JULIET PORTILLO
The conventional approaches to development in the Caribbean have been characterized by such features as the production of a narrow range of goods, mainly for export; the importation of most of the technology and equipment used for production; a planning process that excludes the views and expertise of organized labour, farmers, women, youth and several other major groups; an economic management system that measures growth in terms of such indicators as Gross National Product (GNP) and the value of exports; a dependence on market forces to distribute wealth and opportunity and application of criteria for progress and success that fail to calculate the impact of development policies and programmes on people and on the natural resources of the region. How much are we investing in people? The present development model alienates youth from active participation in activities of socio-economic, cultural and political significance. We need to exploit the natural and human resources of our country. What are we doing in reducing the present 'brain drain', those intellectual minds who can contribute in a meaningful way to our development? Every year tertiary institutions across the country produces graduates who cannot get a meaningful job. Where is the vision for development? It is said that education is the key to development. What about investing more in sports for the alienated youth. Why are the stadiums across the country under-utilized? We need a new ideology and a realistic vision that encompasses all in society regardless of race, class, religion and gender.
Reference
Duncan, N. Mechanisms of Impoverishment in the Anglophone Caribbean: The Role of the Bretton Woods Institutions and Recommendations of Caribbean NGOs
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