Democratic Governance
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Red House, Port of Spain.
Photo: Court Library Services Unit
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The critical importance of democratic governance in the developing world
was highlighted at the Millennium Summit, where world leaders resolved
to "Spare no effort to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of
law, as well as respect for all internationally recognized human rights
and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development."
Since its initial presence in 1961, UNDP has been partnering with the
Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago as it seeks to create
an effective and efficient democratic response to nation building.
Over recent years, UNDP has contributed through its portfolio, the
development of new structures and functions for the decentralized system
of local government and associated legislation, increased Results Based
Management (RBM) capacity through:
During 2004-2006, UNDP provided technical assistance by providing advisory services through
participation on national technical sub-committees on
Poverty, Democratic Governance, Environment, HIV and AIDS and Gender.
The Country Office is taking steps to increase its
substantive capacity in the areas of Democratic Governance and operational
capacity in programme/project monitoring, procurement and knowledge
management.
UNDP will give policy support through its worldwide best practices on
Democratic Dialogue, Parliamentary strengthening, and Public Sector
Reform.
UNDP finalized the design of a decentralized Social Services Delivery
System in Trinidad and Tobago, which was implemented as a
pilot under the European Union (EU) funded Poverty Reduction Programme.
Additionally, UNDP assisted with reform of the Local Government
System for more efficient delivery of goods and services at the regional
level.
UNDP’s governance portfolio in Trinidad and Tobago is concentrated in
the following areas:
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UNDP Project Title:
Effective control and monitoring of precursor chemicals in
Trinidad & Tobago |
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UNDP Project number: |
Focus Area:
Governance |
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TDB |
Key Result Area:
Enhancing conflict and
disaster risk management capabilities |
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Dates:
2011 - |
Status:
TBD |
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Location:
Trinidad and Tobago |
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Executing Partner:
Strategic Services Agencies (SSA),
Ministry of National Security |
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Financial Information |
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Source of Funds: |
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Government |
US$71,305.31 |
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UNDP |
US$40,113.18 |
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Budget: |
US$119,217.78 |
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Expenditure to date: |
TBD |
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Brief Description:
This project will bring on board a project management
methodology that will energize ongoing efforts aimed at
strengthening collaboration with and bringing synergy to the
activities all stakeholders in relation to precursor chemical
monitoring. The project will develop a Bill and establish a
Precursor Chemical Unit to operationalise the provisions of the
Bill. Finally, capacity will be developed with stakeholders in
the area of Complex Systems as they relate to precursor chemical
monitoring and policy recommendations will be developed. |
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Project Document Link
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Contact: Beverly Chase |
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UNDP Project Title: Capacity Development in Project
Management in the Ministry of Local Government |
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UNDP Project number: |
Focus Area:
Governance |
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00062515 |
Service Line:
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Dates:
2008 - 2011 |
Status:
Ongoing |
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Location:
Trinidad and Tobago |
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Implementing Partner:
DEX |
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Financial Information |
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Source of Funds: |
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Government |
282,520.00 |
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UNDP |
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Third-Party |
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Budget: |
$282,520.00 |
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Expenditure to date: |
$224,000.00 |
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Brief Description:
This project is intended to
train personnel of the Ministry of Local Government in project
management methodology (Prince 2) and a strategy to develop a
Results Based Management system.
Through access to the UNDP Learning Management
System, over 200 staff of the Ministry were certified in Prince
2 foundation training. A strategy for development and
implementation of an RBM system was also agreed for the Ministry
and its municipalities. |
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Project Document Link |
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Contact: Beverly Chase |
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UNDP Project Title: Institutional Strengthening and Capacity
Support for the Ministry of Education |
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UNDP Project number: |
Focus Area:
Governance |
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00048590 |
Service Line:
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Dates:
2005-2011 |
Status:
Ongoing |
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Location:
Trinidad and Tobago |
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Implementing Partner:
Ministry of Education |
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Financial Information |
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Source of Funds: |
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Government |
$338,776 |
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UNDP |
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Third-Party |
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Budget: |
$561,521.25 |
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Expenditure to date: |
$375,000.00 |
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Brief Description:
As a follow up to the implementation of the Secondary Education
Modernization Programme (SEMP) and the need for strengthening and
building the capacity of the Ministry of Education to accelerate
project activities, the Ministry sought technical support from UNDP. The overall objective of this project
was to provide
technical personnel through the UN Volunteer modality.
This project provided 6 UN Volunteer
professionals in the area of educational planning.
Several reports to facilitate education reform were completed.
These included censuses of primary and secondary schools; an
evaluation of specialist secondary schools; a study of critical
education issues in Trinidad and Tobago; databases for primary
and secondary schools; and a demographic report on pre-school
and school-age population in Trinidad and Tobago.
The project will be evaluated in 2011 before final closure. |
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Project Document Link |
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Contact: Sandra Baptiste-Caruth |
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UNDP Project Title:
Institutional Strengthening and Support to the Ministry of Local
Government |
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UNDP Project number: |
Focus Area:
Governance |
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00053674 |
Service Line:
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Dates:
2006-2010 |
Status:
Ongoing |
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Location:
Trinidad and Tobago |
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Implementing Partner:
Ministry of
Local Government |
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Financial Information |
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Source of Funds: |
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Government |
$716,275.34 |
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UNDP |
$9,200.00 |
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Third-Party |
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Budget: |
$681,759.00 |
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Expenditure to date: |
$231,000 |
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Brief Description:
Recent economic growth and resulting urban and rural development
have placed new demands on the existing Local Government
systems. These demands dictate that the local system improves
its operation levels and service delivery to its clients.
There is therefore need to revise the structure and functions of
the Ministry and its arms, the local government bodies; as well
as to draft a legislative framework and provisions to effect
local government reform policy, prescriptions and programmes.
During 2009, final reports on the institutional and legislative
framework were submitted to the Ministry of Local Government;
two (2) UN volunteers were also deployed to assist with reforms
requested in the areas of Information Technology and Taxation.
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Project Document Link |
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Contact: Beverly Chase |
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UNDP Project Title: Put A Woman |
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UNDP Project number: |
Focus Area:
Governance |
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00056081 |
Service Line:
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Dates:
2007-2008 |
Status:
Completed |
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Location:
Trinidad and Tobago |
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Implementing Partner:
NGO Network for the Advancement of Women |
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Financial Information |
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Source of Funds: |
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Government |
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UNDP |
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Third-Party |
UNDEF: $262,500 |
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Budget: |
US$262,500.00 |
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Expenditure to date: |
US$253,632.00 |
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Brief Description:
This
project aims to prepare women and young persons to have a
participatory role in local Government and General Elections. At
the same time, it will strengthen the networking and build the
capacity of women working towards this goal. 'Put A Woman' will
contribute to the Global 50/50 campaign with particular
consideration to the financial initiative. Its main
beneficiaries are female political activists and those
interested in becoming part of Local Government.
This project produced a
Youth Manifesto; Women's manifesto; A historical perspective of
Women in Local Government in Trinidad and Tobago; A Study to
provide financial support for women wishing to enter
politics; and Training of women who wanted to run for political
office. |
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Project Document Link
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Contact: Beverly Chase |
Contact:
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Mrs Sandra Baptiste Caruth |
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Programme Specialist |
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Email:
sandra.baptiste-caruth@undp.org |
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