The OECS Social Policy Unit will be hosting a theme selection meeting from July 20th to 21st for the second Human Development Report (HDR). 

The meeting at the Bay Gardens Conference Centre will involve a discussion around a number of issues pertaining to Human Development in the region. 

The preparation of the second OECS HDR requires the identification of a theme to be addressed in the report. Hence, it is anticipated that the theme will emerge out of a consensus from an in-depth consultation among a broad cross-section of development stakeholders on various human and social development issues. 

Ezra JnBaptiste, head of the OECS Social Policy Unit says this participatory method of theme selection will also allow for the identification of other themes for subsequent OECS HDRs.

“It’s important because the very first OECS Development Reports was on the theme: “Building Competitiveness in the face of Vulnerability” and that dealt with a number of Human resource issues. We are following the process that has been proposed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and it is important that we tie down a particular theme because there are so many issues that need to be looked at. We then have to agree that it is the particular theme we intend to pursue for the next HDR”.

The first OECS HDR, which informs the process towards the second report, offers a basis for a powerful tool in providing concrete policy proposals, and rigorous data analysis, while articulating national priorities.

The analysis in the report uncovers what is perhaps the greatest challenge to the region’s competitiveness and, as a result, possible direction to OECS governments human capacity development. In addition, it shows that the assumption that economic growth will reduce poverty does not hold true for the OECS Region. That despite growth in GDP and per capita income, poverty persists or increases. In light of the various findings, the report has been recommended to policy makers as an aid to development programmes, for consultation with development stakeholders, and to researchers for further analysis, secondary and ter20tiary academic institutions as required reading and to the public at large. With a view towards the second HDR a number of themes have already been put together in various areas that will be presented by participants at the meeting. Some of the issues are Social Protection, Migration, Labour, Employment and the CSME as well as Population and Development in the Caribbean. Panels will preside over the discussions on these issues to help facilitate ownership of the OECS Member States and other key players in the development of the theme.

It is hoped that the theme for the 2nd OECS Human Development Report will be selected by the second afternoon of the two day meeting. Representatives of non-governmental, governmental, regional and international, academic institutions and civil society will also seek to agree on the main criteria for the Support Mechanisms, the Methodology, and the Guidance Note regarding the new theme.