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MULTIDIMENSIONAL APPROACHES
TO POVERTY ERADICATION IN THE
EASTERN CARRIBBEAN PROJECT
REPORT ON THE MEETING OF THE
PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE
24 JANUARY 2017
BAY GARDENS HOTEL, ST. LUCIA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Background of the Meeting 3
Summary of Key Discussion Points 5
Summary of Action Items 17
Conclusion 13
Appendix I – List of Participants 15
Appendix II – Meeting Agenda 17
Appendix III – Technical Meeting Minutes 18
Appendix IV – Annual Work Plan 2017 22
Appendix V – Report on 2016 Annual Work Plan 23
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BACKGROUND OF THE MEETING
With financial and technical support from the Government of Chile and the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Multidimensional
Approaches to Poverty Reduction in the Eastern Caribbean Project (MDAPP) seeks
to synthesize the linkages between the utilisation of innovative research
methodologies to obtain an experiential understanding of poverty, the
strengthening of social protection mechanisms and human development
capacities, and the placing of emphasis on community based poverty reduction
programmes.
This Project reflects the shared developmental goals of UNDP and the
Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). It corresponds to the third
outcome of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF)
which speaks to social protection and poverty reduction with a focus on
vulnerable groups.
The main project outputs are threefold. Firstly, the development of community
based capacity by training personnel to increase the economic participation of
marginalized groups. Secondly, the creation of community based advocacy
arrangements to promote inclusion of vulnerable groups in community, national
and sub-regional decision-making fora. Thirdly, the development of evidence-
based qualitative data collection tools and the conduct of poverty focused
qualitative research exercises completed at the community level to support
national and sub-regional poverty reduction programmes and initiatives.
The success of the Project is grounded in the active and participatory support of
‘in-country’ partners who facilitate the implementation of the Project with
support from UNDP Barbados and the OECS Sub regional Office and the OECS
Commission. Day-to-day project execution is the responsibility of the UNDP
Project Coordinator. The overall strategic guidance and execution of the Project
is provided by a Project Board/Steering Committee which comprises Permanent
Secretaries from the participating project member states.
The last Project Steering Committee meeting was held in Barbados in May 2016.
This meeting which was held on 24th January, 2017, at the Bay Gardens Hotel,
St. Lucia represents the third gathering of the Project Steering Committee. The
main objectives of the meeting were:
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1. To report to the Project Steering Committee and National Focal Points on
the Annual Work Plan (AWP) of 2016 and apprise them of the status of the
project.
2. To present the Annual Work Plan, 2017 for approval; and
3. To discuss the role of Focal Points in the implementation of AWP 2017.
The project term comes to an end in December 2017.
This Report documents the main discussion points and the progress of the
Project Steering Committee in achieving those objectives. It also provides a
concise summary of the action items to be undertaken following the meeting.
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SUMMARY OF KEY DISCUSSION POINTS
Chair Persons:
Dr. Didacus Jules
Director General, OECS Commission
And
Mr. Steve O’Malley
Resident Coordinator, UNDP Barbados and the OECS
Persons Present:
Representatives from Antigua and Barbuda; Commonwealth of Dominica;
Grenada; Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines1.
Agenda item: Welcome and Introductions
The meeting was called to order at around 9:20 a.m. by Dr. Xavier who handed
over to the Chair persons. Dr. Jules took the lead chair role and proceeded with
welcome and introductions. He informed that the operation and management of
the project is a fundamental approach to the work at the OECS Commission.
The Commission seeks to build collaboration at all levels in member states, and
in that respect plays the role of facilitator. The type of collaborative response
among Health Ministers facilitated following the Ebola outbreak in West Africa;
that of and Chief Health Officer of member states following the Zika outbreak; as
well as that of the Agriculture Officers, were examples cited to encourage a
collaborative approach among Social Development and Social Policy staff in
member states. These collaborations were sustained using video conferencing,
and WhatsApp group chat for sharing regular updates and hosting weekly
meetings. Dr. Jules advised that this approach should be taken by the Project
Board of Permanent Secretaries and Focal Points gathered to facilitate the
adoption of the multi-dimensional approach to poverty eradication.
Dr. Jules noted how other sectors realized success by building partnerships with
the private sector and the steering of relations with donor agencies towards
regional goals. He further informed attendees that the MDAPP project is another
1 See List of Participants in Appendix I on page 15.
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modality to have a say, share expertise across islands and promote seamless
collaboration to advance the poverty reduction and eradication agenda of the
OECS Commission and member states.
Steve O’Malley, UN Resident Coordinator for UNDP OECS and Barbados
introduced himself and informed that he was happy to extend support to the
OECS Commission and Member States and that he is looking forward to an
active year.
Mr. Eugenio Poessel (Head, Department for Horizontal Cooperation of Chile’s
AGCID2) expressed that it was an honour being present and thanked the OECS
for the invitation. Mr. Poessel congratulated the OECS on achievements to date
and reminded the attendees of the Chilean approach to South-South
Cooperation. Chile he informs, remains committed to providing support to
countries in the areas of Social Development, Climate Change Adaptation,
Agriculture and Food Security and Technical support for Institutional
Strengthening.
He shared a little on the experience of working with Guyana on climate change
adaptation initiatives. He concluded with a reminder to attendees that there is a
lot of work to be done together.
The attendees took turns introducing themselves, stated their administrative
posts and country of origin.
Adoption of the Agenda
Following introductions, Dr. Xavier asked to move for the adoption of the agenda.
PS Prevost of Dominica motioned to adopt and was seconded by Ms. La Fleur
Quammie-Harry of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Annual Work Plan 2016
Dr. Xavier presented the report on the 2016 Annual Work Plan. The presentation
delved briefly into the project’s initiation in 2015 as well as the rationale. Dr.
Xavier explained that the idea behind the project is to advance the work in
poverty reduction measurement and the design of approaches to halt its
persistence by moving beyond the focus on income to improve well-being. The
project’s approach aims to assist with understanding poverty and well-being in
a broad and holistic way by adopting a multidimensional approach.
2 Chilean Agency for International Cooperation and Development
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Dr. Xavier shared the main achievements for 2016 including the conduct of the
Gap Analysis and the study Tour to Chile. Additionally, there was the selection
of consultants for the training and advocacy activities. Committee members
would have the opportunity to meet with the consultants later at the Technical
Meeting. However, the Project Coordinator indicated that several of the other
planned activities were not realized. She pointed to some of the main challenges
which accounted for this including: the absence of a Project Director, delays in
procurement and financial processes, and limited financial resources vis-à-vis
project scope.
Some of the strategies employed for addressing these challenges included the
merging of related activities under the same output and the move to UNDP
procurement procedures. In the case of the latter, the impact was clearly
demonstrated as the amount of time needed for procurement of a consulting firm
reduced from 114 days under OECS procedures to 49 days utilizing UNDP
procedures.
The report also provided a financial update on the project. Whereas 1.7 % of the
budget was spent in 2015, expenditure in 2016 amounted to about 25% which
means about 73% of the budget is expected to be spent on the project’s main
activities.
The report on 2016 concluded with a recommendation by Dr. Xavier for more
strategic (realistic) planning and conceptualization of projects that would involve
prior assessments of the key components of the projects, namely budget,
staffing, scope, context and timelines.
Q&A
Some of the questions posed included:
1. Why is there a separate research component for the Advocacy
consultancy?
2. How will the project manage existing and emerging vulnerabilities in
communities selected?
3. How does the MDAPP work relate to that of LSMC (Living Standard
Measurement Committee) and NAT (National Assessment Teams) that
work with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), as well as efforts to
institutionalise the Poverty Assessments?
4. How will the MDAPP and the Enhanced Country Poverty Assessment CDB
project be harmonized?
5. How to work with the different donors in the space? For example, the World
Bank, UNICEF (additional MICs to be conducted), CDB, USAID etc.
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Attendees provided updates on the different social protection initiatives in their
respective countries. These include:
Social Protection Reform in Grenada, St. Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda
The Antigua case was explained. It involves requisite legislative reform.
SVG, Dominica, Grenada and Antigua are working with the World Bank.
The Juvenile Justice Project was also noted as a relevant, parallel
initiative.
Attendees referred to lessons from the Chile model that could be used as
reforms move forward.
The ECPA representative informed that they are working on a framework
for collaboration with MDAPP.
Background information was provided by the UNDP representative (Ms.
Adjodha), on efforts towards adopting the multidimensional approach in
the sub region, to date. The work is informed by that of the OPHI3. Regional
efforts include the work of the LSMSC to calculate MPI using Labour Force
Surveys, Household Budgetary Surveys etc.
Dr. Jules challenged the group to respond to the question: Why are we doing this
project? Is it because the funds are available? Dr. Jules noted that Antigua offers
a programmatic framework that the other states could learn from. This issue of
social protection, he noted has an impact on the movement of people. Improved
social protection within the sub region is important to facilitate a progressive
movement of people. Therefore, collaboration at this level is critical. We are
therefore taking on this project to start with a redefinition of what is poverty.
Additionally, the CDB is reviewing its approach to Country Poverty Assessments
with the Enhanced Country Poverty Assessment Project (ECPA). He questioned
the existence of two similar projects and advised against moving forward in silos.
Members of the ECPA team were advised to ensure convergence of initiatives
with or without the concurrence of the CDB. The OECS head and the UN will
intervene to ensure the collaboration occurs, and that lessons from the MDAPP
are infused in the CDB’s ECPA. The aim is not for a mere overlap, but to insist
that the multi-dimensional approach is adopted.
According to Dr. Jules, to adopt the multi-dimensional approach in both
qualitative and quantitative assessments it is not necessary to go to the CDB
board. We need also to think of how we are going to put this work to use. He
informed that the CPA has a 2.7-million-dollar budget. It is time to think of how
to collaborate irrespective of the implications for redesigning both MDAPP and
3 Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative
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ECPA. The aim is ensuring efficient use of resources. Additionally, we need to be
in control of resources when donors approach us.
Feedback from Project Countries on Chile Study Tour
The Project Assistant, Juliana Foster shared with the committee some of the
main lessons and recommendations emanating from the national reports on the
Chile Study Tour. Some of the critical lessons include Chile’s efforts to legislate
its social policy initiatives, targeting families as opposed to an individual and the
importance of the psychosocial approach to supporting families in need.
2017 Work Plan
Dr. Xavier moved to the next agenda item- Presentation of the 2017 Annual Work
Plan. She informed that the main activities to be undertaken in 2017 were
community-based training for enhanced economic inclusion, support to
community groups, design and implementation of Advocacy and IEC strategies
and the development and use of a qualitative multidimensional poverty tool.
The Way Forward- 2017 Work Plan
Dr. Xavier explained that the main objective in 2017 is to leave the beneficiary
countries with one research tool to continue on with multi-dimensional poverty
assessment. Efforts have to be made to collaborate with the ECPA to avoid a
situation where persons on the ground are trained in a CPA tool as well as a tool
from MDAPP, and are confused about which one to use.
She also highlighted the need to address critical quality assurance matters and
invited members to reflect upon and share any concerns for emerging risks, the
appropriate actions for risk mitigation and sustainability arrangements, (that is,
the transition and phasing out).
Consideration was given to the opportunity for obtaining direct support from
Chile with getting the tool developed and have it Caribbeanised. UNDP Resident
Coordinator advised on sending requests early if expert assistance is needed.
In the likelihood that bids for this consultancy are received from persons outside
the region, these are likely to be more expensive. At the same time there is a
risk that it may be difficult to find Caribbean experts who are truly skilled in
conducting Participatory Action Research as opposed to mere focus groups and
interviews (general qualitative research).
Some clarification was sought on the role of Permanent Secretaries and Focal
Points in the upcoming consultancies. It was noted that they are expected to
link the consultants with communities, introduce them to gate keepers and other
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resource persons or groups. It is also their role to demand the quality of work
needed.
Concern was expressed over the capacity building effect of the research whereby
the community approach leaves technical staff with the mobilising role and not
an opportunity to receive training as well. Suggestions were given on how to
navigate this situation. Dr. Xavier responded that there is also a need to avoid a
conflict of interest where public servants are paid extra to undertake community-
related work, whereas there may be community persons in need of such
opportunities. Focal Points also highlighted the challenge in getting men to
participate in such initiatives.
Ms. Adjodha informed that the idea is to replace the PPA. It is important to
engage persons targeted by qualitative assessments in problem solving, so that
problem solving becomes part of a way of life. The aim is to give people
information that they can feed back to the Government and facilitate
decentralization of governance. It is the beginning of a deep process of promoting
well-being beyond income.
Dr. Jules noted that Ms. Adjodha articulated the philosophical intent. The
concern here is that there is a gap- we must ask how realistic is this? This type
of idealism can be attributed to the work of Amartya Sen. We need to remember
that people look to Government rather than to doing for themselves. This poses
a challenge for the methodology and for that, full communication and outreach
for full effect is needed.
Ms. Adjodha noted that we may not get where we want to, but it is an important
approach. In light of the awareness that the philosophy may get lost along the
way, the sub region must commit to building it over time. We need more
Government support in the beginning, but it may happen over time.
Ms. Adjodha noted that the quantitative component- the MPI, has been
addressed with the work done through the Living Standards Measurement
Committee. The need is for a qualitative complement. The idea is to review and
make a decision about integration with the CPA.
Dr. Xavier added that collaboration is needed with the development of the tool,
for example there may be a need for more funding, to allow for the tool to be
tested in additional communities.
Dr. Jules stressed that a unified approach is needed since both projects have
financial limitations and therefore a road map to move forward is needed. He
recommended a methodological workshop with technical persons from all three
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projects to review the entire approach. Agreement is needed on how to reshape
the two projects into one unified effort. He further informed that Mr. O’Malley
and himself will talk to the CDB parties and communicate to them that it is in
their best interest to move towards converged methodologies. The strong
quantitative component that is already in place now needs a solid qualitative
multidimensional component.
The ECPA representative informed that the CDB now has persons in the field
looking into an approach with the qualitative tool. She further extended the CDB
support to the harmonized approach.
Dr. Jules stressed that collaboration is practical. He noted that the CDB
personnel are already in the field alone. He advised that we in the sub-region
cannot allow agencies to define multiple scope for the same problem.
Mr. O’Malley encouraged parties to return with a quality road map, and to note
that support will be granted from the heads when challenges emerge. Dr. Xavier
agreed to have this meeting held by February 7.
The OECS Director General suggested a Meeting of Ministers of Social
Development; communication of work with UN and member states to create a
solid agenda for social protection in the OECS. This has implications for
movement of people. He recommended adopting clear policy prescriptions and
programmes aligned to the objectives of the SDGs.
Motion to adopt AWP 2017- Director Almira Henry moved to adopt and was
seconded by Brandon Antoine of St. Lucia.
The Chilean representative was invited to share last comments. He reminded the
group that Chile is promoting South-South cooperation. He appreciated the deep
discussion of the project and is open to share experiences in social protection
and social policy.
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SUMMARY OF ACTION ITEMS
Report on 2016 Annual Work Plan
1. There is significant appreciation for the project and the reports on the
status. Committee members are eager to support the upcoming activities
and have pledged their commitment.
2. There was recognition of a range of external parties engaged in the region’s
poverty initiative such as the WB, CDB, UN and OECS. It was agreed that
it is important to steer these processes with donors.
3. There is need for harmonization and strategic collaboration between the
MDAPP and the ECPA. UNDP is fully willing to provide support. The way
forward involves deciding on how to merge the work plans of both projects.
4. Projects are heavily reliant on Focal Points so the project should move
ahead in working with Focal Teams.
5. Need for a fourth meeting of the Ministers of Social Development. The
option of virtual meeting with more technical persons should be explored.
Chile’s representative stressed that Chile is not a donor but rather a partner
facilitating South-South cooperation. Chile stands ready to provide more
technical support. The suggestion moving forward is to identify areas for
collaboration with Chile with implementing recommendations coming out of
the Study Tour Reports and with the various activities to be conducted in
2017.
2017 Annual Work Plan- The way forward
Research includes PAR to inform development of qualitative research tool
for MDP assessment.
Support from Focal Points for mobilization and access to local resources;
Incubator labs will be hosted. These are short term intense activities to
provide opportunity for training. Inclusion of mentors to sustain training
after;
Advocacy material will be developed to provide support to community
groups;
A final board meeting will be held before the end of the year when the
project closes;
Time-lines: IEC ends in June, Training for increased economic inclusion
in August, development of qualitative tool and research to end by start of
last quarter.
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Other key issues:
1. Development of a road map for collaboration with CDB and other
stakeholders
2. More permanent dialogue with all parties involved
3. Meeting of Ministers forum to be held
4. Be mindful of work of LSMC and financial issues
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CONCLUSION
The objectives of the meeting were met. The Project Board Members, Focal Points
and Project Management have to ensure quality control as activities are
implemented throughout 2017. This is important if the project is to deliver on its
projected outputs. The OECS Commission remains committed to promoting
harmonization of social protection initiatives through increased sharing of
technical know-how among member states to support adoption of the multi-
dimensional approach to poverty reduction and for alignment of poverty
initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP and Chile also stand
ready and willing to provide technical support.
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APPENDIX I – LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Country/Agency Name Job Title
Antigua and
Barbuda
1. Ms. Valerie Smith
PS, Ministry of Social
Transformation and Human
Resource Development,
Antigua and Barbuda
2. Ms. Almira Henry Director of Social Policy,
Research and Planning,
Chile 3. Mr. Eugenio Poëssel
Head, Department for
Horizontal Cooperation of
Chile’s AGCID
Commonwealth
of Dominica
4. Ms. Careen Prevost
PS, Ministry of of Social
Services, Family and
Gender Affairs, Dominica
5. Dr. Kyra Paul Social Planner
Grenada 6. Ms. Lima Cooper-
Frederick
Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Social
Development and Housing
7. Ms. Jicinta Alexis Gender Analyst, Ministry of
Social Development and
Housing
Saint Lucia 8. Mr. Brandon Antoine
M&E Officer, St. Lucia
Social Development Fund-
9. Mrs. Lavorne Verdant-
Desir
Research Officer, Ministry of
Equity, Social Justice and
Empowerment
10. Mr. Imran Williams
Programmes Manager, St.
Lucia Social Development
Fund,
11. Ms. Mary Wilfred Program Development
Officer Department of Youth
and Sports,
12. Ms. Tanzia Toussaint
Assistant Director, Ministry
of Equity, Social Justice and
Empowerment
Saint Vincent
and the
Grenadines
13. Mrs. La Fleur Quammie-
Harry
M&E Officer, Ministry of
National Mobilization and
Social Development
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Country/Agency Name Job Title
OECS
Commission
14. Dr. Didacus Jules Director General, OECS
Commission
15. Ms. Lyndel Archibald Project Coordinator, JJRP
16. Ms. Gale Archibald Head, Research and
Statistics Unit
17. Ms. Geraldine St. Croix Project Coordinator, ECPA
18. Mrs. Juliana Foster
MDAPP Project Assistant
19. Ms. Beverly Best
OECS Development
Cooperation Unit
20. Ms. Sharon Jacob Administrative Assistant,
OECS SDU
UNDP 21. Mr. Steve O’Malley
UN Resident Coordinator
22. Dr. Julie Xavier
UNDP MDAPP Project
Coordinator
23. Ms. Cherise Adjodha
Project Coordinator, UNDP,
Statistical Capacity
Building
Absent were:
Director, Ministry of Social Development, St. Vincent and the Grenadines-
Merissa Finch-Burke
Permanent Secretary, St. Lucia- Mr. Donovan Williams
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APPENDIX II – MEETING AGENDA
MULTIDIMENSIONAL APPROACHES TO POVERTY ERADICATION IN THE
EASTERN CARIBBEAN PROJECT
MEETING OF THE PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE
January 24, 2017
Ixora Conference Room, Bay gardens Inn
Objectives:
4. To report to the Project Steering Committee and National Focal Points on the Annual
Work Plan (AWP) of 2016 and apprise them of the status of the project.
5. To present the Annual Work Plan, 2017 for approval; and
6. To discuss the role of Focal Points in the implementation of AWP 2017.
MEETING AGENDA
9:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
9:15 a.m. Adoption of Agenda and endorsement of meeting objectives
9:30 a.m. Report on Annual Work Plan, 2016
10:15 a.m. Discussion
10:45 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. Feedback from Project Countries on Chile Study Tour
11:30 a.m. Annual Work Plan, 2017
12:00 p.m. Discussion
12:30p.m. The Way Forward and Adjournment of PSC Meeting
1:00 p.m. Lunch
2:30 Technical Meeting for National Focal Points (to include briefing with
consultants for training and advocacy activities)
4:30 p.m. Adjournment
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APPENDIX III– TECHNICAL MEETING MINUTES
Following the lunch break, the main country representatives participated in the
technical meeting
Dr. Xavier invited attendees to comment on the lessons from Chile and share
ideas for adopting some of the recommendations.
St. Lucian representative noted how the Chilean model raised awareness
of the other dimensions of poverty. The use of the proxy means test to
determine income is the main tool in St. Lucia. Appreciated the
biopsychosocial tool used by Chile. Experience resulted in greater
awareness of the need for more collaboration with the other islands.
Antigua and Barbuda also noted Chilean model has support for all ages-
from the cradle to the grave. Recommended closer collaboration with local
government in Antigua, to apply lessons from Chile in that space.
The representative from St. Vincent and the Grenadines informed of
progress towards a social registry in the country. SVG needs an MIS. Mr.
Liverpool, one community leader who went to Chile on the study tour is
ready and constantly asks for project updates. She has recommended
adopting the single intake form approach. MOUs should be developed to
ensure collaboration and continuity. Additionally, it was noted that in
Chile, there was buy in of political powers, and that the requisite
legislation is needed in SVG.
Dominican representative noted opportunities for using Chile model as
they proceed with Social Protection Assessment with the assistance of the
WB. Support is needed to move towards an integrated social service
delivery system.
Another representative from St. Lucia questioned what will be different
with this project in light of the recommendations from previous projects
not being utilized in the past. Recommendations to revise Proxy Means
Test and align it with SDGs is one example.
Representative from Grenada shared the Grenadian experience with using
the MPI as a targeting tool. It is hoped that it could be used in designing
Grenada’s programmes. Also recommended was the family intervention
model- moving beyond targeting just the individual. Lessons from Chile
could be explored with the Grenada SEED programme.
Regarding the MDAPP activities for 2017, the definition of community
informing the project was questioned; further concern was expressed over
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achieving harmonization with other projects being implemented in the
sub-region at the moment.
The MDAPP Project Coordinator encouraged the attendees to recognize
their power in ensuring collaboration among all these projects and
directing them to where the gaps exist.
Mr. Pöessel reminded the country representatives that AGCID was available
to provide technical support in their efforts at implementing some of the
lessons learned in Chile.
Agenda item: Technical Meeting: Presentation from Consultants
Virgil Patrick and Nigel Mitchel of GBEST were present. Presentation was made
by Mr. Mitchel on the company’s plans to implement the training activities.
Key points:
GBEST undertook ground proofing exercises to assist with completion of
inception report. These exercises were undertaken in all the project
countries. In St. Lucia official permission is pending from the Ministry of
Social Development, but this will be received by the end of the week.
Community inception visits were conducted: Antigua- Potters, Urlings,
Liberta and Barbuda; Dominica -Bagatelle, Woodford Hill, Sineku and
Silver Lake; SVG- Rose Place, Diamond Village, Langley Park, Barrouallie
(2 meetings in Barbuda; Sineku hamlet in Carib community asked about
rest of Carib community being involved; Woodford Hill already has
development plan from involvement with CARILED project); Grenada- New
Hampshire/Vendomme, Mount Tout and Rose Hill.
National liaisons have been set up.
Noted some excellent synergies with pairing of Ministries.
Noted risk of consultation fatigue on the part of the clients.
The Grenadian representatives questioned the communities visited in Grenada.
Ms. Adjodha was concerned with apparent biases emerging from preliminary
community engagement. Cautioned against the use of the language being used
to describe situation in communities.
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Ethnic Vision connected to the meeting virtually. Danielle Toppin and Selwyn
Cambridge were present.
They provided a brief overview of their approach to the Advocacy and IEC
development. Ms. Toppin informed that they have reviewed the Gap Analysis. It
contains a lot of qualitative information so they are going to try to build on this.
Their approach is driven by the need to create rich data through story telling.
They will seek responses on challenges accessing social services, capture the
experiential side of accessing services. They intend to look into the use of the
term poverty in the different project countries.
Ethnic vision informed of their two pronged approach to economic
empowerment. They aim to build on existing research and work. They will go
deeper and present avenues for persons to tell their stories. The aim is to create
people driven data.
The approach to advocacy involves capturing stories and using social media to
communicate issues with access to social services. SMS etc. are some of the tools
to be used. They will use existing platforms to create a space for people to
unearth their own experience and identify drivers behind poverty. Mr. Selwyn
Cambridge informed that there was concern with engaging non English
speakers; as well as those who do not engage because of the stigma associated
with poverty. They are creating a mechanism so that research creates two-way
discussions. Technology will be used as a platform. The success with use of SMS
after the Haiti earthquake of 2010 was noted.
Grenadian PS expressed support for the approach to be taken by Ethnic Vision.
She likes the proposed use of social media, but is concerned that persons being
targeted may have cell phones but no data.
Ms. Paul of Dominica expressed concern that older persons still use creole
language so targeted advocacy is needed. Grenadian Representative advised on
use of TV and radio.
The Consultants took note of the concerns and assured the representatives that
they would adjust their approach accordingly. Ms. Toppin informed that agencies
become curators of the space, once the project ends.
La Fleur Quammie-Harry of SVG asked who is responsible for packaging of IEC
material and dissemination. Dr. Xavier informed that the consultants will
develop it but the Focal Points are expected to provide support in disseminating
it. Ms. Toppin informed that agencies will become curators of the space once the
project ends.
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APPENDIX IV – ANNUAL WORK PLAN 2017
Report can be found at link below:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bzay-vEDnfh9MVc1TWJOV1RZeTQ
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APPENDIX V – REPORT ON 2016 ANNUAL WORK PLAN
Report can be found at link below:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bzay-vEDnfh9MVc1TWJOV1RZeTQ