
The devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria has opened a window of opportunity not just for recovery from the catastrophe but also for building a more resilient infrastructure. The history of how Puerto Rico takes advantage of this window of opportunity brought about by catastrophic events is being written in an unfolding present.
It is imperative that the rebuilding of Puerto Rico is undertaken, encouraged, and embraced by a wide range of civic sector actors including businesses, cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, religious and educational institutions, both in Puerto Rico and the United States. It is precisely these stakeholders, in conjunction with decision-makers who can stimulate participation, transparency, equity, and accountability, all elements of good government.
Finding a focus area and then engaging with the community and technical experts is crucial in understanding emerging issues and trends. This will allow all of us to effectively narrow down problems, find partners to collaborate with, work on solutions and move towards change. Rebuilding Puerto Rico will be a long-term and difficult process that must include multiple stakeholders from various levels of the policymaking and implementation process in order to ensure that efforts lead to a more resilient future...