calga LMNP

CALGA

About CALGA

CALGA – The Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities is a not for profit organization established to facilitate the further development of Local Government within the Caribbean region.

CALGA was established in 1992. However, the Association was incorporated on 3rd April 2012 under the Company’s Act, 1995 of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Association’s membership comprises mainly National Local Government Associations, and, Local Authorities and Ministries responsible for Local Government where there are no National Associations.

CALGA received support from the European Union through the ARIAL Programme which was implemented by VNG International, in partnership with the University of the West Indies (UWI). ARIAL was a framework Programme of the EU to Strengthen and support Local Government Associations with LMNP Fiscalite at the national and regional levels within African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

The CALGA Secretariat is located on the compound of the Chaguanas Borough Corporation.

CALGA is governed by a Constitution (2008 Revised) and directed by an Executive Committee as follows:
Members of the CALGA Executive Committee

Position Name Country
President Councillor Philip McPhee Bahamas
1st Vice President Mayor Scean Barnswell Jamaica
2nd Vice President Mayor Daniel Guerrero Belize
3rd Vice President Alderman Anthony Roberts Trinidad
Secretary Councillor Examin Philbert (Ms.) St. Lucia
Treasurer Councillor Sammy Rampersaud Guyana
Public Relations Officer Councillor Yoland Jno. Jules Dominica

Corporate ID

Corporate colours:
Sky Blue and Aquamarine

Logo Design:
The colours aquamarine and sky-blue present the contrast of a mild and a strong colour which would reproduce well in print
These corporate colours are intended to represent the sky and the Caribbean Sea that washes the shores of our member states
The design is conceived to sublimely and symbolically suggest the waving of the CALGA flag for Local Government in the Caribbean
Graphically: a flag

Tag -Line:
"Promoting Good Governance and Local Democracy in the Caribbean"

CALGA Vision:
"A strong, independent, nationally and internationally recognized Association that supports, advocates and advances the rights, interests and sustainable development of Local Government in the Caribbean"

CALGA Mission:
"To promote good governance and local democracy through capacity-building, networking, advocacy, and effective representation of the interests and views of Local Government authorities"

Background

The establishment of the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA) was pioneered by The Trinidad and Tobago Association of Local Government Authorities (TTALGA), which with the support of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, hosted the historical first meeting of Local Government practitioners in the Region. The conference was held in Port of Spain on 15 and 16 November 1991 underwritten by TTALGA, with some financial assistance from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and technical support from the University of the West Indies – St Augustine.

The central purpose of the conference was to explore the idea of forming a Caribbean Local Government Association. In attendance were: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Participants concluded that viable Local Government systems were critical to national and regional development; that there was a need for problem-solving mechanisms and structures to be designed; and recognized the need for constitutional protection of Local Government in national Constitutions. The meeting resolved that:

In April of 1992 Caribbean Local Government delegates met in Jamaica to draft a constitution for a Regional association, and seven months later – in November 1992 the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities – CALGA was launched, its Constitution adopted and an Executive Committee duly elected.

Thereafter until 1998 the Secretariat operating from the TTALGA office organized Annual General Meetings of CALGA accompanied by capacity-building workshops conducted by the UWI and hosted by various CARICOM states that had Local Government systems; and secured development funding and technical support for:

Between 1998 and 2008 CALGA’s Activities and Partnerships included:

  1. 2000 - With Urban Management Programme (UMP-LAC) City Consultations and Inclusiveness in Governance – Montego Bay Jamaica with the following outcomes:
  2. Montego Bay Agenda
  3. B. Ragoonath (ed) Inclusiveness in Governance : Caribbean Considerations and Experiences
  4. 2001 - With Urban Management Programme (UMP-LAC) Regional Seminar on Innovative Approaches to Local Development and Management Rosseau Dominica with the following outcomes:
  5. Rosseau Declaration.
  6. B. Ragoonath (ed) Promoting Participatory Governance for Urban Poverty Elimination in the Caribbean
  7. 2002 –With NDI Decentralization and Local Government in the Caribbean with the following outcome:
  8. NDI Published Report
  9. 2003 - With OAS (Unit for the Promotion of Democracy and UNDP: Forum on Local Government For small States: Issues. Experiences, Options with the following outcome:
  10. OAS Published Report
  11. 2004 - With Commonwealth Secretariat/CLGF Local Democracy and Good Governance in the Caribbean Montego Bay Jamaica with the following outcomes:
  12. Montego Bay Action Programme.
  13. Commonwealth Secretariat, (ed) Local Democracy and Good Governance in the Caribbean
  14. 2005 (Feb)– UNDP/UN-Habitat/ UMP-LAC/IPES Capitalizing City Consultations for Localizing the MDGs in the Caribbean Port of Spain
  15. 2005 (Aug) – Deepening Local Governance and participation in CARICOM States Port of Spain
  16. 2006 – With CLGF/OAS Meeting in St. Vincent
  17. 2006-2008 – With CFLGM/CIDA provided critical support for the development of a Regional Policy and Cooperation Framework on Local Governance and Local Democracy in the Caribbean

From 2008 to 2012 the CALGA Secretariat was re-located to The Bahamas with the CALGA Presidency being held by that country until the President ceased to be a Local Government representative. During that time no office was set up. The CALGA Executive, however represented the organization at several international fora. At one such meeting of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum in 2011 held in Cardiff, Wales Trinidad and Tobago was requested to provide accommodation for the CALGA Secretariat and the Prime Minister of the country consented. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago arranged for the CALGA Office to be accommodated by the Chaguanas Borough Corporation. Through the EU- funded ARIAL project which was designed to support and strengthen national and regional Local Government associations in ACP countries, CALGA was provided with resources to resuscitate its operations. Financed by ARIAL and project managed by the University of the West Indies, CALGA was provided with Technical staff with effect from 1st February 2012 until July 2013, along with office furniture, equipment and provisions for office supplies and services. CALGA is now incorporated under the Companies Act 1995 of the laws of Trinidad and Tobago.

Executive Members 2016 - 2018

The following members were elected to serve as the CALGA Executive for the period 2016 - 2018

President: Yoland Jno Jules (Dominica)
1st Vice President: Audrey Smith Facey (Jamaica)
2nd Vice President Anthony Roberts ( Trinidad & Tobago)
3rd Vice President Glenn Davis (Bahamas)
Secretary Chervita Campbell ( Bahamas)
Treasurer Erickson Robinson
PRO Donovan Mitchell (Jamaica)
Calga Coordinator Mr. Martin Terry Rondon ( Trinidad & Tobago)
UWI Representative Dr. Bishnu Ragoonath (Trinidad & Tobago)
Manager Mrs. Camille N. Taylor (Trinidad & Tobago)

Executive members 2019 -2022

The following members were elected to serve as the CALGA Executive for the period 2019 - 2022

President Anthony Roberts (Trinidad and Tobago)
1st. Vice President Kenisha Gordon (Jamaica)
2nd Vice President
3rd Vice President Patricia Chase- Green(Guyana)
Secretary Carol Lincoln- Frederick (Antigua and Barbuda)
Treasurer Khalid Belisle (Belize)
PRO Rance Smith (Bahamas)
Coordinator Martin Terry Rondon (Trinidad and Tobago)
UWI Representative Dr. Bishnu Ragoonath (Trinidad and Tobago)
Manager Mrs. Camille N Taylor (Trinidad and Tobago)

Membership

The Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA) is open to membership of national Local Government associations and central government ministries/departments responsible for Local Government in CARICOM member states. Members, however, are required to pay an annual subscription fee in order to retain membership in CALGA.

Services

CALGA is pleased to offer the following Services within the Caribbean Region:

For more info on this please contact us at:

Phone: (868) 222 5608
Email: calgaoffice@gmail.com

National Association

ALGAJ - The Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica

BALGA - Bahamas Association of Local Government Authorities

DALCA - Dominica Association of Local Community Authorities

BMA - Belize Mayors' Association

Regional Local Government Association charts Vision 2022

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago: Members of local government associations from six countries took part in a two-day strategic planning exercise that launched on Tuesday, January 23, 2016. Under the theme “Empowering local government to deliver development goals”, members of the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA) discussed a new vision for local government in the Caribbean, and strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities for changing the role and functions of local governance bodies across the Caribbean.

The discussion included participants from the University of the West Indies (Mona and St. Augustine campuses) and was facilitated by a Federation of Canadian Municipalities consultant Brenda Gibson of British Columbia, Canada. The workshop was funded by the Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED), with financing from the Government of Canada, the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), and the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Local Government Authorities (TTALGA).

Welcoming remarks were given by President of CALGA, Yoland Jno Jules of Dominica, who expressed his enthusiasm for the future of local government and local government associations, and his hope that central governments throughout the Caribbean would recognize the importance of local government in creating change in communities. Ms. Sandra Singh, Program Officer for the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) also thanked CALGA for its commitment to continuing its mandate, and CARILED Program Director Marion Villanueva reinforced the importance of local governance bodies in promoting and advocating for capacity building of practitioners.

In his opening remarks, Chairman Terry Rondon, TTALGA member thanked CARILED for its support of local government and local economic development in the Caribbean, and reflected on a study program made in 2016. He said “after I visited Letherbridge with CARILED, and saw that they had street dwellers employed to clean the streets, I used that approach in Sangre Grande, and now we have 6 street dwellers employed who now have a place to live since they can pay rent.”

Twenty-two persons took part in the two-day planning workshop, from The Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. CALGA will continue to partner with CARILED as it seeks to complete its five-year strategic plan. The meeting was closed officially by remarks from Alderman Anthony Roberts, CALGA 2nd Vice President.

**About Us **

The establishment of the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA) was pioneered by The Trinidad and Tobago Association of Local Government Authorities (TTALGA) in November 1991, with financing from TTALGA, along with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), as well as technical support from UWI – St Augustine. The two-day meeting is supported by CARILED, through financing from the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada, and CLGF. For more information on CALGA, please visit www.calga.org.

Biennial General Meeting

The Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA) held its Biennial General Meeting 2016 on the 7-8 October 2016 in Roseau, Dominica. The meeting was hosted by the Dominica Association of Local Government Authorities (DALCA).

The two-day meeting was conducted at the Garraway Hotel in Roseau and was attended by delegates from six member countries including: The Bahamas, Antigua, St. Lucia, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Dominica. Also represented at the meeting were the Commonwealth Local government Forum (CLGF) and the Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED). The Opening Ceremony was attended by various local dignitaries and Permanent Secretaries. The feature address was delivered by the Honourable Catherine Daniel, Minister of Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs.

The following local government representatives were elected for the 2016-2018 term:

President – Yoland Jno Jules (DALCA)
1st Vice President- Audrey Smith Facey (ALGAJ)
2nd Vice President – Anthony Roberts (TTALGA)
3rd Vice President – Glenn Davis (BALGA)
Treasurer – Erickson Robertson (DALCA)
PRO – Donovan Mitchell (ALGAJ)
Secretary – Chevita Campbell (BALGA)

Appointed to following positions were:
CALGA Coordinator – Terry Martin Rondon (TTALGA)
UWI Representative – Dr. Bishnu Ragoonath (UWI, St. Augustine)
Manager – Joy Ramcharan-Cooblal (CALGA)

Planned events included the Inauguration of the Canefield Urban Council which was held at the Old Mill Cultural Centre and Art Gallery which is a restored historic site. This function was attended by Their Excellences President and Mrs. Savarin.

Other social events were: a Cocktail Reception hosted by DALCA, a visit to Scott’s Head Marine Reserve, dinner at Purple Turtle Beach and a visit to the famous Soufriere Sulpher Springs.

Volunteerism still alive in Caribbean

Retired professionals are demonstrating their commitment to serve Caribbean youth by preparing them for leadership roles and ethics in public office.A group of Councillors, retired educators and policemen from Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, Guyana and The Bahamas teamed up for a week of training in Local Government, Communications and Multi-culturalism. Their training was part of a project entitled “Fostering a Democratic Culture in Schools and Local Communities” which was sponsored by the Commonwealth Foundation, through the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities – CALGA.

The Commonwealth Foundation and CALGA are investing in Caribbean youths in an effort to improve public awareness about the Local Government system, starting in secondary schools. This initiative also aims at immersing youth in local culture and promoting respect for cultural diversity in plural Caribbean societies.

CALGA and Commonwealth Foundation

CALGA wins support of Commonwealth Foundation to Promote Democracy among Youth

Fostering a Culture of Democracy among Youth in Schools and Local Communities is a project that will be undertaken by Local Government authorities in four Caribbean countries. The intention is to build on the Local Government system to promote a culture of democratic principles and public ethics among young people. It is expected that the youths will take these values into their impending adulthood, and into the towns and villages to which they belong.

The project will be implemented by CALGA in The Bahamas, Guyana, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. It will focus on providing a structured mechanism for engagement of youth in public affairs. Young people will be educated about Local Government in their home countries and will learn more about the principles of gender equity and the value of local culture. CALGA’s mandate is to promote local democracy in the Caribbean.

This initiative is supported by the Commonwealth Foundation and will run for three years. The Commonwealth Foundation is a development organisation with an international remit and reach, uniquely situated at the interface between government and civil society. The Foundation develops the capacity of civil society to act together and learn from each other to engage with the institutions that shape people’s lives. It strives for more effective, responsive and accountable governance with civil society participation, which contributes to improved development outcomes.

CLGF Launches Caribbean Office

CLGF – Caribbean, the Regional Office of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum was launched at a three-day programme of events from 21 to 23 March 2016, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

The event was a consultation meeting themed around “Strengthening local government’s role as a partner in development”. It commenced with a ceremonial opening, included two days of plenary discussions and culminated in an international round-table on the Local Government Reform which was currently in process in the host country – Trinidad and Tobago.