National Council of Women hosts consultation for NGOs

A consultation aimed at creating a policy for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Dominica commenced today.

The consultation which is being held at the conference of the National Development Foundation of Dominica was organized by the Dominica National Council of Women (DNCW) in collaboration with Caribbean Policy Development Centre.

The project is being funded by the European Union.

Project Consultant Good Governance with the Caribbean NGO Policy Development Centre Cherine Smith said work is being done across the region to assist NGO in creating a Code of Conduct.

She said: “We are basically just trying to get NGO’s aboard to develop a code of conduct so that NGOs are held responsible so that they understand that they have a responsibility to their constituents.”

Smith noted that a code of conduct has already been established however, is currently under revision.

She noted that the code is currently under review in seven countries in the region and should be reviewed by six other countries.

Smith said research has shown there is a lack of enabling environments for the NGOs to operate.

“So the context in which this particular consultation arises is one where research was undertaken the research has indicated NGOs don’t typically have an enabling environment and it is noted that an enabling environment is required for NGOs to fulfill their respective mandate,” said Smith.

She added that the overarching objective of the consultation is to improve the legislative environment for NGOs in the CARIFORUM.

She said the creation of a policy will lay the foundation for the development of legislation for improved and greater participation of civil society across CARIFORUM and to allow NGOs to be part of the process.

However, Smith noted that although other countries have begun the establishment of a policy Dominica is still at the early stages.
“It is important for us to note that we are at the beginning stage so we are not yet discussing a model bill we are at the beginning stages of having dialogue and trying to inform the policy,” said Smith.

Meantime, the National Authorizing Officer Carleen Roberts said the European Union recognizes the significant role that civil societies play in any developmental programme.

She said the consultation forms part of the European Union’s major interventions in the field of support to civil societies and part of the 10th EDF EU CARIFORUM Financing Agreement, “for support to facilitate CARIFORUM regional civil society participation in the regional development and integration process.”

Roberts noted that the EU has injected almost 1.8 million Euros towards this regional initiative and the project should end by November 2018.