Social development through the political process by letting the people take the lead in articulating forth the issues important to them – The People’s Platform
Background
In 1979, the Constitution of the Republic of Palau was written and later approved by 92% of the Palauan voters and a nation was “born”. This was a memorable achievement after almost a century of various colonial governments. The Will of the Palauan people was crafted clearly by the framers of the Constitution and declared through the archives of history that when these aspirations are achieved, the Palauan people would declare themselves true stewards of their heritage. Thus
The Preamble
“In exercising our inherent sovereignty,
We, the people of Palau proclaim and reaffirm
our immemorial right to be supreme on these islands of Palau,
our homeland. We renew our dedication to preserve and enhance
our traditional heritage, our national identity and our respect for peace,
freedom and justice for all mankind. In establishing this Constitution
of the sovereign Republic of Palau, We venture into the future with full
reliance our own efforts and the divine guidance of Almighty God.”
Article V of the Constitution- Traditional Rights documents the spirit of the Palauan through the framers that we must preserve our identity as people. Such identity is expressed in Klechibelau (Palauism) and Klebelau (Palauness).
In addition Article VI of the Constitution spells out the Responsibilities of the National Government and there are 4 main areas which are all expressions of a broad definition of ENVIRONMENT- natural, economic, security/safety and social. “And the national government shall take positive action to attain these national objectives and implement these national policies.”
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a. Conservation and protection of the natural environment.
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b. Promotion of national economy.
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c. Protection of the safety and security of persons and property.
- d. Promotion of the health and social welfare of the citizens: 1) provision of free or subsidized health care. 2) provision of public education for citizens which shall be free and compulsory.
Issues of Aspirations
The Preamble, Article V and Article VI of the Republic of Palau Constitution present issues that harnesses the foundation of Palau as a society and Palauans as people who have decidedto take the course of their history intotheir own hands. When these issues are addressed adequately, Palau will move forward toward a more transparent government and ultimately toward self reliance. These are the principles on which the People’s Platform 2008 is being negotiated among the grassroots to mobilize them in returning the collective leadership toward what was planned some 27 years ago. A leadership that is responsive to the needs of the people and brings them, ALL of them, along the journey of nation building toward self-sufficiency. This can only be done by ahving the people articulate forth what is important to them…Thus the People’s Platform.
1. Unity and Palau for Palauans.The Preamble clearly states that is “WE, the Palauans…” Unity is achieved through common objectives. We all can fish differently but the goal is fish for Palau.
2. Palau must be for Palauans. “We, the Palauans…”
3. We must preserve our Identity as Palauan people.Article V: IDENTITY of Palauans. We must protect our identity through the protection of what makes us Palauans… Palauness (Klebelau). While Palauism (Klechibelau) might change from time to time… Klebelau should be rediscovered and protected.
4. a. Palau must sustainably preserve its pristine and unique biodiversity as well as, conserve its natural resources.
Article VI: Protection and conservation of the NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
b. Palau must pursue economic development consistent to the spirit of the preamble, in the context of Article V and in balanced context with Article VI of the Constitution.
Article VI: Promotion of the national ECONOMIC ENVIROMENT.
c. Palau must assure safety and security of Palauans and their quests.
Article VI: The ENVIRONMENT that promotes SAFETY and SECURITY of persons and property
d. Palau must pursue health not only as a social development strategy but also as an economic strategy.
Article VI: SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT that provides of free or subsidized HEALTH CARE
e. Palau must be in persuit of knowledge as a catalyst for nation building.
Article VI: SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT that provides free and compulsory EDUCATION
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a. Support Bul, PAN, WSA, MC, and the effor of the environmental NGO’s.
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b. Support production based economies such as agri-aqua culture, banking, communication and tourism.
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c. Support Palau National Guard – two years service post-high school.
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d. Support universal health insurance but also viable social insurance that invest early life. That would ensure vested retirement.
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e. Support 16-20 percent of our revenue for education that fully support early years and academic-vocational model.
The following is a TOOL that can be used to evaluate any promise or agenda that politicians put forth to the people. This example is using the above tool to look at tourism.Implementation of PEOPLE’S PLATFORM 2008 on Tourism
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We must be united in pursuit of tourism as an economic strategy.
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Tourism must ensure Palau for Palauans.
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We must adopt tourism as an economic strategy without sacrificing our identity as Palauans.
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We must protect and conserve our natural environment in the midst of adopting tourism as an economic strategy.
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Palau must ensure that tourism is good for economic development in Palau. The process must be transparent so that Palau is not exploited.
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We must assure that Palauans are safe because that is the basis of providing safety and security to the tourist.
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Palau must not only look at health as providing medical services to the tourist but also can develop health tourism as economic strategy.
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Palau must also posses the knowledge to achieve the highest return on tourism investment as well as, provide mechanism for educational tourism.
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The People's Platform 