National Security Strategy of Belize Teach the Teacher: Invest in Teacher Education and Professional Development • • • 10. Provide financial incentives for teachers to acquire professional qualifications. Encourage the provision of targeted Professional Development/In-Service Training for teachers by tertiary level institutions and other private providers. Establish a Continued Professional Development Fund for teachers to access loans for continued professional development. Protect Belize’s natural resources “ Strategic Concept: Belize must preserve its rich natural resources by enacting, strengthening, and enforcing legislation and implementing programs that promote the sustainable use and conservation of Belize’s natural resources while supporting the country’s development goals. By promoting awareness on environmental issues early in the Education Curriculum, Belizeans will gain a greater appreciation for the near pristine environment that characterizes Belize. Strengthening our engagement with international partners and our involvement in international efforts to manage the natural resources is equally critical and should be encouraged and supported at all levels to complement national development efforts. “ Strategic Action: • • • • • • • Support the development of the National Protected Areas Commission and support the implementation of the National Land Use Plan and the National Protected Areas Policy and System Plan; Engage the National Protected Areas Commission for collaboration on protected areas management; Strengthen and maintain high level collaboration with international facilitating organizations such as the OAS; Engage, establish and maintain healthy working partnerships with local and international NGOs that have an interest in conservation and natural resource management; Develop and implement National Conservation Campaigns through joint partnerships; Develop and retain local expertise in land use management and environmental studies Establish and promote, in collaboration with the National Protected Areas Commission, legislation to protect current and potentially sensitive areas with high biodiversity; The Strategy 26