BASSETERRE: Civil society organizations must play a central role in reducing violence across the Caribbean, the Citizen Security Secretariat declared at a major UN summit held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort on November 5.
CSS Coordinator Eartha Carey told delegates that addressing crime requires moving beyond traditional policing. “Crime is not solely a matter for law enforcement,” she stated. “It is a manifestation of broader social, economic, and psychological challenges that must be addressed at their root.”
The summit, themed ‘Your Role, Your Community: Civil Society as a Pathway to a Better Future,’ brought together government ministries, civil society groups, and UN agencies to discuss collaborative approaches to citizen security.
Carey praised Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew for adopting a public health approach to crime prevention in September 2024, treating violence like disease through prevention, intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation.
She outlined five priorities: strengthening collaboration, supporting data-driven policy, enhancing community engagement, advancing prevention initiatives, and promoting opportunities for youth and vulnerable populations.
The coordinator emphasized that civil society organizations “connect communities to institutions, amplify marginalised voices, and provide direct support to youth, families, and vulnerable groups.”
Caribbean nations including St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have experienced rising gun-related crimes over the past decade, undermining community stability and economic growth.
“Our success depends on collaboration between government, civil society, and the wider community,” Carey concluded. “Together, through shared responsibility and active participation, we can reduce violence, strengthen community bonds, and expand opportunities for all.”
The summit forms part of a broader UN initiative promoting civil society engagement across the Eastern Caribbean.