KINGSTON, Jamaica— Visiting Development Practitioner in the field of Ecosystem for Crime Prevention, Dr Gabriela Solis Ladrón de Guevara, said collaboration among local state and non-state agencies is an effective way to reduce risk factors for crime.

Dr Solis Ladrón de Guevara was speaking at the fourth staging of the Planning Institute of Jamaica’s Community Renewal Programme’s (PIOJ-CRP) Best Practices Symposium for Social and Community Development in Kingston on Wednesday.

According to a statement from the PIOJ, she noted that in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, 27 agencies are working under a collaborative framework which included: consensus in mission, values and objectives; and, action plan and systems for measurement and evaluation.

“Dynamic interdependent institutions that interact to fulfil a collective goal under their own mandate are more likely to fulfil citizen needs and also increase the probability of policy impact,” Dr Solis said.

She proposed that the tools necessary for success include developing a shared conceptual framework, an agreed action plan and mutual reporting formats.

“There needs to be a collaboration matrix with good communication where it is agreed how we organise among ourselves, which agency is policy leader, which will be responsible for specific actions, who are the collaborators. It is important to have effective outreach among agencies and with the communities, and to empower existing resources,” she said.

“Anything you do will increase well-being, but may not reduce risk factors to crime,” Dr Solis said of programmes.

According to the statement, Dr Solis was speaking in the afternoon session titled, “Coordination as a Best Practice.”

Other speakers included Chief of Operations IDB Jamaica Ms Adriana La Valley; Ms Carolyn Campbell and Mrs Renelle Aarons Morgan from the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service Public Expenditure Division. The session was moderated by PIOJ Community Development Specialist, Antonette Richards.