things. There has been a tendency to associate such malpractices to the region as a whole, which is neither justified nor acceptable. As small states, job creation, productivity and increased competitiveness must be our goal. Excellence in the things we do must be our ambition in all sectors. Private sector competition and productivity in the work place is a strong fuel to destroy the so-called “Anti-Growth Coalition” whose interests, according to Professor Avinash Persaud, are threatened by change and uncertainty of the future, which fights to keep things the way they are, to “remain the big fish in the small pond”. He warns that if “we do not bypass the anti-growth coalition, we will grind to a standstill and sink into the mud”. To “avert this “The Public Sector works for the common good within an ethical framework such as that embodied in the Charter for Caribbean Public Services. One of the most important Pillars of public life is Accountability. The public sector must be prepared to answer to the public for decisions and actions taken and be subject to scrutiny appropriate to the nature of specific activities. This means conforming not only to legal and policy requirements but expectations of the public with regard to openness, transparency, fairness and integrity. A focus on results-oriented planning, consultation and collaboration and evidence-based policy management will promote high levels of accountability.” - Charter for Caribbean Public Services course”, he argues, “requires brave politicians … backed by a public no longer satisfied with stability”; stability of the status quo. In some cases, we have inherited a situation where the public sector lacks transformation to properly utilise the deep reservoir of creativity and latent talents. I have already argued that on some occasions, the skills that are required by the private sector might not be available. Sometimes this is because not enough resources are placed into creating such skills. As small states, job creation, productivity and increased competitiveness must be our goal. Excellence in the things we do must be our ambition in all sectors. Private sector competition, productivity in the work place is a strong fuel to destroy the so-called “Anti-Growth Coalition”. CARICAD believes in development at all levels. To this end, we have provided some terms and definitions frequently used within our publications. Accountability: The obligation of an individual or organisation to account for its activities, accept responsibility for them, and to disclose the results in a transparent manner. It also includes the responsibility for money or other entrusted property. Business Process Re-engineering (BPR): The fundamental reconsideration and radical redesign of organisational processes, in order to achieve dramatic improvements of current performance in cost, speed, and quality of service. Cabinet: The body of officials consisting of the Prime Minister, other ministers and selected officials who comprise the highest decision-making level of an elected government. Capacity: The ability of the permanent administrative machinery of the state to implement policies, deliver services to the public, and provide policy advice to decision-makers. Change Management: The process of helping people understand the need for change and to motivate them to take actions, which result in sustained changes in behaviour. See Page 10 for additional definitions. SOURCE: Extracted from the Implementation Guide for the Charter for Caribbean Public Services. 5
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