Popular dissatisfaction with the equality of representation afforded Carribbean people in all spheres of national life over the past two decades has led to a more vigilant and proactive citizenry across the region. Caribbean people have lost confidence in the old style of governing states in which political parties in office and in opposition were the sole agents of public affairs. Acting both individually and collectively citizens are calling for a new way of governing.

For more than a quarter of a century non-governmental organizations and more broadly civil society organizations have been in the forefront of efforts to mainstream the participation of ordinary people across the Caribbean in the economic, social and culture development of the region.