Jamaica Shares the Success of its Social Program with Caribbean Counterparts
Jamaica’s
Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) is an
example of inter-sectoral collaboration at work that is allowing the
government to implement a sustainable and impactful social
protection program. From August 20 to 22, a delegation of Social
Protection specialists from six Caribbean countries participated in
a study tour in Jamaica to learn more about one of the country’s
flagship program.
The cooperation exchange was coordinated by the OAS
Inter-American Social Protection Network (IASPN) in
collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of
Jamaica. The visit follows-up on the interest expressed by the group
of countries to learn more about the program at the
“Third Caribbean Workshop on Social Protection and International
Cooperation” also carried out by the IASPN at the end of 2013.
Labour and Social Security Minister, Derrick Kellier, noted that
the visit highlighted the importance of the program "as a credible
strategy for reducing poverty”, describing PATH as a "hand up" and
not a "hand out" to a
local news source. The program is a conditional cash transfer
initiative that has over 370,000 beneficiaries and is currently the
largest social protection support system in the English speaking
Caribbean.
During the Opening ceremony, OAS Representative in
Jamaica, Jeanelle Van Glaanenweygel noted that by sharing knowledge
and lessons learned in the implementation of its program, Jamaica
and the OAS are contributing to building local capacity in the
Caribbean. “This will
ensure that participating member states will save valuable time and
money in their own implementation process” she added.
The study tour combined lecture presentations by experts from
different PATH-funded initiatives, as well as field visits to areas
where on-the-field coverage is offered. The hands-on learning
experience provided participants with an opportunity to better
understand the implementation process, and to hear beneficiaries’
perspective on the successes and challenges of the program.
During one of the field visits, participants traveled to St. Mary
Parish, where they met a beneficiary of PATH’s “food for the poor”
program who will soon receive a house for her and her three
children. The social workers assigned to the family act as a support
group and managers, ensuring that the children are attending school,
receiving periodic health check-ups, and that the houses are built
and delivered in a timely manner.
The delegation also visited the local offices of
the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in the same parish, where
they met with 10 beneficiaries of the “Entrepreneurship Grant”.
Grantees, 90% of whom are women, receive financial aid and training
from the government to improve or start-up their businesses. The
visitors heard success stories and inquired about technical details
that will support the design and implementation of similar programs
tailored to the needs of their own countries.
The study tour concluded with a visit to the
Abilities Foundation, an NGO that works with the government to
provide quality vocational education to persons with disabilities,
enabling them to become more creative and productive citizens.
Participants gained a better understanding on how to support this
important interest group, which is demanding more attention and
action from governments.
As the region gains experience in the implementation of social
protection programs, the demand for technical exchanges is growing.
The IASPN is an ideal platform to support this exchange,
facilitating regional cooperation in the area of social protection.
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