by RICKEY SINGH

WHILE WE AWAIT the results of last month's two-day Convocation on CARICOM's Single Market and Economy (CSME) and, more specifically, how its implementation is to be pursued following expected endorsement by the Community's Heads of Government, there are now growing concerns by civil society over perceived lack of enthusiasm to involve them in improving good governance and strengthening democracy.

Latest expressions of such concerns emerged at a two-day international conference in Port-of-Spain earlier this week (November 9 and 10) on Strengthening Democratic Processes And Good Governance. Among the participants were some leading academics, human rights and cultural activists and civil society representatives from CARICOM countries, as as well as South Africa and Ireland.

Agenda issues addressed included the need for constitutional reform that extends to critical assessment of the current dominant first-past-the-post electoral system in CARICOM and the value of proportional representation as an alternative; or in having a mix of both systems. Related matters also discussed were term limits for elected heads of state and the right of recall of parliamentarians for failing to conform with defined expectations.

A summary of the outcome of the deliberations, including suggestions/recommendations, are expected to be shared shortly with parliamentary parties and regional institutions and agencies.

The conference has preceded the coming three-day Commonwealth Summit Of Heads of Government starting in Port-of-Spain on Novemer 27, at which a working session will deal with what has become an unavoidable issue at this international forum - democracy and good governance, with a special focus on a functioning partnership with civil society.

It would be interesting to learn of a CARICOM position - if such a consensus evolves - at the Commonwealth Summit on any new intiative to strengthen partnership with civil society in the interest of fostering democratic norms and good governance.

Seven years ago, the CARICOM Secretariat organised, in cooperation with the Guyana government, a two-day Encounter Of Civil Society (July 2 and 3, 2002) aimed at developing a new model of social and economic development that recognises the imperatives of "collaboration and consultation" between civil society and government.

CARICOM may be in a better position than some other regions within the Commonwealth group of nations in relation to observance of democratic norms and ensuring improved governance. Yet there remains a serious credibility divide between its "declarations" and "implementation" of decisions to achieve such laudable objectives.

A good example in this context is the absymal failure to implement the Community's Charter Of Civil Society ceremonially and enthusiastically signed over a dozen years ago in Antigua on February 19, 1997, to give it a functional, legally-binding status with an act of parliament by the participating member states.

Presented as a Protocol of Port-of-Spain in 1992, the charter was recommended to ensure, for example, a free Press; a fair and open democratic process; effective functioning of the parliamentary system; morality in public affairs; respect for fundamental civil, social, political, economic and cultural rights, as well as "greater accountability and transparency in government".

Well, the reality is that 12 years later, the charter remains, at best, a declaration of intent.