The Integration Movement

First major attempt at political union among British Caribbean territories
Comprised 10 territories; capital in Port of Spain, Trinidad
Collapsed due to disagreements over freedom of movement, federal taxation, and the distribution of resources
Jamaica voted to leave in a 1961 referendum; Trinidad followed → Federation dissolved 1962
Legacy: Demonstrated the desire for unity but exposed deep tensions between national and regional interests

Caribbean Free Trade Association — replaced WIF's economic ambitions
Focused purely on removing trade barriers among member states
Laid the groundwork for deeper integration
Limited because it only addressed trade, not broader economic or political cooperation

Caribbean Community & Common Market, established by the Treaty of Chaguaramas
Deeper than CARIFTA — added a common external tariff, functional cooperation & coordination of foreign policy
Expanded to include broader goals: education, health, security, culture
Headquarters: Georgetown, Guyana
Currently 15 full members

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States — smaller grouping of 7 full members (mainly Eastern Caribbean islands)
Deeper integration than CARICOM among members — shares a common currency (EC$) and Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB)
Revised Treaty of Basseterre (2010) created a single economic and domestic space
Coordinates foreign policy, defence, and judicial matters (Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court)

Association of Caribbean States — broader grouping of 25 member states + 8 associate members
Includes the wider Caribbean Basin: CARICOM, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Central American states, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico
Focus on trade, transport, sustainable tourism & natural disaster response
More of a consultative/cooperative body than a deep integration arrangement
Headquarters: Port of Spain, Trinidad

Achievements	Challenges
Free movement of goods among members	Implementation of decisions is slow
Coordination of foreign policy (speaks with one voice)	National sovereignty vs. regional loyalty tensions
Functional cooperation in health, education, security	Uneven economic development among members
CSME (partial implementation)	Resistance to full free movement of people
Joint response to crises (e.g. COVID-19, disasters)	Lack of enforcement mechanisms

Founded: 1948 (as University College of the West Indies)

Achievements	Challenges
Regional institution serving 17 countries	High cost of tuition; accessibility issues
Produced generations of Caribbean leaders, professionals & scholars	Brain drain — graduates emigrate after training
Campuses in Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, Antigua + Open Campus	Underfunding by some contributing governments
Research relevant to Caribbean development	Some curricula seen as still Eurocentric
Promotes regional identity & intellectual culture	Distance & logistics for smaller islands

Founded: 1972

Achievements	Challenges
Replaced British O & A levels with Caribbean-relevant exams	Exam fees are a barrier for poor students
Serves 16 Caribbean territories	Perceived regional disparities in marking/standards
CSEC, CAPE & CCSLC qualifications recognised regionally & internationally	Not all qualifications fully recognised globally
Curriculum reflects Caribbean history, culture & context	Pressure of high-stakes exams on students
Continuous updating of syllabuses to meet modern needs	Limited technical/vocational pathways

Founded: 1927

Achievements	Challenges
West Indies teams were dominant world forces (1970s–80s)	Significant decline in performance since 1990s
Symbol of Caribbean unity & pride across territories	Player-board conflicts & poor governance
Produced legends: Sobers, Richards, Lara, Ambrose, Marshall	Loss of talent to other sports & leagues (IPL)
T20 World Cup wins (2012, 2016)	Lack of investment in youth development
Cricket as a tool of cultural identity & integration	Fragmented national interests undermining regional unity

Founded: 1974 — based at UWI, Mona, Jamaica

Achievements	Challenges
Training of Caribbean media professionals	Limited reach — based only in Jamaica
Research into Caribbean media & communication	Underfunding limits programme expansion
Promotes Caribbean perspectives in journalism & communication	Competition from overseas media training institutions
Contributes to media literacy & freedom of press values	Keeping pace with rapid digital media transformation

Launched: 2006 (Single Market); Economy phase still incomplete

Achievements	Challenges
Free movement of goods, capital & some categories of skilled labour	Single Economy (monetary union) not yet achieved
CARICOM Skills Certificate allows skilled nationals to work regionally	Full implementation limited — not all members participate equally
Common external tariff on non-member imports	Political will lacking in some member states
Steps toward a regional stock exchange	Public awareness of CSME rights remains low
Framework for a more competitive regional economy	Bureaucratic & legal harmonisation very slow

Founded: 1982 — based in Barbados

Achievements	Challenges
Collective security arrangement for Eastern Caribbean states	Limited resources & small member states
Responds to natural disasters, civil unrest & drug trafficking	Cannot address large-scale military threats alone
Assisted in regional crises (e.g. Grenada 1983, Trinidad 1990)	Dependence on external support (US, UK, Canada)
Joint training exercises among member forces	Drug trafficking & gun crime remain major threats
Promotes stability in the sub-region	Not all CARICOM states are members

Founded: 1969 — based in Barbados

Achievements	Challenges
Provides loans & grants for development projects across the region	Small lending capacity relative to development needs
Supports infrastructure, education, water & poverty reduction	Borrowing countries accumulate debt
Technical assistance & policy advice to member states	Conditions on loans can be restrictive
Basic Needs Trust Fund targets the poorest communities	Global economic shocks reduce available funding
Supports disaster recovery & climate resilience financing	Climate vulnerability of members strains resources