Ibero-American and Caribbean Forum on Best Practices

REPORT OF MEETING OF THE THE NON-SPANISH SPEAKING CARIBBEAN SUB-REGIONAL NODE
IBERO-AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN FORUM ON BEST PRACTICES IN HUMAN SETTLEMENTS FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES
ST. AUGUSTINE, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

16 - 18 NOVEMBER, 1997

ORGANIZED BY:
THE GRADUATE PROGRAMME IN PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF SURVEYING & LAND INFORMATION, FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 BACKGROUND

2.0 CORE OBJECTIVES OF CARIBBEAN SUB-REGIONAL NODE

3.0 SECONDARY OBJECTIVES OF NODE

4.0 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

5.0 NETWORKING STRATEGIES

6.0 ACTIVITIES

7.0 SUSTAINABILITY

8.0 OTHER DECISIONS OF MEETING

9.0 ACCOUNTING

APPENDIX I REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS
APPENDIX II AGENDAS
APPENDIX III SPANISH TRANSLATION OF REPORT1.0

BACKGROUND

Following the first organizational meeting of the Ibero-American and Caribbean forum on best practices held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in May 1997, it was agreed that a series of sub-regional meetings would be held.

This meeting held in Trinidad and Tobago was co-hosted by the Graduate Programme in Planning and Development of the Faculty of Engineering, University of the West Indies and the Ministry of Housing and Settlements of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.

The meeting based on the output of the Rio meeting was supposed to:

Promote through existing networks the dissemination, evaluation and transfer of positive experiences related to the sustainability of the city from a social, economic and environmental perspective throughout the region, as well as to promote the participation of all actors involved in sustainable development.

Facilitate a network of organizations in the region dedicated to provide a framework for communication and coordination of programmes and activities underway in different countries.

Identify and support information, capacity-building and transfer initiatives of practices for improving social development and the living environment.

Identify and mobilize resources at the regional, national and local levels for transfer of initiatives and assist promoters of Best Practices to identify financial sources and procure funds.

Collaborate in the development of BLP activities through the dissemination of Best Practices knowledge, as well as in collection and evaluation programmes for Best Practices.

2.0 CORE OBJECTIVES OF CARIBBEAN SUB-REGIONAL NODE

To build a regional forum of Caribbean Islands and the mainland states of Belize and the Guyanas as a node within the Ibero-American and Caribbean forum on Best Practices (named CARIBEST).

To attain a sustainable and relevant Caribbean Forum including all sectors of society involved in human settlements in keeping with the objectives defined at the inaugural Rio Meeting of the Forum.

3.0 SECONDARY OBJECTIVES OF NODE

To forge links within the Ibero-American and Caribbean network as well as with other networks in the region, or relevant to the region such as the network of small island states (SIDSNET).

To establish bridges between existing national and regional fora and networks.

4.0 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

The meeting of members of the node will decide on the policy of the Caribbean regional network. Between such meetings, which should take place on an annual basis, a management committee will maintain the network operations through a secretariat. The committee will comprise of five members, recognizing the language groups, the wide geographical spread of the region and the major stake holders in civil society. This committee will work with thematic nodes, subregional nodes, national focal points. The coordinator of the secretariat will be one of the members of the management committee.

5.0 NETWORKING STRATEGIES

Strategies for networking put forward include:

Linkages with the whole range of institutions working in issues relevant to human settlements.

Build and service a database in Best Practices and other relevant practices in the region.

Use of Best Practices already adapted in the region from international Best Practices.

Use of local cable television, CANA, CBU -Caribbean newspapers to reach a wider audience.

Maintaining an appropriate server-computer and a repository of relevant information at the secretariat level.

Database of relevant organizations and individuals involved in human settlements

6.0 ACTIVITIES

Support weak NGOs and stake holders to document their experiences for the Dubai award and to participate in the regional network.

Provide information on sources of funding for the preparation, promotion and implementation of Best Practices.

Link Best Practices to existing complementary commemorative events e.g. Best World Habitat Day.

Hold (rotational) thematic meetings throughout the region to stimulate transfers - e.g. Housing and Land Access Processes, Sanitation.

Foster and maintain personal contacts of individuals involved in human settlements.

Support and foster realization of TCDC.

Work with UNCHS Caribbean Office and National Governments to (re)activate National Committees for Habitat and to participate in the Dubai Award Process.

Foster documentation of local best practices.

Build and maintain a Caribbean Forum Web site and newsletter.

7.0 SUSTAINABILITY

The network will seek support and recognition from a variety of sources to ensure that the function and activities can be carried out in a sustainable manner. Initial support has been offered for the following:

Cosponsor of Newsletter - Construction Resource & Development Centre.

Host Caribbean Forum Home page - Graduate Programme in Planning & Development, Faculty of Engineering, UWI.

Support Secretariat activities of Graduate Programme in Planning & Development, Faculty of Engineering, UWI - UWICED (UWI Centre for Environment and Development).

Initial support in hosting of meeting - Government of Trinidad & Tobago.

8.0 OTHER DECISIONS OF MEETING

The decisions taken are interim and will be verified after broader notification in the region and possibly at the next meeting.

The management committee will include:

Asad Mohammed - Graduate Programme in Planning and Development, UWI (secretariat/ member).

Stephen Hodges - Construction Resource & Development Centre (NGO member)

Cornelius Wilson - Aruba (non-English speaking member)

Oliver Georges (GovÕt of Dominica - Government member)

An attempt will be made to include the French speaking Caribbean.

3. The digital network will be linked to the Newsletter at CRDC (Construction Resource & Development Centre) and an issue to be published in three months will cover the output of this meeting and the Cali meeting.

4. The Caribbean node is to be represented in Cali by Asad Mohammed, Stephen Hodges and Cornelius Wilson with Angelique Balbosa-Philip (Secretariat) as an alternative.

5. The list of potential network members will be upgraded immediately following the meeting by submission of lists from participating agencies/ organizations.

6. The forum will hole a meeting within a year to conduct the business of the forum, preferably linked to a thematic meeting.

9.0 ACCOUNTING

Due to the late arrival of funds, Dr. Mohammed disbursed funds in US and TT dollars from his personal account to meet some upfront expenses. The following statement indicates budget items, expenditure and balances under each heading, and gives account of total balance.

Item Budget Expenses Balance

1. Per diem/ subsistence 9,000 3,600 5,400

2. Air Travel Support 3,000 1,960 1,040

3. Logistic & Adminstrative Costs 2,000 2,000 0

4. Establishment & Maintenance 1,500 1,500 0 of web page

5. Direct Expenses in Seminar
Materials 167.21
Translation 48.08
Refreshments 325.32
Logistic Support 641.03
Transportation 96.15

Sub-total 1,500 1,277.79 222.21