Elma Gene-Isaac – OECS Coordinator
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
September 09, 2013 (SKNIS)
Five representatives from St. Kitts and Nevis are among officials from Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries participating in a three-day workshop for spokespersons on OECS Integration and Economic Union, being held in Antigua and Barbuda.
At the opening ceremony held on Monday (September 09), Coordinator of the Regional Integration Unit at the OECS Secretariat, Elma Gene-Isaac, highlighted some areas affecting the sub-region and opined that this workshop will aid in most, if not all of these areas.
“There are still several elements of free movement that needs to be looked at,” she said. “Indefinite Stay in another OECS country, the use of driver’s licences and work permits are just a few.”
She further made mention of the size of the OECS and questioned its visibility and how much people actually know.
In an interview with SKNIS, Labour Commissioner in the St. Kitts and Nevis’ Department of Labour, Spencer Amory, spoke about Regional Integration and Economic Union.
“The global reality is that there is a chronic society of humanity all inter-connected,” he said. “The Caribbean Region, with its diversity and common history is still, despite significant gains, hamstrung by the nationalism/sovereignty phobias.”
Labour Commissioner Amory stressed that in order to prosper and survive within the global community, it is imperative that the notion of integration is freely embraced by all.
Topics to be covered at the workshop include: “The Art of Public Speaking; The Media Interview-Building the media relationship” and “Understanding your Audience”. The workshop concludes on September 11, 2013.