Civil Society convenes

Dozens of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and Government representatives making up this country’s Civil Society, gathered for a two day workshop dedicated to the building of a more developed country.{{more}}

Under the theme: “Stronger NGOs, Stronger Communities for a Stronger Nation”, the workshop, organized by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDEC) and funded by the Social Investment Fund convened at the Methodist Church Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday seeking ways to work more effectively and efficiently.

Participants at the workshop were engaged in discussions and group sessions to determine avenues to individually and collectively deal with the challenges that they are faced with on a community level and wider forum.

Sessions were held on various topics, including the challenges and prospects faced by Civil Society, importance of NGOs and CBOs to National Development and situational analysis.

The feature address of Tuesday’s opening ceremony was delivered by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Development Rosita Snagg.

Snagg in her address noted that NGOs are critical to the development of any nation, and in the case of St. Vincent and the Grenadines they have played a significant role in charting its development agenda.

She called on these organizations to rejuvenate themselves, since they have a duty to inspire the government and state to become more productive.

She lamented the loss of a number of community based events and said that her ministry has been fighting to rekindle such practices, with the restart of some groups in a number of communities.(JJ)