“FOR WANT OF A NAIL”

In the Communique of the 2005 Commonwealth People’s Forum, it was boldly stated that:

“We are the first generation in human history with the resources to eradicate poverty globally”

We believe that poverty denies the right to live in dignity, and is the result of unequal and unjust power relationships among and within countries, communities and families.

We consider it a moral and political challenge to live in a world where 50,000 people die every day from poverty related causes, where more than a billion people live in poverty, and an estimated 8,000 people die of HIV/AIDS every day. The eradication of poverty means meeting the challenges of the debilitating cycle of the debt trap, trade justice, insufficient aid, lack of aid accountability and effectiveness, failing governance and conflict over natural resources and ideologies.

The agenda for growth and sustainable development must pay attention to cultural diversity, pluralism, gender equity and tolerance, in order to ensure social and political stability, democratic governance, economic growth, human security and peace.

Civil society representatives have both lived and worked in situations of poverty and have implemented programmes for sustainable development, with particular attention to the needs of women, people with disabilities, excluded and marginalised people.

We have recognised ourselves to be a link in the development chain, a strand in a fleece of wool, non state actors in an urgent problem that is not willing to leave because it is fed a constant diet from, for example, the negative impact of globalisation and trade liberalisation policies.

It seemed as though our message was not sufficiently loud and clear to get the attention of other actors until Commonwealth Foundation Chairman, Professor Guido de Marco defined it during the CPF 2005 process. He said “the poverty curtain must be lifted”

It is with that urgency for significant sectors of our populations not to be smothered that civil society is unwavering in its call for action in the following critical areas:

 The special situation of small island developing states and small states which are not economically disadvantaged but are prone to natural disasters

 The special needs of certain marginalized groups, such as slum dwellers, indigenous peoples and the aged, who continue to be overlooked and neglected

 Inadequate human and financial resources for programmes on HIV/AIDS Intervention/Prevention at all levels including at the community level

 Promotion of women’s rights, sexual and reproductive health, women’s leadership, participation of women in the process of governance, and development of increased budget allocations for these purposes

 Creation of opportunities for young people to be involved in all levels of decision-making that affect their lives including issues of health and sexuality, and health education including HIV/AIDS

 Access of all sectors of the population to public services such as water, sanitation, electricity, education and health care

Nothing I have said is new to Civil Society/NGO representatives here, neither is it to government officials. Why then is the Poverty Curtain, clinging, cloying, choking instead of lifting? I think it’s the inattention to the little things that will deny the sustainable development citizens are looking for and I am reminded of a very familiar nursery rhyme: For the want of a nail

The shoe was lost

For want of a shoe

The horse was lost

For want of a horse

The rider was lost

For want of a rider

The battle was lost

For want of a battle

The kingdom was lost

And all for the want of a horse, shoe, nail

With regard to the Millennium Development Goals, “Breaking with Business as Usual” as called for by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan means ceasing to ignore what may seem “trivial” as the needs of crying/hurting populations may seem trivial in the eyes of policy makers. They are the “nail” engine of development, yet they are starved and dying of malnutrition. Neglecting them will lead to greater losses as the rising levels of crime, violence and the HIV/AIDS epidemic is showing us.

Within this context, there is HOPE…….., and I finally come to the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) network. The scenario I have outlined, underscores our “reason to be”. In our individual networks and community based organizations, we too, are the “nail”. Our commitment must be unwavering.

Through our networks, the voice of Civil Society has a wider reach, and we use that voice to urge those seemingly trivial matters be examined closely, because something of great importance, sustainable development – depends on it.

Over the past two years, the CPDC Board has overseen the implementation of major programmes which will be detailed in the programme reports. These include research around globalisation and trade liberalisation; engaging CARICOM and the Regional Negotiating Machinery; monitoring the implementation of the SIDS Plan of Action; the Millennium Development Goals; Women in Politics and Decision-Making; Capacity Building - focusing on Advocacy, Disaster Preparedness, NGO Management, Project Management, and Fund Raising – essential areas for the sustainability and effectiveness of our organisations. Add to this the critical work being done in your sectors, on which you will also report.

Functioning in the CPDC network whether at Board, membership or staff level is no light matter. Chris, Cecelia, Richard, Shantal, Cheryl and Ashley constantly multi-task – just as we are all doing at the level of the Board and in our own networks. It is incumbent on us to celebrate the skills, talent and creativity of the people of our region - to find ways to sustain our work – Everyone has the right to a more abundant life, peace, security and decent work. When the poor cry out, let it not be because we failed to supply the nail; and when they celebrate needs fulfiled, let it be because we became the nail.

Nelcia Robinson

Chairperson

CPDC

July 21, 2006