标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The President of Jamaica’s Court of Appeal, Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, has delivered a powerful address emphasizing that foundational values of integrity and service must form the bedrock of every legal professional’s career, transcending mere academic achievement. Speaking at the Norman Manley Law School’s Dining and Mentorship initiative, the senior jurist articulated that the legal profession demands ethical commitment beyond intellectual capabilities. Justice McDonald-Bishop asserted that integrity constitutes the fundamental base of legal practice, requiring attorneys to maintain ethical conduct, moral uprightness, and dedication to wholesome professional practices. She clarified that while law schools formally teach ethics, these values must become deeply internalized principles rather than theoretical concepts. The Appeal Court president framed legal practice as essentially centered on service to humanity, explaining that the profession’s core value lies in serving the public rather than self-interest. She highlighted the profound responsibility new lawyers carry in upholding professional ethics, as citizens depend on them for guidance, protection, and justice administration. Addressing what she termed ‘ethical graces,’ Justice McDonald-Bishop emphasized that professional development encompasses more than academic brilliance, incorporating what she referenced as Justice Small’s concept of the ‘hidden curriculum’—the soft skills and values that create complete professionals. These attributes, she noted, prove crucial for both academic success and long-term career development in law. The senior jurist advocated for intentional, value-driven mentorship, advising students to connect with mentors who embody the qualities of respectable, upright attorneys. She stressed that mentorship should provide guidance not merely on winning cases but on maintaining balance, protecting clients, and upholding justice administration. While acknowledging legal practice constitutes an ‘onerous burden,’ she expressed confidence it becomes manageable when grounded in proper values. Justice McDonald-Bishop shared personal reflections on her participation in international judicial mentorship programs, describing mutual enrichment through these exchanges. She noted the humility of listening to students’ experiences, which recalled her own early career challenges. From her judicial perspective, she remains conscious that younger attorneys consistently observe senior counsel and judges in courtroom settings. The Appeal Court president concluded by affirming the legal profession’s noble nature and the collective responsibility to support one another, commending the structured mentorship program’s vision and expressing optimism about its future impact in nurturing ethical, service-oriented attorneys.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Rotary International’s District 7020 is poised to host its annual conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel from April 27 to May 2, gathering hundreds of members from across the northern Caribbean. This year’s assembly carries the urgent theme “Unite for Good,” reflecting the organization’s commitment to addressing escalating regional challenges through collective action.

Professor William ‘Bill’ Aiken, District Governor for 2025-2026, emphasized the critical need for strengthened response capabilities in the face of growing threats. “The challenges of the modern world are growing in scale and impact,” Aiken stated, “and our clubs must grow equally in strength to support communities and their people to become resilient and to thrive.”

The conference comes as the region confronts dual crises: increasingly frequent category-five hurricanes and persistently high rates of cardiovascular disease. Aiken cited Hurricane Melissa’s impact on Jamaica last year, following closely after Hurricane Beryl’s category-four encounter, and the devastating 2019 Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas as examples of the “brutal realities” requiring enhanced preparedness.

Rotary’s strategic response encompasses seven key areas: peacebuilding and conflict prevention, disease prevention, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, water sanitation and hygiene, community economic development, and environmental protection. The district governor stressed that effective work in these domains demands “not just more diligence on the part of our members, but deliberate capacity building.”

The gathering will feature addresses from prominent Rotary dignitaries including Rotary International President-nominee Larry Lunsford, past RI president Barry Rassin (2018-2019), RI Director Patrick Eakes, and past RI director Jeremy Hurst. In a significant departure from tradition, the opening ceremony on Thursday, April 30 will be held at Emancipation Park, intentionally bringing the conference into the public domain.

“We want the public and Jamaicans at large to come see and understand what Rotary means to Jamaica and the region,” Aiken explained, extending an invitation to corporate Jamaica and other interested parties to participate.

District 7020 encompasses 91 Rotary clubs and 46 Rotaract Clubs across 10 northern Caribbean territories including Anguilla, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, French West Indies, Haiti, Jamaica, Sint Maarten, Turks and Caicos, and the US Virgin Islands. The conference aims to forge partnerships, provide upskilling opportunities, and inspire incoming presidents and secretaries to create lasting impact in their communities.

Jamaica faces an escalating water security crisis as the National Water Commission (NWC) warns of impending restrictions across multiple regions due to critically low rainfall levels. With 133 of the island’s 612 water supply systems already experiencing reduced inflows, authorities are mobilizing emergency response measures to avert a full-scale drought disaster.

The Meteorological Services Branch projects significantly below-normal rainfall during the traditional April-June precipitation period, creating potentially severe implications for households, agriculture, and essential services. The situation has prompted the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change to convene an urgent meeting of the Drought Management Committee for comprehensive resource assessment.

Minister Matthew Samuda, chairing the emergency session, identified particular vulnerability in western regions where infrastructure remains compromised from Hurricane Melissa’s recent passage. Simultaneously, the National Irrigation Commission reported mounting challenges in eastern territories, especially within the Yallahs Basin watershed.

In response, Minister Samuda has directed the Rural Water Supply Limited to immediately execute a two-phase emergency action plan. The strategy mandates comprehensive assessment of rural water systems in hurricane-affected communities with cost analysis and rehabilitation timelines. Additionally, authorities will conduct urgent audits of water storage capacity at critical institutions including healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and detention centers.

“This is fundamentally about preparedness and protection,” Minister Samuda emphasized. “We must ensure our most vulnerable citizens and essential services remain safeguarded should anticipated rains fail to materialize.”

The government highlights ongoing investments in community resilience, having distributed nearly 13,000 household water storage tanks to enhance local capacity during dry periods. Minister Samuda will shortly present Cabinet with detailed recommendations for strengthening national water security measures.

Long-term infrastructure projects are advancing concurrently, including the Western Water Resilience Project commencing full construction in June 2026. The Rio Cobre Water Supply Project, currently under development, promises to deliver approximately 15 million imperial gallons daily upon completion—capacity exceeding previous crisis deficits and substantially enhancing national water security.