Organisations which constitute Barbados’ Third Sector have been given the assurance that Government will continue to work with them to challenge inequalities and advocate for a global community built on fairness.
This came last Tuesday as Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, Colin Jordan, addressed the Barbados National Consultation, at the United Nations (UN) House, Marine Gardens, Christ Church.
The forum represented Barbados’ leg of the broader Caribbean Debt Consultation, led by the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) and supported by the Funders Organized for Rights in the Global Economy (FORGE) in partnership with Debt Justice UK (formally Jubilee UK).
The project is being implemented in the Caribbean region to build awareness of the impact of increasing debt. It aims to mobilise Caribbean Civil Society (CSOs) and communities to have a more active role in collaborating on the debt campaign.
The event at UN House, was coordinated by the Barbados Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (BANGO).
Emphasising Government’s support for the initiative, Minister Jordan stated: “We commit to partnering with you in the fight to restructure debt and the financial systems for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), systems that were developed before we were nation states, and that, in too many situations do not address our peculiar circumstances.”
The Third Sector was urged not to hesitate in engaging Government on the matter. “We encourage you to advocate, educate, and where necessary challenge governments and organisations on their policies and practices. Remember that while debt may constrict, it will not limit the work of my Government as we remain committed to building a safe and strong Barbados for all residents,” he said
The Labour Minister, in congratulating BANGO and the grouping for their effort with the project, added: “Our Government supports the integral role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the national and international level.”
Noting that the name ‘Third Sector’ was sometimes used interchangeably to speak about civil society and NGOs, Mr. Jordan said: “The name means a lot of different things… but we understand that your sector has to play a part in decision making… and take its rightful place in the discussion and decision-making process.”
Participants were reminded that Government was addressing some of the challenges facing the efficient operations of the Third sector. While pointing out that the policy framework relating to the sector had been on the table “for a little bit too long”, the Labour Minister stressed, however, that Government was working on it and it would include legislation, supported by CPDC, BANGO and the UNDP. He also noted that the White Paper they developed had provided Government with the foundation on which to build.
“We have also been conducting, with CPDC’s help and other stakeholders, many interventions in relation to capacity building for Third Sector organisations. We see our mandate as assisting in building a sector that will continue to do good developmental work because this Government recognises that we are not equipped to reach every person, every group in the society. Civil society/the Third sector has a significant role to play.”
Alluding to the CPDC project, Minister Jordan said the discussion was important because in 2021, at UNCTAD 15, Barbados had supported the civil society call for debt and international reform for SIDS and the matter of confronting the Caribbean debt challenge and building resilience for sustainable development, spoke to building awareness of the impact of increasing debt levels in the Caribbean region.
“And, it also speaks to mobilising the active participation of civil society organisations in the region to address that matter. We recognise that the project, led by CPDC and Debt Justice, is aimed at empowering a Caribbean coalition of CSOs, working at the grass root, national and regional level to influence an agenda for debt justice and climate change action,” remarked Mr. Jordan.