| KINGSTON, July 1 (JIS): |
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The Social Development Commission (SDC) has been
making strides in the building and strengthening of citizen’s
organizations such as Community Development Committees, Development
Area Committees and Parish Development Committees. So far, the SDC has been able to establish 218 active Community Development Committees, which are intended to bring together the more than 5,000 community-based organisations throughout Jamaica. Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, Portia Simpson Miller made the disclosure during her contribution to the 2004/05 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House on Tuesday (June 29). She said that the SDC had been working on producing community profiles through increased research and data collection activities. These activities include the stablishment of community borders and boundaries, production of community maps, conducting poverty assessments, production of community profiles and the maintenance of local databases of community information. Minister Simpson Miller said that of the 780 communities islandwide, 430 had their borders and boundaries completed, 467 have completed maps, and 252 have completed community profiles, of which 135 of these profiles have been validated. The SDC has also facilitated the development of community plans. According to the Local Government Minister these development plans have provided the basis for development of 74 projects, which have already been submitted to the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), under an agreement between the JSIF and SDC, as part of the National Community Development Project being funded by the World Bank. “These plans are also beginning to create the environment for partnerships and networks, with key agencies and international donor agencies to support community development,” she said. She noted that the SDC would continue to build and support the citizens-based structures such as the Parish Development Committees, Development Area Committees and Community Development Committees. Minister Simpson Miller further stated that the Government agency would continue to facilitate the establishment of the Jamaican Community Database and the development of community and parish profiles. |
