Dear Editor,

As with Vision 2030 and so many other well-intentioned initiatives, we are once again in danger of missing a golden opportunity to deal seriously with how to transform and develop Jamaica’s rudderless economy and society.

Instead of treating the observance of 50 years of political independence as a teachable experience, the tendency on the part of the government seems to be to make it an occasion for costly celebration. And these days, virtually any expenditure by government is more than the country can afford. My suggestion is to morph the programme into a structured and clinical analysis of the society over these 50 years and before in order to construct a platform on which to build a more viable and independent Jamaica over the next half century. Then embroider it with some feel-good diversions.

An outline of this framework is already in place. For example, the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) at the University of the West Indies has been staging a series of public discussions on issues to do with Jamaica’s identity and development. This could be extended to examine the nature, policies and practices of our institutions over time, and their role in the development of the country. Underpinning this model would be the historical and cultural validity of the view that we have of ourselves, and how conducive it is to making Jamaica a better place in which to live, invest and raise a family.

There are other examples from which to learn. For instance, EXPO 2012, which was put on by the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association and Jamaica Exporters’ Association, could have included this theme in its own programme. As a point of departure, a thorough examination of the private

sector-sponsored tax reform proposals fits neatly into this event, given its relevance to how business and government are conducted in Jamaica. Even more fundamentally, one might want to address the question of why the business sector has traditionally concentrated almost exclusively on the marketing of imported products/commodities. Does this historical inclination inhibit creative diversion into other ways to build a resilient and robust economy?

Then add to this the view of some of us that, as our richest resource, the native creativity and industriousness of the wider Jamaican population have not been adequately tapped. Local government reform, in alliance with community organisations and national stakeholders, could focus on this aspect of our potential for economic development.

Obviously, since most of these events and institutions are concentrated in the Corporate Area, it would be necessary for small groups to take the theme to as many parts of the country as possible, interacting with representative cross sections of the population in various communities. As a voluntary contribution to the national effort, appropriately qualified representatives from academic institutions, national, regional and community organisations together with private individuals could make up these small groups.

H Dale Anderson

hdaleanderson@hotmail.com