BVI REPORT ON NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
COUNTRY REPORT ON
NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
Policy Framework:
The planning / policy framework in the British Virgin Islands is one that
is built on the
concept of integrated development planning. Integrated planning upholds
the principle of sustainability since it necessitates that both the
natural and human resources of the territory be considered and managed
properly in the short and long-term. The planning framework is based on
strategic analysis and positioning that requires that the territory be
conscious of the future and all the issues and the associated pitfalls, as
well as to deal with interrelated concerns simultaneously rather than
sequentially.
It will require that situations be evaluated, options assessed, risks
analyzed, and informed choices made. The thrust of this effort is embodied
within our sustainable development strategy i.e. National Integrated
Development Strategy (NIDS) which covers the long term, a medium term
development strategy plan contained in the Speech from the Throne 2003 and
short term plans are covered by Ministries’ Strategic Plans.
Objectives:
The overarching goal of the development strategy is to improve the quality
of life for British Virgin Islanders and this is expected to be achieved
through interventions aimed at improving the standard of living and living
conditions of society i.e. the development of a sound economy, ensuring an
ecologically sustainable environment, achieving social integration,
development of supportive social services, community development and good
governance.
The promotion of a balanced, resilient and internationally competitive
economy remains paramount so as to provide a stronger foundation or the
attainment of sustainable development. The framework serves as a long term
approach / guide to the development of medium and short term strategies
and plans; and ensures that there is balance between the various
objectives thereby ensuring vulnerability.
With regards to the integration of priorities into the policy framework,
this is being done mainly through the linking of strategies and policies
found in current planning documents with the NIDS core objectives. The
core objectives are:
- To reduce overall vulnerability
- To ensure balanced development
- To enhance human capital
- To ensure environmental sustainability
- To improve the physical infrastructure
- To maintain social cohesion
- To attain global competitiveness
- To promote global connectiveness
- To promote good governance
- To preserve cultural heritage
- To ensure meaningful participation of BVIslanders in the affairs of
the territory.
One example whereby strategy is linked to the overall objectives is via
the short-term legislative agenda (2003 – 2007): The agenda is
predicated on the following:
- The building a stronger economy through diversification into new
areas such as mega yachting, electronic commerce, small business
development.
- Improving social services and health care via the better management
practices, prevention strategies, new facilities and the enactment of
relevant legislation;
- Promoting good governance through greater transparency in financial
management, public tendering, pensions management, integrity in public
life, improved auditing and value for money, better relations with the
UK and providing consumer protection.
- Developing a world class education system, investing in youth
development, strengthening the legal framework, improving the
curriculum, building of new and improved facilities, introducing
programmes to integrate young persons into society and establishing a
department of Youth and Sports Affairs.
- Sustaining the natural resources through strategic planning, prudent
national parks management, promoting sustainable fisheries, improved
livestock management and improved labour relations including the legal
framework.
- Improving communications links and infrastructure including
liberalisation of telecommunications, upgrading civil aviation
management, enhancing port of entry security and safety and expansion
of physical facilities, enhanced shipping regulations, marine services
management, improve marine pollution management and improving road
transport safety.
Institutional Arrangements:
BVI development planning involves extensive collaboration between the
political administration and the central planning agencies. It is a
function of both the Executive and Legislative divisions of government
with the more technical responsibilities lying with the central planning
agencies and the line ministries of the Government. Executive and
Legislative Councils approve the public sector expenditure while the
ministries are supposed to develop and coordinate strategies as well as
prepare the corresponding programmes and measures. In the case of the NIDS
framework which is concerned with the implementation of sustainable
developing activities, ministries are responsible for developing priority
areas (as they relate to their respective areas) and ensuring that
programmes and initiatives fall within established national objectives.
While there is no active national council dedicated specifically to
sustainable development, the Development Planning Unit (DPU), plays a
coordinating role on matters and issues pertaining to NIDS. In addition to
its function of assessing and providing information on the macro-economic
status of the territory, the Unit also assists with the monitoring and
review of the implementation of development strategies. Additionally, the
Project Cycle Management Unit (PCMU) of the Ministry of Finance and
Economic Development has been established specifically for the purposes of
assisting with the review of projects i.e. implementation of the Public
Sector Investment Programme, this includes the monitoring of the physical
progress. PCMU also provides technical assistance to ministries on the
preparation of project documentation as well as assisting said ministries
and departments with meeting the requirements of loans and grants of
financial institutions. Finally, public consultation is also an important
component in the planning approach; and over the years several methods
have been employed to facilitate this. The more common being the use of
print media, radio, “call-in” shows and town-meetings.
Participatory Decision-making
The process leading up to the development of the NIDS is a good example of
decision-making using consultation in implementing sustainable
development. With technical assistance from the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) the process required an integrated and collaborative
effort, involving consensus between Government, the private sector and
civil society at several levels. First an overall coordinating group i.e.
management team comprised of ministers and senior technical persons (Heads
of Development Planning, Town and Country Planning and Social Development
units / departments) was established to provide policy guidance and
direction. A technical working group i.e. the Integrated Planning
Committee was established and this group was comprised not only of
representatives of government agencies but also of the private sector and
non-governmental organisations. Their function was to develop the
framework and methodology through with the strategy would emerge.
Additionally other committees and other working groups were established to
inform the development of the strategy. The following describes the
sequence of the key components of the overall process:
- Development of the conceptual framework and methodology
- Data Review
- Data Analysis
- Compilation of existing policies and proposals
- Public Consultation
- Preparation of the plan and strategy
Public consultation played a pivotal role in the development of the
strategy as this where the viewpoints of the public at large was
incorporated into the process. Consultation was mainly carried out through
the media both print and visual. Town meetings were also conducted in
major districts. A more recent example of the implementation of
consultation and participatory processes in national decision-making comes
via one of the BVI Governments undertaking of the creation of a new
National Physical Development Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to
establish the priorities with regards to the physical makeup and
development of the territory particularly with respect to the use of land.
Since the integrated approach is being utilised, economic, social and
environmental issues will also be considered and incorporated into the
overall development of the plan. The Town and Country Planning Department
is the lead agency in this effort and is supported by other planning
agencies namely the Development Planning Unit, Social Development
Department and the Conservation and Fisheries Department. Although
Government is a major stakeholder in this initiative the planning process
involves the use of public consultation with civil society as well as the
general public so as to garner input on issues that affect BVIslanders
i.e. issues that relate to physical planning as well as other areas of
development.
The consultative or participatory process is one that is being utilised on
an increasing basis; and is regarded as a key component in informing the
creation of the national strategy and plan and as such ensures that the
needs and aspirations of BVIslanders are kept in the forefront of the
development process.
Further Requirements / Actions needed:
In order to facilitate the further integration of environmental, social
and economic issues, first a central coordinating mechanism needs to be
put in place so as to improve cross-sectoral cooperation and
collaboration. Secondly, there needs to be a culture of decision-making
that is based on evidence (quantitative and qualitative). This will
require political and even a philosophical commitment to utilising re
search and analysis of issues and also to the strengthening participatory
processes i.e. public consultation in planning and decision-making. The
implementation of these actions will inform decision-making and will
result in policy and measures that are pro-active or relevant to the
situation or groups they will affect.
Future Plans
The strategic vision emanating from the NIDS consultative process and as
such the thrust of development in the territory is that the BVI will
develop into a society that is globally competitive and socially cohesive
and able to equitably satisfy the basic needs of its people within an
environment that upholds the principles of human rights, good governance
while seeking to manage its natural and human resources in a sustainable
manner, one that generates self-confidence among its people while
simultaneously maintaining its unique cultural identity. The over-riding
theme in the development strategy is the reduction of vulnerability i.e.
economic, social and physical. Given the changing global context
particularly in view of the events of September 11, 2001 and the ensuing
war on terrorism, more emphasis needs to be placed on safety and security
issues. Particularly in view of the fact that the territory is aspiring
towards high-end tourism. Safety and security issues which in the past
have tended to be only limited to disaster management, will need to be
fully incorporated into the planning framework and as such become a
priority issue in the sustainable development strategy. It is hoped that
the planning system with its various components will be established, and
that the Sustainable Development Council, the Project and Planning
Advisory Committee (PPRAC), the Business Forum and other consultative
mechanisms will be re-activated.
DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS
Programmes and Initiatives
BVI Government has established parallel systems of indicators to monitor
sustainable development in the territory. Indicators on social
development, environmental, spatial and economic planning are regularly
collected and used to inform policy development. In the case of the
economic indicators the DPU disseminated internally via the preparation of
quarterly reports to Executive Council as well as external dissemination
via publication of monthly statistical bulletins and posting of
information on world-wide web.
Institutional Arrangements
At the national levels there are some institutional arrangements that
promote the use of indicators. The Physical Development Plan which is
currently being developed incorporates several indicators which refer to
both current and future aspects of spatial planning and development. In
2003 the introduction and use of strategic planning utilises specific
indicators to point out key areas of performance and achievement at the
ministerial level. There are also arrangements within the decision-making
that facilitate a more informed process such as the requirement that
papers, particularly subject papers being submitted to Executive Council
receive input / comment from relevant Ministry personnel. With respect to
obstacles to success, the disjointed approach towards decision-making i.e.
isolated planning is still very much present and policy making in the
absence of supporting data continues to be the norm. Ministries policies,
national budgets and strategies are being developed without the benefit of
hard data. There is a need to create and promote a culture of planning and
decision-making that incorporates coordination and cooperation across
ministry and department in an integrated way rather than one that shows
limited interest in indicators on the part of decision-makers because of
their potential to reveal bad policies and results.
Development Indicators – Status
While indicators for sustainable development have not been developed per
se, NIDS indicators have been developed for monitoring of the performance
of productive and service sectors in the economy, business and enterprise
development, disaster management, environmental management and social
development.
The benchmarks for NIDS have been set and currently monthly indicators are
being collected and used to inform policy and decision-making in several
areas. For example, collection of information tourist arrivals and
expenditure to inform the development of a tourism policy or collection of
information on International Business Company registrations to inform the
development of financial services policy. Other areas include but are not
limited to education particularly as it relates to the construction of
schools and health policy, and environmental policy as per the current
undertaking of the formation of a National Environmental Action Plan.
Further Requirements / Actions needed:
In order for national programmes on sustainable development to be
successful or in the case of the BVI the full implementation of NIDS will
require on the part of the Government more financial resources this
includes greater investment in the training and recruitment of staff and
other personnel. There also needs to be more work done in the area of
developing supporting legislation particularly in the case of collection
of raw data for the development of indicators i.e. a Statistical Act needs
to be in place. Finally as stated earlier more emphasis developing
coordinating mechanisms, particularly as it relates to planning and
implementation of the NIDS or the implementation of the Public Sector
Investment Programme (PSIP).
Conclusion:
There are a number of factors that have contributed to the success of the
approach taken towards sustainable development in the BVI. First, the use
of public participation and the willingness of the populace to cooperate
in the planning process as well as their desire for better (more informed)
long-term planning has been a significant factor. Secondly, Government
commitment to the concept of integrated development planning as well as
sustainable development on the whole remains steadfast, and this is
further evidenced by the resources (both human and financial) that have
been made available for the pursuit of this end. Finally the BVI has also
been adept in researching and adopting proven and appropriate policies
used by other countries and international community.
The overarching concern and critical factor to the entire process of
sustainable development planning is the current attitude or culture of
planning. Although the NIDS approach represents a step in the direction,
it is still at best remains an aspiration. Greater emphasis needs to be
placed on approaching decision-making and policy planning in an integrated
manner. There is an overall lack of coordination and cooperation between
ministries and departments, civil society and the public. Also
decision-making needs to be based on facts and / or evidence as such the
implementation and even appreciation of indicators in planning process
remains very much a critical issue.
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