Minister Baptiste (centre) along with members of his staff during the press conference View photo »

Ministers of Social Transformation from across the region are to meet in Antigua on 14th & 15th June to discuss social issues under the theme, "Social Security and Sustainable Social Development in the Caribbean".

Antigua & Barbuda's Minister of Housing, Culture & Social Transformation, Hon. Hilson Baptiste, made the announcement during a press conference held at the Ministry's Headquarters on Tuesday morning.

According to Minister Baptiste, while at a Millennium Development Goals meeting held by ECLAC (United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America), he felt the need to bring all Ministers responsible for social development together, as the development of the Caribbean people is of utmost importance in any developing country.

Minister Baptiste said the individuals from ECLAC took his suggestion seriously and this has resulted in the Antigua Government, ELAC and other key agencies supporting the conference.

"We don't want it to be another talk shop; we want to make sure that at the end of it we have a working document we can submit to the Heads of Government in the region". The Minister added that, "As the CSME comes on stream we have to make sure that a lot of the social issues across the region are harmonized".

The Minister said he is extremely pleased to host Ministers and their technical staff from across the Caribbean as this is the first time that Ministers responsible for social transformation will meet to discuss vital issues that affect their people. Minister Baptiste outlined that as part of his appreciation to his other colleagues across the region, a special event has been planned for the Ministers and other delegates.

Among others confirmed to attend are, Deputy Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis, Hon. Sam Condor, along with Professor Karl Theodore, Head of Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences UWI.

The event will be held at the Jolly Beach Resort.

For further information contact:
Collin Jno-Finn
Communications Officer
Ministry of Housing, Culture & Social Transformation
Dickenson Bay Street
St. John’s, Antigua
Collin.jno-finn@antigua.gov.ag
(268) 562-5698/771-4006