BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE St. Kitts chapter of the Organisation of American States (OAS) is undertaking a number of projects in 2009 geared towards promoting good governance and democracy.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, St. Kitts-Nevis OAS Representative Starett Greene reinforced the regional body’s commitment to promoting accountability and transparency in government.
According to the diplomat, the OAS would push for the government to sign the follow-up Mechanism for the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (MESICIC). He stated that by signing on this document the government would be demonstrating its seriousness to fighting corruption internally, in the private sector and among individuals.
“The ICIC was established so that OAS member states could work towards stamping out corruption by the implementation of the appropriate mechanisms. The MESICIC aims to ensure that member states have followed through on the terms of the Convention. Once the Federation signs onto this, we will be required to report on the steps we have taken to fulfil the mandates and conditions of the ICICC,” Greene said.
He added that the OAS would also be promoting the freedom of access to public information, as the regional body believed that transparency, accountability and integrity were tenets of the democratic process and democracy.
“The OAS believes that people should have access to information, providing that this information will not compromise or render vulnerable the national security interests of the Federation. Therefore, we are urging member states to become more transparent and more active in making information available to its citizens about what’s going on in government, decisions being made by the government and how these decisions will affect the rest of the populace,” Greene stressed.
The Representative also stated that work would soon begin on a compilation of a dossier outlining the areas of national security in which the Federation would require support. He noted that the formulation of this document would be done in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security and, once it was completed, it would be submitted to the relevant OAS sub-groupings for deliberation and execution of the proposed projects.
Additionally, Greene revealed that the success of the OAS’ collaboration with the national Early Childhood Development (ECD) Unit had motivated the organisation to consider extending its involvement beyond St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Due to the national progress made, the Federation has become a leader within the region for its ECD programme. With a view towards strengthening ECD at a sub-regional level, the OAS is considering the implementation of similar programmes within the rest of the OECS member states.”
