Survey to support future policies

Barbadians are being given the assurance that the findings of ‘The Barbados At 50: The Barbados National Values Assessment 2016’ will feed into Government policy going forward.

 

That’s according to the Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development and Deputy Chairman of the 50th Anniversary of Independence Celebrations Coordinating Committee, Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo. She made the point while speaking yesterday morning at the launch of the study, which is estimated to cost $80,000. That launch took place in the main conference room of the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies.

 

Byer Suckoo explained that the study, which is being spearheaded by the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), is being launched to answer the questions posed to the country by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart at the launch of the 50th Anniversary of Independence Celebrations last year – what features of Barbadian life should be reclaimed, retained or discarded. With that in mind, she further explained that the survey will in essence provide a scientific assessment of how Barbadians view our island at this juncture in its existence.

 

“What this study will do, is provide a platform from which, after an examination of ourselves, we can launch a strategy that will guide our future. Its importance to policy conceptualisation, formulation and implementation in the future is critical to our development. It is hoped that from this research, the insights that will be derived, will form the basis for further in-depth academic inquiry at home and abroad in the future. From dissecting and studying the various elements that this research will highlight, successive policy administrations at varying levels within the Barbadian society and beyond will be able to shape our roadmap for the future,” she said.

 

The Government Minister’s comments came as she noted that just as the country has worked hard to maintain the parity of the Barbados dollar during the recession, equal efforts must be made to create the type of society that is desired. As such, contending that the public must not be afraid to discuss and embrace values, she is urging Barbadians to fully participate in the study.

 

Byer Suckoo added, “This study is important, because we are going to people and we are saying ok, ‘what do you want to see in Barbados?’… So that when we sit and articulate policy whether at the level of the Government ministry, whether in the Cabinet or even at the level of Parliament, we know that we are creating not only what we feel in our hearts… is best for Barbados, but we are informed by the people who we ultimately serve, that this is what they want for Barbados as well.” (JRT)