Consultations and focus group discussions on a draft policy and cooperation framework for local government and local democracy for the Caribbean  begun among women, youth and business interests in Georgetown yesterday.

The consultations and discussions are part of the agenda of a Technical Working Group established to formulate a regional policy and cooperation framework for local governance and local government in the Caribbean, Local Coordinator of the Technical Working Group Vincent Alexander told the media.

At a press conference held at the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education, University of Guyana, Queen’s College compound yesterday, Alexander said that apart from the focus group discussions in Georgetown two others would be held in Linden and Bartica at later dates.

In addition,  county consultations would be held in Demerara on July 25, Essequibo on July 26, and Berbice on August 3.
The consultations, which would be open to the public, would also target local government councillors and administrators.
Alexander said that the outcome of the consultations is intended to form part of the regional policy cooperation framework, which would be a model for the establishment and the enhancement of local governance and local government in the Caribbean.

He said that the Caribbean local government ministers envisage that out of the process an organ dealing with local government would be formed and in this regard it has kept Caricom abreast of its activities and has also sought its counsel. 

It is expected that the policy and cooperation framework would be completed by November 2008.