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Promoting efficient interaction between NatComs and UNESCO Field Offices
Special Initiative for the CaribbeanSPIC
Kingston Cluster Office for the Caribbean
• UNESCO Kingston Cluster Office covering 19 countries
• Total Staff: 16
• International Staff: 7
– Director
– Programme Specialists 5: Education, Natural Sciences, Culture, Communications and Information, Social and Human Sciences
– Financial and Administrative Officer (AO)
• National staff: 9
• UNCTs: 5 – Belize, Barbados and the OECS, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Suriname.
Snapshot of the Kingston Cluster Office
Special Initiative for the Caribbean
SPIC Programmatic Framework
UNESCO–CARICOM Memorandum of Understanding
Background
The UNESCO Special Initiative for the Caribbean represents the
Organization’s contribution to the United Nations Multi-
Country Sustainable Development Framework (UN MSDF) in
the Caribbean 2017-2021
The SPIC responds to the development imperatives in the
Caribbean sub-region as reflected in such frameworks as:
• Small Island Developing States - UNESCO’s Action Plan;
• UNESCO Operational Strategy on Youth 2014-2021;
UNESCO Strategy for Action on Climate Change; and
• The UN Multi-country Sustainable Development
Framework
Background
These frameworks provide the platforms for UNESCO
to focus the Special Initiative for the Caribbean on
two thematic priority areas, namely:
• Youth
• Natural Resource Management and Climate
Change
which are of major importance for sustainable
development in the Caribbean sub-region
Why is a Special Initiative Necessary?
• Offer a more focused, coherent and coordinated
support to national partners
• Sharper focus on common priorities, enhance
regional initiatives and collaboration, and enable
knowledge sharing
• Pool UNESCO’s sectors comparative advantages
within a single strategic framework that aligns with
and supports the overarching strategic goals of the
Caribbean’s governments and key stakeholders
• Have a better strategic positioning to leverage
resources within the region
Why is a Special Initiative Necessary ?
• Enhance the positioning and visibility of UNESCO
programs
• Deepen partnerships, maximize value and engage new
partners in tandem with SDG imperatives: regional
mechanisms, international development agencies,
academic and research institutions, think tanks, private
sector, others
• Capitalise UN mechanisms: Caribbean Multi-Country
Sustainable Development Framework, UNDAF, other
• Mobilise Resources
Why is a Special Initiative Necessary?
• Support Regional Priorities, among others:
• Relevance of expanding access and improving
quality education and learning outcomes for all
to achieve sustainable development
• Vulnerability of Caribbean SIDS to exogenous
shocks
• SIDS anticipated amongst earliest and most
impacted by effects of climate change
• Highest level of youth unemployment:
developing skills for employment, decent work
and entrepreneurship
Priority area 1:
An inclusive, equitable and prosperous Caribbean
Access to quality education and life-long learning increased, for enhanced employability and decent and sustainable economic development.
Access to equitable social protection systems, quality services improved.
Priority 3
A healthy Caribbean
Universal Access to quality health care services and systems improved.
Laws, policies and systems introduced to support healthy lifestyles among all segments of the population.
Priority 4
A sustainable and resilient Caribbean
Policies and programs for climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and universal access to clean and sustainable energy in place.
Inclusive and sustainable solutions adopted for the conservation, restoration and use of ecosystems and natural resources.
Priority area 2:
A safe cohesive and just Caribbean
Capacities of public policy and rule of law institutions and civil society organizations strengthened.
Equitable access to justice, protection, citizen security and safety reinforced
UN MSDF Priorities
• Component 1 : Youth empowerment via green, creative and knowledge-based economy skills
– Skills training and youth empowerment– Mobilizing Youth for Information Technologies and Communication– Youth engagement in the preservation of heritage and promotion of the creative
industries
• Component 2: Climate Change and Natural Resource Initiatives
- Enhancing SIDS resilience and the sustainability of human interactions with ecological, freshwater and ocean systems
- Strengthening resilience to climate change through protection and safeguarding of cultural and natural heritage
- Climate Change Education
- Climate Change Communication
UNESCO Special Initiative for the Caribbean - Priorities
Geographical Scope : The Caribbean (English and Dutch speaking countries)
• Focus Initiatives for Sustainable Development in Caribbean SIDS
Total Funding Required US$1,530,000.00
Donor Funds to be mobilized US$695,000 ;
UNESCO RP US$835,000
Partner Institutions UNFPA , UNDP, ILO,UNEP, CARICOM, OECS; UNISDR
Implementing Partners UWI, UNESCO National Commissions; CARIMAC, NGO’s; Commonwealth of Learning
Potential Donors EU; CDB; IDB; World Bank; UNESCO/Donor Funds in trust
UNESCO Program Links 37 C/4 (Medium Term Strategy (2014-2021)
39 C/5 program and budget (2018-2019)
UNESCO and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
UNESCO Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) Action Plan and Implementation Strategy
UN Global Framework UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework for the Caribbean (2017-2021);
Kyoto protocol;
UN Framework Convention on Climate;
Education 2030: Incheon Declaration and Framework for Action;
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action [S.A.M.O.A.] Pathway;
COP 21 Action Plan;
Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-30
Beneficiaries: Caribbean SIDS, Government Ministers, Youth, Experts and Teachers.
Implementation 2018-2021
UNESCO Special Initiative for the Caribbean at a Glance
Special Initiative for the Caribbean (SPIC)
Consultative Meeting of the National Commissions for UNESCO
in the Caribbean
Background
The comprehensive review of UNESCO’s cooperation with
National Commissions conducted in 2011 and the
subsequent follow-up action generated momentum and
commitment to strengthen this longstanding cooperation
The Action Plan makes several recommendations, notably,
that UNESCO should better manage the knowledge
generated by the National Commissions and that the
National Commissions should regularly report on their
concrete actions and major achievements, and that they
should endeavor to share and promote best practices
among themselves.
Background
Especially in countries where UNESCO is non-resident
agency, National Commissions serve as important bodies for
liaison, advice, information and programme
implementation.
Through their direct links to government and close contacts
with academia and civil society networks, they contribute to
the achievement of UNESCO’s objectives regarding
programme delivery, partnerships with civil society and
visibility at national, sub-regional and regional levels.
This is of particular importance for the implementation of
the SPIC.
Major Objectives
A technical consultation meeting was organized aiming at Strengthening of collaboration between the Cluster Office for
the Caribbean and the National Commissions for UNESCO. Attaining a comprehensive view on key priorities and focus areas
of opportunities based on UNESCO’s Special Initiative for the Caribbean (SPIC).
Identifying joint strategies and actions with a view of enhancing the contribution of National Commissions for UNESCO in achieving the objectives of the Special Initiative for the Caribbean (SPIC).
Adopting shared views on key issues related to UNESCO´s fields of competence involving the Caribbean region in light of the 39th General Conference, Paris, France, 30 October – 14 November 2017.
Outcomes
Sixteen (16) Caribbean territories represented by the Secretaries
General from UNESCO National Commissions in the Caribbean:
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, British Virgin Islands, The
Bahamas, Curacao, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St.
Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Sint Maarten, St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago
Youth and Climate Change were the priority themes debated at
the launch of the Special Initiative of the Caribbean (SPIC).
As a result, it was agreed that the SPIC should be the foundation
for programmes and projects delivered by the UNESCO Kingston
Cluster ffice for the next four years.
Outcomes
Sixteen (16) Caribbean territories represented by the Secretaries General from UNESCO National Commissions in the Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, British Virgin Islands, The Bahamas, Curacao, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Sint Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago
Youth and Climate Change were the priority themes debated and agreed as the foundation for programme delivery in the next four years cycle.
National Commissions are a critical partner in the implementation of this initiative. This is especially so given the absence of a UNCT in some Caribbean countries and where UNESCO does not have a physical presence.
Specific Outcomes
The role of NatComs as a focal point to Governments, as a
reference in assessing developments in their respective
countries as repository of information relating to local
sensitivities make them an invaluable partner.
National Commissions play an important role in strengthening
key partnerships with Government, civil society, the private
sector, UN agencies and other development partner to
effectively support results of the SPIC.
Support of National Commissions for resource mobilization is be
essential, particularly in forging Public/ Private Sector
partnerships necessary to raise the profile of UNESCO in
individual countries.
Outcomes
This is essential particularly considering that all Caribbean
countries, with the exception of Haiti, are classified by the World
Bank as having either high or middle income status. Therefore,
official development assistance financing for middle-income
countries is declining and Caribbean Governments must create
enough fiscal space to expand social investment.
Alignment of projects or action plans submitted under the
Participation Programme to the priorities of the Special Initiative
for the Caribbean in line with national policies.
Advocacy and visibility of UNESCO´s actions and activities is
essential
Thank You !