Artifact of a development solution for a development problem

1. A PROPOSED FINANCING
SOLUTION TO A DEVELOPMENT
PROBLEM IN MY COUNTRY
Criminal Activities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

2. INTRODUCTION
In the readings “Financing for Development: Billions to Trillions to Action”, Jan
Eliasson defines Development as “A life in peace, without poverty and inequalities,
respect of human right, and the belief in governance and in good and strong
institutions.” A development problem from my understanding therefore is an
underlying issue that hinders the aforementioned.

3. Crime in St.Vincent & the Grenadines
• In the developing country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), the presence of
criminal activities is slowly becoming prevalent especially with our youths.
• In an interview with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in SVG Frankie Joseph, he
indicated that there was a steady decline in overall crime from 9342 in 2011 to 7490
in 2012, then 6743 in 2013;
0
5000
10000
2011 2012 2013
NumberofCrimes
Year
Annual Crime
Overall Crime Each
Year

4. Homicides
• Registered homicides however, has
been on the rise with 21 in 2011, 28 in
2012, 24 in 2013 and 34 in 2014.
• Fire arms were used in 25 of the 34
homicides in 2014 and 10 of those
shootings were gang related and 12
drug related.
0
10
20
30
40
2011 2012 2013 2014
NumberofHomicides
Year
Annual Homicides
Number of
Homicides Each
Year
40%
48%
12%
Causes of Homicides Involving
Firearms
Gangs Drugs Other

5. Obstacles
• It is imperative for the Government and Official Aid providers to get involved by
providing financial assistance towards solutions to combat this issue since criminal
activities within SVG is detrimental to Tourism. This can have a negative effect on
the country’s Domestic Resource Mobilization and as a result hinders the country’s
progress towards robust growth and development. This in fact has adverse
implications for the Country’s Gross Domestic Product.
• They can be eradicated but there are a few known obstacles in the way such as:
1. Poverty- Persons are unable to afford the basic necessities
2. Unemployment- no job opportunities are available even in many cases where you
are educated

6. Obstacles Continued…
3. Lack of Education- “The Educational Statistical Digest 2013” published by the
Ministry of Education reports that between the years 2009 to 2013 there were
1531 drop-outs of which 235 were from the primary level and 1296 from the
secondary level
4. The Sustainable Development goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality
education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all being significantly
compromised- Even in cases where persons are educated we see that our students
and graduates are attracted to gang members especially the leaders since they are
deemed to have the resources (Actual Cash) from illegal activities.
5. Domestic Resource Mobilization not being efficiently utilized into facilities to house
dropouts or into programs catering for these youths.

7. Development Solutions
• How can we as a nation overcome these obstacles in order to exterminate criminal
activities and gangs all together, in achieving the sustainable goal of promoting a
peaceful and inclusive society for sustainable development with accountable and
inclusive institutions at all levels?

8. Development solutions continued…
• We target firstly The Government; who is advised by the OECD and the DAC.
• In using the lessons learnt from the MDGs and in embracing the SDGs, the
government can allocate funds from the country’s Domestic Resource Mobilization
and Official Development Assistance allocation which Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
indicated in “The role of ODA” as a catalytic source of finance, into the following:
1. Poverty Reduction-Wealth should be evenly distributed
2. Infrastructure-Resource Centers can be built to facilitate “At risk” youths.

9. Development solutions continued…
3. Continued Education-Within this structure the government, partnering with the Ministry of
National Mobilization and key persons within the society can implement Aggressive
Programs
Such programs can include:
i. Counseling- They can be guided on coping with pressures or traumas at home that lead
to them dropping out of school and forming street gangs.
ii. Mentoring –Positive role models within the community can be identified to mentor
youths. Not only will this bring the project closer to the community, it will also provide
youths with hope and discourage them from joining gangs.

10. Development solutions continued…
iii. Conflict Resolution and Mediation - in partnering with National Commission on
Crime Prevention, the youths can learn ways to settle arguments and disputes
productively rather than by fighting or running away.
iv. Involvement in Extracurricular Activities- Participants can get involve in sporting
activities or be taught to play an instrument (The Pan Against Crime Program)
v. Trained in the basic Life skills needed to be marketable; for example computer
literacy, basic Financial Management, Speech, Presentations, and Business
Etiquette. This project is an enabler for these youths to be equipped for the job
world.

11. Development solutions continued…
vi. Job placement through apprenticeship-After all the rehabilitation programs and
training necessary is provided, ensure job opportunities even at a temporary level
where they can at least earn a stipend and then be evaluated to secure a
permanent placement.
vii. Police Patrol Vehicles - The Government must ensure that a fraction ODA along
with other funds be allocated to policing the streets in an efficient effective
manner to prevent new gang alliances from forming.

12. Conclusion
Criminal activities especially among juveniles is deteriorating the chance of SVG’s
quest in achieving the status of a Developed Country. The Onus is on us as a people
in collaboration with the government to ensure that our youths feel a sense of
belongingness, is shown a vision, given hope, and all the opportunities necessary to
succeed; in turn, building safe, strong communities which through the SDGs would
promote, peace, access to justice, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and
productive employment, with accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

13. Bibliography
The Role of Official Development Assistance with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
What is Financing Development with Susan McAdams
www.guamcc.edu
www.theguardian.com
www.mass.gov
www.newsone.com
www.troopers.ny.gov
www.usaid.gov
www.un.org