Sustainable Development in T&T and the Caribbean: Innovation Systems (original) (raw)

Trinidad, West Indies The Possibility of Developing a Sustainable Developing Economy in Trinidad and

This paper seeks to determine the role that Endogenous development in different sectors will play in moving the Trinidad and Tobago economy into the future, while allowing us to interact meaningfully within the new world economy. We will focus on Endogenous Growth Theory, and evaluate how it can assist in developing a framework for the much needed policies in critical developmental areas for sustainable development to be a reality.

Rethinking Caribbean economic development : exploring a green economy approach

2014

The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) is facilitating a regional dialogue to explore if green economy approaches can be applied in the Caribbean context to meet current economic, social and environmental challenges. The paper presents an overview of the results achieved so far in defining a vision and characteristics of a new model of economic development for the Caribbean. This aims for long-term prosperity through equitable distribution of economic benefits and effective management of ecological resources and is economically viable and resilient, self-directed, self-reliant, and pro-poor. Important foundations are a sense of shared Caribbean identity and commitment to pan-Caribbean cooperation, human security, good governance, a strong information base for decision-making, and a well-educated and involved citizenry. The paper also reviews the action research and learning approach being used. An independent regional multi-disciplinary Caribbean Green Economy Action Lea...

A CLEAR Endeavor to Address Development and Environmental Challenges in the Caribbean Region Technical Letter

2005

The Caribbean region consists of many small islands that span a large geographical area. The region faces numerous challenges in managing environmental and development problems and in ensuring that it has sufficient numbers of qualified personnel to meet its developmental needs. Many of the issues that need to be addressed in the region require cross-disciplinary collaboration. Consequently, the Centre for Caribbean Land and Environmental Appraisal Research (CLEAR) was constituted within the University of the West Indies (UWI), to embark on the necessary research and development efforts. This paper reviews the major issues that faces the Caribbean region and discusses how CLEAR is effectively assisting with sustainable development, environment protection and capacity building. The Center promotes multidisciplinary research, undertakes education, training and extension activities such as short courses, workshops and conferences as well as professional services including spatial datab...

The Caribbean Between Envelopment and Development

2018

At this meeting of Caribbean researchers, we are united by common concerns, held on this momentous occasion. Crossing linguistic, geographical and cultural barriers we gathered to discuss the current reality and future perspectives for the peoples of the Caribbean. Today, our region and societies find themselves in times of concern over their future. The diagnosis is extremely alarming, given the absence of a viable response for survival as a society in the Caribbean Basin. We are being globalised into extinction, economically, culturally and socially. Apparently, there is no means of escape for our countries and the scholars of the society are yet to provide an answer. The key question is whether we will become the dinosaurs of tomorrow or whether a project of society is still viable for the countries of the Caribbean. In this disturbing reality, contemporary social sciences have retreated into an embarrassing silence, with no new project to announce to the peoples living in desperation in three continents, and without any message to deliver to societies of misery, with disconcerted people living in anguish without escape route. All development theories and paradigms of the social sciences of the last fifty years have failed, without exception. All paths to progress and to the future have been blocked. While the fate of our peoples continues to deteriorate, there is not one development paradigm left and not one single social science theory capable of providing a viable perspective for the future of our societies. As Martin Luther King once said, "There comes a time when silence is betrayal". This opportunity that brings together so many Caribbean scholars can serve to break the silence and bring about a fundamental reflection, not to satisfy supreme academic interests, but to ensure the very survival of our societies and cultures in the Caribbean Basin; a crucial reflection to provide us with a viable plan for the society in an encounter of our present and future, starting with the genesis of the countries of the Caribbean. Our part of the world has been the outcome of the remarkable circumstance that, during half a millennium, the fate of our societies has not been shaped by our own evolution, development and internal dynamism, in response to the challenges posed by nature, environment and habitat, or in fulfilment of our own desires, aspirations and social goals. Caribbean societies emerged as the scar of oppression, and were shaped from outside Magistral Lecture presented at the international seminar "The Caribbean: Pluricultural Mosaic", organised on the occasion of the 2003 Awards for Caribbean Thought by the University of Quintana Roo, the Government of the State of Quintana Roo and the

The Development of a Sustainable Caribbean Invention and Innovation Centre at the University of Trinidad and Tobago

2012

This paper describes the process whereby the Caribbean Invention and Innovation Centre (CIIC) was established and launched in Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The advantage of the CIIC being located in The University of Trinidad and Tobago is to provide students at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels with exposure to and experience in the developing of products, from the idea to prototyping and marketing. Furthermore, postgraduate students will benefit from being actively involved in commercially driven research thus leading to industry ready graduates. The key output of such a facility would also lead to the formation of new manufacturing SMEs which would create employment for the country and fulfill the mandate of The University of Trinidad and Tobago, the National Policy on community development and deliver on the Millennium Development Goals.

Can a Hydrocarbon Economy Shift its Dependency from Oil and Gas? A Case Study in Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago is one of only two island states, hydrocarbon rich economies in the world. It is also one of the oldest oil and gas provinces in the world. The Country boasts of a rich history in exploration and production; and by efficient utilization and monetization of oil and gas has become among the top 10 global exporters of naturals gas and its derivatives. This paper will look at the major characteristics and systems entrenched in an oil and gas economy. Together with this it will look at the new mandate for the diversification of the energy mix in the pursuit of Sustainable Development (SD) and the use of Renewable Energy (RE); the regulations with which Countries will have to conform to and the international conventions, laws and standards which are to be institutionalized with respect to RE and SD in Trinidad and Tobago; as well as the barriers to implementation. Finally, this paper will analyse the new policy measures which are to be implemented and make recommendations in order to see if effective RE and SD systems and mechanisms can be enforced in a hydrocarbon rich province like Trinidad and Tobago. Keywords: diversification of energy mix, Sustainable Development, Renewable Energy, Policy, Regulations, International Conventions, Laws and Standards

Changes to the Economic Status of the Caribbean's Novice Oil Producer - Guyana

None., 2020

Being in the spotlight for its major oil discoveries over the past five (5) years, growing speculations of Guyana being the richest country or classed with the likes of great states such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, etc. has been very popular by many oil and gas analysts. The oil giants, ExxonMobil, and its partners are optimistic about the potential gains of Guyana’s estimated recoverable reserves of 6 billion barrels of sweet crude oil. Guyana is very familiar with the exploitation of its natural resources, but its growth has been challenged by mismanagement, weak institutions, and weak enforcing mechanisms. This resource, crude oil, seems to be the last hope for Guyana, one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere, to return to its former glory and status in the Caribbean. Its citizens, within the country and the diaspora, are greatly anticipating a better standard of living, better public services, and improved infrastructure or in their familiar term, ‘the good life’. Therefore, this research will try to predict the changes to Guyana's economic status via its prospective growth as a result of being an oil producer. Keywords: Crude Oil, Economic Status, Natural Resources, Oil Discoveries

Caribbean Development: Past and Future

Developing Country Studies, 2015

This study analyses the Caribbean’s development experience over the period 1980-2013 and discusses policy implications for the Caribbean economy going forward. It contends that transformative shifts in policy, practices and institutions are required to deliver a new development paradigm. Specifically, it finds that the following are key imperatives to securing stronger more inclusive and sustainable development in the future: (i) improving fiscal governance and strengthening supporting institutions; (ii) diversifying strategically; (iii) enhancing productivity and competitiveness; (iv) depoliticising development; (v) strengthening social and environmental security; and (v) shifting mindsets away from limitations towards opportunities and possibilities. Keywords: Economic development, Caribbean.