Dylan Vernon

Dr. Dylan Vernon is a Belizean author and policy researcher with over 30 years of experience in international development and governance reform. He served as Ambassador of Belize to the European Union, the World Trade Organization, the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, and several European countries from 2013 to 2020. His earlier career included leadership roles in civil society and development, including directing SPEAR, managing the Belize–UNDP Office, and founding the Katalyst Institute for Public Policy.

A long-time advocate for governance reform, he chaired Belize’s first post-independence Political Reform Commission (1999–2000) and has contributed to national policy development and constitutional reform. He holds a PhD in Caribbean and Latin American Politics from University College London and is the author of several publications, including Political Clientelism and Democracy in Belize (2022).

He currently serves as Executive Director of the Belize Policy Research Institute at the University of Belize and lives in Belize City.

Website: timecome.info
Email: dvernon@ub.edu.bz

Bibliography

Political Clientelism and Democracy in Belize: From My Hands to Yours (2022) – Book published by UWI Press examining political practices and democratic development in Belize.

Oil in Belize: New Sector, Young Country (2018) – Co-authored chapter in a book on extractive industries in Central America, published by the Inter-American Development Bank.

George Price: A Life Revealed – The Authorized Biography by Godfrey Smith (2013) – Book review published in The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs.

Modern Belizean Politics and Governance in the Context of Strategic Culture (2011) – Published in Belize Strategic Culture by Florida International University.

Decentralization and Local Governance in Belize (2008) – Research paper published by the Ministry of Local Government and UNDP.

The Policy-Making Process in Belize: Issues and Challenges for the New Millennium (2007) – Publication by the University of Belize.

Education in Political Reform Processes in Belize (2003) – Chapter published in Citizenship, Democracy and Lifelong Learning by UNESCO.

Political Reform in Belize: The Role of CSOs (2002) – Publication by the Organization of American States (OAS).

Final Report of the Political Reform Commission (2000) – Government of Belize publication.

SPEAR on Target? (2000) – Chapter in Spitting in the Wind: Lessons in Empowerment from the Caribbean, published by the Commonwealth Foundation and Ian Randle Publishers.

Democratic Governance in Belize: Decay or Reform (1999) – Chapter in Democratic Governance and Citizen Security in Central America: The Case of Belize, published by CRIES.

Inside Belize: The Essential Guide to Its Society, Economy and Environment (1995) – Co-authored book published by the Inter-Hemispheric Education Resource Centre.

Upcoming Works

Money in Politics in Belize: Breaking the Regulation Deadlock (2026) – Forthcoming publication by BELPRI–UB.

Assessing Belizean Democracy: 40 Years of Westminster (working title, 2027) – Ongoing research project examining democratic development in Belize.