The National Youth Council of Dominica (NYCD) orchestrated a post-budget panel discussion that brought together young minds to dissect the intricacies of the 2023/2024 budget presentation. The event’s panelists, including Stephanie Pascal, Emmana Jeffers, Ashma McDougall, Davidson Edwards, and Phael Lander, sparked a dialogue that uncovered a range of opinions.
Phael Lander, an NYCD representative, noted the uptick in budget allocation for youth development programs, highlighting the Ministry of Health’s increased funding from $59.3 million to $73 million. He also highlighted the notable shift of the Ministry of Youth from social services, underlining a broader change in portfolios.
Expressing eagerness to maintain partnerships with the Youth Development Division and other youth agencies, Lander reiterated the NYCD’s dedication to fostering the potential of young Dominicans. This collaboration strives to ensure that the nation’s youth have the resources and support needed for their growth and development.
Ashma McDougall, Immediate Past President of the NYCD, observed that some recommendations made during pre-budget consultations had found their way into the budget. However, she cautioned that the absence of substantial data-driven policies left room for improvement.
Economist Stephanie Pascal and Trade and Investment Specialist Emmana Jeffers echoed these concerns, labeling the budget’s strategies as vague and lacking concrete implementation plans. Pascal praised the agriculture sector’s data-driven approach while lamenting the budget’s overall lack of specifics. Jeffers pointed out that a focus on digital technology had obscured the benefits of an economy’s digitization.
In the panel’s aftermath, both attendees and virtual participants lauded the NYCD for its timely and enlightening discussion. However, a recurring sentiment was the need for more extensive discourse than the two-hour session allowed. The panelists’ comprehensive analyses garnered applause for their depth and well-researched contributions.
Dominica’s 2023/2024 budget allocation has clearly stirred diverse perspectives, showcasing the importance of informed and comprehensive debates on fiscal strategies.
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