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OAS FORUM ADVOCATES FOR POLITICAL PARTY REFORM AND MODERNIZATION

Forty Four leaders of political parties, civil society, academics and representatives of the international community came together this week in Montego Bay, Jamaica, at the Caribbean Meeting of the Inter-American Forum on Political Parties of the Organization of American States (OAS). The Forum promotes political party strengthening as an important element of democratic development in the hemisphere, fomented in the Summit of the Americas process and enshrined in the Inter-American Democratic Charter. The Caribbean Meeting highlighted some key issues of political reform in the region, including constitutional reform, political party and campaign financing, economic policy in a globalized and integrated economy and challenges of governance, including poverty alleviation and tackling crime and violence. Women delegates from Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana and Barbados addressed a session entitled "Breaking the Glass Ceiling" in which delegates explored mechanisms to better promote political participation of women.

In the keynote speech, the Honorable Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, criticized the "winner takes all" political system in many Caribbean states and highlighted the need for reforms to provide for a solid system of checks and balances and "develop a paradigm for good governance with integrity and citizen access to information at its core, and with professional law enforcement agencies, an independent and courageous judiciary, and independent media, all steadfastly and vigorously keeping government officials in line."

"The goal of strengthening political parties is not a simple one," warned the Most Honourable P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica, in the closing remarks. "The task requires continuous effort, as well as broad, open and participatory consultations."

Mr. Patterson called on political parties to work to include marginalized sectors: "Political training and leadership development, including for women, youth, indigenous people, members of ethnic groups and marginalized segments of the population are critical..."

Mr. Patterson also welcomed the Caribbean flavour that the meeting has brought to the debate on the strengthening of democracy in the hemisphere. "It is our shared values and interests which will enable us to build strong partnerships and promote good governance," he said.

Delegates from Haiti discussed the challenges facing political parties in that country. The Caribbean leaders at the meeting expressed their solidarity with the Haitian parties in their efforts to promote dialogue and citizen participation in democratic processes, and condemned the 24 hour kidnapping of Jean Enol Buteau, General Secretary of the Movement for National Reconstruction Party.

The meeting was made possible through contributions of the Governments of the United States of America, France and the Republic of Korea.

Reference: E-090/05