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Social Inclusion and Social Protection in the Eastern Caribbean


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Social Protection and Social inclusion in the Eastern Caribbean are two important concepts that will create an equitable society. Social protection refers to the policies and programs that help protect people from societal issues like unemployment, poverty, lack of healthcare and educational opportunities and services, disasters, emergencies, etc.  Social Inclusion is the process of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to fully participate in society regardless of background and Circumstances, When you combine social protection and social inclusion we can create a society where everyone has an opportunity to succeed.

In alignment with Article 23 of the Revised Treaty of Basseterre (Page 37)  which indicates " Each Protocol MEmber State Shall promote sustainable social and cultural development that would ensure societies that are stable, safe and just and that are based on the promotion and protection of human rights, non-discrimination, respect for diversity, equality of opportunity, solidarity, security, and participation of all people." the OECS Social Inclusion and Social Protection (SISP) Strategic Action Plan 2022-2030 provides a common regional action plan to address issues of social protection, equal access to quality social services and empowerment across the life-cycle for the OECS region. It emphasizes the protection of human rights, non-discrimination, respect for diversity, equality of opportunity, solidarity, security, and participation of all people.

Objectives

The OECS under the Social Inclusion and Social Protection Strategic Action Plan tackles the 4 regional economic and social challenges facing the Citizens of the OECS 

  1. the inability of people and families to sufficiently meet their basic needs
  2. Social Exclusion from Families and Communities is the process that prevents an individual or group from fully participating in a family or community due to numerous factors
  3. the inability of people and communities to adequately recover following a shock 
  4. inefficient and limited social protection systems

The methods and approaches used to ensure persons across the region are valued and that over the course of their life-cycle, has equal and open access to support in times of crisis and are empowered to achieve their fullest potential are informed by these main solutions,  key drives and principles 

Main Solutions for the 4 regional economic and social challenges 

  • Advancing Effective Social Protection Measures 
  • Advocating for and Facilitating Social Inclusion 
  • Building Human and Community Resilience 
  • Supporting Institutional are supporting institutions and organisations that provide financial and technical assistance to other organisations that help in ensuring social inclusion and social protection.

Key Drivers:

  • Partnership and Convergence 
  • Policy and Legislation
  • Knowledge and Data Management
  • Capacity Building

Key Principles 

  • Inclusivity
    - Rights-Based Approach
    - Dignity and Empowerment 
    - Gender Equity
     
  • Adequate Social Protection for All
    - Family-Based Approach
    - Life Cycle Approach
    - Sustainable Financing 
    - Shock Responsiveness

Projects

Multiple projects on Social Inclusion and Social Protection are currently being implemented in the Eastern Caribbean by the OECS Commission through its Social Inclusion Social Protection Unit along with Ministries of Social Development in the OECS Member States and international agencies such as USAID and UNICEF. Among the projects which were recently developed by the OECS Commission are:

Current projects include: 

1 - Opportunities to Advance and Support Youth for Success (OASYS)

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OASYS stands for opportunities to advance and Support Youth for Success. It is a program that helps kids in the Eastern Caribbean learn and grow. It has a lot of different activities like art, music and sports. OASYS is a great way for the youth to have fun and engage in activities that would lead them away from crime as well as provide opportunities for them to grow. The project builds on the work done under the Second phases of the Juvenile Justice Reform Project (JJRP) which ran from 2016 to 2022.  


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2 - OECS Youth Empowerment Strategy (OECS YES)

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OECS YES is one of the projects implemented to foster social development in the Eastern Caribbean. OECS YES aims to ensure that youth are given the opportunity to engage in the national dialogue to shape the future they will inherit. The Inaugural OECS 30 Under 30 Entrepreneurship Competition was one of the components of OECS YES. This project was launched from 2016 to 2017. 30 young entrepreneurs from eight OECS Member States (Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Martinique) have been awarded for their innovative businesses. Each winner benefitted from the expertise of the OECS' Competitive Business Unit and the Sir Richard Branson Center for Entrepreneurship in order to develop their businesses.

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3 - The Juvenile Justice Reform Project Phase II (JJRP II)

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The Juvenile Justice Reform Project Phase II (JJRP II) is another project of the OECS in the area of human and social development. The Juvenile Justice Reform Project Phase II is funded by USAID. The project is implemented in six OECS Member states, namely: Antigua and Barbuda, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

JJRP II pursues four main objectives:

  • improving the legal and regulatory framework of the Juvenile Justice System;

  • building capacity for the effective administration of juvenile justice;

  • modernising diversion, detention and rehabilitation processes in the juvenile justice system; and 

  • improving linkages with civil society and other supporting structures to strengthen the juvenile justice system.  

JJRP II is now into its final year of implementation.

Learn more 



4 -Raising Awareness on Child Protection in Sports

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Sport is key to the inclusion of youth and social development in the Eastern Caribbean. The OECS and UNICEF partnered to launch a campaign on “Child Protection in Sports”. The communications campaign which was launched across the OECS Member States in 2017 targeted athletes from 10 to 29 years old and the overall realm of youth - parents, teachers, coaches. The project encouraged Heads of sporting disciplines in the OECS Member States to develop and implement comprehensive child protection policies. The awareness campaign also enhanced the capacity of youth to adopt behaviours and practices which can protect athletes from harm and abuse.



5 - The Family Law Reform Project 

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The Family Law Reform Project is one of the most important projects in the area for social development in the Eastern Caribbean. The project that commenced in 2001 is being implemented by the OECS in partnership with UNICEF and seven OECS Member States: Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Anguilla. The Family Law Reform Project aims to increase the capacity of the judicial and legal system by providing laws which make fundamental shifts in the protection of women, children and the family. This project also intends to strengthen institutional capacity in order to resolve matters related to the family and children in a more holistic way by addressing multiple matters such as marriage, divorce and separation, spousal maintenance, property interests, children, maintenance for children, the status of children, paternity, custody and access, adoption of children, succession, cohabitation relationships, domestic violence.

Our partners 

The OECS has been partnering for multiple years with international agencies who support projects developed in the area of Social  Inclusion and Social Protection

UNICEF
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Contacts

Lisa Sargusingh-Terrance
Senior Education Specialist
Tel: +1 (758) 453-0669

Shahini Gravillis
Technical Specialist,
Tel: +1 (758) 453-0669

Tracy St. Claire 
Programme Assistant 
Tel: +1 (758) 455-6727

Sharon Jacob 
Senior Administrative Assistant 
Tel: +1 (758) 455-6727

Wendy Wallace
Programme Assistant - U Report 

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