VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1
JANUARY 2012 – MARCH 2012
Students Run for Vision 2030 Jamaica
F Inside this issue: Youth Speak Making Development happen
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Hot Topic ...Tracking Our Progress
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Youth Speak (Cont’d)
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Meeting Peace Corps Jamaica
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Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) in Action
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Recent Significant Events
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Bite of the Quarter
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What’s Happening
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Next Steps Breaking News
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orty-five student athletes from the Holmwood Technical, May Day and Mile Gully High Schools in Manchester participated in the SDC Manchester Parish Run to spread the Vision 2030 Jamaica message in twentyone districts/communities on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. Under the theme: “Building Communities... Building Jamaica. Get Involved Stay Involved,” the activity was aimed at educating communities in the rural areas of the parish about Vision 2030 Jamaica – National Development Plan and the importance of stakeholder partnership.
Participants in the SDC Manchester Parish Run are joined by SDC and Vision 2030 Jamaica staff before setting off on the 109 km relay run across 21 districts/communities in the parish.
The Parish Run was launched at the Holmwood Technical High School situated in the Christiana Development Area. Endorsed by the Manchester Parish Council, Her Worship the Mayor, Councillor Brenda Ramsey who attended the Opening Ceremony, handed over the baton— which contained the Mayor’s message giving support to Vision 2030 Jamaica—to one of three female runners.
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The students covered approximately 109 km to distribute the Mayor’s message, brochures and other message memorabilia along the route. The Vision 2030 Jamaica Popular Version booklet was also presented to representatives of the participating schools.
DID YOU KNOW?
The National Vision Statement for Jamaica is:
“Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business”
Bailey; Communication Specialist, Vision 2030 Jamaica, Planning Institute of Jamaica, Ms. Carmen Miller, and team members Ms. Sherica Hawthorne and Mrs. Kadian Christie; SDC Director of the Community Development & Planning Unit, Ms. Avril Ranger, and other SDC staff; practicum students and media team from Northern Caribbean University; and the Police.
Present also at the Opening Ceremony were: Member of Parliament for North East Manchester, Mr. Audley Shaw; Caretaker for North East Manchester, Mr. Valenton Wint; Principal of Holmwood Technical High School, Mr. Paul
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VISION 2030 JAMAICA UPDATE
Youth Speak … On Making Development Happen Under Vision 2030 Jamaica, the Agricultural sector is one of the productive industries/sectors upon which Jamaica’s sustainable prosperity rests. In this issue of Vision 2030 Jamaica Update, we share with you edited excerpts from an award winning essay on “...ways through which Agriculture & Agro-processing can contribute to socio-economic development in Jamaica” by 19 year old Franz Brown, a student of Ardenne High School in Kingston.
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evelopment encompasses both economic and social issues and includes the satisfying of the needs and wants of a population. One way in which socio-economic development can be achieved is through Agriculture and Agro-processing which refers to any
type of manufacturing activity associated with the use or production of agricultural based products. Following are five ways in which Agriculture and Agro-processing can contribute to socio-economic development: 1. contribution to the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and to export earnings; 2. providing employment; 3. benefitting rural communities — income from farming activities generates income for several families living in the rural sections of the island; 4. creating self-sufficiency; 5. improving the longevity of the population due to increases in food securety.
Agriculture provides employment through the production of food and non-food products. The Scientific Research Council’s (SRC’s) promotion of the research on lemon (fever) grass has led to the production of pharmaceuticals such as soaps, oils, shampoos and even fragrances. This has created This can contribute to development as increased employment and ultimately an for one it provides well needed foreign increase in the standard and quality of currency to the country’s economy lives of many Jamaicans. through the exportation of crops. This thus allows for increased revenue for the government to provide adequately for the social needs of the population. Funds earned can be allocated to other ...While we produce cocoa and bananas, we import chocolate and areas of society such as housing, educabanana/plantain chips instead of tion and health which will help to imdoing further processing here... If prove the quality of life of the populace we are able to engage in Agroof Jamaica. processing then we will see and
Contribution to GDP According to the CIA World Factbook 2007 (sourced from Ottley and Gentles), the Agricultural sector in Jamaica contributes approximately five per cent of GDP.
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In addition, Agro-processing allows for higher earnings as value is added to the particular product. Most of what we do in Jamaica is primary industry. While we produce cocoa and bananas, we import chocolate and banana/plantain chips instead of doing further processing here. If we are able to engage in Agro-processing then we will see and reap the significant benefits of cutting the importation costs incurred and the added benefit of exportation of more items which will increase the GDP per capita exponentially.
Providing Employment Agriculture and agro processing also provide employment for many persons in Jamaica. The CIA World Factbook 2007 (sourced from Guinness, 2006) shows that Agriculture provides employment for 18 per cent of the total workforce in the island. This generates income for many families thus increasing their earning and spending and allows for an increase in their standard of living.
reap the significant benefits of cutting the importation costs incurred and the added benefit of exportation of more items which will increase the GDP per capita exponentially.
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Employment is also created: for example, through the production of animal foods and feeds; in the gasoline industry where fuel is generated through the processing of sugar cane trash (ethanol biodiesel project); as a direct link to tourism as local produce is displayed and serves as part of the marketing strategy; in the production of crafts, for example, coconut shells and husks which are used to make trinkets and jewellery; and through the manufacturing and service industries such as in the making of agricultural equipment or the production of fertilisers.
Self-Sufficiency Agriculture leads to self-sufficiency as it contributes to domestic food supply. This point was made explicitly in November 2003 by then Minister of Agriculture, Roger Clarke who stated More on p4
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VISION 2030 JAMAICA UPDATE
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Measuring our progress
(As presented at the PIOJ Quarterly Press Briefing - February 23, 2012)
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nder the Vision 2030 Jamaica - National Development Plan framework, key indicators of national well-being were examined under three main reporting areas—Health Status, Education Status, and Labour Force Quality. Under Health Status, we report on immunization coverage for children. The immunization coverage for children between 0-11 months for BCG, OPV and DPT/ DT (covering tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus respectively) declined slightly to an average of 93.9 per cent in 2011, based on preliminary figures, down 0.8 percentage point from an average of 94.7 per cent in 2010. The immunization coverage for children between 12-23 months for MMR (covering measles, mumps and rubella) also fell slightly to 86.5 per cent in 2011, down 0.6 percentage point from 87.1 per cent in 2010.
Goal #1: Jamaicans are Empowered to Achieve their fullest Potential
vocational or professional certification based on the quarterly labour force surveys for 2011, up 2.0 percentage points from the previous year. For Security, we can comment that the preliminary Goal #1: Jamaicans are Empowered to Achieve their fullest Potential
Goal #1: Jamaicans are Empowered to Achieve their fullest Potential
data indicate that both the rate of major crimes and the murder rate have declined for 2011 as compared to 2010, which would mark the second consecutive year in which both rates have declined. In Education, the gross enrolment rate of students at the tertiary level for the academic year 2010-2011 has increased to 35.9 per cent, based on preliminary figures, up by 3.1 percentage points compared to the academic year 2009-2010. This significant increase in tertiary enrolment in a single year is attributed largely to an increase in the access to and number of tertiary educational institutions and programmes in Jamaica.
For the Economy, in 2011, real GDP is estimated to have increased by 1.5 per cent. This compares to a decline of 1.2 per cent for 2010, and represents the first annual increase in real GDP recorded since 2007.
Looking at the latest employment data, the Labour Force Survey undertaken by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), indicated that the unemployment rate as at October 2011 was 12.8 per cent. This was 0.8 Labour Force Quality continues to improve, with an percentage point higher than in October 2010. average of 23.2 per cent of the total labour force having More on p4
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VISION 2030 JAMAICA UPDATE
Cont’d from p 2
Goal # 3: Jamaica’s Economy is Prosperous
Youth Speak… cont’d from p 2 “No country can afford to put farming on the back burner because no country can be self-sufficient unless it has the capacity to feed itself.” (Ottley and Gentles 2006). Planting what we eat saves the country valuable dollars which could be used to provide a plethora of vital services and commodities that could significantly improve the lives of the population.
Food Security Agriculture improves the longevity of the population. It does so through food security. Food crops grown locally,
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are fresher than many of those which are imported from overseas— processed, canned or frozen. This can lead to serious health risks or concerns and can cause an unhealthy population as can be seen by the growing incidence of Type II diabetes in our youth. An unhealthy population leads to a decline in productivity which will ultimately stifle or choke development. How? Well for one, those who are sick cannot work and even if they can, will not be doing so at an optimum, thus the government would be now forced to provide extra health care for these persons which means, more doctors, medication and equipment resulting in more expenditure for the government. This could have been avoided if we had all just eaten locally produced fresh goods. Also, an unhealthy and sick population of children will not be able to become properly educated and thus will not be able to contribute effectively to nation building. The end result of all of this will be that the country would now suffer from a high mortality rate among adults and infants, lower life expectancy and most of the population being in the non-economically active cohort which again causes stress on the government. If we eat locally grown produce all of this could be corrected and ultimately lead and contribute to the socio-economic development of Jamaica… ………………………………………... Franz has entered and won several speech and essay competitions organized by the Scientific Research Council (SRC), as well as the Young Innovator’s/Inventor’s competition. He dreams of becoming a lecturer in Innovative Studies; opening a Jamaica Innovative Centre; and establishing the National Geography and Geology Body in Jamaica which he believes should be integral in the training of teachers and other professionals in this arena.
Meetings and Presentations—Peace Corps Jamaica
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n Tuesday, January 31, 2012, members of the Vision 2030 Jamaica team braved the inclement weather to bring the message of Vision 2030 Jamaica to Peace Corps Jamaica (PCJ), at their Worthington Avenue, Kingston Headquarters. Country Director, Dr. Carla E. Ellis, who leads a team of 62 volunteers, revealed that the PCJ contributes to community development by working with agencies and community groups in
three project areas: 1) Agriculture/Environment; 2) Youth Development; and 3) Education. At the request of Dr. Ellis who noted that Peace Corps Jamaica was “a partner in Jamaica’s development”, the Vision 2030 Jamaica team shared information on the National Development Plan, its progress, and next steps within the three thematic areas of the PCJ programming.
Peace Corps Jamaica Country Director, Dr. Carla Ellis (back row, 2nd left) poses with members of her senior team following the Vision 2030 Jamaica presentation on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at the PCJ HQ in Kingston.
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Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) in Action... reporting relationships of the Unit; and
National Security and Justice
possible use of technical working groups to support the
work of the unit. The meeting of the National Security and Justice TWG was held on March 19, 2012. The primary matters discussed were: the National Plan of Action on Child Justice (NPACJ); draft National Security Policy (NSP); and the reconstitution of the Indicator Committee for the TWG. With respect to the NPAJ, the major thrust is to place emphasis on diversionary measures that will prevent the incarceration of children as far as possible.
Subsequent to this meeting, a draft Terms of Reference was prepared by the Vision 2030 Jamaica Secretariat and is being reviewed by the Meteorological Service, the Chairpersons of both Thematic Working Groups, and the Ministry with responsibility for climate change.
Scientists agree that the effects of climate change will not be evenly distributed and that developing countries and small island developing states will be the first and hardest hit. It is The meeting disclosed that the Draft NSP, Tier 1 of the poli- considered to be one of the most serious threats to sustainacy had been drafted and presented and was to be reviewed by ble development facing CARICOM States, even though their TWG members as part of the process of consultations contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is negligible. among stakeholder groups. In addition, the Indicator sub group of the TWG is to be reconstituted and tasked with the responsibility of reviewing and identifying appropriate indicators at the sector level and Environment & Planning TWG Reviews Jamaica’s National Trade Policy to include more on the Justice system and juvenile matters. In March, the Environment and Planning TWG met with Environment & Planning and Hazard Risk consultants attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to review the draft Jamaica National Trade Reduction and Adaptation to Climate Change Policy, in keeping with the current Cabinet Office guidelines for the infusion of environmental issues into national develThe Environment & Planning and Hazard Risk Reduc- opment policies. tion and Adaptation to Climate Change TWGs met in Following the review, the group made a range of recommenDID YOU KNOW? January 2012 to discuss and dations including: provide input to the Terms of Thematic Working Reference for the establishment ensuring that the policy mentions more explicitly the imGroups (TWGs) have pacts of trade on the natural environment; been set up as an of a Climate Change Unit within important part of the the Ministry of Water, Land including an environmental objective in the policy; Vision 2030 Jamaica Environment and Climate monitoring a n d Change. This followed the ensuring that at least one of the goals of the policy makes announcement of the establish- the link between trade and the environment; evaluation system. ment of the Unit, by the Minis TWG members are making the linkages between non-tariff barriers to trade ter, the Hon. Robert Pickersgill. senior technical and the environmental protection policy; representatives from During the meeting, members of strengthening the sections of the policy related to sanitary Government, civil and phyto-sanitary issues, trade in genetically modified society, private sector both groups presented ideas and suggestions related to the: and the international organisms, food security and environmental standards. d e v e l o p m e n t overall and specific community. responsibilities of the Unit; Each group is chaired by a Permanent Secretary or Senior Government official.
Unit’s relationship with the
Vision 2030 Jamaica thematic working group on climate change;
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Recent Significant Events... January — March Infusion of Vision 2030 Jamaica into Performing Arts Teachers from Kingston & St. Andrew (right); St. Catherine (far right); St. Thomas; (below left) and Trelawny (below right) listen attentively to Communication Specialist, Ms. C. Miller, as she explains how they can infuse Vision 2030 Jamaica themes into their entries for the 2012 JCDC speech, drama & music competitions.
February
PIOJ staff members model their newly acquired Vision 2030 Jamaica message polo shirts, which bear the Vision 2030 Jamaica logo and Vision Statement. The shirts form part of the education and communication strategy which is aimed at creating awareness and understanding of Vision 2030 Jamaica—National Development Plan, among all stakeholders.
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VISION 2030 JAMAICA UPDATE
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Recent Significant Events... March Presentations to Educators and Students Groups of teachers representing several corporate area High Schools, who participated in discussion session on Vision 2030 Jamaica, on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at the Excelsior High School Auditorium, pay keen attention to Social Sector Specialist, Vision 2030 Jamaica, Mr. Charles Clayton (right) who conducted the session...
Below: Mr. Clayton, extends the discussions on Vision 2030 Jamaica to students in education and training institutions in the corporate area and St. Catherine. Here he speaks with: (1) trainees including upper teens, mothers & grandmothers of the St. Peter Claver Skills Training Centre, Downtown Kingston; (2) a mostly male class at the Learning for Earning Programme (LEAP) Centre, Downtown Kingston; and (3) approximately 300 boys during “Boys’ Day” at the Cumberland High School, Portmore, St. Catherine.
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VISION 2030 JAMAICA UPDATE
Recent Significant Events... March (cont’d) Here, we target the Book Industry Association of Jamaica (BIAJ) Kingston Book and Do Good Jamaica Festival, in partnership with the Climate Change Adaptation & Disaster Risk Reduction Project (PIOJ) on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at the Emancipation Park, Kingston. The event which attracted scores of students, teachers and members of the public, was promoted through the Ministry of Education and the Jamaica Library Service. It showcased the work of Jamaica’s authors, illustrators and publishers over the last 50 years as well as nonprofit organizations. Creating Vision 2030 Jamaica visibility throughout the Park...
PIOJ Communications Specialist, Claudette Myers ensures that everyone who visited the booth understood the role of the PIOJ in national development.
Exemplifying the National Vision … making Jamaica the place of choice to live...
PIOJ Marketing Officer, Erica Shakes, ensured that Minister of Education, the Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites dropped by.
Neighbouring booth holders are happy to have their own copies of the Vision 2030 Jamaica Popular Version.
Kadene McKenzie, Climate Change Adaptation & Disaster Risk Reduction Project, helps a member of the public make the link between Climate Change and national development.
Scores of people, young and old, got the opportunity to learn more about Vision 2030 Jamaica.
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VISION 2030 JAMAICA UPDATE
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Technical Cooperation —Jamaica & Brazil
Recent Significant Events... PIOJ’s Deputy Director General, Mr. Everton McFarlane (left), listens to Mr. Nelson Tabajara, Director of the Department of Central America and the Caribbean, Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during discussions at the PIOJ. Second from left is His Excellency Antônio da Costa, Ambassador of Brazil to Jamaica.
PIOJ meets visiting Brazilian delegation to Jamaica On Tuesday, March 20, 2012, the PIOJ met with a small delegation from Brazil to c o n t i n u e d i s c u s s i on s o f commitment between Jamaica and that country as well as to draft a Proposed Technical Cooperation Agreement between the Institute of Applied Economic Research (IPEA) Brazil, and the PIOJ.
Above: Something to laugh about… Below: Two other members of the delegation, Mr. Mauricio Santos, First-Secretary at the Embassy of Brazil in Kingston, and Ms. Brenda Dewdney, Bilingual Secretary, pay keen attention during the meeting.
Mr. Tabajara receives a token, on behalf of the delegation, from Mr. R i cha r d Lu m sd e n , Vision 2030 Jamaica Programme Director.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Community Renewal Programme (CRP) is the mechanism for the coordination and enhancement of Government’s service delivery to Jamaica's most volatile and vulnerable communities; and a key intervention for achieving Vision 2030 Jamaica.
Community Renewal Programme (CRP) in Action... CRP Programme Director, Mr. Omar Sweeney (2nd left), meets on March 7, 2012, with representatives from partner agencies including the Social Development Commission (SDC), Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), National Housing Trust (NHT), Grace Kennedy & Staff Development Foundation, Portmore HEART Academy and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), concerning the Majesty Gardens Renewal Intervention.
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NEXT STEPS
Bite of the Quarter
Thematic Working Group Meetings Ongoing presentations to key stakeholders on Vision 2030 Jamaica
“...Up you mighty businessmen and women of Jamaica... You can accomplish what you will. Let us seize the opportunity presented by the occasion of 50 years of political independence, to chart this course to lasting economic progress and prosperity of future generations of Jamaicans. Let us make Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise our families and do business. I have every confidence you will respond to the call.”
Salute the Journey … Embrace the Vision Charge by the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, Prime Minister of Jamaica, in an address to the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMCHAM) Speakers’ Forum, Ritz Carlton Hotel, Montego Bay, Thursday, February 16, 2012.
Breaking News!! What’s Happening EVENTS MTF National Strategic Prioritization Workshop Vision 2030 Jamaica Awareness/ Education Sessions —Teachers’ Colleges across the island
DATE Wednesday April 11 -Thursday April 12, 2012 8:30am - 1: 00pm Knutsford Court Hotel Kingston 10 Tuesday, April 17, 2012 Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College Montego Bay, St. James Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Bethlehem Teachers’ College Malvern, St. Elizabeth Friday, April 20, 2012 St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College Kingston Friday, April 27, 2012 Moneague College Moneague, St. Ann Monday, April 30, 2012 Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts Arthur Wint Drive, Kingston Thursday, April 26, 2012 Spanish Town, St. Catherine
Jamaica 4-H Clubs Annual National Achievement Day & Expo Theme: Youth Involvement in Agricul-
Friday, April 27, 2012 9:00am-5:00pm Denbigh Show Grounds
ture for Economic Growth and Development
MTF Sector Strategic Prioritization Workshops SDC National Twenty20 Community Cricket Competition
Tune in to your local radio and television station each week during the JIS programme aired in time allowed for Government broadcasts, to “Get the Facts” on Vision 2030 Jamaica!! Contact us at: Planning Institute of Jamaica 16 Oxford Road, Kingston 5 Tel: 935-5150; 960-9339;906-4471/2
April - May, 2012 Specific dates and venues TBA May, 13, 27, 2012 & June 10, 17, & 24, 2012 Yallahs, Prospect, Logwood, Ballards Valley, Little London
Email: ndp@pioj.gov.jm Website:www.vision2030.gov.jm and on: