The Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) 34th meeting opened on Wednesday at Theatre Guild, Georgetown, with focus being on the implementation of the Human Resources Development 2030 Strategy.
The two-day meeting is being held under the theme “Positioning human resource development as central to Caribbean resilience and development,” and according to Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque the meeting has been
Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque
convened against the backdrop of the adoption of the Human Resources Development 2030 Strategy by Heads of Government at the last meeting. In order to attain the objectives of the session’s theme, LaRocque noted that it will be done through improving access, relevance, equity and quality within the education systems.
“These will be supported by key intitative such as the creation of Centres of Excellence in HRD innovation, reform and quality improvement. The successful implementation of the strategy will be determines in part by the strength of our partnerships and the depth of the multi-sectorial collaborative approach,” he explained.
Ambassador LaRocque said the task before the Minister at the meeting is for them to agree on regional actions with regard to the strategic priorities as identified by the 32nd meeting of the COHSOD.
“Implementation is key so that we can address the deficiencies at all levels in the education system: in early childhood development, at both the primary and secondary levels; in tertiary education and lifelong learning. This is to ensure that the people of the Region are adequately equipped with 21st century skills and
Education Minister Nicolette Henry and UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith
competencies,” he said.
He noted that since independence, the Caribbean has inherited an education system which was not tailored to our peculiar needs but explained that since then, tremendous progress has been made resulting in literacy rates rising to above 90 per cent.
“The Strategy can be seen therefore as another step in the evolution of the development of our human capital. It seeks to develop the ideal Caribbean person in all of us, but especially in our youth. With such a grounding, our people will be enabled to demonstrate the attributes of good citizenship, integrity, professionalism and innovativeness. They will strive for excellence and will demonstrate an appreciation of the diversity within our unique Caribbean culture and identity among several relevant qualities,” LaRocque said.
He said the Council presents an opportunity for coordination as the details of the implementation programme continue to be addressed in the working sessions. He
Chair of COHSOD and Education Minister, Youth and Culture, Suriname, Lillian Ferrier
added that by mainstreaming the HRD, it becomes possible to realise goals related to not only areas of human and social development but also economic development.
Additionally, he expressed gratitude to their partners for the realisation of their goals.
Meanwhile, Chairwoman for the 34th session, Surinamese Education, Youth and Culture Minister, Lillian Ferrier said in the present circumstances there are several developments, which provide new and exciting opportunities for children and youths, and others, which threaten their aspirations as pointed out in the HRD Strategy.
“The HRD Strategy recognises the significant gains which we have made in the education as a Region since gaining independence and the outstanding contributions made to our countries, nations and the Region made by persons who were shaped by that system. However, it also addresses the stark reality of the significant attrition of students resulting in part of inadequate protection to the specific and protection needs of students. The strategy also points to the use of outdated for the generation of millennials for whom technology is second nature,” she noted.
Additionally, Education Minister Nicolette Henry delivered welcoming remarks and thanked Caricom for organising the meeting. She noted that all the countries’ hopes and dreams are tied up in the decisions to be made at the meeting. The Strategy is the work of a Caricom Human Resource Development Commission, mandated by Caricom Heads, and comprising leading experts in education and training, along with representatives of the Region’s Private Sector; labour; health; Information Technology and Communication and youth bodies.
