Tag: European Union

Jamaican leaders, citizens must “act firmly” on violence against women – enough talk

April 19, 2021

Case closed. The Jamaica Constabulary Force put out a statement on Friday (April 16th) that it cannot continue investigations into a violent episode that took place in a parking lot ten days earlier, because the two people involved (a man and a woman) are not willing to press complaints. Also, the JCF said, the quality … More Jamaican leaders, citizens must “act firmly” on violence against women – enough talk

Ending violence against Jamaican women in the context of HIV and AIDS

March 10, 2021

Following up on International Women’s Day, I sat in on an excellent session organized by Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL) and funded by the European Union in Jamaica. Sadly, on such occasions the issue of violence against women is a recurring factor. We have to confront it, again and again. And so, yesterday, we … More Ending violence against Jamaican women in the context of HIV and AIDS

Treading Water: Jamaica’s Ranking on the 2020 Corruption Perception Index

January 28, 2021

National Integrity Action (NIA) held a virtual press briefing this morning, to announce Jamaica’s latest rating on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. The island is ranked at 69th out of 179, alongside Tunisia, Bulgaria, South Africa, Hungary, and Romania. Six CARICOM countries are ranked higher than us: that is, Barbados, Bahamas, St. Vincent and the … More Treading Water: Jamaica’s Ranking on the 2020 Corruption Perception Index

Make Peace With Nature: a Ground-Breaking Speech by the UN Secretary-General

December 3, 2020

What has been said about the deteriorating state of our Planet that hasn’t been said before? Well, there have been many words spoken (and less action). Moreover, many of our governments around the world are not just doing nothing – we seem to be deliberately heading in the wrong direction. I am not really big … More Make Peace With Nature: a Ground-Breaking Speech by the UN Secretary-General

ICYMI in Jamaica, November 14, 2020: The Breakaway Edition

November 15, 2020

Well, the past week has been, to say the least, pretty intense. The ever-evolving Eta, as expected, turned around after wreaking havoc in Central America, and passed along to the west of us this time. Our already battered and bruised island had suffered enough. So now, roads have split in two, there is a major … More ICYMI in Jamaica, November 14, 2020: The Breakaway Edition

ICYMI in Jamaica, September 15, 2020: Sorting Out the Politicians, and More

September 16, 2020

The forces of nature have been flexing their muscles recently. During a heavy afternoon thunderstorm on Wednesday (Kingston went completely dark), two people in St. Elizabeth were killed by a lightning strike. Meanwhile, there are five – yes, five – named storms in the Atlantic basin. At the moment, Paulette, René, Sally, Teddy and Vicky … More ICYMI in Jamaica, September 15, 2020: Sorting Out the Politicians, and More

ICYMI in Jamaica, September 1, 2020: The COVID Elections – It Is What It Is

September 2, 2020

I wish I could say that it has been an easy-going, free-flowing week. But far from it. There have been challenges, and there are challenges ahead. Everything has been revolving around politics, the debates, while COVID-19 has kept us all in a state of confusion. Yes, I think confusion is the word; every evening, when … More ICYMI in Jamaica, September 1, 2020: The COVID Elections – It Is What It Is

Are We Trying Hard Enough to Preserve Our Mangroves in Jamaica?

July 27, 2020

Today (July 26) is World Mangrove Day. What does this mean for Jamaica? Regrettably, the average Jamaican might regard mangrove areas as dirty, smelly, somewhat scary places (scary because endangered American Crocodiles live there) – and riddled with mosquitoes. What possible benefits could they bring to the island? Personally, I find wetland areas in Jamaica … More Are We Trying Hard Enough to Preserve Our Mangroves in Jamaica?

High Dependency Units at Victoria Jubilee to Reduce Maternal and New-Born Deaths

June 25, 2020

At the official opening of a new neonatal facility at Kingston’s Victoria Jubilee Hospital, Minister of Health and Wellness pointed out one “lesson from COVID”: That no economic development can be achieved without an investment in public health. Ah, perhaps our political leaders are beginning to connect the dots now. The event this morning was … More High Dependency Units at Victoria Jubilee to Reduce Maternal and New-Born Deaths

Jamaican Conservationist Honored as Biodiversity ‘Hotspot Hero’ by Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund

May 23, 2020

What better news on International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22) than this wonderful award for Ingrid Parchment, Executive Director of the Clarendon-based Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (C-CAM), in the Portland Bight Protected Area. If you scroll back through my blog, you will see several articles about the work of C-CAM and the amazingly beautiful and … More Jamaican Conservationist Honored as Biodiversity ‘Hotspot Hero’ by Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund