A group of Parliamentarians from across the Caribbean have come together to launch a group committed to making the development of their representatives more equitable.

The news came on Friday from Health and Family Services Minister Nelson Bascome following his return from the conference to launch the Caribbean Movement of Parliamentarians for Population and Development (CMPPD).

"Mr. Speaker, honourable colleagues, you will recall in November, 1999, I spoke to the Government's commitment to making the economic, social, cultural and human rights development of Caribbean people more equitable through the establishment of a strong and effective regional movement of Caribbean Parliamentarians,'' he told the House of Assembly.

Mr. Bascome met with Parliamentarians from 13 other Caribbean countries at a conference in the Bahamas between November 21 and 24 which was organised to launch the movement.

He was joined there by Senator Patrice Parris, Family Services senior officer Dianna Taylor and youth ambassador Nitra Dill.

All costs relating to the conference were jointly met by the United Nations, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Japanese Government.

Three key note presentations were given at the conference.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC) reported on the population dynamics of the Caribbean region and the social implications.

A report was given on the adolescent health survey that was conducted in nine countries and the recommendations arising from it.

And the youth ambassador from Jamaica highlighted recommendations from the Caribbean youth summit.

And two workshops were held, continued Mr. Bascome. these were Partnership Alliance for Social Development and Best Practices in Responding to Adolescent Issues.

Bermuda made a presentation on adolescent health and development in the latter and Miss Dill provided delegates with an update on Bermuda's progress on the recommendations from the youth summit held in Barbados in 1998.

The Parliamentarians then developed a Vision and Framework of Action of the CMPPD for the period from 2000 to 2002.

Mr. Bascome said: "This action plan will focus on adolescent health and development and gender equity, equality, male responsibility and participation.

"Their action plan will be shared with the national committee on the rights of the child here in Bermuda in order to ensure, as far as possible, that our national plan for children will reflect the Vision and Framework of Action of the CMPPD.'' Mr. Bascome noted that the articles of association for the CMPPD were signed and it was formally launched. An executive committee representing the three regions in the Caribbean was elected with Bermuda joining six other members in it.

That committee will meet annually and the CMPPD will meet in general conference every two years. Mr. Bascome noted that every other country at the conference had a government and opposition member present.

"The efforts of Parliamentarians in this movement are totally bi-partisan.

We, therefore, continue to encourage the Opposition here in Bermuda to join with us and the Caribbean region to better the economic, social, cultural and human rights development of Bermuda and the Caribbean.''