OAS and UWI join forces to strengthen Social Protection Capacity in the Caribbean

June 3, Jamaica - Agreement Signed to Develop and Deliver a New Post-Graduate Diploma for Public Officials in the framework of the Inter-American Social Protection Network (IASPN)

“In a typical Caribbean country, more than 21% of the population lives below the poverty line”, according to Dr. Warren Smith, President of the Caribbean Development Bank at a recent Board of Governors Meeting (CDB, May, 2013).

Understanding the challenges faced by so many in the Caribbean, governments have recognized the need to strengthen the capacities of institutions tasked with eradicating poverty and reducing inequality. As such, there is an appetite in the region for education programs in Social Protection that will cater to public officials and address the particular needs of the Caribbean.

Beginning September 2013, policy makers from 14 Caribbean member states will have a new avenue to build their capacity in Social Protection Policy, when the OAS and the University of the West Indies (UWI) launch a new post-graduate diploma in Social Protection for senior officials of the social sector. The one-year course of study, which grew out of discussions between both entities over the last several months, will combine online and in-class instructions. Graduates of the course will be better equipped to design, implement, monitor and evaluate social protection policies and programs relevant to their contexts, and will have developed additional skills to efficiently deliver social protection benefits to those who need it most.

In designing the course, the OAS will build on its experience in promoting horizontal cooperation in Social Protection in the region, which has allowed the organization to identify and respond to emerging needs and requests from member states and to better organize cooperation efforts. In turn, the UWI will tap into its extensive experience in designing and delivering academic, professional and vocational programs.

The post-graduate diploma on Social Protection is an initiative of the Inter-American Social Protection Network (IASPN). IASPN facilitates information exchange and transfer of experiences and knowledge on social protection among OAS member States.

For additional information on the IASPN, visit the website www.socialprotectionet.org.

» Back to newsletter