Constitutional Champion
Do you want to be part of shaping the future? If so, you should sign up as a constitutional champion and help the Constitutional Review Secretariat (CRS) take constitutional reform to the people.
“Our Constitutional Modernization Initiative (CMI) needs to be a grass roots movement or it loses its legitimacy,” says CRS Director Suzanne Bothwell, adding, “We can publish tons of literature, and hold countless meetings but if the people aren’t involved, the process has no value.”
Emphasizing the influence Cayman’s constitution has on everyday life, Ms Bothwell comments: “Many people are unaware of the power of a constitution, for example, it is our Constitution that grants us the power to vote, not the Elections Law.”
Working with a small staff of four, Ms Bothwell explains that the CRS need to have more hands on deck in order to reach every man and women on the street. Persons signing up as CRS constitutional champions will help disseminate material published by the CRS and encourage persons to participate in the public consultation meetings as well as the 2008 national referendum. Champions will also promote neighbourhood meetings and will pass on ideas and feedback to the CRS.
“Caymanians need to own this process. It is not about particular viewpoints, it is about getting people to talk about the new constitution, and having them voice their input into the kind of future they want for the Cayman Islands. The only way we can do that is to get more people going door-to-door,” Ms Bothwell emphasises.
Meanwhile, the CMI is moving full speed ahead with the launch of the much- anticipated public discussion document, to take place 12 January 2008 at Pedro St James. An intensive public education campaign will follow and the Secretariat will also publish a full schedule of neighbourhood meetings early next new year.
For more information on the CMI or to book a meeting for your organization, contact Yvette Cacho at 244-3603 or email her at Yvette.cacho@gov.ky