TWGs Being Set Up for Vision 2030

Lead Consultant and Economic Specialist in the Plan Development Unit at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Richard Lumsden, has stated that some 17 Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) will be established by the end of 2010, to advance implementation of Vision 2030.

According to Mr. Lumsden, TWGs are essential for the effective monitoring and evaluation of the plan, as they bring the partners together to discuss, implement, monitor and evaluate strategic priorities and activities.

“The general plan is that each of the major outcome areas of Vision 2030 will have a TWG established, with some extra attention on those that relate to the productive sector,” he explained during a JIS interview.

He said that, by the end of 2010, the plan is to have 17 or 18 TWGs, covering all areas of the plan.

As it relates to composition, he said that the TWGs are generally chaired or led by the Permanent Secretary of the relevant Ministry, or the senior officials in that sector/Ministry. Other participants include persons who have relevant responsibilities and expertise from the public and private sectors, civil society and international development partners. They work as a team, focusing on implementing the actions and projects in the plan.

As part of the process, the TWGs also track indicator progress, identify and mobilise resources for the sector or thematic area, promote new policies and projects, share information, knowledge and expertise and ensure co-ordinated support towards national development.

The PIOJ’s Monitoring and Evaluation Co-ordinator, Curline Beckford, revealed that there has been a lot of progress and activity in the TWGs that have been established, and she is looking forward to seeing similar progress with those coming on stream.

She said that most of the groups are already in a start up stage, with the National Security and Justice Ministries ahead of the rest.

“Since December, they have had four meetings and we anticipate another meeting shortly. This is way ahead of the original schedule of four meetings per annum. They have found these meetings to be advantageous, and so they want to use them to advance their programmes and activities in the various agencies,” she noted.

She added that, at the last meeting, a presentation was made by the Ministry of National Security, looking at their progress over the last quarter and what they were going to be doing in 2010 to 2011.

“So what they put on the table were some very key challenges, based on what is happening with the budget. So that the partners could see how they could assist the process in implementing some critical activities that may not be financed through the budget,” she noted.

Since December 2009, six TWGs have been established in: Education and Training; National Security and Justice; Social Protection; Strong Economic Infrastructure; Energy and Minerals Development; and Hazard Risk and Adaptation to Climate Change.

The Vision 2030 Jamaica National Development plan is based on a vision to make Jamaica “the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business” by the year 2030. It is built on four strategic goals connected to 15 national outcomes driven by established national strategies.

The national outcomes reflect the desired changes in development conditions and, when accomplished, lead to the achievement of the national goals.

The four goals of the plan are to: empower Jamaicans to achieve their fullest potential; create a safe, cohesive and just society; achieve a prosperous economy; and ensure a healthy natural environment.

Outcomes for these goals include world-class education and training; effective governance and security; internationally competitive industry structures; and sustainable management and use of environmental resources.