By Francine Black, Staff ReporterRESIDENTS OF the Craig Town Community in South St. Andrew gathered on Monday night for the first United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) sponsored Civic Scenario Dialogue session at the community centre.
The project is aimed at promoting dialogue across different sectors and levels of society in order to address some of the challenges being faced by the island.
Gillian Lindsay Nanton, Resident UNDP representative, said the project was aimed at helping to build the country.
"It seeks to complement a lot of programmes of democracy and governance," she said.
She pointed out that similar programmes were sponsored by UNDP in other countries, including South Africa, Guatemala, Peru and Argentina.
Prior to the launch of the dialogue in Craig Town, leaders from various spheres of Jamaican society met in a series of workshops also sponsored by UNDP more than a year ago. Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and Edward Seaga, Leader of the Opposition, were also sensitised about the project.
During the workshops the participants developed four scenarios outlining the possible future for Jamaica. These scenarios were developed around the priority areas of the dialogue project which are crime and violence, unemployment and corruption.
A video outlining all the possible scenarios were shown to the residents who then gave their feedback. The first three scenarios which are 'Paradise Lost', 'Sitting on the One One Cocoa' and 'Nose Must Run' focused on the possible dismal future that the country could face if there was not unity towards dealing with the aforementioned priority areas. The final scenario, 'Get Up Stand Up' focuses on the progressive nation that could be achieved by a clear unified vision among all Jamaicans.
Giving feedback on the video presentation residents felt that the final scenario was achievable.
"Without unity there is no strength," a resident of the community commented. Another felt that without trust, nothing could be achieved. He pointed out that he did not trust the political directorate and that trust needed to be restored so the country can "rally around a common goal".
Similar dialogue sessions are scheduled to take place in other communities across the island.
