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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
3
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.
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