Tag: transparency

“Civic space is under threat,” says Stand Up for Jamaica

January 8, 2023

It has been said many times before: democracy is not just about voting every few years. It is about participation. If this does not happen – if citizens’ voices are muzzled and those seeking transparency and accountability in government are accused of all kinds of dubious motives by governments and their supporters – then, democracy … More “Civic space is under threat,” says Stand Up for Jamaica

The leadership question: some thoughts from Jamaica’s Integrity Commission

November 20, 2022

When we are discussing a particularly intractable problem, and there seems to be no solution, no positive outcome – in fact, no outcome at all – we often scratch our heads and say: “Well, it’s a matter of leadership.” In other words, a lack of leadership. We cannot untangle the conundrum. We go round in … More The leadership question: some thoughts from Jamaica’s Integrity Commission

As International Seabed Authority meeting winds up, more countries seek a pause on deep sea mining

November 12, 2022

The past week has been quite intense, with the critical and long-anticipated COP27 opening in Egypt and the equally crucial International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council Meeting in Kingston, Jamaica wrapping up. It’s difficult to assimilate and sort out all the different threads, but there are some positives, at least regarding the latter meeting. Some brave … More As International Seabed Authority meeting winds up, more countries seek a pause on deep sea mining

The threat of deep sea mining hangs over our ocean as negotiations in Jamaica close

April 5, 2022

To me, it is quite terrifying to imagine that in just over a year’s time, deep sea mining may be given the go-ahead. Greenpeace USA was at the meeting in Kingston, Jamaica of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and has been sounding alarm bells since it began. The meeting ended last Friday, April 1, 2022. … More The threat of deep sea mining hangs over our ocean as negotiations in Jamaica close

Citizens Associations call for Moratorium on High Density Developments in Low Density Communities

January 26, 2022

It has become a nightmare in many areas of uptown Kingston. Many of our old single-family homes have been torn down, to be replaced with cold, ugly high-rise apartment blocks, squeezed into small spaces. And no. This is not just about upset, better-off citizens who are seeing their once quiet, green neighborhoods transformed almost overnight … More Citizens Associations call for Moratorium on High Density Developments in Low Density Communities

Jamaica’s private sector calls for transparency, adherence to rules in Bengal mining plans at Puerto Bueno

January 22, 2022

Today, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) expressed concern in a press release today about what seems to be a volte face by the Prime Minister on the matter of mining permits for the Bengal area of St. Ann (Puerto Bueno or Dry Harbour Mountain), which for a while appeared to have been abandoned … More Jamaica’s private sector calls for transparency, adherence to rules in Bengal mining plans at Puerto Bueno

Signing of the Escazú Agreement: a Big Step Forward for Environmental Justice and Transparency

September 29, 2019

Please note! As noted in my blog post of October 1, Jamaica signed, but did not ratify the Escazú Agreement, due to a “technical error” according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. However, I am keeping this (now edited) blog post up, since there are useful links that you might like to … More Signing of the Escazú Agreement: a Big Step Forward for Environmental Justice and Transparency

Corruption Perceptions Index 2018: Jamaica Standing Still Locally, Slipping Backwards Globally

January 29, 2019

There was another “heavy” topic that preoccupied us last year, which I barely addressed – again because of the holidays and my New Year of the Broken Wrist. This one is probably the most important of all. Yes, it’s corruption. It’s the elephant in the room that never moves away (although sometimes we think it … More Corruption Perceptions Index 2018: Jamaica Standing Still Locally, Slipping Backwards Globally

One Year Later, Many Lingering Concerns Over Cockpit Country

November 20, 2018

There is so much unfinished business related to the Cockpit Country, one year later. I seem to be using this cliché so often recently: “The devil is in the details.” But it’s true. It is not enough to make a declaration, pass it on to the relevant agencies and then those agencies simply drag their … More One Year Later, Many Lingering Concerns Over Cockpit Country