The Institute for Social and Cultural Research, in collaboration with the University of Belize, participated in updating databases for the Estado de la Region (State of the Region Program). The program is a research initiative to provide comprehensive and systematic assessments of Central American social, economic, environmental, and political conditions. Based in Costa Rica, the program serves as a vital resource for policymakers, academics, and the general public by offering data and analysis on various aspects of regional development and integration. The project to update databases with information on Belize commenced in October 2023 and involved updating databases related to public entities, judicial statistics, and collective actions. The State of the Region project provided a database and manual for the data collection process; the data will be used to report on the Sustainable Human Development of the region.
The data collection process, a pivotal phase of the project, was under the coordination of Director Rolando Cocom, with invaluable guidance from Dr. Angel Cal and Dr. Joyanne De Four-Babb. The team was further strengthened by the leadership of two principal investigators from the University of Belize, Mr. Delmer Tzib and Mr. Jair Valladarez. These principal investigators spearheaded the data collection process in Belize, which involved meticulous data gathering and assessment of factors outlined in the databases. The principal investigators worked closely with three interns, students from the University of Belize, Mr. Reynaldo Cus, Mr. Eric Mendez, and Ms. Kelsey Robinson, who were responsible for evaluating and inputting data into the database. The initiative collected data on (i) Belize’s judicial indicators from 2010 to 2024, (ii) public institutions from 2006 to 2022, and (ii) collective actions from 2015 to 2022.
The participating institutions were able to collaborate with Costa Rican researchers to assess and input Belize’s information on the specific databases. The process allowed for various learning opportunities for all involved, both in understanding the databases and also assessing the similarities and disparities that exist between Belize and the rest of Central America. It also was an opportunity to assess the nature of Belize’s institutions and society.
The team also hopes to use the data collected to assess various socio-political, socio-economic, and judicial aspects of Belize. It is the hope to author articles that will highlight the data collected.
Written by the UB Lecturer Delmer Tzib