Category: Americas

Kingston Creative’s ArtWalk wakes from the COVID-19 slumber and returns on September 25

September 23, 2022

This coming weekend downtown Kingston will wake up again, for a fiesta of art and music. You should go down there. This is the first time since the long, deep COVID-19 slumber we were in for the last two years. Here’s the word from Kingston Creative. Dancer Joel Immortal (left) and actor Desmond Dennis will … More Kingston Creative’s ArtWalk wakes from the COVID-19 slumber and returns on September 25

Jamaican speaks at the launch of a Youth Alliance for a Deep Sea Mining Moratorium

September 16, 2022

It’s a given, surely, that the voice of youth must be heard, loud and clear, on all matters related to the environment and climate change. After all, they are inheriting the Planet that the older generations have made quite a mess of. I was especially pleased and proud to hear the voice of Jamaican youth … More Jamaican speaks at the launch of a Youth Alliance for a Deep Sea Mining Moratorium

Kingston Creative launches the Caribbean Creative Network

September 12, 2022

There is always this tremendous forward movement from Kingston Creative. Forging ahead! Sustainability, accessibility, and visibility are critical for creative people. Here is the latest piece of the picture. Cheers to IDB Lab, the DBJ and American Friends of Jamaica for their support! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kingston Creative Launches Database of 370 Caribbean Creatives Kingston Creative has … More Kingston Creative launches the Caribbean Creative Network

Justice matters in Jamaica

September 9, 2022

One of our favourite American political podcasters, who focuses largely on the ex-President’s interminable legal manouevrings, intones at the end of each podcast: “Because Justice. Matters.” Emphasis on the final word. Well, so it does in Jamaica, too. Our Police Commissioner is looking increasingly haggard at each quarterly press conference, and our Prime Minister seemed … More Justice matters in Jamaica

Jamaicans are eating way too much salt, a new Health Ministry study shows

September 7, 2022

My husband has regularly complained at our local cook shop about the high levels of salt in their otherwise quite good dishes. The chef maintains that all that salt is necessary – and that is what his customers want. So, he has lost one customer. And what of the children? Perhaps this will come later … More Jamaicans are eating way too much salt, a new Health Ministry study shows

Political will and maturity required for a consensus on crime in Jamaica

September 5, 2022

The number of murders in Jamaica passed the 1,000 mark for the year recently (can you imagine). It is always a grim milestone. We measure our “crime problem” by the number of lives lost – men, women and children – every year. They are not numbers. They are grandmothers. They are schoolchildren. They are abused … More Political will and maturity required for a consensus on crime in Jamaica

Failing ambitions in New York: Is it too late for a strong Global Ocean Treaty? Part Two

August 26, 2022

“Ambition” is a lofty word. “High Ambition” is even more inspiring. However, ambitions, once set, must be achievable and, if possible, achieved. Ambition is not a “well, it would be nice if it happened” word; it is a “let’s get it done” word. A High Ambition Coalition sounds like “let’s do it, together.” Yesterday, I … More Failing ambitions in New York: Is it too late for a strong Global Ocean Treaty? Part Two

It’s “now or never” for our oceans: Part One on the Global Ocean Treaty

August 25, 2022

In just two days, one of the most critical UN conferences in the past decade or so will come to an end. It is likely to be the last in a series of discussions leading up to the signing of a Global Ocean Treaty in New York. It’s the fifth and final round of negotiations. … More It’s “now or never” for our oceans: Part One on the Global Ocean Treaty

For Jamaica’s children and adolescents: Issa Trust Foundation plans a new clinic with a holistic approach

August 21, 2022

Philanthropy is alive and well in Jamaica; but the need is great. Our vulnerable children and adolescents need help. On the north coast of the island, the Issa Trust Foundation (which has been working in Jamaica for the past 17 years) is planning to make a difference to their physical and mental wellbeing by building … More For Jamaica’s children and adolescents: Issa Trust Foundation plans a new clinic with a holistic approach

Jamaica’s Health Ministry commits to establishing dedicated Stroke Units. Much needed!

August 11, 2022

I can honestly say that I only had a vague idea of what happens when someone has a stroke – – until my husband had one, just about six months ago. What is more (compounding the shock of the stroke diagnosis itself) we did not recognise the symptoms at all. Our first instinct was that … More Jamaica’s Health Ministry commits to establishing dedicated Stroke Units. Much needed!