ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY
AAiT
Individual Assignment Global Trends
Name: Abel Alebachew
Id No. : UGR/8297/13
Submitted to:
Submission Date:9thApr,2022
1
Dominica or Commonwealth of Dominica
flag of Dominica
Dominica - island country of the Lesser Antilles in the eastern
Caribbean Sea. The country has been a member of the
Commonwealth since independence in 1978.
Head Of Government: Prime Minister: Roosevelt Skerrit
Capital: Roseau
Population: 74,584 (July 2021 est.)
Head Of State: President: Charles Angelo Savarin
Form Of Government: Multiparty republic with one legislative
house (House of Assembly [321])
Dominica was found by Columbus. Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by
Europeans. France left the country to Great Britain in 1763. In 1871, Dominica became part first of
the British Leeward Islands and then the British Windward Islands until 1958. In 1967 Dominica
became an associated state of the UK, and formally took responsibility for its internal affairs. In
1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical
administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia CHARLES, the first female prime minister in the
Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years.
Dominica is an island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway
between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago. The total are is estimated around 751 sq km with 29
miles (47 km) long and a maximum breadth of 16 miles (26 km) with a number of active volcanoes,
although eruptions are rare. The capital and chief port is Roseau.
2
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Dominica is the most heavily forested island of the Lesser Antilles with a pleasant climate,
particularly during the cooler months from December to March.
The population is mainly of African descent, with some Europeans, people from the Indian
subcontinent, and Caribs. Dominica is the only island with a relatively large and distinctive group of
Carib Indians, descendants of the people who inhabited the island before European colonization.
English is the official language, but a French patois is commonly spoken, and the original Carib
language is evidenced in a number of place-names. The majority of the population is Roman
Catholic, but there are also Methodists, Pentecostals, and Seventh-day Adventists.
 Government and society
The constitution adopted at independence provides for a president as head of state and a prime
minister as head of government. The legislative branch of government, called Parliament, consists of
the president and a single-chamber House of Assembly. Of the 32 total house members, 21 are
elected from constituent districts; 9, called senators, are presidential appointees; and 1, the speaker,
is elected either from among members who do not belong to the cabinet or from outside the House
of Assembly.
The attorney general is also considered a member of the house. The president is elected by the
legislature, and the prime minister is appointed by the president from among the elected members
of the House of Assembly. The prime minister heads a cabinet chosen by the president from among
members of the house. No more than three cabinet members may be senators. Terms of office are
for five years, and there is universal adult suffrage.
Primary education is compulsory and free in government-run schools.
On November 3, 1978, Dominica achieved full independence, with Patrick Roland John as its
first prime minister. John’s government was implicated in a number of questionable dealings,
including a scheme to lease land to a firm allegedly planning to supply petroleum illegally to South
Africa, which was then under an international trade embargo because of its
government’s apartheid policy. A cabinet crisis ensued, and in May 1979 Oliver Seraphine emerged
as the new prime minister.

Dominica’s International relations
Dominica maintains seven embassies and high commissions abroad as well as 11 consulates. The
Dominican capital Roseau hosts three embassies and high commissions, and in addition there are 11
consulates in Dominica.
 Bilateral relations
3
Australia's High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago has non-resident accreditation to Dominica.
Dominica does not have official representation in Australia.
The United States established diplomatic relations with Dominica in 1979 following its independence
from the United Kingdom. The United States and Dominica have a cooperative relationship. The
United States supports the Dominican Government's efforts to expand its economic base and to
provide a higher standard of living for its citizens.
The two countries work together in the battle against illegal drugs. Dominica cooperates with U.S.
agencies and participates in counter narcotics programs in an effort to curb narco-trafficking and
marijuana cultivation. The two governments have signed a maritime law enforcement agreement to
strengthen counter narcotics coordination as well as mutual legal assistance and extradition treaties
to enhance joint efforts in combating international crime.
The Australian Government provided $1.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Dominica through
the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Population Fund after Hurricane
Maria in 2017.

National interest and foreign policy
Dominica conducts diplomatic and consular relations with foreign governments and is represented
in international organisations. It also participates in relevant bilateral and multilateral negotiations,
furthering and protecting Dominica's domestic and international interests.
As part of the global actors, Dominica is a member to
o
o
o
o
o
Commonwealth,
The United Nations,
The Organization of American States,
The Caribbean Community, and
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Dominica uses the Eastern Caribbean
dollar (EC$), the common currency of the OECS.
Dominica is too small of influence to have an impact on the world or region so it is influence is only
over its own country. It is in fact a developing third world country, meaning it is profoundly
dependant on aid and etc. for survival and practices more of self-abnegation.

Political Economic models
Economy
Dominica is one of the poorest of the Caribbean countries. Its economy is dependent upon
agriculture, which is mostly affected by recurrent hurricanes. They have some success in tourism.
Their exports are derived from the agricultural sector which includes coconut oil, soap, bay oil, and
fruit juices. Soap, derived from coconut oil, is an important export.
Dominica is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern
Caribbean States (OECS).
4
Dominica pursues and maintains a free market and liberal economy. No restrictions exist on any
country. The main trading partners in exports are the Caribbean region registering 70 to 80%
followed by the United Kingdom with 11 to 13%. The main trade suppliers are the United States of
America accounting for 36 to 40% of imports and the Caribbean region 29.8%. Dominica’s trade
expansion with other countries is evident over the last four years. Import trade with Venezuela
moved from 1.7%, in 2007 to 7% in 2010. The country is in a position to achieve the targets, given
the participation in global economic development, relations with other countries, collaboration with
regional and international partners and investment in communication and technology, the country is
well poised to achieve these targets
Success
According to the Sustainable Development Report, the Dominican Republic is making good progress
on eradicating poverty. This is the first of the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The
report states that 0.2 million Dominicans live under the poverty line of $1.90 a day, which is
approximately 111 Dominican Pesos (DOM). This is an improvement from 2014, when 4.3 million
Dominicans were making less than 111 DOM a day. Though the U.N. considers the Dominican
Republic to have completed this goal, challenges remain for its second part. This would require the
country to have every working Dominican earns more than $3.30 per day, which equals 187 DOM.
Here are some important updates on SDG Goal 1 in the Dominican Republic.
Challenges
It has significant tourism potential, but poor infrastructure and the absence of a large airport have
impeded the industry's growth. The country is also vulnerable to hurricanes.
With few natural resources, Dominica is attempting to reduce its reliance on bananas, traditionally
its main export earner.
The banana market has faced stiffer competition since the European Union was forced by the World
Trade Organisation to phase out preferential treatment for producers from former colonies.

participation in regional /global institutions affairs
Dominica is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) CARICOM is an international
organization that consists of 15 member states all of whom are based in the Caribbean. CARICOM
works to promote economic co-operation and integration in the region. The secretariat
headquarters is based in Georgetown, Guyana and Commonwealth of Nations. The Commonwealth
of Nations is a voluntary organization of 53 countries that share no legal commitment to each other
but have a common goal of enhancing the “development of free and democratic societies” and
“promoting peace and prosperity to improve the lives of all peoples of the Commonwealth.” There
are many benefits to Commonwealth members such as easier travel between Member Countries,
protection of all Members by other embassies and commissions around the world, and eligibility for
certain sporting activities (the Commonwealth Games). Dominica is also a member of the
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Organization of American States (OAS), the United
Nations and various other international organizations.
5

Impacts/advantages of globalization and the role in contemporary global issues
Dominica called for a new global framework to redress the imbalances brought about by the
galloping forces of globalization and urge the international community to rally behind the banner of
multi-literalism and its attendant components, poverty eradication and the Millennium
Development Goals the central focus of the 58th General Assembly at UN.
The delegation of the Commonwealth of Dominica wishes once again to address the participation of
the Republic China on Taiwan in the work of the United Nations. Taiwan has demonstrated its
willingness to provide much needed assistance to countries around the world, including relief to
war-torn and devastated countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Article 4 of the United Nations
Charter invites "all other peace-loving states" to join the Organization and compels us to consider
the participation of Taiwan's `23 million people.
Present day challenges and Global Issues
In 2017, after a long history of being ravaged by hurricanes, the full category-five force of Hurricane
Maria hit Dominica, decimating its physical and economic infrastructure. However, with the aid of
many nations, the people of Dominica are reconstructing their country and building it back
well. Dominica is on its way to becoming the first climate-resilient nation of the world.
Under the projects Improving Recovery Planning & Capacities for Resilience in the Caribbean and
Development of Climate Resilience & Recovery Plan, UNDP along with the Dominican Office of
Disaster Management advanced the creation of a Climate Resilience and Recovery Plan which
bolsters national systems for preparedness and ensures the integration of gender equality. UNDP
also provides implementation support to the Climate Resilience Execution Agency for
Dominica (CREAD).
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Support project was created to enhance the capacity of
the country to access climate change funding and financing available from the GCF
The need to improve post-disaster communication infrastructure is also critical given the physical
isolation and communications' disruption experienced by villages and communities after Hurricane
Maria. With support from national and international partners and input from three communities,
UNDP is implementing an innovative community wi-fi network to provide communities with reliable
access to emergency communications’ systems.
The agriculture sector is Dominica’s primary industry; however it is constantly threatened by
reoccurring disasters. The Strengthening Disaster Management Capacity of Women in the
Cooperative Republic of Guyana and Commonwealth of Dominica aims to scale up the resilience of
small farmers and female farmer groups by enhancing risk-informed decision making and
community support. Similarly, the Supporting Sustainable Ecosystems initiative provides effective
integrated landscape management of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, establishing a buffer
zone to reduce threats to biodiversity and ecological functioning.
Currently, UNDP is supporting the COVID-19 emergency response in Dominica, partnering with the
Government in the production of an Economic and Human Development Impact Assessment, with
6
the collaboration of UNICEF and UN Women. The support package of UNDP will include assistance to
SMEs who wish to reinvent themselves through online, digital and Home Safe delivery business lines.
Conclusion
Dominica is a country that has gone through many ups and downs to reach its status today.
Dominica is being confronted with extreme weather events .It is on its way to becoming the first
climate-resilient nation of the world. Although unlike many countries, it isn’t busy fighting off other
countries for border or resources but it has its own problems mainly being poverty and natural
disaster. And it is on a good trajectory to stop these hindrances and achieve its full potential.
References
The World Fact Books - https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/dominica/
https://www.britannica.com/place/Dominica
https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/dominica.htm
https://www.embassypages.com/
https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/dominica
http://news.gov.dm/news/491-dominica-records-significant-progress-in-attaining-milleniumdevelopment-goals
https://www.bb.undp.org/content/barbados/en/home/about-us/where-we-work/dominica.html
https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/dominica/dominica-country-brief
https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2295.htm
7