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The ideas and opinions expresssed in
this report are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit
the Organization.
CONTENTS
Background
1. The Management of Social Transformations
(MOST) Caribbean Region Consultation was held at the Jamaica Pegasus
Hotel from February 24 to 26, 1997. There were nineteen (19)
participants from six (6) territories, representing the academic
research community as well as policy agencies. Chairman of the
Consultation was Dr. Donald Robotham, Pro Vice-Chancellor of
the University of the West Indies, Dr. Farley Brathwaite and
Mr. Wenty Bowen, Vice-Chairmen and Dr. Patricia Anderson, Rapporteur-General.
Expected outcomes
2. Speakers at the opening ceremony
identified the stated and expected outcomes of the consultation.
These were to build a partnership between social science research
and policy formulation as well as stimulate co-operation in
social science research regionally and internationally.
The Hon. Burchell Whiteman, Minister
of Education, Youth and Culture, stressed that decisions affecting
the lives of people should be guided by research and careful analysis
of the experiences of people. Openness in sharing the findings
of research with the public and interested parties could help
societies to fashion a new vision of themselves. Human development
involved recognising the co-creative role of the individual in
exercising some control over his material, economic, social,
cultural and spiritual development. This further suggested an
interdisciplinary approach in finding solutions to the problems
of social transformations.
3. In his address to the Consultation
the Hon. Rex Nettleford, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University
of the West Indies, put the concept of social transformations
within the historical context of various Caribbean territories.
Social transformation was a recurring factor in our history.
At every critical juncture seeming chaos became a source of energy
for creative action, a generally underestimated capacity not manifested
in policy options.
It provided the opportunity to create
new definitions such as to redefine self and explore the capability
to act on one's own definitions and find solutions. The societies
had to make each citizen have as many reference points as possible
to which he could relate. The role of the state was critical
to enforce this transformation which could be the springboard
for validating a new sensibility.
Theme 1:
Public Policy and Ethnic Conflict: Evaluating the Strategy
of Multiculturalism
Presenter: Dr. Ralph Premdas
4. Dr. Premdas opened his presentation
by outlining a conceptual framework for the analysis of ethnic
identification. He stated that ethnic identity was constructed
on the basis of several factors, including religion, race, language,
values, region etc. In his view, the concept of ethnicity should
be defined as "collective group consciousness that imparts
a sense of belonging derived from membership in a community bound
putatively by common descent and culture". The ethnic group,
therefore, compelled allegiance and provided gratification, based
on a deeply embedded need for meaning and belonging. Ethnic identity
must be analysed in relational terms, and was explained in terms
of deep psychological needs to construct "we-they" boundaries,
which confer a sense of meaning and belonging.
5. Dr. Premdas pointed out that there
were several approaches to explaining the existence and functioning
of ethnic groups. The first approach was influenced by social
transaction analysis, and emphasized the utilitarian functions
of the ethnic group as a strategy for individual and group survival,
and the maximization of gain. In this view, ethnicity served as
a resource, being a buffer against adversity, and did not need
to have any inherent biological or cultural basis. Another perspective
argued that the human being was a boundary-sensitive animal, and
that ethnic group members utilized their distinctive boundary
markers to define themselves in relation to others. While these
markers were socially constructed, Dr. Premdas noted that the
boundaries did not create closed systems, since there was on-going
exchange and interaction, which allowed the recasting of identities.
From the first perspective, one might view inter-communal group
conflict as simply a situational strategy which was contrived
to meet pragmatic ends. From the second perspective, conflict
was analysed as the outcome of psychological needs for differentiation
which underlie social and human behaviour and which were not amenable
to erasure or radical modification.
6. In analysing societies, there were
two contexts within which ethnicity might be organized. In the
first, deep institutional divisions existed between ethnic groups,
and these were capable of tearing the society apart and creating
new ethnic sovereignties. This was labelled the "ethnonational"
context. In the second, there was a host society with a dominant
cultural core which incorporated other ethnic groups, usually
for specific instrumental ends such as labour needs. This was
called the "migrant-minority" context. While Dr. Premdas
argued that these two structural variants of multicultural heterogeneity
were capable of describing all contemporary states, he also suggested
that it was useful to view these types as a continuum, given the
many new forces which were challenging contemporary states.
7. The policy options for multiculturalism
also fell into two categories. One option was that of power-sharing,
and this was more likely in the social context of pluralised societies,
where ethno-national groupings were seeking some type of territorial
autonomy. Since there was not any a priori formula to
determine the specifics of the accommodation package, this had
to be negotiated by rival communities, before it could be institutionalized
in the political and administrative order. The second option was
more likely to develop in the migrant-minority context, where
the emphasis was on the accommodation of different cultural practices.
This was labelled the "cultural variant", and was typical
of diversified societies, where citizens shared a common set of
integrative institutions and national values, but retained collective
sub-state cultural practices.
8. For specific application of
this conceptual framework to the Caribbean, Dr. Premdas
referred the group to an earlier paper "Ethnic Identity in
the Caribbean", and he urged that further research should
be conducted to map the Caribbean situation, given its diversity.
9. The research priorities which Dr.
Premdas identified included the following:
- Analysis of the forms which pluralism
takes in the Caribbean
- The intersection of ethnic cleavages
with social class
- The symbols of ethnic differentiation
- New areas for ethnic contestation,
such as Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago.
10. The main issues which were addressed
in the discussion were as follows:
(a) The analysis of race
The view was expressed by some participants
that racial divisions in countries such as Guyana, or Trinidad
and Tobago, could not be subsumed into the category of ethnicity.
Professor Thomas pointed out that while East Indians may identify
themselves as Hindu or Muslim, there still remained a broader
category of East Indian which provided a base for mobilization.
He also suggested that in the case of the Amerindian peoples,
although they were known to fall into many different tribes,
it was often useful to regard them as one "race".
Dr. Simons also observed that in the case of Suriname, ethnic
groups would often melt together on the basis of race in regard
to issues of resource mobilization. Accordingly, one could not
simply treat race as "non-factual". Dr. Premdas
argued that race was only one of several factors which enter into
ethnic identity.
The critical idea in ethnicity he pointed
out, was a collective consciousness evolving around certain myths
of race, religion, region and language, which in the view of ethnic
adherents conferred uniqueness to the group. He noted that ethnic
groups exist within the same racial category.
(b) The fluidity of ethnic identification
There was general agreement that ethnic
identity was subject to constant change. With regard to transnational
groups, the question must be raised as to the strength and durability
of these ethnic ties in establishing definitions.
11. The research questions which were
identified on the basis of the session included the following:
- The conceptualization of ethnicity,
especially pointing to the relationship between ethnicity and
power relations. This was summarized in the questions: How do
Caribbean people define their identities and who has the power
to impose definitions? What resources are the object of contestation?
- What are the ways in which education
systems can be designed to strengthen national identity and unity?
How can ethnic identity divisiveness be countered towards promoting
both diversity and unity?
- What mechanisms can be designed
to encourage multicultural power-sharing?
- What are the critical forces which
encourage ethnic divisiveness (education, the labour market, capital,
cultural beliefs)? How do they get mobilized in the political
process? How can they be restrained?
- Analysis of previous interventions,
and the degree of success in resolving ethnic conflict. Need
to examine comparative cases from other parts of the world.
- Policy options for resolving rival
ethnic claims. Situating multiculturalism within the repertoire
of ethnic conflict mechanisms.
Theme 2:
Cities as Arenas of Accelerated
Social Transformation in the Caribbean Region
Presenter: Dr. Reynold Simons
12. The issue to be addressed was how
to help to place developments which were taking place in cities
and which were demanding everyone's attention, within the broader
context of the management of social transformations that were
unfolding globally, in the political, social, economic and cultural
spheres. These were effecting far-reaching changes in the technological
sphere, in communications and transportation and all the tools
used for building social cohesion. These changes in the bases
of our society had generated a number of changes in the social
and political spheres.
13. Some aspects of the social changes
taking place were:
- globalization, probably one of the
most direct forms of transformation resulting from changes in
the material and technical bases of our society;
- the upcoming change in the distribution
of employment and of wealth nationally and internationally;
- the changing relationship between
the sexes.
These broad and far-reaching changes
touched our societal bases and placed social transformation in
a broader perspective.
14. The occurrence of fundamental change
was not new. The question in this process was how could the changes
be stopped or managed? It was necessary to get some idea of the
direction and depth of the process of change and to present a
plan of action. A basic attitude to change should be to try to
understand what was necessary in the process of change, be open
to change and thus what was manageable.
15. Gender roles have changed following
technological advances. An example of the effect of technological
changes on the role of the sexes, was the possibility of fertilization
of human eggs in laboratories. These developments have changed
human reproduction and this in turn had its effect on relations
between the sexes and the roles of the sexes.
16. Another aspect to be addressed concerned
whether changes were currently being managed. There had been some
management at the international level by the international monetary
institutions for the past 20 years affecting economic and social
transformations taking place in Caribbean countries. Structural
adjustment programmes were part of this management. However,
further questions had to be considered:
- Who were legitimately charged with
management particularly at the international level?
- How would these persons be responsible
for management if it were open to democratic and public scrutiny?
- What were the plans for and instruments
of this management?
17. Cities were centres of political
power as well as science, culture and technology. They were characterized
by secondary and tertiary activities especially in market economies.
Cities were also centres for wealth and opportunities because
of transportation, political and cultural networks and were necessary
to develop the regions they were serving.
18. Cities continued to attract rural
and semi-urban populations resulting in a high level of urbanization.
In the Caribbean the urban population was estimated at 63% in
1995. In the year 2000 the projection is 65.9%. The difference
in levels between territories varied from 76% in Trinidad and
Tobago to 36% in Haiti. Population increase in rural areas was
slowing down.
19. Caribbean peoples were feeling the
effects of the impact of media world centres; the growing gap
in absorbing technological changes and the contradictions between
the Caribbean countries and media centres of the world. Concrete
problems confronting the Caribbean arose from the structural characteristics
of cities and national and international functional modalities.
20. Every-day issues defined transformations.
These were:
- the rapidly growing urban population
and the stress placed on physical and social infrastructures;
- poverty and the problems of its
extent within a city;
- falling prices of primary products
on the global market and its effects on the urban and rural poor;
- at the international level many
transformations had already taken place. Our cities had embraced
a liberalized economy, but the transformation to new products
in the urban economy had not yet started. This indicated a need
for transformation in the new economic order;
- creation of urban employment, including
self-employment, lagged behind economic growth;
- cultural dislocation in cities was
a real danger as cities were increasingly part of the international
public opinion arena where ideas, norms and values were dominated
by world centres. This created needs and ideas which could not
be met;
- emigration was becoming more difficult;
- national governments were losing
authority as independent actors in the international political
arena;
- the levels and character of crime
were probably the strongest indicators of societal crisis.
21. The roots of the phenomena were
structural and existing systems could not address them. Three
aspects of systemic inability were:
(i) discontinuity in transmitting norms,
values, institutions and ideas of society;
(ii) lack of jobs and other opportunities
for poor urban youth;
(iii) inadequacy of correctional institutions
in dealing effectively with the situation.
Societal transformations were proceeding
rapidly but were not being effectively dealt with.
22. Urban societal transformations required
a number of measures to be effective and included:
- employment in cities where economic
change had to be adapted to the changing world economy;
- reduction in contradictions between
rural and urban areas;
- socialization of the individual
in social norms and value patterns and the provision of skills;
- making social institutions more
responsive and accessible to individuals taking part in the process;
- exploring decentralization, partnerships
between all stakeholders, institutional and leadership modalities
as part of the transformational mix.
23. The critical elements of success
included:
- strong leadership characterised
by trust, the capability to elicit sacrifice and set examples;
- a strategy necessary for the period
of transformation which incorporated long-term planning with
attainable short-term goals for the people;
- singling out of institutions likely
to survive and working with them;
- conducting research on the capability
of people to comprehend and determine the outcomes of the transformation
process;
- providing the necessary funds to
underpin the process.
24. In the discussion which followed
the following points emerged:
(a) Cities and urbanization
Cities and urbanization were inter-changeable
terms in the Caribbean context. However, urbanization needed to
be redefined in light of new technologies where it could be considered
a way of life. Cities, nevertheless, had specific characteristics
which included population concentration and the problems that
created, in some cases, specific boundaries with various types
of institutional, jurisdictional and political services. The
city and its immediate environs should be the focus of analysis.
Both concepts should be used in operational research.
(b) Managing transformations
It was recognized that forces were emanating
globally outside a governmental framework. Broader forces at
work included youth gangs and drug addiction which were associated
with urban living but which also occurred in rural areas. This
led to the consideration that the dynamics of urban transformation
required policy making on a level other than governmental. The
social and economic imperatives were larger than government could
control. The kinds and levels of control should be explored.
25. The role of the city in the transformation
process needed to be addressed. The following research topics
were suggested.
- Data which provided descriptive
material on the nature of cities in Caribbean terms on demography,
labour markets, social relationships, institutions;
- Governance of the city - municipal
and political authority, resources as well as a definition of
'city' and the process of policy formulation;
- Specific issues
- impact of globalization
- the changing labour market
- crime
- drugs
- youth, especially males
- relationships between citizens
and law enforcement
- arms.
The relationship to rural policies should
affect all aspects of research.
Theme 3:
Coping with Economic, Technological
and Environmental Transformations in the Caribbean
Presenter: Professor Norman Girvan
26. The paper centered around the question
of Caribbean societies developing capabilities to cope with the
far-reaching economic, technological and environmental transformations
taking place. Challenges included:
- generalized decline in the global
leverage of developing countries in the post-cold war era in respect
of power;
- growth in the share of services
in world production and trade with corresponding decline in the
share of goods;
- threats to the region's export and
domestic manufacturing industries, particularly bananas and garments,
arising out of the effects of trade agreements;
- a sharp fall in concessionary aid
flows as a result of shift of US and EU attention;
- the pervasive influence of multilateral
lending agencies in shaping economic and social policy in the
region towards market-oriented solutions;
- a tendency for the unification of
economic, political, social and environmental conditionalities
in development and assistance and trade negotiations;
- shift in the growth pole in the
world economy to Asia and the Pacific;
- a global information and communications
revolution;
- international drug trafficking;
- regional and global environmental
degradation.
27. These developments impacted on the
region which already had uneven growth, unemployment, inequality
and ethnic and social fragmentation. People had lost confidence
in the ability of governments to cope. We were a society at risk.
28. A number of regional transformations
were reviewed and specific coping strategies suggested on the
basis of equity, reform of governance, human resource development,
strengthening state managerial capacities, fostering of local
entrepreneurship, science and technology policy and regional co-operation.
29. The fundamental issues of perspective
and will should be approached as a commitment to thinking for
ourselves as a starting point for coping strategies in the
Caribbean. Specific strategies should be developed as part of
an integrated regional perspective.
Economic Transformations
30. Globalization was both reality and
ideology. Reality consisted of economic processes - internationalization
of finance, production, trade and communication, integration of
money and capital markets. Chief policy components were trade
and financial liberalization, construction of hemispheric trading
areas and structural adjustment programmes pushed by multilateral
and bilateral funding agencies. The ideological component consisted
of the presumed superiority of the market and the presumed inevitability
of globalization and liberalization which meant capital was supposed
to move freely.
31. The challenges for the Caribbean
were to strengthen capacities to participate in the global economy
to reflect its own economic, social and cultural development objectives
and the integrity and credibility of its political processes as
well as develop a model of active participation based on development
of domestic technology and managerial capabilities in both state
and private sector and a commitment to negotiate with the external
world.
32. Specific examples of the implications
of globalization and coping strategies were:
- Globalization of finance - Small
countries found their ability to pursue independent monetary and
fiscal policies constrained by capital markets.Coping strategy:
adopt prudent fiscal policies of our own making.
- Globalization of production, investment
and trade - Transnational corporations controlled world output
and world trade. Trade liberalization was linked to the
globalization process. Coping Strategies: competitiveness, employment,
foreign investment, external trade negotiations and foreign language
skills.
Technological Transformations
33. These were led by new information
and communications technologies and rapid spread of these technologies.
Coping strategies: information services and software, use of
informatics, telecommunications policy, socio-cultural change.
Environmental Transformations
34. A growing number of ecological scientists
had reached the conclusion that the present level of matter-energy
throughput in the economic system was physically unsustainable.
Coping strategies: develop environmental management capabilities
with equitable access.
Coping Strategies
35. The main cross-cutting issues and
areas of competence common to various coping strategies were highlighted:
- commitment to equity and social
cohesion
- reform of governance
- human resource development
- strengthening of state institutions
- fostering of local entrepreneurship
- science and technology policy
- regional co-operation and integration.
Commitment to Equity and Social Cohesion
- People had to buy into these societies irrespective of class,
colour, ethnicity, gender etc.
Reform of governance
- meant establishment of mechanisms to provide incentives for
political and social consensus with regard to long-term development
strategy, deconcentration of power from the popularly elected
bodies, decentralization of administration and service provision
to local bodies, transparent and accountable contribution of professional
and technical expertise from outside government.
Human Resource Development
- A skilled, creative and motivated population. Significant quantitative
and qualitative improvement at all levels but especially at primary
levels.
Strengthening of State Institutions
- Strategic planning, external negotiations, macro-economic management,
environmental management and good governance, expanded effort
in human resource development.
Fostering of Local Entrepreneurship
- Refers to innovation and willingness to invest in research and
development and recognition of the role of workers as a source
of innovation and quality improvement, use of human cultural and
natural resources to develop new goods and services.
Science and technology policy
- Sourcing and assimilation of relevant foreign technology in
combination with local research and development. The key was
linking technology in an integral and continuous way to production
and problem solving.
Regional Co-operation and Integration
- Caribbean states needed to integrate to cope with global transformation
by pooling resources and efforts.
Caribbean people were at risk but not
in a physical sense. People had always survived in all kinds
of inventive ways. The question was could societies survive as
viable entities? There was the possibility that they could fall
into some kind of colonial trusteeship. Options were the pooling
of our national sovereignty into regional sovereignty in which
the whole was greater than the parts.
36. In the discussions which took place
the following points emerged:
- The need for the Caribbean region
to redesign itself
- How could the region define itself
dynamically so as not to make a fetish out of sovereignty?
- The need to strengthen the capabilities
of both the private sector and the state
- Generating an informed climate of
public opinion
- What were world market prices?
There were different prices in different regions. The whole trend
of policy under the structural adjustment programmes was an attempt
to bring prices in line with international prices
- Forecasting was important but was
always a difficult matter as there were no tools
- Governance - looking at new forms
of governance
- Policy making - unless people were
involved it would not be effective
- Process of transformations and coping
strategies emphasized ingredients of productivity, with strong
emphasis on science and technology, human resource development
and information systems
- Liberalization - caused serious
problems in Jamaica
- Education and human resource development
- need to focus on basic education and career education
- Entrepreneurship - There is a new
class of private entrepreneurs - e.g. Jamaican informal commercial
importers. This had opened up the economy to other industries
- Tourism - The Caribbean's largest
income earner did not have a regional programme. The tourist
product should be diversified and used to develop other areas.
37. The following ideas were noted for
designing future projects. These were:
- a « think tank »
- forecasting
- developing empirical evidence
- supporting policy analysis.
Theme 4:
Social Science Infrastructure
in the Caribbean
Presenter: Professor Clive Thomas
38. Professor Thomas broadly described
the social science capability in the region. The dominant element
was the University with several near autonomous or independent
campuses which embraced several departments/sections related to
our concerns. There were for example:
- Faculties of Social Sciences, Humanities,
Engineering, Technology, Agriculture;
- Research Institutes in socio-economics,
indigenous studies, women studies, labour, race/ethnic studies;
- University staff who operated in
various capacities as individuals pursuing private research outside
the framework of the University; as consultants; by providing
research support to the public service and foreign foundations
and by networking through regional associations such as the Caribbean
Studies Association.
39. There were government institutions
which varied from territory to territory and were generally concentrated
in departments concerned with planning, statistical gathering
and analysis, labour, agriculture, finance, as well as statutory
bodies such as central banks.
40. Private-for-profit research institutions
were divided into two groups: research and consultancy firms
and large firms with research departments. There were also private-not-for-profit
research bodies which fell under three categories:
- independent institutions such as
historical research societies;
- NGOs dealing with gender issues,
the environment etc. which provided advocacy at national and regional
levels, for example the Caribbean Conservation Association.
- Those linked to major economic and
social clusters in the region such as trade unions, the private
sector, engineering, town planning.
41. Local agencies of inter-governmental
bodies such as UNESCO, UNDP, PAHO, ILO, FAO, often served as catalysts
for research initiatives. Key international institutions conducted
research locally becxause of their terms of reference. The IMF,
World Bank, IDB, ILO, IFAD, PAHO and UNIDO were major players
in this area.
42. There were also regional inter-governmental
bodies such as CARICOM and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
The latter was currently financing poverty studies in the Eastern
Caribbean and Belize.
43. Many foreign governments conducted
research locally, directly or indirectly, through their embassies
and indirectly through their local offices. USAID,CIDA, EU and
BDA fall into this category.
44. There were foreign NGOs such as
the World Resources Institute and the Carter Center. The latter
produced the National Development Strategy for Guyana.
45. Wealthy local and regional benefactors
were also potential resources in the social science infrastructure.
46. The general characteristics which
defined the infrastructures were:
- underfunding with many areas under-explored
or ignored;
- insufficient coordination and intellectual
interchange in defining the shape and direction of the research
being undertaken;
- research doctrinally driven;
- research driven by public policy
concerns and state intervention;
- inadequate review of what had been
done and past successes and failures;
- imbalance in terms of distribution
of interest as well as geographically;
- research subjected to data limitations
which were uneven across the region;
- present possibility for incremental
advances only and no major growth;
- much of research undervalued or
ignored, dominated by "essentialist" epistemology.
Social Transformations: priorities
for policy and research
47. The central focus of this UNESCO
Caribbean Consultation has been the concept of social transformation.
In the contemporary period, social transformations have been
catalysed by certain common causes, with far-reaching effects.
These include the following changes:
- the process of globalization, and
specifically the widening and increased primacy of market relations,
with new patterns of dominance and of co-operation;
- technological advances and the linking
of far-flung resources into global markets;
- massive population shifts;
- changes in value-systems.
48. Social transformations involve a
multifaceted process which has several distinct features and consequences.
It is useful to summarize these briefly in order to establish
a framework for evaluating research needs and policy issues.
The features of social transformations
include the following:
- a reorganization of traditional
social attachments and a disruption of the traditional bases of
solidarity;
- a widened view of the world, and
changes in the belief systems of different groups;
- changes in aspirations, and in beliefs
regarding appropriate roles and entitlements of different groups
in the society;
- changes in the access of different
groups to the valued resources of the society;
- changes in the relative balance
between population, economy and environment;
- shifts in the balance of power,
and spheres of influence between groups, states, and regions;
- the widening and intensification
of communication systems.
49. The challenges created by
social transformations are directly experienced in the following
areas:
- group identity and social cohesion
- gender relations
- equity and participation
- levels of welfare
- governance and the effectiveness
of state institutions
- human resource development
- the application of technology to
economic activity
- international relations.
50. Since contemporary social transformations
serve to create more differentiated social structures, with an
increased potential for conflict among competing groups, it is
clear that the three guiding themes of the MOST Consultation (multiculturalism,
urbanization and globalization) are closely related to each other.
51. The following list of research projects
serves to suggest ways in which research efforts may be linked
in order to reflect the reality of this interdependence.
52. I. Regional Integration and
Co-operation
Rationale: The justification for this
project is that regionalization within the Caribbean must cope
with the processes of globalization, formation of hemispheric
regional groupings, and increased market penetration as economies
implement open trade systems.
53. Research Questions:
- Exploration of the degree to which
the Caribbean constitutes a meaningful category, and the ways
in which sub-groupings should be defined
- Regionalism as an instrument of
selective integration into the global economy
- The establishment of a network of
institutions and mechanisms of regional co-operation across a
wide range of areas
- The tapping of investment on a regional
basis
54. II. Cities and Towns in the Caribbean
Rationale: This study seeks to examine
the growth of urban areas across the Caribbean, and to identify
their inter-relationships with global forces and with internal
transformations. In some countries, the study will focus on secondary
towns, thus allowing the identification of changes that are still
at an early stage. This is an interdisciplinary project, which
will incorporate most of the issues raised by the MOST programme,
and which is expected to have a direct impact on policy.
55. Research Questions:
- A mapping of urban areas on the
basis of census data, and the delineation of urban hierarchies
- Economic analysis of the selected
towns, with data on industries, markets, ownership patterns, capital,
labour supply and global linkages
- Population shifts and patterns of
migration
- Class structure, residential patterns
and social relations
- Patterns of social exclusion or
integration, based on race, ethnicity, gender or territory
- Inter-group relations and the resolution
of competing ethnic identity claims
- Political mobilization and governance
of the city
- Service provision and access
- Perceptions of the city, and spread
of urbanism
- Inter-relationships with surrounding
areas and impact on the environment
- The role and capacity of Local Government
structures, NGOs and CBOs in articulating social and political
issues; command over resources
- Crime and violence in the city,
changes in mores, social pathologies, corporate crime, links to
international crime
- Urban policy.
56. III. Entrepreneurship and Social
Mobility in the Medium and Small-scale Sector
Rationale: The fostering of local
entrepreneurship is agreed to be a critical element in gaining
benefits from the new globalization, and in reducing the
prevailing patterns of income inequality in the Caribbean. Since
traditional avenues for local entrepreneurship have often been
linked with ethnic networks in the Caribbean, this study will
also seek to identify the contribution of social capital to breaking
bottlenecks in the path of small business expansion.
57. Research Questions:
- The current scope of the medium
and small-scale sector
- Markets and linkages
- Utilization of technology
- Human resource needs
- Survival or social mobility
- Role of ethnic networks/social capital
- Barriers to expansion
- Role of gender
58. IV. Ethnic and Communal Identity
in the Caribbean
Rationale: In the Caribbean, numerous
identities are constructed around the axes of race, culture, language,
religion, locality, etc. Political divisions have played on these
axes in the quest for recognition and resources. Policies for
multiculturalism cannot be developed without a systematic understanding
of the bases of these problems, their articulation, and the possibilities
for harmonious resolution.
59. Research Questions:
- Analysis of the bases and construction
of ethnic/communal identity groups
- Mapping of group structures in the
Caribbean
- Description of their manner of mobilization
- Modes of resolution of competing
identity claims
- Analysis of "successful cases"
of resolving competing claims
- Identification of models of consociation
and ethnic/communal sharing
- Impact on policy
60. V. Education and Job-creation
in the Caribbean
Rationale: This study would seek to
examine the extent to which education and training systems are
designed to meet the needs of the changing labour markets in the
Caribbean, under the impact of globalization.
61. Research Questions:
- Mapping of the education/training
demands of leading sectors and sources of hiring
- Internal labour markets and on-the-job
training
- Gender differentials and gender
socialization
- Education for entrepreneurship.
Annex 1
Bureau
| Chairman: | Dr. Donald Robotham |
| Vice-Chairmen: | Dr. Farley Brathwaite
Mr. Wenty Bowen |
| Rapporteur-General: | Dr. Patricia Anderson |
| Secretary: | Miss Sylvia V. Thomas |
Programme Specialist
MOST Programme UNESCO: |
Mr. Paul de Guchteneire |
Annex 2
List of Participants
Dr. Patricia Anderson
Senior Lecturer
Department of Sociology
& Social Work
University of the West Indies
Mona, Kingston 7
|
Ms. Andrea Lewis
Representing
Ministry of Labour Social
Security and Sports
Kingston 4
|
Mrs. Joy Alexander
Deputy Government Town
Planner
Town Planning Department
16 Oxford Road
Kingston 6
|
Prof. the Hon. Rex Nettleford
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
University of the West Indies
Mona, Kingston 7
|
Mr. Garfield Barnwell
Project Coordinator
Centre for Environment &
Development
3 Gilbratar Camp Road,
Mona, Kingston 7
|
Dr Ralph Premdas
Reader in Public Policy
Department of Government
University of the West Indies
St. Augustine
Trinidad & Tobago
|
Dr. Farley Brathwaite
Dean
Faculty of Social Science
University of the West Indies
Cave Hill
Barbados
|
Dr. Donald Robotham
Pro Vice Chancellor
Chairman
Board for Graduate Studies &
Research
University of the West Indies
Mona, Kingston 7
|
Mr. Wenty Bowen
Director of Training
The Creative Production
and Training Centre
Kingston 5
|
Dr. Reynold Simons
Director
Institute of Research &
Development of Suriname
Paramaribo, Suriname
|
Dr. Neville Duncan
Acting Director
Institute of Social and Economic
Research
University of the West Indies
Mona, Kingston 7
|
Professor Clive Thomas
Director
Institute of Development Studies
University of Guyana
Turkeyen, East Coast
Demerara, Guyana
|
Dr. Hyacinthe Ellis
Lecturer/Researcher
Department of Sociology &
Social Work
University of the West Indies
Mona, Kingston 7
|
Mr. Peter Van Sluijs
Programme Officer
UNDP
1-3 Lady Musgrave Road
Kingston 5
|
Professor Norman Girvan
Director
Consortium Graduate School
University of the West Indies
Mona, Kingston 7
|
Dr. Selwyn Ryan
Director
Institute of Social & Economic
Research
University of the West Indies
St. Augustine Campus
Trinidad & Tobago
|
Mrs. Carole McDowell
Consultant
Planning Institute of Jamaica
8 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston
|
Mrs. Joan Neil
Director
Organisation of American States
3 Barbados Avenue
Kingston 5
|
Mrs. Drs. Kloof-Monsels
Lecturer
Faculty of Social Sciences
Anton de Kom Universiteit van
Suriname
Paramaribo, Suriname
|
|
| UNESCO, PARIS |
UNESCO, KINGSTON |
Mr. Paul de Guchteneire
Programme Specialist
MOST Programme
|
Mr. Simon Clarke
UNESCO Representative
Kingston 5, Jamaica
|
| SECRETARIAT |
Miss. Sylvia V. Thomas
Secretary-General
Jamaica National Commission
for UNESCO
Kingston 5, Jamaica
|
Mrs. Winsome Mitchell
Secretary
Jamaica National Commission for
UNESCO
Kingston 5, Jamaica
|
Miss Nadine Manraj
Researcher/Documentalist
Jamaica National Commission
for UNESCO
Kingston 5, Jamaica
|
Mrs. Audrey Tomlin
Rapporteur
Kingston, Jamaica
|
Miss Stacey Jowhill
Secretary
Jamaica National Commission for
UNESCO
Kingston 5, Jamaica
|
Miss Patricia Patterson
Rapporteur
The New Way Educational and
Community Services Ltd.
Kingston,Jamaica
|
Annex 3
Opening Ceremony - Belasario Suite at 9:00 a.m.
Chairman's Welcome and Opening Remarks
Dr. Donald Robotham
Pro-Vice Chancellor
Chairman,
Board of Graduate Studies and Research
University of the West Indies, Mona.
Address and Official
Opening of Consultation
The Hon Burchell Whiteman, M.P.
Minister of Education, Youth &
Culture
Chairman
Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO
Opening remarks
Professor Clive Thomas
Director
Institute of Development Studies
Guyana.
Mrs. Drs. Kloof - Monsels
Lecturer
Faculty of Social Sciences
Anton de Kom Universiteit
Suriname
Mr. Simon Clarke
UNESCO Representative
Kingston
The MOST Programme
Mr. Paul de Guchteneire
Division of Social Sciences, Research and Policy
UNESCO , Paris
Agenda
Monday, February 24, 1997
Session 1
9:00-9:45am.
Session 2
10:20-10:50am.
Key note address
Professor the Hon. Rex Nettleford
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of the West Indies
Mona
10:50-1:00pm.
Presentation and Discussion
Theme 1: Multi-culturalism and multi-ethnicity
in the Caribbean Region
Presented by Dr. Ralph Premdas
Reader in Public Policy,
Department of Government,
University of the West Indies,
St. Augustine
1:00-2:30pm.
2:30-3:30pm.
Presentation and Discussion
Theme 2: Cities as arenas of accelerated
social transformation in the
Caribbean Region
Presented by Dr. Reynold Simons
Director
Institute of Research and Development
Suriname
3:30-3:45pm.
3:45-4:30pm.
Tuesday, February 25, 1997
Session 3
9:00-10:30am.
Presentation and Discussion
Theme 3: Coping locally and regionally with economic
technological and environmental transformations.
Presenter: Professor Norman Girvan
Director,
Consortium Graduate School,
University of the West Indies, Mona
10:30-11:00am.
11:00am-1:00pm.
1:00-2:30pm.
Session 4
2:30-3:30pm.
Plenary Session & Discussion
Topic: Social Science infrastructure in the
region and on possible research projects and future cooperation
Moderator: Professor Clive Thomas
Director
Institute of Development Studies
University of Guyana
3:30-3:45pm
3:45-4:30pm
Wednesday, February 26, 1997
10:00am-1:00pm
|
|
