Civil Society Organisations Governance And The Caribbean Community

This book offers a unique analysis of the participatory spaces available for civil society organisations (CSOs) in Caribbean governance. It reveals the myriad ways in which the region’s CSOs have contributed to enriching Caribbean societies and to scaffolding Caribbean regionalism, and also uncovers that despite their contributions, Caribbean CSOs (and civil society more broadly) have found limited space for involvement in governance. The author peers into Caribbean state-civil society participatory dynamics using in-depth country case studies (Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago), mini-case studies and evaluations of the approaches to inclusion within the regional institutions of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). This novel contribution to the Caribbean civil society literature uses these assessments to make a case for regularising state-civil society collaborative practices to enhance the quality of democracy in the region.

Civil Society and World Regions contributes to the agenda of “new regionalism” by providing an up-to-date overview of the contributions of civil society to regions across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

The Citizenship and Governance Toolkit draws on the lessons generated from learning projects and case studies supported under the Citizens and Governance Program of the Commonwealth Foundation. It offers practical guidance on how to promote the participation of citizens in governance. The contents of this Toolkit (print and CD-ROM media) include: _ the meaning of inclusive governance _ ways for citizens to organize and engage in governance _ strategies for multi-sectoral partnerships _ key themes that emerge in governance, such as conflict, gender, and power _ suggestions for participatory methods in governance, including learning circles, popular theatre, and role play _ methods of building capacities--of citizens, intermediaries and government officials--for inclusive governance. A training manual is also in preparation, which will include role plays, exercises and other training materials. The Toolkit is a fantastic resource bank for policymakers, practitioners, facilitators in government departments and agencies, and other change agents working in local communities.

Through case studies, this book explores governance debates in India, West and Central Africa, the Pacific and the Caribbean, and provides recommendations on the effective participation of citizens in democratic processes and the role of civil society.

The Economic Development Institute (EDI), in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Inter-American Foundation, launched the Partnerships for Poverty Reduction program in six countries in Latin America and the Caribbean—as part of the Bank's Mission "to fight poverty with passion and professionalism for lasting results." The program sought to promote the adoption of an approach to poverty reduction that relies on partnerships among local, regional, and central governments, other public sector agencies, nongovernmental organizations, private sector companies and other civic organizations. This publication is a result of these collaborative efforts. It contains a powerful message about partnerships with the state, civil society and business: these partnerships have the potential of becoming the basis of an approach to poverty reduction that replaces old and failed paradigms in the region.