The final mission under the CARICOM Secretariat’s ‘Students Engaging the CSME through Field Promotion’ project kicks off Monday, May 23 in Dominica. 

Nineteen students from various tertiary institutions in Suriname will visit local public and private sector entities to determine the level of implementation of the CARICOM Single Market. For the week-long mission, the students will be accompanied by Suriname’s CSME Focal Point, a university lecturer and the CARICOM Youth Ambassador (CYA). The project is funded under the European Union’s 10thEuropean Development Fund (EDF) and executed by the CARICOM Secretariat.

The aim of the exercise is for tertiary students to investigate the extent of implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) in participating Member States. Additionally, they are apprised of the employment and business opportunities offered by the single market and its provisions for CARICOM nationals. Upon returning to their home country, the students will prepare a report on their findings and make recommendations based on the visit. The project was started under the 9th EDF in which over 280 students were trained and due to its success, it was continued under the 10th EDF. This second phase was launched in April 2015 and this latest mission brings the total number completed to 12, covering all CSME-participating Member States.

With the completion of this phase under the 10th EDF, over 500 students will have been trained in the operations of the single market and exposed to the opportunities that it presents to them. This project has been integral to promoting the tangible benefits of a single economic space and the importance of the regional integration movement as a whole to CARICOM nationals.