COME TO THE DISCUSSION TABLE The National Vision Commission was launched on Monday, April 28, 2014. At the ceremony, the fourteen (14) member commission took the oath of office, pledging to serve the country well in pursuit of the establishment of a twenty year vision and development plan for Saint Lucia. Feature Speaker, Dr. Wesley Hughes shared his experience as head of Jamaica’s visioning process. In his remarks, Dr. Hughes stressed that visioning is an exercise and not an event. According to Dr. Hughes, “In the Caribbean, we have a culture that likes excitement. We enjoy seasonal events like carnival; we prefer the shorter version of the game of cricket and short races like the 100 meter dash. We do not like long races. The visioning process calls for a departure from this mindset. The leader of this process must recognize that we are in this for the long haul. You must be willing to stand up and see this through. This process must go beyond the government or any sector.” Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony says, while some maybe cynical about the establishment of the commission, this should not preclude them from the process. He invited all to be part of the discussion which will shape the future of Saint Lucia. The Prime Minister said, “Understandably, some persons will be skeptical and it is best that we say so up front. We must have realistic expectations about this challenge we are taking up. But I think as Saint Lucians we are up to that challenge. And so I am asking everyone hearing my voice today, to bring your skepticism with you to the discussion table. Come forward and let the Commission know how you feel; what disappointments plague you, what strengths we can muster, and how you see our country moving forward. Let us have a frank and productive dialogue about the sort of Saint Lucia we would like our children to inherit. Let us consider how they will live there: in peace, in perpetual rivalry, or in an enlightened coexistence that allows each of them to flourish at the peak of their potential. We must be mindful also that whatever we imagine Saint Lucia can become, it will not come about without vision, without planning, without conscious choice and sacrifice. If we want a different future, we ourselves will need to change. We cannot expect others to do for us what we will not do for ourselves. Under all our desire to shape the future, is a need to change ourselves.” The Commission is made up of representatives selected by the Governor General, Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Civil Society. The Commission is chaired by Mr. Adrian Augier. END.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Apr 2014 15:40:36 +0000
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