United Nations Development Programme Jamaica

Thematic Area

Governance

Location

Regional - Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Barbados(OECS) 

Start Date

Duration

2010-2012

Funding Amount

Sources of Funding

Executing Agency

Implementing Agency

Status

Operationally Closed

Objectives

The central idea is to analytically examine how, in the context of the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean Countries and within the development context of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), insecurity and violence have negative impact  The HDR seeks to offer a better understanding of the issue of citizens security in the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the Caribbean as a whole. It will also provide policy and other recommendations to programme countries on how to address it regionally and nationally. The HDR will look into citizens' security from a human development perspective, contributing to the understanding of the propitious conditions for human development and the fulfillment of human rights through a human rights-based approach, with a view to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Expected Results

Many countries in the Caribbean confront severe security challenges of organized crime, such as narco-trafficking and kidnapping, as well as of corruption, juvenile crime, and youth gangs. Crime, violence and conflict sow fear and anxiety about personal security and hinder economic development by making the region unattractive for investment. Public perception of limited commitment of governments to promote citizen security, reduce crime and violence, and contain conflict may result in lack of credibility of public institutions such as the judiciary and police and negatively affect trust in democratic governance. Thus, poor quality citizen security may affect different sectors of the population and generate both direct and indirect social, economic and political costs.

Citizen security addresses the threats to public, social, political and economic order posed by common crime, transnational organized crime, violence, public fear and insecurity. Political, legal and judicial reform, police and prison reform, avenues for citizen participation, and programmes targeted at decreasing poverty and inequality and increasing social cohesion are all essential elements to increase citizen security and democratic governance. Such elements should be addressed at national, regional and local levels. The role of private security agencies and nongovernmental actors are also part of the citizen security framework, contributing to the enhancement of the transparency and accountability of local and national authorities.

2010 Allocations (UNDP Jamaica Country Office contribution): US$55,000.00
2010 Expenditures ( From UNDP Jamaica Country Office contribution):  US$44,906.88

2011 Allocations (UNDP Jamaica Country Office contribution): US$ 9,034.60
2011 Expenditures (From UNDP Jamaica Country Office contribution): US$ 9,034.60

Contact:

Dr. Leida Mercado, Advisor (Citizen Security Project), Regional Centre of Latin America and the Caribbean (RCLAC)

UNDP Programme Officer: Sonia Gill, Governance Advisor and Assistant Resident Representative

Address: Jamaica United Nations Development Programme, 1-3 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica
Tel: + (876) 978-2390
Fax: + (876) 946-2163

Additional Available Information:

News Items posted on the UNDP Jamaica website:

10 October, 2011

Caribbean Human Development Report on Citizen Security : Final consultation in Jamaica

20 July, 2011

National Consultation discusses levels of insecurity in Jamaica in preparation for the first Caribbean Human Development Report

Caribbean Human Development Report on Citizen Security

17 December, 2010

Caribbean to publish 2011 Human Development Report on Citizen Security

11 February, 2010

Bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation essential in any regional effort to address human security issues

18 January, 2010

Jamaica hosts meeting for First Regional Human Development Report on Citizens Security

 Useful Links:

Caribbean Human Development Report on Citizen Security Facebook Page

Publications:

Caribbean Human Development Report 2012: Human Development and the Shift to Better Citizen Security