The ongoing CARICOM Secretariat’s regional seminar on Strengthening the Human Resources Capacity of Consumer Organisations is just one in a series of seminars which will be held this year.

Anita Lewis, Consumer Affairs Specialist with the CARICOM Secretariat CSME Unit, explained that the event is part of a multi-pronged approach to improving the state of regional consumer bodies.

"In Trinidad this year, we had the report of a consultancy which was done to assess the needs of consumer organisations and the report of that consultancy identified priority actions that member states needed to take or that were needed to strengthen consumer affairs in the region. One had to do with strengthening the capacity of consumer organisations; and this seminar is one action towards addressing that particular area," she explained.

Governmental and non-governmental bodies from various countries, including Suriname, Jamaica and Trinidad are taking part in the current seminar, which is led by consultants from the Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas Limited, the agency which conducted the needs assessment study.??

Whilst the ongoing seminar is tailored for middle managers, the second session, to be held in St. Lucia from November 15 to 19, will focus on front line staff and the final session, to be held in Barbados from November 22 to 26, will cater to senior managers.

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