In order for Jamaica to attain developed-country status by 2030, education, social development and small businesses need to be amplified in communities to stem crime and violence.

These were the sentiments posed by residents of Kingston and St Andrew who attended a public consultation meeting organised by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).

At the meeting held at Holy Cross Church in St Andrew, members fired questions and suggestions at the panel of delegates, which included mayor of Kingston and St Andrew, Desmond McKenzie.

McKenzie stressed that several obstacles, if unchallenged, would prevent the dream of Vision 2030 becoming a reality. He said the abundance of human resources available in Jamaica would be redundant if persons were not equipped with the skills, knowledge or attitudes to do the job.

New generation

"Government plans for the development of downtown Kingston to become the financial area are expected to offer the best potential for long-term development," he said, "We need to speak to the new generation of Jamaicans, to do things necessary to participate in this expansion, so that they can take advantage of the new opportunities."

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has in the past estimated the restoration of Kingston will take at least 10 years to complete. PIOJ Director, Wesley Hughes, said work on the infrastructure has already begun, evidenced by the construction of the downtown bus park. Heritage sites and public transportation links, such as the railway, can also be expected to take shape in the coming years.

The PIOJ is currently leading and facilitating the preparation of a long-term development plan, Vision 2030 Jamaica, to ensure Jamaica ascertains its developed-country status by that year.

Consultation

As part of the organisation's inclusive approach to national development, a series of public consultations has taken place across the island, with the suggestions recorded to create a finalised plan by April 2009.

Although members welcomed the plans for the city, several persons called for the PIOJ to prioritise education and skills training, in addition to enterprising opportunities, as a means of reducing crime and violence in their respective communities.

Marlene Hinds said education should go beyond the academic and include parenting programmes.

Parenting skills

"Family life is the greatest contribution to the social degradation of our country. We need to develop parenting skills in order to create sustainability," she said.

Carlton Powell, resident of Fletcher's Land, central Kingston, said that more social intervention programmes needed to be implemented in order to change the mindset of the next generation.

"Young people need opportunities. If they are not academically bright, they need to be taught skills so they can work," Powell said.