1. What is Citizens for Peace and Prosperity?
The Citizens for Peace and Prosperity is a group of people from over 20 organizations and civil society groups who have come together to discuss and find solutions to the crime problem that is plaguing our country, while at the same time creating ways to increase the economic opportunities available to all Saint Lucians, and in particular the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.
2. What is the the National Civil Society Koudmen?
The National Civil Society Koudmen is a one and a half day meeting of like-minded citizens that plans to take a deep dive into the issues that impact crime and violence and also the challenges that limit the avenues for the socio-economic advancement of all citizens.
3. Why is this activity being called a koudmen?
This activity is being called a koudmen for several reasons. Firstly, in the true tradition of the koudmen, it is citizens coming together over a weekend, when everyone has a little more time on their hands, to solve a problem that affects one or more members of the community. Secondly, unlike the typical consultation where people get together and talk, without any accompanying action, we want his to be action-oriented; the conversations are not the end goal, but an avenue to arrive at consensus on what we must all commit to doing. This koudmen is about putting all hands and minds on deck to address some major problems confronting our country.
4. What do you expect to achieve from this?
We hope to get a consensus on four primary goals: (i) an agreement for civil society groups to work together to improve socio-economic conditions in Saint Lucia, particularly among the most vulnerable and at-risk groups; (ii) a plan for how civil society can work together; (iii) the things on which civil society will work together; and very importantly, (iv) a role for civil society in catalyzing transformational change
5. Who are the people invited and how were they chosen?
A very broad cross-section of people is invited to this koudmen. The participants span all demographics and represent as many sectors of our society as practicable. They were chosen based on the role that they play, either in their own capacity or through the organization that they represent, in the socio-political, cultural, economic and environmental landscape of our country. Most importantly, they are all people who want to see a better Saint Lucia, with a citizenry united in purpose towards creating safer and more productive spaces for everyone.
6. Is this political in nature?
If the question is whether this is affiliated with any political organization, party or entity, the answer is NO. This is not an activity that is being driven by a political party or organization, or which has a political party agenda. However, this koudmen is concerned with finding ways in which civil society can contribute and play its part in improving the governance of our country, at all levels.
7. Are you trying to take on the role of the government? Shouldn’t these things be handled or managed by government?
Government has a distinct role in managing the country and steering the direction in which the country moves. This role cannot be usurped or taken over by any group or organization. However, civil society also has a very important role to play in the socio-economic development of the country and it is a critical partner that can reach people and undertake activities that government cannot. What we are trying to do is to identify the areas in which civil society can and should help and agreeing on a plan that will allow us to complement the work of the government in the sustainable development of the country.
8. Are the government and the opposition invited?
Both major political parties will be invited to send representatives to the koudmen. Also, because we value the contribution of young people to discussions on the development of our country, we are extending an invitation to the Youth Arms of the two parties to also send representatives to the koudmen.
9. What topics will be covered in this consultation/koudmen?
The koudmen will discuss the factors that impact peace and prosperity in our country under seven broad headings: (i) community engagement, (ii) creative development, (iii) social development, (iv) peace and security, (v) human capital development, (vi) economic development, and (vii) creating partnerships for development.
10. Will this be just another talk shop? How will this be different from all the other consultations that have taken place, with no action?
The last thing we want is to host another talk shop where nice plans are discussed, and nothing is done after. This is why an important element of the koudmen is to identify the areas in which work is already being done and get a commitment from the people and the groups present to support these activities wherever they can. However, we also plan to identify new, tangible, practical things we can do together and set up timelines to make these things happen. So, the koudmen does not end when the discussions stop on the second day. The koudmen continues with the actions that will make all the talk walk in the months ahead.
11. How will you get the views of the people who were not invited, the larger society?
Although we will be inviting many people to the discussions, it is not possible to get the views of everyone over one and a half days, sitting in a meeting room. We want to get the views from an even larger range of people on the things that are critical for the development of our country and our people. So, we will be creating an avenue for Saint Lucians in the diaspora to contribute, both during the forum via a dedicated virtual space, and after. However, the people we really want to hear from are the disadvantaged, at-risk and marginalized groups who normally do not have a voice or a say in these types of discussions. That is why we intend to convene a series of meetings in communities in the months immediately following the consultation to allow more people a say into how civil society can work together for a better Saint Lucia and a more loving and united Saint Lucia.
12. Will the activity be live streamed on the internet or carried live on TV?
The consultations will be live streamed on the internet and carried live on a ,ocal television station. We will provide details closer to the date of the consultation.
13. What happens after the koudmen?
After the koudmen the real work begins to put into action the things that were discussed and agreed to during the koudmen.
14. Where will you get the money to do the things that need to be done after the koudmen has ended?
We intend to convene a partners’ conference after we have completed all the consultations and we have an agreement on the things on which we should work together. At this partners conference we will present our plans to local, regional and international development partners and ask them to commit human, technical and financial resources to the various elements of our work programme.