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| Tuesday, 22 February 2005 |
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Vision driven approach for nation rebuilding by Jayampathy Molligoda Consequent to the tsunami the Government set up the Center for National Operations and appointed three task forces. We understand that the nation rebuilding task force (TAFREN) is in the process of drawing up a master plan. They have, by a newspaper advertisement on January 10 invited professionals and other interested parties to forward suggestions and valuable ideas. This article summarises a few suggestions and salient features that add value when drawing up the master plan. In the past, successive governments and civil society members have been
trying to find solutions to our burning issues such as the country's
economic problems, ethnic issue and the northeast war etc without much
success. Conceptually, they were adopting a "problem driven" approach to find solutions. The writer is of the opinion that the main challenges faced by us namely, nation re-building efforts after tsunami disaster, the economic down turn and the North-East problem could be addressed only through a vision driven approach as opposed to adopting the problem driven approach hitherto practised. For example, the "nation rebuilding task" need not be considered as our overall mission or the only end objective of our master plan. Instead, it could be a means to and end, whereas our mission, in my opinion, would essentially be a broader one such as, say "achieve a peaceful and united Sri Lanka with high level of economic and spiritual development". In this connection, international support and foreign aid would be a mere component in the overall plan to finance our country strategy (master plan). Also we should not prepare plans merely to justify obtaining foreign grants. Let me offer a conceptual framework of "vision driven approach" in order to address the challenges faced by us. If our vision is to create a peaceful and united Sri Lanka with a high level of economic and spiritual development for our next generations, then we need to communicate our mission to the people through our own value system based on the above approach. These values are the foundation of our vision, but when we properly communicate, understand and instill those values and beliefs in the hearts and minds of the people, those values and beliefs will really become "shared values" of the majority of people in this country. Only then could we really build a strong and dominant culture, a necessary pre-requisite to attain our goals and objectives through efficient implementation. Developing strategies for selected clusters Whilst ensuring immediate package of relief measures on a continuous basis for those affected including who have lost their livelihood and income opportunities, we need to develop winning strategies for our vital industry clusters such as tourism and leisure, fisheries and even other export oriented sectors like tea, gem and jewellery etc. This is on the assumption that there seems to be new opportunities to tap USA; EU markets provided experts in their respective clusters come up with sound industry strategic plans. It is important to focus more on marketing of value added products, for example, promoting brand marketing of tea with an identified Ceylon tea image as best in class (make Ceylon tea a mark of quality) and move away from raw gem exports to value added products through design, cutting etc. are some of the examples. It should be emphasised that what we need from the international community is to create a more conducive environment and have a more level playing field. This would enable our businesses to compete in the global market place and capture greater market share with a view to realising much-needed foreign exchange to the country. This will eventually contribute to achieve a surplus in the foreign trade balance on a sustainable basis. (The Trade Deficit as at end 2003 stood at US$ 1706 mn as per Central Bank report.) People-centered action plans We need to focus on people's needs and aspirations when formulating our mission and objectives. One of the objectives within our master plan should be "to improve economic welfare of the people" as opposed to a mere infrastructure development and rebuilding roads, bridges and housing. We need to take a holistic view and try and cover issues such as; sustainable development goals, balance between environmental and development goals, trickle down effects of economic growth, low per capital income and uneven distribution of income, Employment generation and production by masses as opposed to mass production etc. We need to try and understand the needs and aspirations of the affected people in order to prepare a proper and an effective plan. As for our future generation, specific attention should be paid to needy mothers and children, since they are the most vulnerable. The children constitute the most sensitive group of individuals both physically and psychologically. We should strive to ensure that the affected children have access to services such as education and health care; can develop their personalities, abilities and talents to the fullest potential; grow up in an environment of happiness, love and understanding. We need to draw up plans to further strengthen foster parent schemes and Ma-Piya Kepakaru schemes. We could arrange and obtain the services of experts on child psychology and train sufficient number of doctors, teachers, performing artistes and other professionals for trauma counselling (training of trainers programs) and have continuous programs to support their educational and recreational needs. |
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