Tag: European Union

Jamaica undertakes major assessment of its food systems ahead of global UN Food Systems Summit

September 7, 2021

Another important event tomorrow: the opening of consultations in Kingston on an assessment of Jamaica’s food systems – in other words, agricultural production and output. The workshop is organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Planning Institute of Jamaica. You can watch the opening ceremony on the PIOJ’s Facebook page tomorrow (Tuesday, … More Jamaica undertakes major assessment of its food systems ahead of global UN Food Systems Summit

UNICEF renews call for ban on corporal punishment in Jamaica

July 24, 2021

A child is just a child. Not an adult, but an adult in the making. How then, does a small human being (who has not yet worked things out for him/herself) deserve to be shouted at, beaten, slapped and kicked into submission, in the name of so-called “discipline”? That small child deserves love, nurturing, protection … More UNICEF renews call for ban on corporal punishment in Jamaica

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