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Publications> Index> Towards Sustainable Development |
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2. TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2.1 Development as Human Development 2.1.1 Introduction Development is about producing the physical facilities, extending the human range of productive skills and providing the individual with security sufficient to increase his longevity, to increase educational attainment and to provide, on a continuous basis, access to resources. Development, in the context of the BVI and consistent with the globally accepted concept of sustainable development, is about improving the quality of life for all people (current generations) without compromising the ability of future generations to earn a living from the set of natural resources endowed to these beautiful British Virgin Islands. Development is about the strategic and sustainable employment of all resources natural, human and technological in a balanced manner. Human development, as defined by the BVI, seeks to provide social equity by improving the circumstances of the less fortunate persons in the society who have been deprived, marginilized or disadvantaged. Reducing exclusion and enabling inclusion for those individuals who are, as it were, on the fringe of organised society are the fundamentals of equity. Equity in the context of sustainable development includes, but is not limited to, access to housing, land, education, health and community amenities. Access to the political process and participation in the decisions about what happens to their community are fundamental to the participatory process. Continued and expanding access to and expanding of the participatory process for all persons are obligations of government under our definition of the concept of good government . GBVI is committed to developing and maintaining greater participation of all persons in the national development process, particularly women and other historically disadvantaged groups. In addition, participation in the development process by the private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) and Grass Root Organizations (GRO's) are viewed an essential ingredient for expansion of the participatory process and facilitating the process of integrated development. 2.1.2 Human Development in the BVI and International Community The 1993 Human Development Report published by the United Nations states "People today have an impatient urge to participate in the events and processes that shape their lives" BVI is committed to this principle and will endeavour to facilitate this empowerment of its people to ensure that their participation is sustained, deepened and widened. The prescriptions to enhance participation and reaching the full potential by people called for under the United Nations yard stick - the Human Development Index (HDI) - are essential strategies to enable people to achieve and maintain their full potential over the long term. Among other things in the HDI concept which BVIG endorses and actively seeks to incorporate in its development process is the broadening of the term capital to include human, financial and natural components. In other words, our national capital structure is human centred while encompassing the conventional dimensions of natural and financial. Having regard for this expanded definition of our national capital assets, our strategies and orientation towards the use of our capital are guided by the need to sustain our natural assets in order to protect them as options for future generations and as a consequence the necessity to select development methods which seek to integrate these multi-dimensional objectives. In the recent past and the near future the international community, particularly the United Nations have held and will be holding global conferences which held significant relevance for the concept of sustainable development and development in general. The BVI participated in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development 1992 and supported the main objectives of assessing the status of the environment, analysing the extent and origin of the problems facing the sustainability of the environment and proposing strategies to correct and improve upon the situation. In this regard our national report is instructive and provides fuller details of our strategies and policies. GBVI fully endorses the conclusion and the proposals for Agenda 21; however, our commitment to assisting with resources is severely limited. Nonetheless, the BVI agree to accept the challenge of how the improve the quality of life for the present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The upcoming International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), 1994 in Cairo is largely focused on the empowerment of women and this is very timely in light of the agreements reached in Rio. In fact the GBVI strategy of the empowerment of people by widening of their choices/options is consistent with the three main quantitative objectives of the ICPD: (i) improving education, especially for girls; (2) infant, child and maternal mortality reduction and (3) the provision of universal access to family planning and reproductive health services. Our main operational policy on the macro level, outlined in our National Report submitted, is the incorporation of population considerations in the development planning process through integrated development planning guided by a Strategic Vision approach. The upcoming 4th World Conference on Women, 1995 in Beijing which aims to assess developments since the Nairobi Forward Strategies and agree on new strategies for the empowerment of women is fully supported by the BVI. GBVI realizes that women represent half of our population and they reaching their full potential as productive persons integrated into society will effectively further enhance national development. In terms of policies for improving the status of women, GBVI has recognized the need to empower women to improve their status in legislation, economics, health, education and politics. GBVI is committed to actualising the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Strategies and measures to achieve these goals have included raising the public's awareness of those issues of particular concern to women. Other strategies and methods include the creation of a Law Reform Committee to review legislation relating to women with a view to making appropriate recommendations to Government. The World Social Summit slated for Copenhagen in 1995 has special relevance for the BVI as its three main themes call for the enhancement of social integration, the alleviation and reduction of poverty, the expansion of productive employment are consistent with the objectives of our Development Plan, 1995 - 1999. Further, the central goal of the Summit, which is generally the empowerment of marginzalized and disadvantaged groups, through increasing of inclusion and the reduction of exclusion, is consistent with the stated commitments of GBVI in terms of good government and good governance, The summit, which stresses inclusion as its central objective, is a timely component strategy in the global imperative of sustainable development meaning the sustainability of institutions, resource use and human capital. The international community focus on inclusion, empowerment and achievement simultaneously are consistent with the GBVI national strategy of integrated development through a strategic visioning process. This is a clear indication of solidarity of BVI with world mainstream communities thought and an undeniable signal of our commitment to democratisation, integration and the furthering of the participatory process for our people. 2.1.3 Human Resources Development In the context of the BVI Human Resources Development (HRD) is defined to include all activities which are designed to make and sustain the individual as a productive member of the community. In this regard, HRD encompasses aspects of education, health, social development and culture. HRD is a process characterised by sustainability of institutions and humans in their economic and social circumstances. Sustainable HRD means a process which delivers persons who are well-trained, healthy from a productive point of view and integrated in the social processes. BVI submits to the notion to ensure that development of the necessary social infrastructure for integrated strategic development planning the concept of HRD must be extended beyond the notion of educational and training programmes. Human resources is recognized as the most critical component for the attainment of sustainable development. Sustainable development strategies require adequate and well defined institutional arrangements together the requisite implementation capacity. At the core of effective institutional and human resource development, must be consistent and substantial allocation of resources for capacity at the local, community and national levels to be employed in the analysis of material conditions of their economic and social circumstances. The establishment and strengthening of indigenous organisations, community groups and institutions to solve their problems is seen as one of the single most important steps in acquiring the necessary capacity for sustainable human development. Institutions should be the means by which human needs and aspirations are realised rather than being self-realizing entities unrelated to the large purpose of human development. As an institution have a responsibility to be transparent and accountable, their mission should be to provide public education about the seriousness of environmental matters for the to all the people in absorbable forms. 2.1.4 Development and Environmental Awareness In particular, greater efforts need to be made at all levels to ensure that all sector and social partners are made aware of the environment/development and its dimensions, first of all, within the natural environment and, secondly, between the natural environment and the human community. If these relationships are not clear the entire concept of sustainable development will be misunderstood and efforts will be wasted. The Government has embarked on an extensive programme of public environmental education aimed at all levels: primary and secondary schools, and the community. This has been spearheaded by several Government organisations and NGO's and is seen as a major goal since every person in the BVI must become involved in the sustainable development process. The Conservation and Fisheries Department together with the Department of Education have concentrated on getting environmental subjects into the school curriculum. To date the emphasis has been at the primary school level focusing on areas such as coral reefs, beaches, mangroves and turtles as well as the coastal ecosystem. Since the establishment of this primary school programme, the emphasis has now shifted to the secondary school level. The focus is on the entire curriculum such that environment is not just covered as a science subject, but can become an integral part of all subjects including English, art, social science, mathematics etc. The Public Health Department also has an extensive education programme in the schools, covering areas such as the use and abuse of drugs, public health and hygiene, environmental health, AIDS and communicable diseases. The school programme is enhanced with local and regional competitions which may be wholly or partly sponsored by private businesses. One of the objectives behind the school programme is that the children will go home and educate their parents. The NGOs are also involved in the education programme, the National Parks Trust has recently started a branch for children called the Young Friends of the Trust. Efforts are also being made to get other groups such as guides and scouts involved in environmental activities through environmental competitions. The focus has not only been at the young people, but also at the community. This has included competitions such as the Best Kept Community Contest, national activities for Earth Day and World Environment Day, workshops and exhibitions which are all focused at the public. The various Government agencies are also working through community groups, the churches and special interest groups such as the Fishermens' Association, to get the message across. 1991 was the 30th Anniversary of the National Parks Trust and throughout the year the work of the Trust was highlighted, with visits to the land and marine parks by school children, exhibitions, a gala dinner, and a regional symposium on Public and Private Cooperation in National Parks. An effort has also been made to inform the public about new environmental legislation and to obtain their opinions, as was done with the extensive public meetings for the Coast Conservation and Management Bill and the new Planning Legislation. There are two local newspapers in the BVI which are published once a week as well as a local radio station. Local and regional TV programmes are just starting to be shown with two hours coverage every week. It is planned that this should increase in the future. In order to better serve the interests of woman, a Womens' Desk has recently been established within the Ministry of Health, Education & Welfare. Despite the many activities, the public's understanding of environmental issues is still low. This is perhaps because the awareness programme is still fairly new, since most of the activity has commenced in the last four years. Thus the programmes must continue and must be expanded and improved for the foreseeable future. 2.2 Development Based on the Concept of a Strategic Vision 2.2.1 The Concept of Strategic Vision Visioning represents the ability to integrate goals, strategies and plans of action into a complete and comprehensive picture (recognisable) of the future of the British Virgin Islands as a global market entity. The vision developed must be coherent and powerful enough to generate commitment and motivate performance of the cast of actors, players and beneficiaries. A vision of the BVI throws light on what this country can be on the global scene. In this light the vision encompasses a realistic picture of the global market, our competitive position, our economic realities and the mine field of international law and regulations through which we should wade. The vision must also contain what the British Virgin Islands should be in terms of reflecting the values and aspirations of the political leadership, the bureaucracy and the communities of people which make up the British Virgin Islands. Vision is the product of rational analysis, imagination, hunches, and values. Vision should come from the collective imagination, creative thinking and rational analysis of the political, bureaucratic and community membership. Vision is the capstone of strategic thinking, embodying the government's goals and aspirations and serves as the central driver of action. Vision gains clarity and strength from tentative formulation, reflection and analysis, testing and revising. Vision contains:
At the outset of the strategic planning process it is imperative that the leadership provides a vision of what the country wants to be and how will it get there generally. This process is called VISIONING and it is normally done in series of sessions with each one building upon the results of the previous. Immediately below I have listed the eight (8) basic steps leadership is expected to undergo if a vision of the country is to be achieved.
2.2.2 Sample Vision Statement General The British Virgin Islands, early into the next decade, is to evolve as a participative democracy with consensus building dominating the domestic decision making process. The main objectives of this democracy is to provide higher levels of human development. Our natural and human resources are to play the most critical roles in our development; consequently, limiting our potential for physical development will be the concept of sustainable development in the productivity patterns. Development is to proceed in an integrated framework to successfully achieve, in a simultaneous fashion, social, economic, environmental and population objectives. Consensus building is to be promoted through continued information, education and communication contacts with all actors and beneficiaries including interest groups. Knowledge and education are to be the main vehicles whereby the people of the British Virgin Islands achieve sustainable development other than prudent management of our natural asset base. The family will remain the most important unit or building block of the country. In this regard, traditional family values, morals and ethics are to play a significant role in maintaining the social fabric, checking anti-social behaviour and promoting new and non-traditional relationships. Government activities will then be oriented around the plans of the family. Government, being a lean and efficient organization, will have as its primary role the provision of non-market services, supportive socio-economic infrastructure and an environment in which private initiative and entrepreneurship flourishes. Economic The BVI is to be known as a World Class Tourism destination with an optimal combination of land and marine based overnight visitors complemented by a selective upmarket cruiseship industry all within the context of our very fragile and limited natural assets base. The BVI is to become a globally known first class international financial services centre featured as a corporate domicile of international business companies with the flexibility to change, adopt and respond to the needs of the offshore corporate sector internationally. For domestic consumption and linkage with the tourism and other sectors, non-land and non-labour intensive, high quality output and medium technology agricultural/fisheries production is to highlight domestic production. Agriculture and fisheries production are to be sustainable and within the limits of our endowment of land and marine water resources. As a service economy, our workers will be empowered with the technology, education and environment into which all customer needs and problems may be responded to appropriately. Our image as a World Class financial services centre and a multi-product tourism destination are to always be incorporated into our reputation and performance each time in the thousands of encounters between our people and those internationally for whom we are providing the services. The BVI is to earn income (externally) primarily from the sale of goods and services to the countries of the Western Industrialized Block. Services include but are not limited to accommodation, business, legal, medical and financial. Maximizing the linkages between the services export sectors in backward and forward fashions with agriculture, construction and light manufacturing in the domestic market cement the domestic consumption and export sectors relationship. Human capital, which is produced through the process of human resources development, the complement of finance capital, is to be developed through a World Class education and training system to ensure that the search for appropriate technology and foreign capital to permit investment in production plants and economic infrastructure is not frustrated. Human Resources Development means the development of humans in its entirety - education, health, sports, entertainment and other social welfares - in a population scenario of the goals to which we aspire. The production or business environment is to be professional, efficient, friendly and highlighted by:
Over the medium term our national output is to double in the areas of tourism and international financial services with the linking sector enjoying favourable growth. Once adequate economic infrastructure is established together with the complementary social and institutional infrastructure public sector investment on the scale now envisaged will be significantly reduced. The growth emphasis will shift to the private sector once the supportive infrastructure is established. The appropriateness of the public sector in terms of its size, role, and effectiveness will be under constant review to ensure that efficiency is always manifested and that the private sector is not crowded out. Our main products will be mixed tourism services and international business companies services for export. In terms of tourism, our mission is to develop more market niches in diving, sailing and other marine activities together with further penetration into the North-American market and expansion into Europe and other selected markets. Concentration on the upper end of the market will not deter us form providing for the middle market in areas suitable to our environment. Although the significant share of offshore financial services are provided for ordinary trading and investment companies, our aim is to increase the market by turning to special areas such as trusteeship, insurance and other areas for international companies. The legal framework in this area is to be up-to-date, world class and second to none. In production and doing business our position is to gain a competitive edge through prudent use of our natural and human resources in a combination of appropriate technology application, distribution, convenience and service. However, the use of appropriate technology and service are to weight heavier in the equation. Appropriate technology application in terms of transport and communication in permitting our markets segments access to the British Virgin Islands constitutes the critical part of our vision. Efficient transport infrastructure such as cruiseship and jet ports are the centre price of our strategy in terms of the convenience of travelling to us and the expansion into markets further away such as Europe. Modern, reliable telecommunications, state of the art computerization and the best creative legal framework will be the nucleus of our competitive focus. Our competitive focus implies extensive investment in human resources development and retraining. To project the image of World Class operations in a Third World economy our strategy is to ensure that:
Our public sector is to be lean, efficient and ready to adjust to international or domestic condition necessitating change. The management structure is to be modern and competent to ensure that its leading role in the implementation strategy of our vision will be achieved. The private sector is to enjoy a harmonious relationship with the public sector and eventually their goals should coincide to be the development of the BVI as a World Class destination for tourism and international financial services. Social Our social vision for the British Virgin Islands is to achieve a United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) rating similar to the middle range developed countries at the end of the plan period. Through the integrated management of issues and concerns related to population, health, education, the status of women and children, recreation, sports, amusement and social welfare the BVI will be developed into a harmonious and prosperous community of international migrants and belongers. The integrated policies and strategies which produce this harmonious community is to be highlighted by population policies, explicit and implicit, that are aimed at improving the standards and conditions of living, raising income levels and improving the health of the community. In recognizing the family as the basic building unit of the community, the BVI is to be known as an ideal place to raise a family in view of the available amenities, health care, education services, supportive services and legal framework necessary to ensure our goal. In terms of the changing of the characteristics of the family it is envisaged that the traditional family will dominate but the BVIG will make available supportive services to any type of family that emerges. To ensure achievement of our developmental goals, our education system must be World Class and oriented towards the objective of making the BVI a first rate tourism destination and a World Class International Financial Services Centre. Education and Training at primary and secondary levels will continue to be mandatory and free while tertiary education will be maintained domestically at a significantly subsidized cost. A well-trained workforce to apply the appropriate technology to develop a first rate system requires training and re-training. Our education system will develop the institutional capacity to provide an appropriately trained workforce on a continuous basis. Our social vision features a productivity pattern improvement with social equity. The production process which is to achieve growth improvement in income distribution and consolidation of the democratization process is to be integrated with the concept of social equity (improvement in the quality of life for all). Longer and healthier lives for all of the population of the BVI is one of the major social goals. Longevity and better health translates into more productivity possibilities and improved chances of enjoying a better life. The national health system will continue to be subsidized and is to be just as good as any in the region delivering the services necessary for the domestic and tourist population. Health services to the out islands and the non-urban areas are to be improved with decentralization of primary care into health centres and clinics. Services not immediately available due to the absence of technology or human resources will continue to be procured from nearby centres of excellence. Towards the end of the plan period, a contributory national health insurance scheme will be introduced. The BVI community must be one where women are given equal opportunities to realize their full developmental potential, equal protection and benefits under the law and enjoy the benefits of comparable worth. Women will live in a community where abuse, insensitivity and illegal activity against them will be dealt with firmly according to penalties established under the legal framework of social legislation. Children and Youth are the future and their welfare is paramount. Recreational facilities, programmes and support services will be provided to ensure that the BVI Community is second to none in the region in terms of raising a family. Environment Our environments, both land and marine are our most valuable assets (along with our human resources); therefore, management including preservation and conservation is a critical part of our vision. The environment of the BVI must be maintained to the highest standards in the region, aided by a legal framework that is second to none. Our tourists must choose us as a destination because of the way we are able to maintain our natural serene beauty, protect our marine life and assets and integrate our tourism product with the environment. The physical development of the BVI will be harmonious with the environment either maintaining its current status or preserving it to ensure that future generations are able to earn an income from it. The management of our environment is to play a central role in our approach to development in a sustainable fashion. The management framework for the environment is to include all applicable international conventions , laws and agreements once they are protecting the environment in our best interest. Our natural endowment including beaches, forests and trails are to be enjoyed by British Virgin Islanders and tourists alike within a framework of user changes and government support. Management of the environment is to be consolidated in terms of administration, finance, regulations and human resources. Culture Culture is an asset of significance and can be marketed as a unique part of the tourism product. The diversity of Caribbean and other world cultures existing in the BVI can be combined to produce something unique to offer the international visitor and add to our tourism product as part of our history, sociology and entertainment. The cultural elements of our music, food, dance and otherwise ways of life can add significantly to tourist expenditure in our country. This extra contribution may be realised via an integrated programme of cultural, entertainment and tourist activities. Theatrical facilities, practice halls, instruction programmes and financial support will highlight our cultural strategy to ensure that its richness is shared with our visitors and that it is rewarded. Crime Prevention and Justice To ensure protection of the rights and privileges of all British Virgin Islanders we will be a community of Law and Order, peace and tranquillity. The BVI will then be a community well protected domestically with the human resources and a legal framework that is most modern. The property of BVIslanders will be well protected with the most modern and affordable systems. The community's incidence of crime against persons and property are to virtually be non-existent and this is to form a significant element in our image as a major tourist destination in the Eastern Caribbean sub-region. Our communities are to be equipped with adequate sports and recreational facilities to permit a high level of competition among athletes and provide outlets for youth who would other-wise be unoccupied. Facilities and programmes are also to be available for all ages desiring to participate and recreation. 2.3 Development and the Concept of Integrated Development At the most general level integrated development is understood in our situation as obtaining economic growth, the enhancement of social integration and developing with equity from a combination of policies and strategies pursued simultaneously rather than sequentially. The reality of the situation in BVI is that the population dynamic, highlighted by rapid growth both naturally and through immigration, has demanded the expansion of productive employment, the expansion of social institutional infrastructure and expedited social integration of immigrants of multi-cultural and multi-ethnic backgrounds. The integrated approach means addressing all development issues under a framework that permits consolidation of a pluralistic democratic society to ensure that the majority of the population benefits from and has a stake in development. The integrated approach requires the achievement of social, economic, population an environmental objectives at the same time to ensure individual aspirations are not frustrated. Integrated development is consistent with our concept of sustainable development in that it promotes inclusion and reduces exclusion. Integrated development, in fact, is a very complex, involved and iterative process that must have as its foundation a solid and sustained planning process informed by very sophisticated databases and wide participation at all levels of decision-making. Realising that sustainable development and integrated development are very compatible and contain many complementary features, GBVI is in agreement with the proposals on Changing Production Patterns with Social Equity put forward by ECLAC. Given the centrality of these notions to our concept of sustainable development, it is proposed to examine each notion in the context of the BVI: 1) Changing Productivity Patterns with Social Equity The main criterion for changing production patterns is equity within the context of greater international competitiveness, based more on the deliberate and systematic absorption of technical progress by the production process than by being a low real wage area to keep down the cost of production. The BVI ensures that, proper account is taken of the need for learning and dissemination of internationally available knowledge through education and the importation of skilled labour. In the context of BVI international competitiveness is what BVI strives for in its production of tourism and financial services for the rest of the world. Integrated development must be systematic and competitive. In our situation, it is the private sector which has become an integral part of a network of linkages with the educational systems, the technological, energy and transport infrastructure, the relations between employees and employers, public and private institutions, and the financial sector. This pattern and method put things together in what we call systematic integration. For the BVI, sustainable development demands the combination of macroeconomic management with sectoral policies, as well as the integration of short and long-term policies. Our enhancement of social integration recognises that economic strategies and policies must be applied within a democratic, pluralistic and participatory context. In this way, the content and scope of economic policies and strategies, the way they are developed and implemented, and the interaction between public and private entities are integrated. With this approach, the policies and strategies reflect the wishes of our country consistent with the principles of democracy. 2) Education and Knowledge: Basic Pillars of Changing Production Patterns with Social Equity To change production patterns with social equity via improved international competitiveness, political democratisation and enhanced social integration, it is clear that plundering of our natural resources must be avoided. Instead it is only through the incorporation of technical know-how and prudent management of our national resources we can continue to change in our economy to one based on services rather than the exploitation of natural resources. If the production patterns are to have equity they must be sustainable and education and knowledge is most critical to this realisation. 3) Sustainable Development: Changing Production Patterns, Social Equity and the Environment There is no doubt that sustainable development depends on the sustainability of activities within our economy. This suggests that our natural assets, loosely referred to as the environment, use is of critical importance to the sustainable development process. Further we are confronted with the fact that our ecosystems do not conform to man-made or even all natural boundaries indicating that our environment is everybody's environment. Sustainable development in its concept confirms to us the critical importance of human capital and the sustainability of institutions in the development process. The notion of production for our needs today without compromising the ability of future generations to earn a living places at the forefront of our deliberations the need to strike a balance between the use of the national capital today and for the future generations. Social integration, economic growth and use of the environment must be objectives of each other obtained in an integrated fashion. If the environment is to be employed in a sustainable manner for development it is clear that the community must understand the characteristics of the environment. The dimensions, capacities, limitations and potential of the environment must be in the general awareness of all people. 4) An Integrated Approach: Social Equity and Changing Production Patterns This concept focuses on obtaining sustainable growth with equity, realising an enhancement of democratisation and political stability by advancing all of the objectives simultaneously rather than sequentially. This approach highlights the balance application of resources such as human, natural and traditional forms of capital. 5) Population, Social Equity and Changing Production Patterns This ECLAC publication alerts us to the extent of the interrelationships between population dynamics, social equity, changing production patterns, the environment, economic development and the whole notion of sustainable development. If people are to be at the centre of development and it is to proceed with a human face, population variables and components such as size, growth and structure must by incorporated in the development process at the planning level to ensure their full consideration at implementation and operations of programmes and projects. Effective maternal and child health services, family planning services and mortality improvement services are pre-requisites for the changing of production patterns with social equity. Infact a healthy population is a productive population once sustainable economic activities provide them with choices to earn higher incomes through sustainable employment of the natural assets in their environment. Of course, the main but underlying theme in the population and sustainable development arguments is the empowerment of women. Empowerment which in effect would enhance the full integration into communities with equity and simultaneously increase their contribution to production substantially. Other central considerations include international and internal migration.
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