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 !