the above, the Workshop agreed

that, for the purposes of the UPD “Program of Cooperation in Decentralization, Local

Government and Citizen Participation” a focussed approach would be most appropriate in

light of present resources. Participants thus indicated that, for the Caribbean component of

this Program, the following areas should be priorities for attention:

• Dissemination of information and research on decentralization, local governance andcitizen participation, including information on successful experiences, models and“best practices” in the sub-region;

• Aspects of local governance relating to economic and social development;

• Capacity and institution-building which would contribute to equipping all the actors ofthe local governance process to more effectively formulate and implement policy;

• Assistance to the newly formed Caribbean Ombudsman Association.

The UPD was requested by the Workshop to formulate a program of activities, incollaboration with other agencies, based on the discussions and recommendations of theWorkshop, to assist in meeting the needs of CARICOM/OAS Member States indecentralization, local government and local governance and citizen participation; toreport periodically on progress made; and to consider a follow-up meeting at anappropriate time.

Participants at the meeting formed the nucleus of a network of officials and resourcepersonnel working on issues of local governance and civil society participation, a networkwhich will be expanded as the Program of Cooperation is developed.