by Franklyn Michael – Programme Specialist, CARICAD T his October 2020 issue of the CARICAD Horizon newsletter demonstrates CARICAD’s commitment to strategic partnerships. There are articles from the Barbados Vocational Training Board and the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF). CARICAD has a long history of strategic partnerships. Strategic Partnerships are a means of promoting, supporting and engaging in collaborative activities for the benefit of the stakeholders in CARICAD member states. The CARICAD 30th Anniversary Magazine identified almost twenty (20) entities as strategic partners. Many of those agencies and institutions are still regarded as partners although collaborative action might have waned in recent years. CARICAD has made an even more determined effort to establish or rekindle strategic partnerships during the last five years and intensify the level of formality. In that regard, Memoranda of Understanding (MOU’s) have been signed with the following partners: The Latin American Centre for Development Administration CLAD The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency The University of the West Indies – St Augustine Campus UWI The University of the West Indies – Cave Hill Campus The Central American Institute for Public Administration The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility ICAP CCRIF CARICAD anticipates signing an MOU with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) to formalise a long-established, mutually beneficial institutional relationship. CARICAD has placed emphasis on formalising its strategic partnerships in MOUs for several reasons: The institutions maintain the partnership even when there are changes of personnel in either or both of the organisations A strategic framework is established which describes the Purpose, Goals, Objectives and responsibilities of the partners. That clarity is essential for proper coordination The leadership and internal chain of command for implementation, is assured The commitments and obligations are identified and agreed to Each organisation shares from its own strengths Potential conflicts over Mandates are avoided Monitoring of progress and sharing of information become routine There is a rational basis for promoting an equitable sharing of work Human and financial resources will be allocated for agreed activities Partners learn from each other and build capacity in new areas The partners recognise the value of each other’s contribution Extension of the agreement once established, is straightforward CDEMA ‘Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable’ - African Proverb CARICAD is convinced that the existing strategic partnerships have produced value for our member states and we will seek to expand the partnerships where the benefits of doing so, can be clearly determined. 12
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