Quick! Call Your Local MP And Ask Why They Are Not At This Seminar At Grand Barbados Resort
Noel Lynch.
Owen Arthur.
Members of Cabinet.
Members of Government
David Thompson
Members of Opposition
Each of the above should be doing nothing else except attending the “Reinventing Government” seminar currently being held at the Grand Barbados Resort.
Minister of Labour Rawle Eastmond opened the seminar and spoke all around the subject of integrity legislation, but cleverly avoided saying the actual words. He and the government are obviously only going through the motions and have no intention of changing anything. Otherwise, Eastmond would have said “We are introducing integrity and conflict of interest legislation tomorrow.”
The Barbados Advocate lapdog newspaper proudly announced “Government To Become More Transparent“ like a good government publicity machine should.
Pathetic journalism by Janelle Riley who left her brain at home that morning.
Here’s a teaser from an article in today’s Nation…
THE MOST URGENT and daunting challenge facing governments and public administrations around the world is how to strengthen citizens’ trust in public authority.
That’s according to Guido Bertucci, director of the Division for Public Administration and Development Management in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
He was speaking yesterday at the opening of a two-day regional forum on reinventing government in the Caribbean sponsored by Government and UNDESA in partnership with the UNDP and CARICAD and held at the Grand Barbados Resort. Problem for all
Bertucci, a 25-year UN veteran in human resources, financial management and administration, noted that in both developed and developing countries, in emerging economies, and in democracies, both young and old, “we are experiencing a troubling phenomenon: the growing perception of mistrust of governments by their citizens”.
“The emerging political economy in societies is contributing to the elite capture of political power and, consequently, distancing of the citizens – especially the poor and disadvantaged – from the decision-making processes of the state,” he said.
“In many countries, citizens are losing faith in democracy. Time may have come to take a fresh look at democracies and think of ways to make both its processes as well as its outcomes more inclusive and equitable.” Reasons Speaking on the topic: Building Trust In Government – Improving Public Management Through Civic Engagement, Bertucci said that in order to rebuild trust, the causes of the phenomenon needed to be understood and addressed.
He said while there were many causes generating the mistrust, there were four basic weaknesses of governance: (1) lack of transparency in handling public affairs; (2) lack of capacity on the part of governments to deliver services efficiently and effectively; (3) poor ethical standards and corrupt practices; and (4) non-existent or weak mechanisms for citizens’ participation…
… read the entire article at The Nation News (link here)

Now Mr. Prime Minister Owen Arthur…
We know that you have declared that Barbados doesn’t need integrity legislation because all our politicians are honest…
BUT WHAT ABOUT THAT $750,000 “Campaign Donation” cheque that was deposited into your personal account?