Aiming for a better quality of life for all

THE MINISTRY of Planning and Development yesterday hosted its first public consultation aimed at making stakeholders aware of the work being undertaken by the Vision 2020 committee and its 28 sub-committees in order to encourage national dialogue on the issue. The session was held yesterday at the Ken Galt Hall at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis noted that the sensitisation session represented an important milestone in the communication strategy for Vision 2020, especially since the national community needed to get involved to formulate a national strategic development plan to guide the country to developed status. She noted the methodology for formulating the plan was centred around inclusion and participation by the national community, but noted these consultations must be continuous and must extend from planning to implementation, to monitoring and evaluation, if the targets are to be accomplished.

She explained that this level of consultation would increase the efficiency of the development projects and programmes that were being implemented and would lead to effective development, “but most importantly, it would empower the people of Trinidad and Tobago so they would be able to influence the decision-making process about events that would affect their lives.” Describing the concept of  “developed country status,” Robinson-Regis explained this notion had different meanings for different people. She said for young people it could mean improved access to education and recreation, for the differently-abled, it could mean equity in treatment to have a productive and happy life. It could also mean proper health care at an affordable price, access to mortgage and housing financing and social security for adults, and additional health facilities and the opportunity to continue to make a contribution and to live in dignity, for the elderly.

Robinson-Regis noted that at the very core, “Developed country status means a high quality of life for all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.” The minister also took the opportunity to thank the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for its support in contracting Kairi Consultants Ltd to design, manage and implement the public participatory process. She noted that Kairi would design and undertake consultative sessions comprising 19 at the regional level, 29 within the communities, and ten that will be focused on special interests. In addition, Kairi would also be documenting and analysing the process and outcomes of these discussions and preparing reports that would be used to assist in coming up with the national plan.

They would also be responsible for preparing a manual that would be used to facilitate and enhance the participation of individuals and groups on an on-going basis in the realisation of Vision 2020. The minister called on participants to become involved in the programme, since national input and feedback was timely and important. She noted that as the ministry prepares for the consultative sessions, it was necessary to have the stakeholders’ support in selecting communities; arranging for hosting sessions; participating in multi-disciplinary teams to encourage and engage public dialogue at the sessions; selecting facilitators for group discussions and communicating with target groups on scheduling of sessions.