P.U.P. convenes second “People’s Assembly”
Last night the People’s United Party convened its second “People’s Assembly,” this time in Dangriga. Consistent with its policy of making specific proposals that it says will be implemented if the P.U.P. is elected, Party Leader Said Musa focussed on areas affecting youth.
Said Musa, Leader, P.U.P.
“Tonight we make the following proposal towards a national cultural renewal. We must forge national unity by respecting national symbols and institutions, promoting Belizean studies, African and Mayan history, encouraging programs that display patriotism, appreciating our cultural diversity and preserving our native languages whether it be Garifuna, Creole or Maya. But let us not be misunderstood, we are heirs to a heritage which has given us the English language. We must not forfeit or default its inestimable value to us as we look to the wider world and our interaction with it.
Secondly we will strengthen the Departments of Archives and Archeology so that Belizeans can have greater access and appreciation for our rich cultural heritage. We will also promote and support voluntary civic youth organizations such as the Boys Scouts, the Girl Guides, the YWCA and the YMCA and provide financial resources for leadership training.
We propose to abolish import duty on musical instruments and other materials essential to artistic and creative activities. We will complete the project to construct the museum of Belize as well as the establishment of a botanical garden. We will establish a National Institute of Art, Culture and History complete with proper theater facilities where opportunities are available for training in the various art forms including dance, drama, painting, sculpture and music.
Something is dreadfully wrong when Belize with all its talented athletes can only bring back 19 medals from a total of 1,005 awarded at the recent Central American Games. Something is dreadfully wrong when from a national budget of $432,000,000 only a little over $500,000 is allocated to sports, most of which goes into paying salaries and maintaining existing poor facilities. Something is dreadfully wrong when our athletes hunger for food rather than for victory.”
The party leader went on to propose that if elected his party will recruit a cadre of dedicated physical education teachers, abolish duty on sports equipment and support semi-pro football and basketball as an industry.
