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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 The
Organization of American States (OAS), through its Universal Civil
Identity Program in the Americas (PUICA), has completed a project to
assist the Civil Registries in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada,
Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
to digitalize vital statistical information.
PUICA
initiated its Eastern Caribbean Modernization Project three years ago
to scan vital statistic certificates and input this information on
searchable databases. During the implementation of the project some 2.5
million records of vital statistics were digitalized and catalogued.
Electronic
databases of birth, death, marriage and divorces offer increased
efficiency and lower costs. Vital statistics information, produced by
the civil registries and virtually stored, can help provide social
services to those who are entitled to it. It can increase the efficiency
of land titling and help provide for cleaner voter rolls.
During
the project, PUICA purchased equipment, developed software and trained
data entry clerks to scan and input information from books containing
birth, death, marriage, adoption and legitimization certificates. The
Governments of Canada, Luxembourg and South Korea made contributions
that allowed for the completion of the project.
Civil registry
authorities from the six countries met in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
in October of 2013 to discuss the progress made and to plan next steps
to use the data. Those next steps could include connecting the databases
with passport offices and other state entities in charge of issuing the
Multi-Purpose Identification Card, and linking hospitals with the civil
registry for bedside registration.
The OAS Universal Civil
Identity Project of the Americas supports member states in their efforts
to eradicate under-registration, in order to ensure recognition of the
right to civil identity for all persons in the region. All the
activities of PUICA are geared towards fulfilling the five objectives
set by the Inter-American Program for Universal Civil Registry and the
Right to Identity: universalization and accessibility of civil
registration and the right to identity, strengthening policies, public
institutions and legislation, promoting participation and awareness on
the issue, identifying best practices, and encouraging international and
regional cooperation.
For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.
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