Friday, June 27th, 2023
Y
es, it’s official! The text you received from 150 about the PCC and the Belize Constitution is 100% legitimate! If you haven’t already taken part in the survey, NOW is your chance to make your voice heard.
The PCC is diligently reviewing the Belize Constitution, and we want YOU to be a part of this crucial process. Your opinions matter in shaping the future of our nation.
Participating is easy and anonymous. Just click on the link below to join the conversation: Â http://pcc.sib.org.bz Â
Let’s come together as proud Belizeans and ensure our Constitution reflects the values and aspirations of our people.Â
#BelizeConstitution #YourVoiceMatters #ShapeOurFuture #RightYourFuture #WriteYourFutureÂ
Friday, June 27th, 2023
A Huge Thank You to All who Joined us for the “Know Yuh Rights” Discussion!Â
Wednesday, June 21st, 2023
The launch of the PCC’s Public Outreach and the guide to the Belize Constitution is a momentous occasion, and the cooperation of the public is paramount. Your active participation and support is crucial in ensuring the success and legitimacy of the constitutional process. By engaging with the public, seeking your input, and fostering a sense of ownership, we can forge a constitution that truly reflects the values and aspirations of the Belizean people. Together, we can build a stronger and more inclusive nation.
Wednesday, April 26th, 2023
On April 25 and 26, members of the Peopleâs Constitution Commission (PCC) participated in an orientation workshop at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City. The main objective of the workshop was to orient members of the PCC with the knowledge and conceptual frameworks, and provide access to additional resources on constitution-making and constitutional design necessary for the commission to be able to: (a) engage constructively on the substantive issues of constitutional review in Belize in order to conduct useful deliberations and reach a consensus on constitutional reforms, and (b) engage with and educate the Belizean public so that they are able to meaningfully contribute to the constitutional reform process.
Local presenters/experts and international constitutional experts presented to and engaged with commissioners on various topics affecting their respective sectors and Belizeans in general. The first day of the workshop was divided into four sessions: Constitution & Democracy, Government, Good Governance and Accountability and Human Rights. Professor Cynthia Barrow-Giles distinguished senior fellow and professor of Constitutional Governance and Politics at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, presented on constitutions as legal, political, and social covenants, the relationship between constitutions and
democracy, and recent developments in constitutional thought and practice. Attorney Dickie Bradley and Dr. Elliot Bulmer, international constitutional experts, presented on topics such as the Belize Constitution and Systems of Government (parliamentary vs republic, and separation of powers). Attorney Darrel Bradley, Mr. Ray Davis, and Mr. Sumit Bisarya, constitutional expert, presented on Good Governance and the Public Service, Gaps in the Belize Constitution, and How a Constitution promotes Good Governance and Accountability. Justice Lisa Shoman and Jason Gluck, the constitutional expert, focused on topics such as the Human Rights Provisions in the Belize Constitution and Gaps: âIs there a need for more âinalienableâ political, economic and
environmental rights?â
Day two of the workshop focused on the Judiciary, the National Assembly and Senate Reform, and Challenges and Lessons on Constitutional Reform Processes in the Caribbean. Judge Antoinette Moore, presented on Ensuring Judicial Neutrality and Independence, and the Senior Courts Act. Hon. Carolyn Trench-Sandiford, President of the Senate, presented on Structures/Functions and Standing Orders, Independence and Structure of Parliamentary Committees and Roles, and the Composition of the Senate. The workshop culminated with Professor Cynthia Barrow-Giles presenting an examination of constitutional reform processes around the Caribbean as well as challenges that have arisen and lessons that have been learned. The commissioners are now well-oriented on Belize’s Constitution and its gaps and can better lead discussions with the Belizean public on the constitutional reform process.
Friday, January 20th, 2023
The Peopleâs Constitution Commission (PCC) met in Belmopan on January 18, 2023, to review and discuss a draft strategic plan developed by the Secretariat to guide the work of the commission for the ensuing 15 months. Representatives of the various organizations present considered suggestions made on how best to improve the draft document. At the end of the meeting, the Secretariat was tasked with incorporating the suggested decisions before presenting a clean draft with the changes at the next meeting of the commission for unanimous adoption of its approved plan.Â
The draft strategic plan outlines the five strategic objectives of the PCC to achieve its vision and mission. It also sets distinct milestones and actions to achieve these strategic objectives. These are 1. To have a fully capacitated Peopleâs Constitution Commission and Secretariat with a well-defined strategic plan, communication and public outreach strategy, and a working budget 2. To develop and execute a national public education campaign and a consultation strategy pertaining to constitutional reform. 3. To complete the first draft report of the Peopleâs Constitution Commission based on consultations with the Belizeans. 4. To conduct national public consultations based on the first draft report. 5. To complete and submit the final report to the Prime Minister.Â
Commissioners were invited to participate in the formation of two technical committees â the Outreach, Education, and Consultation Technical Committee and the Research and Orientation Technical Committee. The staffing of the committees signals that the work of the PCC has now moved out of its formative stage into the rolling out of its action plan. The vision of the PCC is to faithfully represent the interests of Belizeans and secure the common good for generations yet unborn. The mission seeks to advance the common good of Belize, through a transparent, wide-ranging, impartial, and meaningful process of consultations and to reflect and deliberate on constitutional changes, if any, agreed upon by Belizeans, at home and in the diaspora, for a new or amended Constitution.