Roadmap of the Veterinary Profession to MRA

Transcription

1 Roadmap of the Veterinary Profession to MRA MA. ELIZABETH D. CALLANTA, DVM, MSc Chairperson, Professional Regulatory Board of Vet Med Professional Regulation Commission PHILIPPINES

2 Outline of Presentation I. Origin and Objective II. Development of MRAR Roadmap Template III. MRA Documents IV. Challenges

3 I. ORIGIN and OBJECTIVE

4 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS, 1994)

5 Objectives The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) Improve trade and investment conditions through multilaterally agreed disciplines Stabilize trade relations through policy bindings Achieve progressive liberalization through subsequent rounds of negotiations

6 GATS ARTICLE VII: Recognition a Member may recognize the education or experience obtained, requirements met, or licenses or certifications granted in a particular country. Such recognition, which may be achieved through harmonization or otherwise, may be based upon an agreement or arrangement with the country concerned or may be accorded autonomously.

7 ASEAN FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON SERVICES (AFAS, 1995)

8 AFAS OBJECTIVES Enhance cooperation in services and improve efficiency and competitiveness; Eliminate substantially restrictions to trade in services among Member States; and Liberalize trade in services by expanding the depth and scope of liberalization beyond those undertaken under the GATS.

9 AFAS Article V: Recognition ASEAN Member States may recognize the education or experience obtained, requirements met, or licenses or certifications granted in another ASEAN Member State, for the purpose of licensing or certification of service suppliers.

10 Overview of ASEAN Economic Community AEC characteristic Single Market and Production base objective To create a stable, prosperous and highly competitive ASEAN economic region Free flow of goods, Free flow of professional services, Free flow of investment, Free flow of skilled labor Freer flow of capital

11 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES The ASEAN MRA s DATE OF SIGNING 1. ENGINEERING Dec NURSING Dec SURVEYING Nov ARCHITECTURE Nov DENTISTRY Aug MEDICINE Aug ACCOUNTANCY Feb. 2009

12 II. DEVELOPMENT

13 Definition of Terms Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRAR) mechanism for countries to work together to harmonize competency standards and training in selected occupations, thereby facilitating labor mobility may lead to Mutual Recognition Agreement

14 Definition of Terms Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) In the skills recognition context, it means a signed legal international agreement that recognizes the equivalencies of accreditation systems. A MRA is developed and signed after negotiations are completed as to the equivalence of two or more countries systems or individual professions Higher level compared to MRAR

15 Objectives of the MRAR for Veterinary Medical Practitioners 1. Facilitate mobility of veterinary medical practitioners within ASEAN 2. Exchange information and enhance cooperation in respect of mutual recognition of veterinary medical practitioners 3. Promote adoption of best practices on standards and qualifications 4. Provide opportunities for capacity building and training of veterinary medical practitioners

16 Developments on ASEAN MRARs - ASEAN adoption of a Roadmap Template - ASEAN Member States submit individual Country Implementation Plan - Conduct of series of Meetings

17 The MRAR Roadmap Template: Criteria I. Exchange of Information II. Facilitation of Mobility of Professionals III. Capacity-building and Training IV. Financing Mechanisms Best Practices V. Malpractice Insurance

18 The MRAR Roadmap Template I. Exchange of Information: Compilation 1. Recognized Basic Qualifications and List of Recognized Institutions 2. Recognized Postgraduate Qualifications and List of Recognized institutions 3. Domestic Laws and Regulations 4. Basic/Specialist Core Competencies / Scope of Practice

19 The MRAR Roadmap Template 5. Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and Practice Guidelines 6. Continuing Professional Development Requirements 7. Registration Policies and Procedures 8. Licensing Policies and Procedures

20 The MRAR Roadmap Template 9. Number of Foreign Professionals practicing in host country (by country of origin and by type of practice) 10. Contact Details of Professional Regulatory Authority (address, , website, phone, fax) 11. Access to all AMS for certificate of good standing (by request only) and verification of registration status by host PRA

21 The MRAR Roadmap Template II. Facilitation of Mobility of Healthcare Professionals Local professional apply Foreign country Status: Generalist, Specialist, Good Standing 1. Coordination and exchange of information between PRAs Local PRA Host PRA

22 The MRAR Roadmap Template 2. Process of Recognition by PRA 2.1 Evaluation of qualifications, training and experiences 2.2 Inclusion in Registry 2.3 Monitor and assess conduct and practice 2.4 Records of disciplinary sanctions and pending cases

23 The MRAR Roadmap Template Process of Recognition by PRA 2.5 Monitoring by ASEAN Joint Coordinating Committee for Vet Med 2.6 Elevated and taken up in the Services Sectoral Working Group

24 The MRAR Roadmap Template III. Capacity-building and training 3.1 Countries with developed systems assist less developed countries 3.2 Visits to veterinary facilities 3.3 List of institutions with program attachments IV. Financing Mechanisms Best Practices V. Malpractice Insurance (YES/NO)

25 III. MRA Document

26 MRA DOCUMENT Art. I. Objectives Art. II. Definition of Terms Art. III. Recognition and Eligibility of Foreign Professionals Art. IV. Professional Regulatory Authority Art. V. Right to Regulate

27 MRA DOCUMENT Art. VI. ASEAN Joint Coordinating Committee Art. VII. Mutual Exemption Art. VIII. Dispute Settlement Art. IX. Amendments Art. X. Final Provisions Signatories: Ministers of Trade and Industry

28 ART III. Recognition and Eligibility of Foreign Professional ART. IV. Professional Regulatory Authority

29 Main Functions of the PRA 4.1 Subject to domestic regulations, the PRA of the Host Country shall: Evaluate qualifications, training and experience of the foreign practitioners Impose any other requirement or assessment for registration Grant recognition and register eligible foreign practitioners Monitor and assess the performance of the foreign practitioners Take necessary actions in case of failure of foreign practitioners to practice in accordance with Code of Conduct and standards of practice

30 ART VI. ASEAN Joint Coordinating Committee (AJCC) AJCCVM SECTORAL WORKING GROUP

31 JOINT SECTORAL COMMITTEE Responsible for effective functioning of the Sectoral MRA Comprise one representative designated by each AMS Considers matters and appropriate actions relating to effective functioning of the Sectoral MRA Takes decisions by consensus.

32 Challenges for AMS 1. Differences in qualification requirements across borders 2. Differences in culture, language and effective communication 3. Mismatches between needed and available professional veterinary practitioners 4. Absence of the necessary incentives to attract foreign professional veterinary practitioners 5. Adjustment to local laws and regulation of the adopted/host country 6. Acceptance by local professional veterinary practitioners

33 Competitiveness In the INTERNATIONAL MARKET context: Do we have the number (quantity) and the competence/qualifications (quality) of veterinary professionals relative to demand? Can we attract foreign clients? Do we offer professional value for money? For what categories of professional veterinary services? How much international business can our professional veterinary services generate?

34 What needs to be done? 1. Know your Professional Regulatory Authority 2. Learn more about your domestic laws and the laws in other ASEAN countries 3. Engage in dialogues, discussions 4. Activate national professional veterinary associations/ federations to know counterparts in other countries 5. Identify your official representatives to the Joint Coordinating Committee 6. Develop common formula for determining competencies and credentials among AMS 7. Official AMS declaration of intent for a MRA in Veterinary Medicine to ASEAN Secretariat

35 Areas of Partnership Associations /Societies of Veterinary Medical Professionals

36 Integration ASEAN MRA Regulatory Laws MNP AQRF SOSL NQFs Competitiveness Roadmap

37 Thank you very much for your kind attention!