The occasion was the fifth Visioning Workshop convened by the Agency for Reconstruction and Development Inc. (ARD), at which Parliamentarians discussed the proposals developed in the previous Workshops by a variety of stakeholders.

In declaring the Workshop open, Prime Minister Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell said it has always been his view that there are some issues in the political arena that everyone can agree upon, and the establishment of a National Strategic Development Plan is one such issue.

“This Workshop marks a critical milestone in the National Strategic Planning Process, in that it brings together Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as other representatives of political organisations. The National Strategic Development Plan is intended to have a long-term horizon, based on an enduring Vision and Core Values that guide national development for many years to come. As such, this exercise must be viewed as a national and inclusive
undertaking.

I believe it is most fitting that we, as Parliamentarians and aspiring parliamentarians, have the opportunity to examine what has been accomplished by the various stakeholders in the previous Workshops,” the Prime Minister said.

Participants at the Workshop examined and built upon the Vision Statement and Core Values, (see below) as well as the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis developed at the previous four Workshops. Input from the Parliamentarians will be incorporated into the Vision Statement, Core Values and SWOT analysis, as the process for formulating the NSDP continues.

Referring to the Parliamentarians as a “critically important group in helping to shape the future,” ARD Chief Executive Officer Richardson Andrews said it is envisioned that the NSDP will have a long-term
vision of at least 10 years and will be reviewed and adjusted every three years.

The Workshop was attended by approximately 25 persons, including Government and Opposition Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as officials from the Grenada United Labour Party.

Vision Statement, Grenada: Spice Isle

A prosperous and peaceful democracy that values spirituality, inclusiveness, equity, human rights, good governance and a distinct heritage. A diversified, globally competitive economy built upon the
ideas and skills of a hospitable, educated and healthy people with a capacity to use knowledge to foster innovation, creativity and enterprise for a good quality of life

Core Values

• Democracy
• Spirituality
• Ethics
• Diversity, unity, inclusiveness
• Good governance at national, community and family levels
• Stewardship of natural, human and physical resources
• Environment
• Productivity, competitiveness, work ethics
• Innovation, creativity, enterprise, transformative development
• Hospitality
• Peace and security
• Resilience
• Respect for and promoting and recognising talents, skills and achievements
• Equal opportunity
• Justice