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by pltm
(PLTM) - Desirous of building a more effective and meaningful partnership with the people of the Virgin Islands for the continued peace, sustainable development and increased prosperity of our beloved Territory, the National Democratic Party hereby commits to the core principles in the following eight undertakings for the more efficient conduct of the people’s business and to build confidence that government is working in the public’s interest. This Commitment of Service for better governance and government is the product of a painstaking review of our philosophy of politics, our original purpose and mission in the context of the changing needs of the people of the Virgin Islands in a changing domestic and global environment. The review formed an integral part of a continuing process of organisational renewal as the leadership of our party transitions from an older to a younger generation. With the NDP’s decision to take a more long term approach to development that will be reflected in our updated policy platforms, this Commitment of Service articulates the basis of a more engaged relationship with key stakeholders and the people of the Virgin Islands as we move forward together as one people towards the third decade of the 21st Century and beyond. This Commitment is yet another example of the innovation which the NDP has brought to BVI politics since its debut back in 1998. Through this Commitment of Service with the people of the Virgin Islands, the National Democratic Party hereby declares that it stands for the following: 1. We will continue to build a strong and vibrant economy, capable of generating sustainably high levels of growth, with the benefits to be fairly shared among the people of the Virgin Islands and support a continued high standard of living for our people as the just reward for their efforts. 2. An inclusive approach to politics where emphasis is placed on consensus-building that brings our people together in the noble endeavour of national development, instead of dwelling on differences which only promote discord, division and undermine cooperation in the national interest. 3. Respect for democracy. We believe that if democracy is to have more meaning to the average citizen beyond the two-minute exercise of voting every four years, there must be an expansion of opportunities for people’s genuine participation in the business of government, especially through ideas and suggestions that inform the development of public policy. 4. Good Governance based on Respect for the Rule of Law, Honesty, Integrity, Transparency, Accountability and seeing these core values reflected in the conduct of public officials, both elected and appointed, as the cornerstone of efficient, responsive and responsible government. 5. Visionary Government which is people-centred, solutions-driven and geared towards the delivery of better results. To reform and render government “fit for purpose” today in the fundamentally different environment of the 21st Century, reconfiguration is necessary to ensure greater responsiveness to the needs of citizens. 6. Patriotism which speaks to genuine devotion and love of country, putting the best interests of Virgin Islanders and Belongers first in every consideration, and defending and preserving traditional aspects of Virgin Islands culture and heritage which make us who we are, define our way of life and differentiate us from the rest of the world. 7. Unity. We support unity among all the people who call these islands home, because we all share a common interest in the continued success of the Virgin Islands. We see uniting our people as the basis of social cohesion for the peaceful and orderly development of our Territory through deep respect for human rights, muti-ethnicity, non-discrimination and protection of vulnerable and marginalized groups. 8. Balanced development. Such occurs from a philosophical understanding that development of the economy must ultimately be for the benefit of the society and its people. It is about the pursuit of the Biblical ideal of the just society where people’s happiness comes through fair access to public services for fulfillment of their developmental needs such as education, health care, sanitation, a clean and healthy environment, access to justice and good infrastructure. When a strong economy supports a strong society, no one who is focused on improving his or her life is really left behind. We, the leadership of the National Democratic Party, solemnly pledge to abide by these commitments, formally adopted on Monday, the 10th day of December in the Year of Our Lord 2018, with the overriding objective of harnessing the talents, skills and energies of all of our people and applying them in building a thriving society.
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