Economic Transformation Strategy

CHAPTER 2 / BROAD STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT Furthermore, the various sports federations have been active in organising their respective tournaments and leagues. At national level, top-performing athletes are recognised annually through the Sports Awards ceremony. Furthermore, a total of 44 "Duke of Edinburgh International Award" participants successfully completed and received their Gold Award over 2017 and 2018, a notable success for the youth of Seychelles. In 2018, the Department of Youth and Sports was able to revise its youth policy as well as its sports policy, allowing for clearer and more up to date guidelines and operational frameworks. The various sociocultural challenges that the country faces necessitate various levels of intervention. Poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, and dependency on social protection mechanisms are key issues which must be addressed strategically. Furthermore, concerns such as changes in family structure, globalisation, and modernisation may have direct effects on the very fabric of Seychellois society. Social cohesion therefore is pivotal for a successful, peaceful and stable society. GOALS AND STRATEGIES GOAL 1: HAPPY, HEALTHY PEOPLE LIVING IN A HARMONIOUS AND PEACEFUL COMMUNITY Within our communities, peace and wellbeing at all levels is essential for the advancement of our nation. The happier and healthier our people are, the more capable they will be to take an active stance in national development. We envision a state in which harmony reigns in our communities, enabling men, women, children, young and old to flourish according to their personal aspirations and talents. This goal addresses the need to cultivate our social capital. Social capital can be thought of as the links, shared values and understandings in society that enable individuals and groups to trust each other and so work together. Strategies 1.1 Strengthen social protection mechanisms. Social protection and prevention measures must ensure that society's most vulnerable and marginalised members are catered for, with no one left behind. This requires a more strategic and targeted social safety net to ensure long-term sustainability. Furthermore, there is a need to ensure greater availability of social specialists to counsel and provide support to those with social challenges. The development process should be inclusive, promoting poverty reduction and gender equality in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. All societal groups are to be considered in addressing the country's development needs. The challenge remains to reduce inequality via appropriate mechanisms, taking into account Seychelles' specific characteristics. Moreover, issues of building the capacity and resilience of all groups of society will be the key to their greater inclusion in the socioeconomic development of the country. 1.2 Strengthen prevention, rehabilitation and detoxification programmes. The toll taken on our society by drug and alcohol abuse will necessitate a comprehensive prevention, detoxification and rehabilitation initiative. The strengthening of such initiatives with the assistance of support groups is therefore pivotal. Furthermore, it will be necessary to engage the public at large in changing their mind set towards victims of substance abuse in order to address the stigma associated with this particular issue. 59

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