Planning for Belize in 2030; New Horizon laying groundwork
Carla Barnett
The government is facing its second annual budget with a deficit of about sixty million dollars. While GOB is still grappling on how to bridge the budget and keep the economy afloat, an initiative funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and executed by the Ministry of Economic Development is looking twenty years into the Jewel’s future. It’s called Horizon 2030, a vision of where Belize wants to be. The Horizon 2030 committee is co-chaired by the Ministry of Economic Development and the private Sector. Doctor Carla Barnett, of Barnett and Company, the team leader and senior consultant for Horizon, says that the plan must rise above political party lines.
Carla Barnett, Team Leader, Barnett and Co.
“Horizon 2030 came out of the Ministry of Economic Development. It’s an idea that actually follows from a suggestion and process that had started under the previous administration. It was Vision 2030 at that time. When the new government came in, the new government through the ministry of Economic Development felt that indeed it would be a very useful thing to have a longer view of development. So they continued the conversation with the IDB and the IDB has agreed to support the process.”
Jose Sanchez
“What main areas are you looking at?”
Carla Barnett
“It’s inter-sectoral, it’s the society as a whole because when you’re talking about development you can’t focus only on the economy and on people who are involved in economic sectors; you have to consider all the various sectors. So we are meeting with or encouraging consideration of social, economic, political; all of the issues that are important in development, because when you look at development in a holistic way it is all aspects of society.”
Jose Sanchez
“What assurances do you have that what you have will be implemented. Whether its PUP or UDP we have seen where regulations, environmental regulations are ignored and this is up to 2030. Your topic says ‘Transcending the Politics.”
Carla Barnett
“That’s one of the key issues; how we can put together a process that will survive beyond a change in an administration. Horizon 2030 is about an overall framework of development. It’s about setting the goals that the country wants to achieve. As governments and parties go through the elections process, they will be able to put programs and processes that they believe will lead the country towards Horizon 2030. We’re hoping that both parties, both main parties will sign on and that the other parties that have begun to be vocal will also sign on to an understanding that Horizon 2030 needs to go beyond the political party.”
The process should be completed by July 2010.
biggest fraud
why would belize be planning for 2030? aint that stupid!! worry about the next couple of years and then move from there.
Unless we can come together as a unified people to define what we want to be, and so doing define the heart and soul of our beloved Belize, the next 20 year will be no different than the period 1990 – 2010… There is understandable disappointment in the hearts of many, but we cannot lose hope… For the sake of our children, for the sake of those who truly love this land we all Belize, we must take the time to consult the people far and wide to shape the vision of the future.
Politicians of today, and those to be… should take this process seriously and commit themselves to the noble task of supporting a unified vision for Belize – prosperous, vibrant, educated, where the rule of law is exemplary, and where no one is above the law…
This requires determination, firmness of purpose, character, patience, and strong leadership to stay he course from our leaders… and the strength of the constituents to hold those in Belmopan accountable. The good book says that from those to whom more has been given, more is expected… it is time that we come together and invest more of who we are to the great task of building a beautiful nation… God Bless Dr. Barnett as she leads this stage of the process…
Horizon 2030 will only be setting the framework of development in Belize at least that is promising for the future Belizean children.
They are telling the present Belizeans that they don’t give a darn about their way of living at present; be hopeful for your children in 2030.
Still in 2030 there will have been no real changes in Belize; the 2030 promise does not look very promising right now.
“The best news to come out of Belize is no news at all”
I like the idea of planning for 2030 and beyond. Belize is in the state that it is in because we never plan for the long term. Every administration has only planned for their 5 year term, if even that. 2030 is only 20 years away, and if we want a better country for the children that are being born today, we have to start now. And of course in starting now, we also benefit the current generation.