SENSITISATION! SENSITISATION! SENSITISATION!
September 11, 2008
EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE!
SENSITISATION! SENSITISATION! SENSITISATION!
In the coming months there will be countless sensitisation programmes as the Government seeks to bring the nation up to date on rapid developments taking place. These are serious times and the developments currently under consideration and those pending will impact on the life on every citizen. The people are demanding the right to know and civil society organizations are beginning to take their place at the discussion table.
Recent developments with the EPA have established a new relationship between the Government and the people. The word stakeholder has taken on relevance and we now have a situation where representative organizations are invited to participate in discussions prior to signatures being affixed to documents that will commit the nation for decades. However, it is the organizations’ responsibility to ensure that the information filters down to the masses.
It is time for a system of testing the heart beat of the nation in polls that will indicate the position of the citizens on certain important issues. It is necessary to establish ownership when important decisions are to be taken in the interest of the people. Referendum is another testing method that is seldom used in the region but becomes necessary from time to time. There is also the option of putting up proposals alongside the ballot at election time.
People have been crying out to be involved in the process of decision making. It is going to demand a lot of patience in proposing ideas to the masses but it is necessary. We see the effects within the tourism industry where our citizens are asked to be kind to the tourists but there is still a lot to be done to inform and educate the people on the importance of tourism. EPA is around the corner and there will be a lot to be learnt about various aspects of the agreement in relation its trade and development components.
CSME is another area of development which I suspect will be fast forwarded to catch up with the EPA. This has been dragging along for too long. Just do it. There is need to keep our professionals and skilled workers at home. The best way to do this is to open up the borders to free movement of people. Money is moving freely all the time. The right of establishment legislation is now in place and businesses are opening up in a very orderly manner. There is no rush, people are taking their time to make the decision on which country to locate. Rather that thinking to block citizens of Caricom member countries, it is time local Entrepreneurs begin to establish cross border companies and take advantage of locating in Trinidad and Tobago where there is money. However, the reverse is happening, T&T Entrepreneurs are the ones coming to St. Lucia.
Caricom – Canada Trade Agreement is soon to be negotiated and it is possible that lessons that have been learnt from the EPA negotiations will be effectively applied. Quietly, a number of draft pieces of legislation are in the works and a number of initiatives to facilitate proper sensitization of citizens are being pursued.
The Trinidad and Tobago Economic Unity initiative is making the rounds and this is going to be very interesting discourse in the months ahead. Sensitisation is key to charting the course ahead.
It seems that the stage is now set for meaningful partnership between the Government and the people and from hereon civil society representatives will have their jobs cut out for them.
Here is my selected quote of the week:
ACCEPT CHANGE WITH A SMILE
Sooner or later a crisis will enter your life, and how you meet it
determines your future happiness and success.
Since the beginning of time, everyone has been called upon
to meet such a crisis.
A closer look will show you that most “crisis situations”
are opportunities to either advance or stay where you are.
Indeed, most changes in your life will take place out of either
‘inspiration’ or ‘desperation.’
Whatever comes your way, give it meaning and transform it
into something of value.
Your personal growth is the process of responding positively to change.
A precious stone cannot be polished without friction,
nor humanity perfected without trials.
Copyright 2008 www.yourdailymotivation.com
Keep the Faith, God is in Charge, Dream Big and Expect Miracles Everyday!!!
Edward Harris
Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist (RECS)
Freelance Journalist, Biblicist, Business & PR Consultant, Realtor, Networker, Private Sector & CSR Advocate, Motivational Speaker
Email: eaharrisdestiny@gmail.com
Website: http://www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com