Jennifer Nunes, Contributor
THE ORGANISATION of American States (OAS) hosted a round table with civil society from OAS territories on 'Good Governance and Development in the Knowledge-Based Society' in Washington D.C., recently.
Resolutions from this event will help shape the course of a follow-up forum with foreign ministers in Santo Domingo in early June. There, 'Democratic Stability in the Americas: The Institutional Role of the OAS' will be explored.
The round table saw representatives from all 17 Latin American member states; two representatives from Canada, one from the United States, and a mere four from three of the 13 English-speaking CARICOM states; and two from Haiti. The Dominican Republic which straddles the CARICOM fence as an observer was absorbed in the 'Latin mix', and all matters were communicated primarily in Spanish and mainly about Spanish territories.
FEW REFERENCES TO CARIBBEAN
Throughout the proceedings there were a few references to the Caribbean, but the overall thrusts were Latin in focus and language. We must watch with great interest the level of future participation by representatives of the English-speaking Caribbean.
These representatives appear to be oblivious to, and are thus unwittingly supporting, the sidelining of CARICOM citizens and countries by the Spanish-speaking countries. This scenario is created and maintained through the lethargy and naiveté of some of our leaders.
The responsibility for participating at the highest levels must sit squarely on the shoulders of our representatives. And where is CARICOM in this? Could it be that with the secretariat so far south, they are virtually inaccessible?
The situation in Washington D.C. is not unusual, as many participants to these types of fora will confirm. In fact, this event was simply another example of how the marriage of convenience between Latin America and the Caribbean works only in favour of Latin ['machista'] America.
This LA & C alliance, coined solely for the convenience of international aid agencies and/or for ease of reference, seems to serve only to sap the flow of aid remittances and interest into the Caribbean.
Additionally, what this trend seems to be facilitating (which is once again only to the benefit of the Latins) is a quiet Latin invasion into the Caribbean.
Sadly, our leaders, again, seem totally unaware of this development. Bearing this development in mind, what becomes a critical issue throughout CARICOM is greater efficacy within our engines of governance and negotiations.
Focus on regional mechanics of change must be instituted in order to shield the citizenry and the territory while embracing global changes.
While we recognise that the recruitment and selection policies of some international businesses and agencies, from time to time, exclude Caribbean nationals, this writer is at a loss to understand the placement of a non-English-speaking person to head a regional company.
NOT VIGILANT, NATIONALISTIC
Take the case of the regional export agency, this agency is headed by a national of the Dominican Republic, an observer nation to CARICOM.
This Caribbean export company, which is supported by EU and regional funding, is headed by a Hispanic CEO who acted in the position for a period, while commuting from the Dominican Republic to Barbados. She was later confirmed (without a seemingly thorough search for a Caribbean English-speaking candidate).
Certainly, one would expect that to head such a concern one would need to be fluent in the language and being savvy in the necessary cultural and regional priorities and nuances.
This situation is also mirrored in the regional financial and business sector. It is the conclusion of the writer that Caribbean public and private sector leaders are not being as vigilant and nationalistic as their Latin American counterparts.
Those of us who are acquainted with or have lived in Latin America know intimately that none of these countries can boast having a significant percentage of Afro-Latins or Caribbean professionals, though many speak the language.
Today, these Latins are in pursuit of new ground, and what better place than the (passive) Caribbean?
It seems evident, therefore, that the Latins are quite astute at getting what they need for sustainable survival. We ought to be taking a page out of their book, as we develop a more discerning, protectionist stance.
It is clear that we need greater representation and a clear picture presented by Caribbean leaders and non-state actors of the visions, desires and goals of the region.
