Society and Governance
Big Question: How can we live together in harmony? How does power function in Belize?
Unit Title: The People and Government
BIG QUESTIONs: how can we live together in harmony?
HOW DOES POWER FUNCTION IN BELIZE
UNIT 7 - The People and Government
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7.1 Explore how the citizens and residents of Belize can show responsibility for their own and other people’s wellbeing.
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There are two basic obligations that all citizens have: They should know about the law and try to follow it and they should pay taxes. If they meet these obligations, then they can expect the state to respect and protect their rights and provide security. Citizens are also obliged to serve on a jury of the supreme court if they are called to do so.
However, citizens can also take actions to try to improve their nation and community. These include:
- keeping informed about issues affecting their country and local community;
- voting in elections and taking part in the democratic process, for example by campaigning on important issues
- respecting the rights, beliefs and opinions of others
- assisting people in need
- keeping the environment free of noise, air, water and land pollution
- respecting principles of sustainability in the use of resources
- taking part in civil society groups
- cooperating with law enforcement agencies such as the police
- using roads and other public spaces safely and responsibly
However, citizens can also take actions to try to improve their nation and community. These include:
- keeping informed about issues affecting their country and local community;
- voting in elections and taking part in the democratic process, for example by campaigning on important issues
- respecting the rights, beliefs and opinions of others
- assisting people in need
- keeping the environment free of noise, air, water and land pollution
- respecting principles of sustainability in the use of resources
- taking part in civil society groups
- cooperating with law enforcement agencies such as the police
- using roads and other public spaces safely and responsibly
Key Questions
What can you do, now and in the future, to improve your nation and community?
Are there other items you think should be added to this list.
What can you do, now and in the future, to improve your nation and community?
Are there other items you think should be added to this list.
7.2 Describe various ways in which people interact with government in order to carry out their responsibilities as citizens and to have their needs met.
Guiding Questions
Why might a person visit each of the following?
What is the location of the offices of each department in your closest district centre.
1. The Belize Tax Services Department - including the Income Tax Department and the Department of General Sales Tax
2. Department of Immigration and Nationality
3. Land Registry and Land Titles units of the Ministry of National Resources
4. Vital Statistics Unit in the General Registry
5. Traffic Department of the local council
Why might a person visit each of the following?
What is the location of the offices of each department in your closest district centre.
1. The Belize Tax Services Department - including the Income Tax Department and the Department of General Sales Tax
2. Department of Immigration and Nationality
3. Land Registry and Land Titles units of the Ministry of National Resources
4. Vital Statistics Unit in the General Registry
5. Traffic Department of the local council
7.3 Describe the responsibility of government to support individuals and groups in society, for example by providing protective services, creating jobs, maintaining law and order and providing social services.
What services do the following government agencies provide?
1. Office of the Ombudsman
2. Department of Human Services
1. Office of the Ombudsman
2. Department of Human Services
Can you identify other ways in which people have interacted with government in order to carry out their responsibilities as citizens and to have their needs met?
7.4 Discuss whether the government is carrying out its functions effectively using information from the media, published statistics and other sources.
The government has a mandate to support individuals and groups in society, especially vulnerable groups, such as women and youths .
This documentary highlights the work of the government, by partnering with UNICEF, NICH and RESTORE BELIZE, to offer an innovative expressive art program that not only creates jobs, but acts as a protective service to save vulnerable youths from becoming another statistic. This is also a strategy for crime reduction.
