By now, you will have heard the term: Strategic Objectives. Councillors have suggested thirteen issues that they consider to be of importance to the people of the Island and SHG will consult members of the public on St Helena in January 2003 at a series of workshops to see what they, the public, consider to be important to the Island’s future.

In today’s society, members of the public are often consulted in relation to major decisions and SHG will consult the people on this important matter.

Councillors have been involved in a number of strategic planning workshops and with the public’s best interests at heart they have suggested thirteen strategic objectives. Thirteen important areas the Island needs to focus on in the coming years. Included on this list are: improved access, an improvement in the standard of education and others such as human rights and caring for the elderly.

At the moment, SHG is working with the Country Policy Plan. This is a good document and useful management tool which sets out the aims of the Government Departments. The strategic objectives will set out the aims of the Island as a whole. Departments will work towards achieving these aims. SHG will base spending decisions on the ability to achieve the strategic objectives.

Next year SHG will negotiate a new 3-year aid agreement for 2004 to 2007 and it needs to plan how this money is to be best spent. St Helena has a limited purse and it is important that the money is used in the right areas so that the strategic objectives are met.

The strategic objectives will have an impact on the lives of all Saints. At present, the thirteen draft objectives put forward by Councillors are not cast in tablets of stone. Members of the public will be entitled to agree or disagree with them, and they will also be able to suggest what they consider as important. Following this, the strategic objectives will be finalised and these will guide the future expenditure of St Helena Government. It is important that the strategic objectives truly represent the views of the people on St Helena so that the three year aid package for 2004 to 2007 will be spent on areas that have been considered important by the people on St Helena. As a result St Helena will progress in a way that is approved by the people.

This week we publish objectives 1,2,3 and 4.

The island is in economic decline and, to a large extent, financially dependent on aid from the UK. Skilled individuals (especially the young) are leaving the island in pursuit of higher wages offshore. In order to secure a prosperous future in the long-term, St Helena needs to make the most of the resources and opportunities it has. This includes inward investment arising from tourism and commerce. Long term sustainability of the island and its people hinges on having a successful economy with increased private sector development. With international help St Helena can achieve this, thus allowing individuals to reach their potential and offering everyone a share of the benefits.

2. Improved access

The question of access is crucial since it affects the island’s ability to attract sustainable tourism, inward investment, to trade effectively and to allow the population to travel as and when required. The aim is towards more reliable, more frequent and more effective access within the limits of affordability. For the time being, the sea remains the only means of access. Whilst the airport project is being considered it is important to continue to address the island’s more immediate needs over the next five years. This includes the proposed wharf project, improved arrangements for freight and passenger access to St Helena by sea, and rescheduling of the RMS St Helena.

3. Improve the standard of education for the people of St Helena

Education is at the heart of a successful economy and a healthy society. Currently, staff shortages and insufficient resources are limiting individuals’ personal development. Skills shortages mean that it has been necessary to import expertise whereas the island should ideally be able to provide these skills internally. Better funding and good management of resources can help to bring this about. In addition it will be necessary to review the opportunities for further education both on-island and overseas.

Education need not stop when an individual leaves school or college. Adult education and training is also a key element.

Ultimately, people must have the right incentives to achieve academically and through vocational training. This means that opportunities to pursue a worthwhile career in St Helena must exist. These will only come about through development of the economy.

4. Promote and develop a sustainable workforce

This is inextricably linked to education and the economy. People need to have the right skills to service the economic needs of the island, but at the same time opportunities must exist within St Helena if we are to prevent these skills leaking abroad. The aim is to minimise unemployment whilst fostering the right conditions for higher wages, improved career development opportunities and better job satisfaction. Improved pay awards may have some effect on staff attrition in the short term, but in the long run the problems can only be solved through economic growth. With more money coming into the island from tourism and investment, wages will grow naturally and will be sustainable.