1. ORGANISATION OF EASTERN CARIBBEAN STATES OECS Social Protection Technical Committee Meeting 23 MARCH 2015 Presenter: Kim Clarke, Research Officer-Social Development Unit Report on the Implementation of the Recommendations from the First Council of Ministers Meeting

2. REC 1: OECS Commission to be the coordinating mechanism for knowledge sharing on Social Protection among Member States. Status: Implemented REC 2: Each Minister of social and human development would be a champion in their country. Status: Achieved through the participation of the Director, SSDD at the OECS Commission in taking matters for consideration to the OECS Commissioners and the Authority meetings.

3. REC 3: A 3-5 year Action Plan and Vision to be strengthened for the OECS Social Development and Protection Chapter and used to mobilize new partners Status: Developed REC 4: Ministerial support is essential in adopting an OECS framework that guides Member States Social Protection Policy and Framework in order to facilitate the development of Member States National Social Safety Net Programs Status: Ongoing through collaboration with the MSs

4. REC 5: MOU’s to be signed with agencies to ensure a commitment to holistic coordination and service delivery to beneficiaries across sectors. Status: On-going as required. REC 6: A Medium and Long- term action plan be adopted for implementation and new partners to be mobilized for the next 3-5 years OECS Growth and Development Strategy. Status: Ongoing

5. REC 7: The 2014-2015 draft work-plan of the Social Development Unit of the OECS Commission be endorsed Status: Completed REC 8: Enact OECS Model legislations – OECS Family Bills to ensure that stiff penalties are given to persons or institutions which violate the rights of the child Status: Bills related to Care and Protection, Child Justice Bills, have been enacted in 4 MSs

6. REC 9: Revision and adoption of an OECS Social Protection Framework Status: The draft OECS Safety Net Framework was adopted by the Council of Ministers at the first meeting REC 10: Financing be allocated for the Social Protection Reform process Status: Resources mobilized through an MOU with UNICEF Office for the Eastern Caribbean Area

7. REC 11: Adopt standard diversion model programs for the rehabilitation and administration of juvenile justice Status: Completed REC 12: Ministers to endorse the request of a no-cost extension of the OECS/Juvenile Justice Reform Project Status: Approved by the USAID

8. REC 13: Ministers to adopt the Information Management System of the OECS Juvenile Justice Reform Project Status: Completed

9. REC 14: Adopt the following foundational frameworks: – Juvenile Facilities Operational Manual and Quality Assurance Framework - Completed – Operational Manual for dealing with Juveniles - Completed – Coordinating Strategy Framework – completed for two (2) Member States (Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines) and is on-going for Antigua and Barbuda – National Parenting Framework. The Regional Framework completed for customization at the national level

10. REC 15: Prioritize regional and national child protection policies, legislation, system reform, mandatory reporting, capacity building and electronic case management to protect children from abuse and violence Status: Workshop was completed in September 2014, on responding to and managing Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in the UK Overseas Territories. LAC in Antigua & Barbuda

11. REC 16: Focus on adolescents and youth in the area of entrepreneurship, culture and sports Status: A Concept Paper has been developed and sent to donors; OECS Youth Strategy being developed

12. REC 17: Ratification of the Convention on Disabilities and the Elimination of Stigma and Discrimination Status: On-going REC 18: Introduction of the MPM as an analytical tool for influencing social development and protection policy. Status: The MPM introduced to Member States and piloted in Saint Lucia. Selected staff at the OECS Commission trained in the application of the MPM

13. REC 19: Increased financing be allocated for the social protection reform and gender budgeting Status: Piloted in Saint Lucia for Child Sensitive Budgeting and to be replicated in other Member States in collaboration with UNICEF and UNWOMEN

14. REC 20: Introduce social and performance based budgeting Status: On-going

15. THANK YOU!