ISSN 0799 –2386
Vision 2030 Jamaica Update
Vol. 7 Issue # 1
ISSN 0799 –2386
UPDATE A Quarterly Newsletter of the Planning Institute of Jamaica
Education Minister, The Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites (r), talks with PIOJ Director General, Mr. Colin Bullock (c), and Programme Director, Vision 2030 Jamaica, Mr. Richard Lumsden during a meeting at the Ministry on February 13, 2014.
Education Minister wants Vision 2030 Jamaica in School Curricula
M
inister of Education, the Hon. Reverend Ronald Thwaites, M.P. has invited the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) to meet with the Ministry of Education to determine how best to streamline the contents of Vision 2030 Jamaica –National Development Plan, into the curricula of ptimary and secondary schools islandwide.
Minister Thwaites issued the invitation on Thursday, February 13, 2014 during a presentation of Vision 2030 Jamaica educational material by the PIOJ at the Ministry’s offices in Kingston. “We want our national development focus to be infused (in our schools). We (welcome) the opportunity to use this material fulsomely (to the benefit of) more Jamaicans, adult as well as the school population, because our focus is lifelong learning,” Minister Thwaites said. In his remarks, PIOJ Director General, Mr. Colin Bullock, described the proposal as the Ministry’s recognition “of the importance of getting to
Jamaicans, in the formative years, to actually build and inculcate the Vision.” He assured the Minister that the PIOJ was looking forward to working with the Ministry to help define age appropriate content in order to properly educate young students about what the Vision is. He noted that it was important that the country “not only sell a vision, but maintain that confidence [in Jamaica]…where when [students graduate from] school, they can start talking about opportunities in Jamaica, which are aligned with the Vision”. This move to streamline the Plan into schools’ curricula will deepen the existing partnership between the Ministry and the PIOJ, which has already facilitated distribution of 15,000 copies of the 88-page popular Version of the Vision 2030 Jamaica – National Development Plan to schools islandwide.
(Compiled from JIS Online Press Release, February 14, 2014)
JANUARY 2014 – MARCH 2014
IN THIS ISSUE APRIL 2013 – JUNE 2013
High Achievers examine the Vision… UWI, Department of Government, High Achievers’ Society host Vision 2030 Jamaica Forum, under the theme: Vision 2030 Jamaica—The Youth Perspective. Read all about it on … Page 2
5TH BIENNIAL JAMAICA DIASPORA CONFERENCE Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller (c), at the Head Table, during the Opening Ceremony of the 5th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Confernce at the Rose Hall Hilton Hotel & Spa, on Sunday, June 16, 2013.
Tracking Our Progress
Vision 2030 Jamaica Programme Director, Mr. Richard Lumsden (r), updates the media on progress under Vision 2030 Jamaica during the PIOJ Quarterly Press Briefing, February 20, 2014. Seated at centre is PIOJ Director General, Mr. Colin Bullock; and at left, Director Economic Policy & Research Division, Mr. James Stewart. Page 3
More… Vision 2030 Jamaica National Youth Ambassador in Action……………………… P.2 Thematic Working Groups……………..... P.4 Outreach…………………….....…………….. P.6 Next Steps/Bite of the Quarter……….... P.8 What’s Happening? ……………………….. P.8 Our Vision for Jamaica……………………. P.9
January 2014 – March 2014
VISION 2030 JAMAICA UPDATE | Volume 7 Issue # 1
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VISION 2030 JAMAICA YOUTH AMBASSADOR IN ACTION A Krystal Tomlinson Report
D
uring the months of January and February, I was invited to a number of events in my capacity as Vision 2030 Jamaica Youth Ambassador.
Below is a description of these events. February 8, 2014 – Sagicor-Utech National Debating Competition County League (Cornwall). Audience: 60 students and staff members of various high schools in the County of Cornwall. I was asked to bring the opening message, highlighting the need for debate as a conflict resolution and peace building tool. I also functioned as chief adjudicator for the day’s competition. Motions were crafted to challenge debaters on issues affecting development in areas such as politics, religion and education. [I encouraged debaters to use] Vision 2030 Jamaica – National Development Plan as a point of reference and they utilized it effectively.
February 24, 2014 – Floral Tribute to Rt. Excellent [Sir] William Alexander Bustamante. Audience: Approximately 200 persons— a mix of Government and Civil Society representatives, and primary school students. I was invited as a special guest at the Floral Tribute and represented both as Ms. Jamaica Festival Queen and as Vision 2030 Jamaica Ambassador (by wearing my pin).
February 25, 2014 – Black History Month Panel (UWI). Audience: Approximately 200 persons. I was invited as a panelist for a discussion on Black History Month at the UWI alongside the Hon. Damion Crawford, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment; Professor Verene Shepherd; Dr. Kadamawe Knife and Mutabaruka. As part of my presentation, I spoke to the importance of culture in development and the global importance of Jamaican culture. Copies of the Vision 2030 Jamaica Popular Version were distributed to those in attendance.
February 27, 2014 – Finding Your Voice (Part 2). I was invited last year to conduct a capacity building workshop for advocacy among young women. Part 2 was conceptualized and executed at the Mary Seacole Hall, UWI. The ladies were engaged in a conversation on advocacy and its importance in personal and community development. The elements emphasized under Vision 2030 Jamaica were: gender equity, education and youth.
Vision 2030 Jamaica –the Youth Perspective - Sustainable Development Specialist, Vision 2030 Jamaica Secretariat, PIOJ, Ms. Elizabeth Emanuel explaining the role of the youth in implementing Vision 2030 Jamaica, to participants at the UWI Mona, Department of Government, Faculty of Social Sciences “UWI Research Day Youth Forum”, on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at the University.
UWI, DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT HIGH FLIERS’ SOCIETY RESEARCH DAY FORUM
Above: Social Sector Specialist, Ms. Peisha Bryan-Lee, (centre) during her participation in the Panel Discussion, one of the features of the UWI Research Day Youth Forum: Vision 2030 Jamaica–The Youth Perspective, at the Social Sciences Lecture theatre, UWI. Below: One of the many groups of students attending the forum.
The Vision 2030 Jamaica Youth Ambassador initiative, now in its second year, is one of several collaborative efforts between the JCDC and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Vision 2030 Jamaica Secretariat. The partnership which began in 2011 is aimed at using positive youth role models to promulgate information on Vision 2030 Jamaica, through creative channels to all stakeholders, especially their peers, at home and abroad.
Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business
January 2014 – March 2014
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Tracking Our Progress (As presented at the PIOJ Quarterly Press Briefing, February 19, 2014, PIOJ, 16 Oxford Road, Kingston 5.)
In
this issue, we report on two main indicators of
national well-being— Labour Force Quality and Security Status. An overview of performance in both areas, as presented below, shows mixed results. .
DID YOU KNOW…? The National Dashboard of Indicators of National Well-Being is closely aligned with the National Goals, and their corresponding Outcomes, of Vision 2030 Jamaica – National Development Plan. The Dashboard lists the metrics (see table National Dashboard of Indicators) that have been designed to track progress under the Plan and reports on their past, current and targeted future values. These metrics reflect concurrence with the increasing global recognition of the limits of GDP as an indicator of economic performance, national development and social progress.
Vision 2030 Jamaica Programme Director, Mr. Richard Lumsden, during his presentation of the National Dashboard of Indicators at the PIOJ’s Quarterly Press Briefing, February 19, 2014 at the PIOJ
Security Status Labour Force Quality Under Labour Force Quality, 24.4 per cent of the total labour force have vocational or professional certification based on the quarterly labour force surveys for 2013. This represents an increase of 0.9 percentage point compared to 23.5 per cent with vocational or professional certification in 2012.
For this report, the indicator formerly classified as Serious and Violent Crimes is now classified as Serious and Violent and Acquisitive Crimes – Category 1, in keeping with the classifications of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. However, the categories of crimes included, remain the same, namely: murder, shooting, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, breakins and larceny. For Serious and Violent and Acquisitive Crimes – Category 1, 352 crimes per 100,000 population were committed in 2013, a decline of 11.1 per cent from 396 per 100,000 population in 2012.
“Under Vision 2030 Jamaica, we will make the necessary improvements to…have a competitive business environment as any country in the Caribbean…” The murder rate for 2013 was 44.3 per 100,000 population, up Developing an effective labour Jamaica, market andofour the place choicehuman to live, work, raise families and 9.2do business per cent from the murder rate of 40.6 per 100,000 capital are fundamental strategies for achieving this population in 2012. This increase marks the first reversal of the Outcome. downward trend in crime rates that began in June of 2010.
January 2014 – March 2014
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Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) in Action…
T
hematic Working Groups, under the Social and Environmental Sectors, held several meetings during the quarter. The TWGs met to evaluate the performance of their sector over the period or convened special technical working group meetings on matters related to their respective sectors.
of sector priorities and addressing challenges. Highlights of the meeting included presentations on: The Burden of illness of Jamaica prepared by Dr. Kevin Harvey, Chief Medical Officer; The Impact of Paternal Deprivation (fatherlessness) on National Development, presented by Dr. Michael Coombs, Regional Director, Southern Regional Health Authority.
Social Sector Meetings Population TWG
The meeting also highlighted the proposed end date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the need to develop plans to address critical issues and priority areas for the Post-2015 Development Agenda. The Report on the agreed national position on development priorities is to be submitted to Cabinet prior to the UN General Assembly in September 2014. Ms. Peisha Bryan-Lee, Social Sector Specialist, Plan Development Unit, made a presentation on the recently approved 2012–2015 Medium Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF). The TWG was reminded of their role in the successful implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Vision 2030 Jamaica – National Development Plan.
Health TWG 1. A meeting of the Health Thematic Working Group was held on March 28, 2014. The meeting brought together key stakeholders in the health sector; and ended in an agreement to focus on a work plan aimed at promoting the achievement
The second meeting of the reconvened Education and Training Thematic Working Group (ET - TWG) was held on Thursday, January 23, 2014 and chaired by the ViceChairman, Dr Wayne Wesley, Executive Director – HEART Trust/NTA. He encouraged the group to be committed in playing their individual parts in achieving Vision 2030 Jamaica. A presentation was delivered by the Ministry of Education on its draft 3-year Strategic Business Plan, 2014-2017. It was noted that the national priorities for education are early childhood development, labour force training and education systems reform. Ten strategic objectives were identified as the focus of the Ministry.
The Population TWG held its first quarterly meeting on Thursday, January 16 at 9 AM in the Don Mills Training Room, PIOJ. Several stakeholders including government representatives and members of civil society organizations were in attendance. The first matter of business was the completion of the ICPD National Report. The report represents an assessment of 20 years of implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Plan of Action and highlights the progress achieved, gaps and areas for further implementation. Priorities for the post-2014 agenda have also been identified. The Report will be submitted to Cabinet for information and a soft launch is scheduled for February 2014.
Education & Training TWG
Dr. Karen Webster Kerr (l), Chairperson for the Health TWG meeting held on March 28, 2014 at the PIOJ. Seated at right, is the PIOJ Health Specialist, Ms. Denese McFarlane.
Health TWG Technical Committee Meeting 2. The first meeting of the Technical Committee of the Health Thematic Working Group was held on February 4, 2014. The Technical Committee was established in response to concerns that the current indicators included in Vision 2030 Jamaica, Goal #1: “A Healthy and Stable Population” do not adequately capture the performance of the health sector itself. The TWG agreed that the Technical Committee would review the existing indicators to identify relevant sectoral indicators and possible additional national indicators that more adequately demonstrate the challenges and performance of the public health system. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health (MOH), Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). The Technical Committee is currently compiling a list of indicators for discussion and will seek technical support from International Development Partners in finalizing the indicators along with a framework for measurement, including targets.
Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business
Presentations were also delivered by the Heart Trust/NTA, Management Institute of National Development (MIND), University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) and Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI). The presentations informed the group of the Alignment of their Corporate Plans with the Medium Term Socio-Economic Framework (MTF) 20122015.
Dr. Wayne Wesley Exec. Dir. HEART Trust/NTA
DID YOU KNOW? THEMATIC WORKING GROUPS (TWGS) have been set up as an important part of the Vision 2030 Jamaica monitoring and evaluation framework. TWG members are senior technical representatives from Government, civil society, private sector and the international development community. Each group is chaired by a Permanent Secretary or Senior Government official.
VISION 2030 JAMAICA UPDATE | Volume 7 Issue # 1
January 2014 – March 2014
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Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) in Action (cont’d)… Environment TWG Meetings
Members of the Environment & Planning Thematic Working Group (TWG) at a meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2014, at the Planning Institute of Jamaica. At right, Leonard Francis, standing, of the National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA), updates members on MTF 2012-2015 priority strategies and actions being implemented by NEPA with special emphasis on development of the National Spatial Plan as well as progress on preparation of development orders and plans.
Hazard Risk Reduction and Adaptation to Climate Change On March 3, 2014, members of three TWGs: Hazard Risk Reduction and Adaptation to Climate Change, Environment and Planning, and Tourism, met for a special consultation on Jamaica’s Climate Change Policy Framework and Action Plan. Lt. Col. Oral Khan, Chief Technical Director, Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, facilitated the consultation which was attended by over 45 persons. This provided an opportunity for members to give comments and feedback on the draft policy. In addition to being able to provide comments on the policy and framework, members received information on Global Climate Change Impacts and an update on the recently established Climate Change Department in the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change.
Vision 2030 Jamaica Focus at Vulnerability Resilience Profile Workshop On March 11, a presentation on Vision 2030 Jamaica was made to participants at the Vulnerability Resilience Profile (VRP) Workshop. The presentation focused on how Vision 2030 Jamaica provides the foundation for the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA) and the Mauritius Strategy for the further Implementation of the Programme of Action for Small Island Developing States (MSI) in Jamaica. The presentation focused specifically on how Vision 2030 Jamaica articulates the concept of sustainable development and the various national outcomes and strategies that are necessary for advancing sustainability and reducing vulnerabilities of this small island state. Within Vision 2030 Jamaica, sustainable development is compared with sustainable prosperity, with the Plan asserting that, “Vision 2030 Jamaica introduced a new paradigm which redefines the strategic direction for Jamaica. It puts us on a different path – a path that will lead to sustainable prosperity.” Vision 2030 Jamaica will”…create the conditions in which our productive enterprises are able to generate levels of wealth and in which the social and environmental conditions and the general well-being of the society are enhanced.” The development of a VRP for Jamaica is two-fold: 1. It would enable Jamaica to assess progress in addressing the country’s vulnerabilities in each of the thematic areas of the BPOA. 2. The MSI Data from VRP would be useful for interventions to strengthen resilience.
The Hazard Risk Reduction and Adaptation to Climate Change TWG held a special meeting on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 to discuss the Calais Review mission that was held between March 25 and 28, 2013. Participants were informed of the results of the Review which broadly assessed Jamaica’s current capacity for seismic risk identification and reduction, and presented best practices in seismic risk management in the areas of policy, planning, regulatory framework, hazard identification, response and recovery. The meeting also examined elements of the proposed seismic road map for Jamaica, an issue which emerged from the UNDP Seismic Forum held in January 2014; and discussed how various seismic issues might be further infused into Vision 2030 Jamaica going forward.
Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business
Above: Ms. Le-Anne Roper of the PIOJ presents Amelia Kinahoi Siamomua, facilitator of the workshop and InterRegional Adviser (Small Island Developing States), SIDS, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, with a copy of the Popular Version of Vision 2030 Jamaica.
January 2014 – March 2014
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Outreach… nd
PIOJ Director General, Mr. Colin Bullock (2 right), Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Education, Mrs. Elaine Foster-Allen (r), Deputy Director General, Corporate Services, Mr. Kirk Philips, PIOJ (l), and Mr. Matthew Blake, Librarian, Jamaica Tourist nd Board (2 left) — at the Library and Information Association of Jamaica (LIAJA) Conference, Terra Nova Hotel, Kingston, January 30–31, 2014.
Communicating the key aspects of Vision 2030 Jamaica– National Development Plan, is essential for achievement of the Vision.
Below: PIOJ staff, Ms. Samantha Wilmot (l) and Ms. Carole James (2nd l) hand out with Vision 2030 Jamaica and PIOJ information materials; and at right, Ms. Nadine Thompson displays the Popular Version being distributed to participants.
Clockwise: Social Sector Specialist, Peisha Bryan-Lee making a presentation; students listening to Mrs. Peisha Bryan-Lee; Research Assistant JAMSTATS Unit, PIOJ, Mr. Kirk Chambers explains the features of the Vision 2030 Jamaica e-Dashboard of National Indicators; and participants test their knowledge of Vision 2030 Jamaica —at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), Open Day, Passley Gardens, Portland, Tuesday, February 27, 2014.
Peisha Bryan-Lee, raps with students at the Cumberland High School in Portmore, St. Catherine, about what life will be like in a transformed Jamaica at the — Cumberland High School, Portmore, St. Catherine Workshop Presentation on Tuesday, March 18, 2014.
Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business
January 2014 – March 2014
VISION 2030 JAMAICA UPDATE | Volume 7 Issue # 1
Attendees at the International Day of Forests Exposition staged by the Ministry of Land, Water, Environment and Climate Change – Friday, March 21, 2014 at Devon House, Kingston, visit the PIOJ & Vision 2030 Jamaica booth to get information on the Plan.
Presenters and participants at the Community Sensitization and Planning Workshop for Kingston & St. Andrew Inner City Communities — at the Planning Institute of Jamaica, 16 Oxford Rd. Kingston, March 25 & 31, 2014. Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Programme Director, Vision 2030 Jamaica, Mr. Richard Lumsden (l), presents information material to a delegation from the Office of the President, The Gambia, Africa— Director, Policy Analysis Unit, Mr. Muham Odou Jaiteh (r), and Principal Policy Analyst, nd Mrs. Rohie Bittaye–Darbo (2 l) during their visit to the Vision 2030 Jamaica Secretariat,PIOJ, March 27, 2014 . Manager, Bilateral Programmes, PIOJ, Ms. Pauline rd Morris, (3 left), and Communication Specialist, Ms. nd Carmen V. Miller (2 r), join in the presentation.
Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business
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January 2014 – March 2014
VISION 2030 JAMAICA UPDATE | Volume 7 Issue # 1
NEXT STEPS
Bite of the Quarter
Dissemination of information on MTF 2012 - 2015
Ongoing presentations to key stakeholders on Vision 2030 Jamaica and MTF 2012-2015 Vision 2030 Jamaica says we need a better life! Is this something we need to abandon? ... Progress has been made; is being made! ... It is very much attainable…when one looks at the rate of how the world is changing I don’t see why 16 years is not enough time for us to make the changes…
Ongoing monitoring of implementation of Vision 2030 Jamaica by Thematic Working Groups
@ www.vision2030.gov.jm Maurice Smith, Attorney-at-Law/panelist at the UWI, Department of Government, High Achievers’ Society Vision 2030 Jamaica Forum at the UWI, Mona Campus, February 20, 2014, responding to the views of other panelists who believed that Vision 2030 Jamaica–National Development Plan needs to be changed/revised.
What’s Happening April - June 2014 EVENT Sensitization of MDAs to MTF 2012–2015 Thematic Working Group Meetings
DATE & VENUE Dates and Venues TBA Monday, April 7, 2014 National Security April - TBA Justice Friday, April 25, 2014 Tourism May, Date TBA Environment & Planning May, Date TBA Hazard Risk Reduction & Adaptation to Climate Change
Vision 2030 Jamaica–Cumberland High School Citizenship Awards’ Project School-to-Work Transition Survey Workshop – Exhibition Choices Zoom Seminar – Exhibition MTF 2012–2015 Sensitization
April – June, 2014, Dates TBA Portmore, St. Catherine Friday, April 11, 2014 Jamaica Conference Centre Wednesday, April 15, 2014, 9 AM –3 PM West Jamaica Conference Centre, Montego Bay Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Office of Utilities Regulation 3rd Floor, PCJ Resource Centre, Trafalgar Rd., Kingston Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business
Vision 2030 Jamaica Update Is produced by: The Plan Development Unit Planning Institute of Jamaica Design & Layout: Carmen V. Miller
For more information Contact us at: Planning Institute of Jamaica 16 Oxford Road, Kingston 5 Tel: 935-5150; 960-9339; 906-4471/2 Email: ndp@pioj.gov.jm Website: www.vision2030.gov.jm Like us on @: Facebook.com/vision2030.ja @ndp_2030
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VISION 2030 JAMAICA UPDATE | Volume 7 Issue # 1
Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business
January 2014 – March 2014
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