Social Development

The OECS Secretariat (OECSSEC), the administrative headquarters of the nine-memberThe OECS Secretariat (OECSSEC), the administrative headquarters of the nine-memberOrganisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), is committed to being a “Centre ofExcellence”i and a “Champion of Ideas”ii. To this end the OECS Secretariat has beenengaged in a process of institutional strengthening designed to improve its capability toeffectively support the developmental objectives of the OECS Member States. The need forinstitutional strengthening has become even more urgent with the expansion of themandate of the Secretariat under the provisions of the Revised Treaty of Basseterre whichestablished the OECS Economic Union. An essential component of the institutionalenhancement of the OECSSEC should be comprehensive Gender Equality Mainstreaming(GEM) into the programme portfolio and daily management of the OECSSEC.

The Social Inclusion and Social Protection Strategic Framework for the OECS Commission take into consideration major global and regional events over the past decade that have affected the economic and social context of the region. The Social Inclusion and Social Protection Strategy Framework gives guidance on supporting the most disadvantaged and those at risk for exclusion with the necessary resources and support services to enable active participation and meaningful contribution to society. The strategy takes a lifecycle approach (see Appendix 1) in addressing vulnerability. At all stages of the human lifecycle, there are various social and economic distresses and provisions required to militate against the most disastrous effects.