THE INTEGRATION MOVEMENT THE EVOLUTION OF THE INTEGRATION

THE INTEGRATION MOVEMENT THE EVOLUTION OF THE INTEGRATION MOVEMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN

CARIBBEAN INTEGRATION • https: //www. uwitv. org/panl/future-caribbean-2015 -young-thinkerscaribbean-integration

TITLE AND CONTENT LAYOUT WITH CHART • https: //vimeo. com/64073291

REGIONAL INTEGRATION • CARIBBEAN REGIONAL INTEGRATION SUMMARY DOCUMENT Matthew Bishop and Norman Girvan matthew. bishop@sta. uwi. edu norman. girvan@sta. uwi. edu • First, there is a widespread perception that the regional integration process in general, and CARICOM in particular, are in something of a state of crisis. Most people are deeply pessimistic about the future of integration as it is presently composed. • Second, despite this, there is an equally strong consensus that regional integration is something which is critical to the development of the Caribbean, and almost without exception regional stakeholders are committed to it. • the region faces a series of what we describe elsewhere as ‘existential threats’. These are characterised, most notably, by climate change, the decline of traditional development models and the huge debt burdens that many Caribbean countries are carrying, as well as the pernicious influence of transnational crime.

REGIONAL INTEGRATION • INTEGRATION: The coming together of different countries or parties to form one unit for the purpose of sharing, progress and development. • WHY INTEGRATION? A COMMON HISTORY • SIMILAR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS • COMMON CULTURES AND LANGUAGE/S • SIMILAR ECONOMIC STRUCTURES • In light of the above many Caribbean territories believe that it will be to their benefit to combine resources, facilities and ideas in order to find common solutions and strengthen the region.

EARLY ATTEMPTS OF INTEGRATION • Trinidad and Tobago- January 1 st, 1899, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines etc. (1800’s) • West Indies Cricket • Cricket was one of the earliest attempts of integration amongst the West Indies islands and arguably, the most successful. In 1886, the West Indies team toured the U. S. and Canada. In the 1920’s the West Indies played its first test match at Lord’s in England (few black players) • In 1928, the West Indies Cricket Board was granted test status by the International Cricket Council.

THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF WEST INDIES CRICKET • In the 1970’s and 1980’s the West Indies team dominated the cricket world and was responsible for instilling regional pride in the Caribbean. • Cricket has allowed the Caribbean to gain international recognition through hosting matches and its players • Cricket has been able to attract tourist to the region (Sports Tourism) • The host countries earn revenue from the various matches

CHALLENGES CRICKET PLAYERS FACE IN THE CARIBBEAN • Some nations argue that they are under-represented on the teams. • Disputes arise over the best nations to host the events. • The most talented players often decide to play for international clubs. • There are limited resources available to players; training facilities, financial support. • The West Indies Cricket Board and the players often dispute over salaries and selection.

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES • The University of the West Indies was established in 1948 as an external college of the University of London. It became fully independent in 1962, • There are currently 15 member countries of the University. • Traditionally, each campus had a specific focus based on the developmental needs of the region.

POSITIVE ASPECTS OF UWI • The institution has produced a number of leaders and scholars in the region. • The institution has fostered social ties amongst the student body e. g. marriages etc • Students from different countries are exposed to the various cultures across the Caribbean. • It facilitates inter-campus games and other academic activities. • It works closely with governments to meet the needs of the region’s human resource. • In 1974, UWI partnered with the German Organisation Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) to establish the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC).

CHALLENGES OF U. W. I. • Financial. The institution must ensure that fees are affordable and attract the best lecturers. • Competition. The university faces strong competition from universities abroad. • Decline in literacy skills among the potential student base.

THE WEST INDIAN FEDERATION • In 1958, an attempt was made for political and economic integration by the British Colonies. This institution was known as the West Indian Federation. • It was comprised of 10 countries: Antigua and Barbuda; Dominica; Grenada; Jamaica; Montserrat; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago. • The main leaders involved were: Dr. Eric Williams (T&T); Norman Manley (Jamaica); Grantly Adams (Barbados). These leaders searched for opportunities to unite the Caribbean.

THE FAILURE OF THE FEDERATION • The two largest British Colonies decided to not be members of the Federation, they were Honduras and Guyana. • The financial contributions of the member countries were insufficient to meet the needs of the organisation. • Jamaica and T&T argued about the financial burden they had to undertake in order to keep the union running. • There was a fear that unskilled workers from smaller islands would bombard the labour market of the larger ones. • There was rivalry and distrust among the members.

FAILURE OF THE FEDERATION • Jamaica decided to leave the Federation after a referendum was taken in their country. The Jamaican people voted to leave the Federation. • As a result of the withdrawal of Jamaica, Dr. Eric Williams declared: “One from ten leaves zero”. He later withdrew Trinidad and Tobago from the Federation. • The Federation was dissolved in 1962.

THE CARIBBEAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (CARIFTA) • In 1968, another attempt of economic integration was made and it took the form of CAFIFTA. • CARIFTA was an attempt to accomplish the following: Promote and expand trade amongst the member countries. • Diversify trade • Establish a free trade area. • • CARIFTA was considered a success because it eliminated many taxes and trade barriers; this resulted in a increase in trade among the members, thus they decided to expand the initiative in the form of CARICOM.

THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY AND COMMON MARKET (CARICOM) • In 1973, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica and Guyana were the first four countries to sign on to the agreement. In 1974 other countries became signatories; to date there are 15 full members of CARICOM. • The main aims of CARICOM are: Free Trade: Remove barriers to trade with one another whilst placing restrictions on countries outside the group. • Customs Union: All countries within the group agree on similar policies towards countries outside the group (Common External Tariff). • A Common Market: The free movement of capital and labour amongst member countries in addition to internal free trade and a common set of restrictions. • Economic Union: Common financial, economic, taxation and social policies •

CARICOM • As a result, there are many institutions establish under CARICOM, some of the include: • • • The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEM) The Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) The Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI) The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) The Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) CARICOM was expanded in 2006 to include the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

CSME • The main aim of CSME is to expand the economic integration of the region by allowing the freedom of movement of goods and labour. • CSME has allowed skilled workers to find employment in member countries; this has resulted in some countries losing skilled workers to other islands. • http: //caricom. org/work-areas/overview/caricom-single-marke-andeconomy

THE CARIBBEAN EXAMINATION COUNCIL • In 1972, the Caribbean Examination Council replaced the Britishinfluenced examination and curriculum. • There are currently 16 participating countries • The curriculum id divided in CESEC and CAPE

CHALLENGES OF CXC • Financial: Keeping the fees at an affordable rate for Caribbean students. • Relevance: Keeping the syllabus relevant to the needs of the Caribbean countries as well as the global environment. • Pleasing Everyone: It is often thought that Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana have too much power in the direction of the curriculum. • The Security of the exam.

REGIONAL SECURITY SYSTEM (RSS) • This institution was formed to address the security threats of the region. It was first established in 1982 • Military and police personnel are at the disposal of the countries of the member states. The main aims include: • • • Secure the region from illegal drugs and drug trafficking Search and Rescue Immigration control Pollution Control Preventing smuggling https: //www. state. gov/p/wha/rls/70686. htm

ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES • The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) was established on 24 July 1994 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. • The aims include: • • • Promoting consultation, cooperation and concerted action among all the countries of the Caribbean, comprising 25 Member States and three Associate Members. The strengthening of the regional co-operation and integration process, with a view to creating an enhanced economic space in the region; Preserving the environmental integrity of the Caribbean Sea which is regarded as the common patrimony of the peoples of the region; Promoting the sustainable development of the Greater Caribbean. http: //www. acs-aec. org/index. php? q=about-the-acs

THE ORGANISATION OF EASTERN CARIBBEAN STATES (OECS) • The OECS came into being on June 18 th 1981, when seven Eastern Caribbean countries signed a treaty agreeing to cooperate with each other and promote unity and solidarity among the Members. The Treaty became known as the Treaty of Basseterre, so named in honour of the capital city of St. Kitts and Nevis where it was signed. • The OECS is now a ten member grouping comprising the full Member States of Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines, with the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and Martinique as associate members of the OECS.

OECS • The Revised Treaty (2010) established a single financial and economic space within which goods, people and capital move freely, monetary and fiscal policies are harmonized and countries continue to adopt a common approach to trade, health, education and the environment, as well as to the development of such critical sectors as agriculture, tourism and energy. • http: //www. oecs. org/homepage/about-us

THE CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK • http: //www. caribank. org/about-cdb • The Agreement establishing the Caribbean Development Bank entered into force on January 26, 1970 • he functions of the Bank are as follows: • to assist the borrowing member countries to optimise the use of their resources, develop their economies and expand production and trade • to promote private and public investment, encourage the development of the financial upturn in the region and facilitate business activity and expansion

THE CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK • to mobilise financial resources from both within and outside the region for development • to provide technical assistance to its regional borrowing members • to support regional and local financial institutions and a regional market for credit and savings • to support and stimulate the development of capital markets in the region • Members of the CDB are either states and territories of the Caribbean region or non-regional states, which are members of the United Nations or any of its specialised agencies or of the International Atomic Energy Agency.