标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Damian Cox, Senior Director of the Access to Information Unit (AIU), emphasized the critical role of environmental education in shaping a sustainable future during his keynote address at the AIU’s Right to Know Week 2025 Conference. Held at the AC Hotel by Marriott in Kingston, the event underscored the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to address environmental challenges.

Cox highlighted that youth, as future leaders, must be empowered through education to foster sustainable practices. He referenced the United Nations General Assembly’s affirmation that Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is a vital component of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in achieving quality education and enabling other global objectives.

The AIU, under the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, has collaborated with the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) to implement programs engaging students in sustainable environmental initiatives. Cox stressed that young people are the innovators of tomorrow, and their success is pivotal to the nation’s progress.

Addressing the conference theme, ‘Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age,’ Cox acknowledged the digital revolution’s potential to facilitate information sharing and foster intergenerational solutions. However, he cautioned against challenges such as the digital divide, data privacy concerns, and misinformation, which require careful navigation.

Cox called for collective efforts to bridge these gaps, ensuring inclusive and equitable access to education and information. He reiterated the AIU’s commitment to providing the public with access to environmental and legal information, aligning with its mission to promote transparency and democratic engagement.

The Right to Know Week 2025 concluded on September 28, coinciding with the International Day for Universal Access to Information, a UNESCO initiative advocating for public access to information held by governmental bodies.

The Aubyn Foundation has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering education and sustainable development by sponsoring scholarships for four deserving students at the Morgan’s Family Foundation back-to-school event on August 17 in Curatoe Hill, Clarendon. Each student received $50,000 to support their academic pursuits. The foundation’s chairman, Aubyn Henry, and CEO Toni-Ann Gayle were present to personally deliver the awards.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Senior citizens from across Jamaica gathered for a festive celebration of National Grandparents Day, marked by camaraderie, entertainment, and heartfelt appreciation. The event, now in its third year, took place on Sunday, September 21, at the Verandah at Juici Patties Empowerment Park in Clarendon. Organized by Juici Patties in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), the occasion highlighted the importance of honoring the elderly in society. Attendees enjoyed cocktails, a delectable meal, and lively music from the 1960s to the 1980s, creating a nostalgic atmosphere. Activities included joke-telling, riddle-solving, and friendly competitions, with prizes awarded for the most grandchildren and special recognition for the oldest male and female grandparents. Audrey Deer-Williams, Chief Technical Director at the Ministry, emphasized the event’s goal of promoting active and healthy aging. She praised seniors as custodians of history and culture, underscoring their continued contributions to society. Deer-Williams also highlighted government initiatives to ensure seniors are treated with dignity and respect. Edith Chin, Custos Rotolorum for Clarendon and Director of Juici Patties, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host the event and foster intergenerational learning. She lauded the seniors for their legacy and service to the nation, reaffirming the community’s commitment to their well-being.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a bid to shape the future of tourism, Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has emphasized the critical need for industry stakeholders to actively involve the nation’s youth in meaningful conversations about the sector’s evolution. This call to action was highlighted during the World Tourism Day 2025 Youth Forum, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James, which saw the participation of over 300 students from across the island. Organized by the Tourism Ministry and its affiliated agencies, the event aimed to engage students, particularly members of Tourism Action Clubs (TAC), in substantive discussions on tourism’s role in national and global developments. This year’s forum, commemorating World Tourism Day on September 27, focused on the theme ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.’ Minister Bartlett, speaking to JIS News, stressed that the event was designed to foster intellectual exchange between tourism stakeholders and the youth, encouraging them to explore sustainability in both action and thought. He highlighted the importance of young people generating innovative ideas and processes that align with sustainability practices. The Minister also praised TAC members for embracing sustainability principles, which are rooted in the pillars of planet, people, and prosperity. Donovan White, Tourism Director at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), underscored the pivotal role of youth in the industry’s future. He noted that the forum provides a platform for students to learn about tourism, interact with experts, and dispel misconceptions about careers in the sector. White emphasized that tourism encompasses a diverse range of high-paying and skilled professions, including doctors, engineers, architects, and entrepreneurs, all of whom contribute to the industry’s ecosystem. The forum featured panel discussions, interactive sessions, and creative showcases, offering students a comprehensive understanding of the sector’s potential.

An elderly U.S. citizen, Rafie Shouhed, has announced plans to file a $50 million damages claim against the government following a violent encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a raid at his Los Angeles car wash. Surveillance footage captured the 79-year-old being forcefully subdued by masked, heavily armed agents, who detained him for nearly 12 hours without providing medical attention despite his pleas about a pre-existing heart condition. Shouhed, who immigrated to the U.S. from Iran in the 1980s, described the incident as unprovoked and brutal, stating that agents ignored his medical concerns and only warned him, ‘You do not F with ICE.’ The raid, part of President Donald Trump’s intensified crackdown on undocumented migrants, has sparked controversy, particularly in Los Angeles, where critics argue such operations disproportionately target individuals based on ethnicity or workplace. Shouhed, a Trump voter, sustained broken ribs, severe elbow injuries, and a traumatic brain injury during the incident. His attorneys argue that the agents’ excessive force and disregard for his rights warrant legal action. The Department of Homeland Security defended the raid, claiming it led to the arrest of five undocumented immigrants and that Shouhed was detained for allegedly impeding federal officers. However, Shouhed’s lawyer, Jim Desimone, countered that surveillance video shows his client was cooperative and questioned the necessity of such aggressive tactics.