The Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, recently attended the virtual Fourth Meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) invited the Minister to observe the discussion between Presiding Officers, Ms. Alicia Barcena, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ( ECLAC), Mr. Luis Felipe Lopez-Calva, Regional Director of Latin America and the Caribbean for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Mr. Javier May Rodriguez, Chair of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Minister Furbert said, "As our Ministry strives to be the eyes and ears for solutions to social issues, we are grateful for the valuable insight this meeting provided on strategies for social development."
"With the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on poverty and inequality in the region, this meeting offered an opportunity for country representatives to exchange ideas and formulate strategies for growth."
The main topics of social inclusion discussed were:
- Implementing a working plan to offer help to those in need
- Increasing social protection for those who are disabled and disadvantaged
- Developing strategies such as subsidizing salaries, tax exemptions, monetary transfers, and emergency income to counteract poverty and inequality
- Identifying the challenges and inequalities of lack of access to public matters
- Assessing the state of digital well-being and providing a Basic Digital Basket
In closing, Minister Furbert said, "On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, I want to thank the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the opportunity to attend this meeting."
"As I continue to develop and implement strategies that drive the Ministry's mission, to protect individuals and facilitate well-being, I look forward to future opportunities of engagement."