The Forward Together Conference

1
WAY FORWARD
The Forward Together Conference
Ocean View Convention Centre Georgetown, Guyana
July 2 3, 2002

2
WAY FORWARD

• Observe CARICOM Day throughout the Region
• Promote and strengthen laws and policies for
  consumer protection as an integral feature of the
  CSME
  
• Address urgently at the national and regional
  levels legislative gaps with respect to the needs
  and rights of the differently abled persons.
  

3
WAY FORWARD

• Acknowledging the right of persons to move
  freely, we recommend that a study be undertaken
  to identify new and innovative mechanisms to
  compensate CARICOM States for the loss of skills
  due to extra-regional migration. These mechanisms
  could include bilateral and multi-lateral
  arrangements which support skills development

4
WAY FORWARD

• Adopt, as a principle, the active participation
  and inclusion of youth at all levels and stages
  of national and regional development
  
• Implement The Charter of Civil Society
• Commit to ongoing dialogue and consultation with
  Civil Society, including a triennial FORWARD
  TOGETHER Consultation
  

5
WAY FORWARD

• Introduce effective national legislation for the
  protection of the environment which gives effect
  to the revised Treaty, and international
  conventions to which CARICOM States are
  signatory
• Create national and regional mechanisms for the
  effective participation of indigenous peoples and
  other historically disadvantaged ethnic groups
  (e.g maroons in Suriname) in the decision -
  making process

6
WAY FORWARD

• Given the growing incidence of social
  disintegration due to ethnic insecurity and
  racism, recognise the need for regional and
  national instruments to work towards a culture of
  inclusion and peace as a matter of urgency
• Need for the Community to adopt a common
  definition of civil society to which state and
  non-state actors subscribe
  
• Enact and /or amend appropriate legislation to
  encourage philanthropic contributions to civil
  society
  

7
WAY FORWARD

• Create a popular Education Programme at national
  and regional levels on the CSME, in collaboration
  with civil society in particular the CCL, CAIC,
  NGOs and the media
• Decrease unemployment, especially among youth,
  through collaborative programmes and policies
  between Governments and Civil Society e.g
  mentoring, retooling and apprenticeship
  programmes

8
WAY FORWARD

• Stakeholders participate in all CARICOM Councils,
  which should be supported by national mechanisms