– Jamaica’s Deputy PM
The role of the media is of immense worth in promoting the regional agenda, particularly the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), Jamaica’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr Kenneth Baugh told a Newspaper Editors Workshop on the CSME which was held in Kingston, Jamaica, last week.
Dr Baugh who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade asserted that the CSME’s objectives cannot be achieved without an effective and well-organized public education machinery to invoke ownership and to create “constituencies of support” for the regional agenda among the Caribbean people and it is within this context that the media is of immense worth in promoting the regional agenda, particularly the CSME.
He was addressing representatives of the CARICOM Secretariat, the Association of Caribbean Media Workers, and representatives of press and media associations and the Jamaican media at the workshop on the CSME which was held at the Jamaica Pegasus last Thursday, a press release from the CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, said.
Critical thought
Focusing on some aspects of the media’s role, Dr Baugh said, “We need your collaboration in highlighting the areas of success, to act as the collective conscience on those areas that we need vast improvement and to stimulate critical thought on the part of governments, the population, private sector and civil society.”
And the Jamaican Deputy PM also pointed out to the workshop three key avenues through which the media could partner with governments, the private sector and civil society by furthering public ownership of the CSME through public education; disseminating CSME-related information; and continuing dialogue between the media and other members of the regional integration support network.
He emphasized that the extent of ownership of the regional integration process, among the people of the Caribbean, is a function of the effort invested in public education. The existing gap in the public’s knowledge of the CSME is a great cause for concern, Dr Baugh added, specifically in an era when the regional agenda can be furthered to cushion people from the negative effects of the changes associated with globalisation.
Dr Baugh declared that “CARICOM nationals cannot be expected to capitalize on the free movement of goods, services, people (to live, work and do business) and capital along with the right to acquire property and establish businesses, if they are not appropriately educated of the associated benefits.”
And referring to a survey done by the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Research of the UWI in 2003, he noted it had found that as much as 65% of Jamaicans had never heard of the CSME. Additionally, it was highlighted in the same study that only 10% could identify any component of the CSME.
“If this is in fact the case, there is no surprise at the level of insularity that exists across the Region. . . We cannot often hold the public responsible for negative treatment of fellow CARICOM nationals when in many instances they are probably acting as a result of lack of knowledge,” Dr Baugh contended.
Observing that public education regarding the CSME is often conducted in a top-down manner, with the wider population remaining uninformed, he declared, “I make no reservation in expressing my view that public education is hopeless if the wider population is not sufficiently targeted. There is the need to strategically engage the schools and colleges, civil society, private sector, the various age cohorts and the public sector in any public education initiative. Governments, as you are all aware, are often constrained in their efforts.”
Moreover, he said that the media is expected to provide more frequent analysis to enrich the discourse on regional integration, presenting a balanced view, and to act as a watchdog for the regional and national processes and the operation of existing regional structures.
Structures in place
“With the media being the primary and most effective medium for this sort of engagement, it is inevitable for us to seek your assistance. We already have structures in place with organizations such as the Association of Caribbean Media Workers, the Public Information Unit within the CARICOM Secretariat, national press and media associations and government information agencies. There is urgent need for us to increase our collaboration,” Dr Baugh challenged.
He said further that in addition to promoting ownership through public education, avenues for the dissemination of information must constitute a part of the regional communication network.
In order to achieve the goal of ‘ownership through public education’ on the one hand, and the ‘dissemination of information’ on the other, Dr Baugh said there is need for continuous dialogue between stakeholders of the regional integration process.
In this regard, he urged the media to dialogue with governments, the private sector and civil society.
“While we pursue the goal of advancing regional integration, continuous monitoring and evaluation cannot be a missing element. It is vital for there to be continuous dialogue with the regional media to periodically assess the performance of outreach initiatives, and adjust the strategies as appropriate,” the Jamaican Deputy PM maintained.
Over 6,000 Skills Certificates
Meanwhile Dr Baugh, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, acknowledged that in taking stock of CSME implementation there have been challenges but he highlighted some developments noting that as of December 2008, the Region had issued over 6,210 Skills Certificates to CARICOM nationals for them to travel and work within the Region.
He observed too that several businesses have been established within the Region under the cover of the provisions of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas; all CSME participating States have enacted the Caribbean Community Act into domestic law; and the Caribbean Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) has been established to assist the Region in developing its standards infrastructure and capacity, among other things.
In addition, the Common External Tariff (CET) is fully operational in all participating States; the CARICOM Competition Commission has been established with the objective of removing anti-competitive practices in the regional market; and the Caribbean Development Fund (CDF) has been made fully operational and will assist disadvantaged sectors and regions.
But he also acknowledged that there have been missed deadlines which must be taken into account.
Advocating policy dialogue and convergence in key areas of focus to build a structure upon which the CSME can properly operate, Dr Baugh referred primarily to the further development and implementation of regional policies such as an agricultural policy to guarantee regional food security and resuscitate the regional agricultural sector; an energy policy which bolsters the region’s energy security while developing alternative sources to reduce dependence on primary energy, and improving international competitiveness through reduced production costs.
He also noted the need for an appropriate transportation policy to smooth the process of moving goods and services within the Community. This is the single most critical challenge, he added, to the free movement of goods, services, capital and persons.
“We should, however, not be afraid to go with what works and discard what does not,” Dr Baugh posited.