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The PACT Act is the first legislation of its kind in Belize. It is a bold and innovative move towards a national collaborative effort to preserve, conserve, enhance and manage Belize's natural and cultural resources for sustainable use. The Act provides the broad framework for the administration and management of the Trust's affairs. In particular, it provides for the generation and collection of revenues, and for the disbursement of its funds to projects which are congruent with PACT's mission.
Administration of PACT
The Protected Areas Conservation Trust is a body corporate, with perpetual succession and a common seal. It is capable of acquiring, holding and disposing of real and personal property. The nine-member Board of Directors is responsible for the executive control and management of the affairs of the Trust. It has the technical support of the eleven-member Advisory Council and the PACT staff.
The Board of Directors
In accordance with Section 4 (2) of the PACT Act, a nine-member Board of Directors of the Trust was appointed by the Minister, for a period not exceeding two years, though any or all members can be reappointed. The PACT Act ensures that the members of the Board of Directors represent a cross section of governmental and non-governmental organizations which are committed to the conservation and management of Belize's natural and cultural resources for sustainable use.
The PACT's Board of Directors is empowered with the executive control and management of the affairs of the Trust, and is ultimately responsible for exercising and performing the functions, powers and duties of the Trust.
The Board of Directors, as the supreme decision making authority of PACT, is scheduled to meet at least four times a year to attend to all the business of the Trust. Given that the composition of the Board of Directors allows for wide representation, it is important that special attention be given to ensuring that the members remain interested in the affairs of PACT and utilize the mechanisms provided through the PACT Act to participate in the decision making process of the Trust. As PACT progresses through the plan period there will be a need to consciously allow for the evolution of the Board and facilitate a transition from an administration oriented board, to one that is management oriented. As such, it will be responsible for giving policy guidance and providing direction to the components of PACT.
The Advisory Council
In accordance with Part IV of the PACT Act, an Advisory Council of eleven (11) members was appointed by the Minister of Natural Resources. The Advisory Council is a technical body with representation from government and non-government organizations.
Given its role, it is important that wide representation on the Advisory Council be maintained. It is also important that the Board of Directors utilize the Advisory Council and allow for the establishment of mechanisms which facilitate its smooth and effective functioning.
The Honorary Board
In compliance with Section 15 of the PACT Act, the Board of Directors intends to appoint a body called the Honorary Board. This Honorary Board shall consist of three to five prominent and distinguished individuals, and will aim, inter alia:
The PACT Act is not explicit regarding the way in which the Honorary Board will carry out its function. The Board of Directors, utilizing its collective knowledge and experience, as well as technical input through the Advisory Council, is responsible for clarifying and articulating Terms of Reference for the Honorary Board.
The PACT Staff
PACT's Office, through which the affairs of the Trust are administered, is currently staffed by five members -- an Executive Director, a Financial Controller, a Projects Officer, an Administrative Secretary, and an Office Assistant. All the members of staff are highly qualified technical and professional persons in their field. It is evident that the Executive Director and the current complement of staff are committed to executing their key roles. They represent a strong team whose members are supportive of each other. There is potential for an atmosphere which encourages excellence and teamwork.
Revenue Generation for the Trust
Part V of the PACT Act deal with issues relating to financial provisions, accounts and reports. Sections 20 through 29 discuss the establishment, operation and management of the Trust Fund. Section 30 discusses the establishment and management of the Endowment Fund in conjunction with the Trust Fund, and section 32 provides for the establishment of a Protected Areas Conservation Trust Foundation in conjunction with the Trust.
The Trust has to ensure that it has a sustainable and regular source of funds that it will use to pursue its mission. The options available to the Trust Fund under the Act are:
In addition to these options which are available to the Trust Fund, PACT can also generate revenue through the activities of the PACT Foundation and the Honorary Board as well as interest generated by the Endowment Fund.
The Collection of Fees
Processes and procedures for the collection of the conservation fee are in place and in use at all the main entry/exit points. The mechanism for the collection of twenty percentum of permit fees in conjunction with public protected areas is currently being instituted and work is underway to implement the collection of the twenty percentum of cruise ship passenger fee.
The Endowment Fund
The Board of Directors of PACT has established an Endowment Fund in conjunction with the Trust which shall receive no less than five percentum of the total revenue derived from the Trust Fund during each fiscal year. Only the interest from this Fund shall be expended, in cases of emergencies, during contingencies, and for such purposes as the Board of Directors may determine upon unanimous agreement, the Endowment Fund may be drawn upon.
The PACT Foundation
Section 32 of the PACT Act provides for the establishment of the PACT Foundation. The purpose of the Foundation, as outlined by the Act, is to receive gifts and donations which cannot be received directly by the Trust Fund, and to raise funds to promote the conservation and management of the natural and cultural resources of Belize for sustainable use.
The Grant Awarding Program
The resources that accrue to PACT as a result of successful implementation of the revenue generation program will be used to maintain the Trust and provide financing for activities which establish, operate, maintain, and enhance protected areas, including forest reserves, archaeological sites, and other natural and cultural protected areas. This support will facilitate conservation, maintenance of biodiversity, protection of ecological processes, provision of visitor enjoyment, and improvement in the quality of life of those who reside in communities which adjoin protected areas.
An initial set of priority areas have been identified for consideration. These priority areas are for terrestrial and marine, natural and cultural resources. They have been subdivided into four categories. These are: protected areas, eco-cultural tourism developments, improvement of archaeological sites, and provisions for community participation.
Protected Areas
There are several ways in which PACT can assist in improving the management of protected areas, both terrestrial and marine. Among these are:
Eco-cultural Tourism Development
Resort tourists as well as those interested in the natural and cultural resources of Belize visit protected areas and the communities which buffer them. To ensure that the tourists enjoy a memorable stay, it is important that action be taken to anticipate and satisfy their needs. PACT can assist in this endeavour by:
Improvements at Archaeological Sites
The Department of Archaeology is responsible for the protection and management of Belize's archaeological resources. Of the numerous archaeological sites only ten are open for use as tourist attractions. More sites can be opened to the public. However it is a process which is very costly and requires considerable time and effort.
The current strategy is to consolidate those which are currently open, to retrieve information about them, and to provide essential services for visitation. PACT can support some of the development work that is required. Among the things that PACT can do are:
Community Participation
PACT must impact on people and improve the quality of life for Belizeans. Community based approaches can be used to empower people to take action in a productive way. PACT will facilitate community participation by:
Who Can Apply For PACT Monies
Recipients of Trust monies may include "an individual, organization, governmental or non-governmental agency, community or institution involved in the conservation and management for sustainable use of Belize's natural and cultural resources".
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