OCCBA Past-President Ruggles Ferguson Advocates Holistic Justice Reform at Connected Caribbean Summit
Miami, FL, December 6, 2023 — “There are multifaced challenges impeding effective justice delivery in the region, and equally multifaceted regional approaches are needed to address them.” This according to prominent Grenadian attorney-at-law Ruggles Ferguson, in an address to an audience of legal, business and government leaders at the recent Connected Caribbean Summit in Miami, FL.
In his presentation, titled “The Value, Challenges, and Opportunities for Modernizing the Caribbean Justice Sector,” Ferguson called for action that goes beyond merely treating symptoms, and provided insightful recommendations for comprehensive improvement.
“We must vigorously pursue holistic approaches to justice reform that go beyond the courts to address root causes. This is essential because a deficient justice system has a negative impact on our families and communities, businesses, and way of life,” he stated.
Ferguson’s address delved into the structural and systemic challenges that have long hindered the Caribbean justice sector’s ability to meet the needs of its citizens. He also acknowledged that justice issues often have deep-seated roots in broader societal factors.
“Our approach to solving the many challenges being faced in the delivery of justice must touch on areas such as community engagement, educational initiatives, and social support programs,” he added.
Ferguson cited the recent work of the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions (CAJS) and its innovative whole-sector model, which spans courts, law enforcement, legal aid, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), knowledge sharing, leadership capacity building, community risk mitigation and public awareness campaigns. This comprehensive approach, he noted, is a prime example of the benefits derived from addressing justice issues at multiple levels simultaneously.
Ferguson, an immediate past-president of the Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations (OCCBA) also highlighted that CAJS, is the product of a broader regional commitment to creating a more just and equitable society in the Caribbean.
The Connected Caribbean Summit, held at the Hilton Blue Lagoon in Miami, served as a platform for leaders, professionals, and stakeholders from various sectors to converge and discuss strategies for advancing the region’s development. Ferguson’s presentation added a critical legal perspective to the summit’s broader conversations, stimulating dialogue on the interconnectedness of justice, social well-being, and community empowerment.
ABOUT THE SUMMIT
The Connected Caribbean Summit is a pivotal annual gathering uniting various sectors to explore and devise strategies for expediting transformative action for Caribbean Development. This unique event unites government, business and justice sector leaders along with other key stakeholders and partners to provide actionable insights for collaborative problem solving and accelerated regional development.
The event was hosted by the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions, the Network of Caribbean Chambers of Commerce (CARICHAM), and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), in partnership with the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN), the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG), and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission.
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For media inquiries, please contact: Jesse Deane-Smith, Media Coordinator, ccsummit@connectedcaribbean.org