Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

COMMENTARY: Close ‘talk shop’ and open real convo about BVI’s future

COMMENTARY: Close ‘talk shop’ and open real convo about BVI’s future

There has been a “talk shop” over the last 20 years about where we want to see our country in the future.

Two decades later we are still talking. I would like to close the “shop” permanently and open a purposeful conversation on WHAT is a national vision, WHY it is important and HOW it will be accomplished.

I think this will help us actually get one done this time because we first need to appreciate the value of the process if we want to be in a better situation 20 years from now.

This is NOT about projects or programmes but what we call outcomes or quality of life. For example: Are Virgin Islanders able to make a living wage, have access to excellent quality public education and healthcare systems, and can afford to own a house and land? If not, why not and what do we need to do to make it a reality?

The 2017 hurricanes and 2020 pandemic only served to remind us that while we have accomplished many things, more is needed for our people to realise their full potential and not struggle with the necessities like food and shelter.

I admit that the list of issues looks and feels overwhelming, but as an engineer, I know that solutions come when we are intentional about looking for the root causes to the problem and solving them. Planning for quick wins only leads to talking about the same problems years later. It is TIME to stop the “talking” and make specific decisions about these Virgin Islands that our grandchildren will inherit.

Our USVI neighbours released their Economic Vision 2040 plan earlier this year and the process used is a good example of the best practice of community-driven planning for consensus. Here is the USVI Economic Development Authority’s website, https://www.usvi2040.com/about, to check out their process and plan as we start our dialogue. Three things I want to point out:

1. They had a Task Force of various stakeholders
2. The diaspora (people who live outside the USVI) were engaged and
3. There are clear roles and responsibilities as to who is responsible for implementing the vision.

Stay tuned as we continue the change in the conversation for a better Virgin Islands!

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
×