Earth Today | Caribbean civil society actors want greater engagement on public finance, climate justice

CIVIL SOCIETY organisations (CSOs) from The Bahamas and Barbados have called for urgent reforms in public finance, sovereign debt management and climate justice, while emphasising the need for greater civic engagement, accountability and transparency.

Their concerns were highlighted during recent consultations held under the Funders Organised for Rights in the Global Economy (FORGE) II and the Open Society Foundations projects and shared in a joint statement from the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employers’ Confederation, One Eleuthera Foundation, Friends of the Environment, and FLO Bahamas.

Earthcare, Rise Bahamas, Marriage Children Family Alliance Movement, Save The Bays, Waterkeepers Bahamas and the Princess Court Ministries, Science & Perspective, Human Rights Bahamas, The Island Economist, Basic Income Bahamas, and Bahamas Plastic Movement are also signatories.

FORGE and OSF brought together key regional stakeholders, including those affected by Hurricane Dorian, to address the challenges of national debt and climate resilience in the Caribbean.

The FORGE II and OSF projects, implemented by the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC), focus on mobilising civil society organisations and communities to engage actively in regional and global campaigns addressing sovereign debt and climate justice.

Supported by Debt Justice (formerly Jubilee UK), CPDC has collaborated with civil society groups in The Bahamas, Barbados, and the wider Caribbean to provide valuable insights into how these critical issues directly impact local communities.

“Their message is clear: sustainable development in the region is only possible if governments prioritise good governance, transparency, and inclusivity in decision-making processes, particularly when it comes to public finances and sovereign debt management,” said a news release dated November 28 from the CPDC.

EFFORTS TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES

In their statement, the CSOs acknowledged their governments’ efforts to address economic challenges and reduce sovereign debt, but urged a more inclusive approach.

A key theme that emerged during the consultations was the importance of transparency and information sharing.

“We advocate for open and transparent communication channels that facilitate timely information sharing regarding policy initiatives, their implications, and potential alternatives,” the CSOs emphasised.

This call for transparency is particularly urgent in light of the growing concerns about the impact of national debt on the daily lives of citizens, especially in communities that are already vulnerable, such as those affected by Hurricane Dorian.

The CSOs also underscored the need for inclusive processes that represent marginalised groups, such as women, youth, indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities. By prioritising inclusivity, they said, governments can create more effective policies that help to answer the diverse needs of the population.

They also flagged the need for monitoring and accountability mechanisms to evaluate the impact of policies on the socio-economic well-being of citizens.

“We stand prepared to collaborate with the government, offering our expertise, research, and knowledge to support evidence-based policymaking. By working together, we can develop sustainable solutions to address our nation’s challenges,” they said.