Professor Norman Girvan

Noted regional academic, Professor Norman Girvan says he doesn’t want to be a prophet of doom and gloom, but as far as he is concerned, a fate of disintegration was clear for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) if it didn’t strengthen its decision implementation.

His warning came on the heels of the de scri ption of CARICOM as a “ramshackle political-administrative apparatus”, which Professor Girvan said was harsh, but true, and just a week before CARICOM leaders meet in Antigua for the 29^th Heads of Government Summit.

“I’ve been a committed integrationist all my life but I have to call it as I see it…to be brutally frank and realistic about it, I see a real danger of disintegration. We are at a juncture,” the former secretary general of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) told the Caribbean Media Corporation.

But Professor Girvan, well known throughout the region for his learning and public advocacy in issues relating to Caribbean development and integration, pointed out that failure did not have to be inevitable if the nations were to unite, focus on implementing decisions, and put more common policies in place.

“(They must) take that decision to strengthen the system of governance of CARICOM to provide real teeth in it; provide for a system of community law in which certain prescribed and defined areas of CARICOM decision-making have automatic force; and appoint a couple of commissioners to implement it,” he said.

Professor Girvan combines an academic background with experience in government and international organisations. He has served as advisor to regional governments and as a consultant to several regional and international organisations.

He received his BSc degree in economics from the University College of the West Indies, and his PhD in economics from London School of Economics. He also holds a number of awards and distinctions for his works.

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