The 5 W’s of CaPRI: What, Why, Where, When, Who? What is CaPRI? The Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI) is a not-for-profit public policy think tank. A first for the Caribbean region, CaPRI is the legacy of the Taking Responsibility: The Jamaican Economy Since Independence Project (JEP). From 2004 to 2006, JEP engaged a network of researchers in a comprehensive interdisciplinary inquiry into Jamaica’s economic performance since its independence in 1962. CaPRI now works to promote evidence-based dialogue on Caribbean socio-economic development. In an effort to promote better social and economic policies, the Institute aims to inform debate through the production of researchdriven data of the highest quality for the wider public, including policymakers and influencers. Why was CaPRI founded? As a result of the work done by JEP, it was found that a need existed for the provision of sound, timely and impartial information to aid in economic and social policy decision making, and so CaPRI was born. The ultimate goal of the Institute is to change national policy-making environments (public and private sector) in the Caribbean from partisan and/or conventional wisdom based decision-making, to being research (comparative and otherwise) based, using a variety of research techniques. Where does CaPRI make an impact? CaPRI’s key objectives are: Short-term: The production of timely and high quality research and analytical products for Caribbean public, policy-makers, the private sector and the international academic community. Medium-term: The elevation of dialogue on public policy in the Caribbean by informing it with evidence-based scholarship, allowing the facts to be heard. Long-term: The promotion of sound and timely socio-economic policy development in the region, as well as the enabling of Caribbean private sectors to pursue opportunities for greater productivity and profitability by identifying relevant opportunities and obstacles. When does CaPRI host events? CaPRI hosts events and discussions principally for and targeted to policymakers and the general public whenever a need is recognised. Our topical research is presented to stakeholders drawn from the public sector, the private sector, and civil society. Our research and events depend on what we find current and/or significant. Policy Review Forums and Reports At each forum, a working paper/report is presented and feedback collected from the participants. After the document is finalised, it is then released to the public. For our most recent outputs, please see http://capricaribbean.org/research Seminars and Public Forums Seminars are geared towards facilitating discussion between policy-makers, the Government, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders in Jamaica. Public forums represent the outreach to the general population for which CaPRI is most noted. CaPRI, according to its ethos of “taking responsibility”, aims to bridge the information gap between researchers and the general public. All our events are organized in association with our project funders and/or various local contributors. For videos and pictures of our events, please go to http://capricaribbean.org/multimedia_page Block H, Alister McIntyre Building University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica Tel: 876-970-3447, 876-970-2910 • Fax: 876-970-4544 Email: info@capricaribbean.org • Website: www.capricaribbean.org
Newspaper and Television Features Apart from being regularly quoted and referenced in the media, CaPRI has developed specific media output for public education on topical socio-economic issues, such as the Economic Shockwave Series in April 2009, a newspaper and television series designed to explain and weigh-in on some of the most pertinent issues surrounding the national budget, the effect of the worldwide financial crisis on the Jamaican economy, and the economic stimulus package in place in Jamaica. More recently, CaPRI has been publishing a series of newspaper articles addressing current socioeconomic issues using its previously published research, including the matters of tax reform, dual citizenship, funding tertiary education, and public sector reform. To read full articles, please visit our website or Facebook page. Who does CaPRI work with? Partnerships with other think tanks, academic institutes and developmental organisations around the world provides CaPRI with funding as well as access to some of the world’s best scholarly and analytical resources, thereby ensuring that all our research output meets the highest standards. Some of our partners have included:
University of the West Indies, Cave Hill (Barbados) International Development Research Centre (IDRC - Canada) Caribbean Council (UK) Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA - Canada) Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI - Canada) Christian Aid (UK) Department for International Development (DfID - UK) European Union (EU) Global Development Network (GDN - USA) Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex (IDS - UK) Inter-American Dialogue (IAD - USA) Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ - Jamaica) United States Agency for International Development (USAID - USA) Caribbean Development Bank (CDB – Barbados)
CaPRI also has a valued group of leading local private sector organisations who support our operations and development by subscribing to our Gold Circle. Gold Circle members for the period 2012-2014 are:
University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Insurance Company of the West Indies (ICWI) Gore Developments ICD Group Spanish Court Hotel Supreme Ventures Lotteries Limited (SVL) PanJamaican Investment Trust Limited Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) Scotiabank Group
CaPRI also calls on the expertise of a number of academics and business leaders throughout the Caribbean and the wider diaspora for individual projects, ensuring a flexible and efficient organisational model while ensuring the capacity to cover important issues to the region in a comprehensive and timely manner. Block H, Alister McIntyre Building University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica Tel: 876-970-3447, 876-970-2910 • Fax: 876-970-4544 Email: info@capricaribbean.org • Website: www.capricaribbean.org