A unique social experiment that seeks to promote national dialogue on creating a preferred vision of Jamaica while breaking down barriers between communities and individuals as it tackles problems such as crime and violence, unemployment and corruption is to have its formal launch next Tuesday at Emancipation Park.

At a press conference to announce the launch of the project known as the Civic Dialogue for Democratic Governance Project, chairman of the steering committee of the multi-sectoral group Justice Ian Forte, president of the Court of Appeal, noted that the project was neither for or against the government nor opposition, but sought to engage Jamaicans from all walks of life to inspire a new vision and mindset that will facilitate behavioural change to face the country’s problems.

“The main aim is to create a national dialogue that allows Jamaicans to participate in creating a common vision for the country that is compelling enough to unite and motivate persons to act,” said Justice Forte.

The project, which was originally introduced locally by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), utilises video/musical clips of four scenarios which represent a potential future for Jamaica, three of which are negative and one positive, to provoke discussion in communities and other fora across the island and act as a foundation for creating consensus on a national vision.

The scenarios are:

. Sitting on the One One Coco: Representing a situation in which the problems remain constant from year to year and there is limited participation by people in decision-making, and shows a beleaguered ‘prime minister’ attempting to “prioritise the priorities” with a limited budget.

. Paradise Lost: Parodies how, as social and economic variables worsen, the country is led by a “don” and other unscrupulous characters and trust and respect between the state and civil society deteriorates to the situation of a failed state.

. Nose Mus’ Run: Depicts a society in which the control of crime and violence is the number one priority and resources are diverted from other social services. Initially, the society responds positively to reduced crime and violence, however the situation degenerates into a virtual police state with further chaos as citizens react to police abuses.

. Get Up Stand Up in which Jamaicans have a common vision and their is unity among the public sector, private sector and civil society.

Respect, trust, empowerment and consensus in decision-making become key features at all levels in society and there is national growth to everyone’s benefit.

To date, the project team has engaged a wide cross-section of groups including the governor-general, members of Parliament, citizens from conflict-ridden communities, representatives of the tourism industry, community-based organisations and groups and the security forces, according to the organisers.

It has held over 130 dialogue sessions islandwide impacting some 3,000 Jamaicans and has given rise to the formation of the Kingston and St Andrew Action Forum comprising over 40 community leaders from metropolitan Kingston and St Andrew from which 70 per cent of Jamaica’s crime originates.