Jamaicans do love a debate. And the University of the West Indies’ Mona campus keeps up the tradition every year. For 2014, UWI is partnering with J-FLAG to consider: “The Role of Leadership in Responding to Vulnerable Populations.” Tertiary level students from the University of Technology, UWI’s Western Campus and The Mico University (Jamaica’s oldest teacher training institution) will participate alongside UWI’s debaters. The “Great Debate” will take place on Thursday, March 27 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at UWI’s Regional Headquarters (that pretty building opposite the Main Gate – you can’t miss it).
The debate will be parliamentary-style. Elizabeth Lee Martinez, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston and Dr. Leith Dunn, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Institute for Gender and Development Studies (IGDS) Mona Unit will bring greetings. A panel discussion moderated by the IGDS’ Annecka Marshall will follow.
I hope you will find yourself there. The event is open to the public, and free. If you really can’t make it, Nationwide News Network will broadcast the event, and they have live streaming so you can listen from anywhere. (http://tunein.com/radio/Nationwide-90FM-s96597/)
There remains a strange amount of confusion on human rights issues in Jamaica. Half-truths, misconceptions, even lies. While global figures like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and others are revered, the term “human rights activist” at some point took on negative connotations when used in the domestic context. So it’s high time for such a discussion, which aims to present a wealth of research on human rights issues to the public. Moreover, it is hoped that participants and audience will come away with a deeper understanding of the need to respect the rights of every individual.
Where are the major concerns? The debate will focus on the most vulnerable in Jamaican society. We need to think about those Jamaicans forced out of their homes and communities because they are (or are suspected of being) lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). What about the young Jamaican women living with HIV, who are struggling to keep their dignity and to support themselves financially? Spare a thought for the Jamaican women who live in constant fear of physical and mental abuse from their partner; and the Jamaican girls who are “groomed” for sex and harassed by older men. What about the Jamaican men, women and children with mental and physical disabilities who are ridiculed, abused or simply ignored? Imagine living their lives for one day…
The “Great Debate” promises to be passionate, thoughtful, solutions-oriented. Let’s all ask ourselves: What happened to Jamaica’s motto, “Out of Many, One People”? Are we really living up to it?
In other words, are we embracing the beautiful diversity of our people? Are we showing respect to our fellow Jamaicans?
For further information, please contact Rasheen Roper, tel: (876) 351-0133; email: rasheenroper@gmail.com OR Latoya Nugent, tel: (876) 849-1403); email: theignosticnugent@gmail.com.
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