The College To Host the National Development Plan Secretariat’s Launch of The State of The Nation Report
04/06/2016
NASSAU, Bahamas - The Bahamas has
embraced the development of a national plan, and as the nation’s top tertiary
institution, The College of The Bahamas (COB) has assumed a critical role in the
development of the plan. Now, as the National Development Plan Steering
Committee (NDPSC) prepares to launch the State of the Nation Report (SNR), that
partnership is about to move to the next phase.NASSAU, Bahamas - The Bahamas has embraced
the development of a national plan, and as the nation’s top tertiary
institution, The College of The Bahamas (COB) has assumed a critical role in the
development of the plan. Now, as the National Development Plan Steering
Committee (NDPSC) prepares to launch the State of the Nation Report (SNR), that
partnership is about to move to the next phase.
As the Vice Chair of the Steering
Committee, the College has provided leadership and support to the NDPSC with
pursuing its objectives. For instance, COB drafted 10 primers for the State of
the Nation Report covering the four main pillars of focus: the Economy,
Governance, Social Policy and the Environment.
College President Dr. Rodney D. Smith
believes The College’s partnership on this vital initiative will help to further
drive and support national development and so aligns itself with the Strategic
Plan of the College.
“An important part of being the premier
national tertiary institution, is hosting and playing a significant role in
historic events of national importance. We at the College are proud to be
intimately involved with the National Development Plan, its Secretariat and all
of the events and meetings that are a part of it. Our faculty and students have
contributed significantly to the beginnings of the plan and will be instrumental
as the plan is created and then implemented,” expressed Smith.
Other highlights of COB’s direct
participation have included the organisation and facilitation of vision meetings
with the Free National Movement and the Democratic National Alliance; hosting
town hall visioning meetings in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Inagua, Cat
Island, Andros, Long Island, Eleuthera, Abaco, Bimini, and Exuma; participation
in visioning meetings with stakeholders including unions, various associations
and special interest groups; hosting the Transforming Governance workshop
designed to begin the national development transformation with senior members of
the public service; national engagement in the planning process through radio
and television appearances, and launching of a national online survey for all
residents to participate in the visioning exercise. COB architecture faculty and
students participated in an Office of the Prime Minister-Inter-American
Development Bank Urban Design lab with the University of Vienna and additional
projects focused on the Sustainable Nassau Programme. Additionally, the College
Bahamas Union of Students participated in the Vision2040 Youth Conclave, a
platform for young adults to express national needs and priorities and their
vision for the future of The Bahamas.
Prime Minister Perry Christie will
officially launch the SNR on Monday, 11th April 2016 at 6:30pm at The
College’s Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre. The NDPSC seeks to
ensure that both the report and the launch continue to reflect the widest
possible participation.
Story Credit: The Office of Communications, The College of The Bahamas.
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