Global Courant
Photo: Carla Bradley, communications officer for the PCC
by Kristen Ku
BELIZE CITY, Mon. June 5, 2023
The People’s Constitution Commission (PCC) announced in a press release on May 29 that it is about to embark on an extensive consultation and public education campaign to gather input from the public as it engages in an ongoing, comprehensive review of the Belize Constitution. The process (which is expected to be quite similar to the education campaign and public consultation that took place in the country prior to the referendum to determine whether to submit the Guatemalan claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ)), is set to launch this month, according to the PCC’s communications officer, Carla Bradley.
The PCC, whose mandate as outlined in Section 6(1) of the PCC Act, includes conducting a comprehensive review of the Belize Constitution and preparing a final report on the findings of the review, is seeking to ensure an approach that is people-focused .
Over the past six and a half months, the PCC has been involved in a process of planning and has been creating strategies to best engage the Belizean public and the media.
With a focus on transparency, inclusivity, and engagement, the consultation process will involve schools, various stakeholders, and the general public across the country.
The PCC aims to understand what changes the Belizean public wishes to see in the Constitution. “The commission will be writing up the final document, but it will be based on what the Belizean public wants to see,” Bradley told Amandala.
However, to ensure that the public’s input is informed and meaningful, the PCC will first initiate a national education campaign, which will begin prior to the consultation process.
That nationwide campaign will be aimed at providing the necessary context and understanding for the public to be able to make constructive discussions and meaningful feedback.
“It’s kind of like a survey, but before we do the consultation we have to educate,” Bradley added.
The PCC has dismissed rumors of any proposals on specific wording, additions, or deletions regarding the Constitution. Instead, the Commission emphasizes its role as a facilitator of public-opinion gathering.
