A position paper on the social development policy of the Draft Medium Term Macro Planning Framework 1989 - 1995

ABSTRACT

Social development must take its rightful place in the overall development strategy, and therefore in the national planning framework. It must not be an after-thought. It must not play second fiddle to economic development. Additionally, the media must be seen as a positive and powerful instrument in the social development. Additionally, the media must be seen as a positive and powerful instrument in the social development process. This was the message of Mr. Marcelle's paper. He submitted specific comments/recommendations regarding Government's Draft Social Development Policy; viz- i Professional training of Social Workers at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine must be a top priority in the thrust toward social development. ii The policies and programmes of the N.G.O's should be linked with the national policies and programmes. iii Government's rallying cry of self-reliance can be served by the proposed National Charitable Foundation, only of its operations are decentralized. There is need to identify - a bench mark poverty line; - an approximate rate of population growth which is realistically related to the carrying capacity of the economy; - an acceptable unemployment level, and spell out how it would be done; v. The establishment of day-care facilities at industrial enterprises as a source of motivation to workers. vi. Rehabilitation of prisoners; re-training of prison/probation/police officers; re-vitalizing of poverty-striken neighbourhoods. v. The Family Services System must be geared to provide individual, family and community counselling, and also to provide a network of alliances in support of the family. Mr. Marcelle reiterated his admonition that we must not allow our awareness of existing social needs (severe as they are) to blind us to the equally pressing need for a proactive approach to Social Development, i.e. one which actively promotes social development before there is a need to react to social disturbance