Politics Research Essay ..docx

Name: Dafnit Alcenor Date: 16^th^ April 2024 Professor: Mrs. Gaynel Curry Politic 113-02 Tittle: The National Development Plan The National Development Plan A National Development Plan (NDP) is a comprehensive, long-term strategy formulated by a government to guide the economic, social, and en...

Name: Dafnit Alcenor Date: 16^th^ April 2024 Professor: Mrs. Gaynel Curry Politic 113-02 Tittle: The National Development Plan The National Development Plan A National Development Plan (NDP) is a comprehensive, long-term strategy formulated by a government to guide the economic, social, and environmental development of a country over a specified period. According to Vision 2040 org websites states This plan is of value it allows the public to be informed of the many changes and the Steps the government will take to lead to the changes being fulfilled as they are also responsible for putting them in to action. The plan is supposed to create an opportunity for achievable and realistic decisions to be taken. Even though there are many pillars of the NPD Economy Governance social Policy and Infrastructure which was mentioned above. This paper will be focusing on the governance pillar goal number 3 which envisions "The Bahamas will have a law-abiding society in which rules are respected, youth at risk are identified and receive appropriate interventions, and communities can thrive." This goal is crucial in fostering a secure and prosperous society, and its successful implementation holds significant implications for the overall achievement of the NDP's objectives. Furthermore, we will examine the overview of goal 3 the challenge and risks, opportunity for success and how it played a role in other countries. The NPD was first discussed in 2012 when the current government at that time took office and the first draft of the national development plan was unveiled in 2016. The plan is a 25-year blueprint aimed at pushing the nation towards a sustainable economic growth, social advancement, and environmental preservation from 2015 to 2040. When the first draft launched in 2016, the NDP was shown as a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector organizations, civil society groups, and the public. The NPD plan comprises of four pillars, each addressing critical aspects of national development, such Governance, the economy, social policy, and the infrastructure. Governance focuses on how people and the country are managed; its goal is for a safe and well governed country. The Social policy is to develop the innate potential of the citizens. The infrastructure pillar involves building the environment such as road, port, utilities and services and the natural environment like water soil flora etc. The Economy pillar looks at the output generated from the use of resource like human capital, infrastructures, land, and government. These four pillars make up the basis of the National Development Plan. However, in this essay, we will not be discussing the other pillars, only the Governance pillar. According to the National Development Plan Draft 'Governance is not just about government. Governance is about how decisions are made and implemented in any society or even organization, in fact any situation where people come together for a common cause' (38). This pillar is needed because better governance leads to a more likeable outcome in terms of economy and social capital. Although the Governance pillar has four goals, we will only be focusing on one goal as fore mentioned. Goal 3 of the Governance Pillar, "The Bahamas will have a law-abiding society in which rules are respected, youth at risk are identified and receive appropriate interventions, and communities can thrive," is a multifaceted objective that addresses various aspects of society well-being and security.This goal recognizes the importance of creating a culture that has respect for the rule of law, where citizens adhere to established norms and regulations. A law-abiding society is essential for maintaining social order, protecting individual rights, and promoting economic stability. Furthermore, the goal emphasizes the need to identify and support youth at risk, acknowledging the significant impact that early intervention can have on preventing negative outcomes and promoting positive life trajectories. By providing appropriate interventions and resources, the NDP aims is to empower young individuals and equip them with the tools to become productive and responsible members of society. Additionally, the goal highlights the importance of thriving communities, where residents can live in a safe and secure environment conducive to personal growth and collective prosperity. Empowered communities are essential for fostering social cohesion, promoting civic engagement, and nurturing a sense of belonging and shared responsibility. Achieving Goal 3 of the Governance Pillar presents several challenges and risks that must be carefully addressed. These include:1.'Dimished compliance with the law' Deeply rooted cultural norms, attitudes, and behaviors can pose challenges in fostering a law-abiding society and promoting positive youth development, 2. Cultural of non-enforcement of the law 3' Unequal access to structured and effective education programs' The Bahamas, like many third world country, faces issues related to income inequality, limited access to educational and employment opportunities, and pockets of poverty. These factors can contribute to a higher risk of youth disengagement, criminal involvement, and societal instability.' 4. Community distrust or lack of social capital within communities. This is to say the love that people have for thy neighbors has long gone. 5. Increases in criminal behavior. We have seen this in recent years when they have shown a spike in violence. Despite the challenges, the pursuit of Goal 3 presents numerous opportunities and benefits for the Bahamas to enhance and complete its national development plan. By Improving public safety which in result will create a law-abiding society with effective youth interventions and thriving communities as a result will contribute to a reduction in crime rates. Another benefit will be economic, having a secure society attract investment, business, giving the Bahamas good reputation. Which is important because a good reputation impact the Bahamas revenue especially when the Bahamas depends on tourism. One last benefit is that it will open doors for sustainable development for the youth that are more prone to violence. To know and understand if these methods [w]ill work well, it is good to see and learn from other countries, it is useful to examine what they have implemented. Because looking at similar initiatives aimed at fostering a law-abiding society, supporting youth development, and promoting community empowerment can help us see if these methods will work in the Bahamas. One these cases could be Singapore's approach to youth development and community engagement. Singapore has created numerous programs and initiatives, such as the National Youth Council and the Community Development Councils, which have played pivotal roles in empowering youth and strengthening community bonds. Another example could be Canada's Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) and its focus on rehabilitation, reintegration, and prevention of youth crime. The YCJA emphasizes early intervention, community-based programs, and restorative justice principles, which could provide valuable insights for the Bahamas. Analyzing these examples can shed light on better practices, lessons learned, and problems to be avoided in the implementation of Goal 3 within the Bahamas. After looking at these examples conducted in this research paper, the following I recommended are proposed the following for the success of Goal 3 of the Governance Pillar: Invest in Youth Development Programs: Allocate sufficient resources to implement comprehensive youth development programs that address education, employment opportunities, mentorship, and recreational activities. Engaging youth in positive activities can reduce the risk of disengagement and criminal involvement. Promote Public Awareness and Education: Launch public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives to promote the importance of adhering to laws, respecting authority, and fostering a law-abiding society. These efforts can help shift societal attitudes and behaviors over time. To summarize The Bahamas Vision 2040 National Development Plan represents a roadmap for the nation's sustainable growth and prosperity. Goal 3 of the Governance Pillar, which envisions a law-abiding society where rules are respected, youth are supported, and communities thrive, is a critical component of this overarching vision. While the pursuit of this goal presents many challenges and risks, ranging from limited resources to sociocultural factors. A successful implementation of Goal 3 can contribute to improved public safety, economic growth, and a good reputation. Also, drawing insights from other countries and how they invest in youth development programs and promoting community policing could be of great help. Through efforts, commitment, and a great resolve, the Bahamas can pave the way for a secure, prosperous, and vibrant future for all its citizens. Work Citation Government of Canada, Department of Justice. "The Youth Criminal Justice Act Summary and Background." *Government of Canada, Department of Justice, Electronic Communications*, 7 July 2021, [www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/yj-jj/tools-outils/back-hist.html](http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/yj-jj/tools-outils/back-hist.html). The Government of The Bahamas. -. "Vision 2040 - National Development Plan of the Bahamas." *Vision2040Bahamas.Org*,. *The Sustainable Development Goals and the National \...*,. "Youth." *NYC*,.