Cross-sectorial reform needed

Reform is still a priority in our society, and there are repeated calls for it by activists and stakeholders across the various sectors.

Many are putting forward good ideas for discussion, some of which transformed into strategies and plans of action.

Even though our region has been hit by a series of painful setbacks and disasters since January 2011, people in our part of the world have not given up on reform.

Those who think that people are happy with the status quo — i.e., that it is better than the disasters that befell several neighbouring countries — are mistaken.

People still aspire for better economic, social and political conditions.

Many would argue, in fact, that had there been reform in the first place, things would not have unfolded so tragically in some neighbouring countries and would not have affected the overall region so drastically.

Reform is therefore both preventive and curative.

It is a blessing that people have not lost the hope and urge for reform. And it is good that many are still enthusiastically proposing ideas and plans in the various sectors, and that some are in fact forming pressure groups in an attempt to bring about change.

What is needed, however, is coordination and collaboration among the various activists and groups.

Disparate, isolated efforts in the various sectors will definitely yield some results. It all depends on how apt the perception is and how concerted the effort, no matter how humble or small.

But collective efforts yield larger and better results.

When decline happens, it happens wholesale. Hardly any sector or part of a sector escapes it.

This is a compelling fact that can be learned from history, especially those accounts that study the decline and fall of empires and states.

What is equally compelling is that the decline and fall of the various institutions within a given society have common, shared causes.

Thus, whenever individuals from various sectors meet and exchange views on what ails the sectors they work in, they are struck by how similar the problems they identify and the solutions they propose are.

Whether in the education sector, transportation, tourism, sports, arts, media, etc., the same cluster of causes are mentioned: lack of funds, of good leadership, of efficient personnel, of strict implementation of regulations; and prevalence of nepotism, carefree attitudes, corruption, mediocre performance, etc.

The point to stress here is two-fold.

First, those who seek reform can learn a lot from each other, even if they happen to be in disparate, isolated spheres, and can capitalise on each other’s energies and tactics.

Second, and since the same problems cut across sectors, one cannot hope to reform one sector only and get away with it.

We need to have macro and mega plans for various sectors, on which we need to work either simultaneously (in parallel) or consecutively, but not separately or in a fragmented manner.

A given society is much like the human body. Unless you cure all the illnesses that affect it, it will continue to suffer.

Separate solutions here and there may not cut it, despite the fact that they may yield partial results.

What is required is an overall, comprehensive, collaborative and collective approach.

What is required is to put micro plans for the various sectors within a macro, overall context.