Adopted children should have access to particular types of information on their biological origins, once they attain adulthood. Children’s Advocate, Diahann Gordon-Harrison made this point while speaking at a national consultation held recently at the New Kingston Business Centre. The forum was one of two national consultations on the proposed amendments to the Children (Adoption Of) Act. Mrs. Gordon-Harrison said...

A policy paper outlining recommendations for amendments to the Adoption (Children Of) Act 1958 will be presented to the Ministry of Youth and Culture within the next two months. The Child Development Agency (CDA) is currently reviewing the Act, with a view to improving the adoption processes and procedures, so they can be fully understood by members of the public....

The Ministry of Youth and Culture, on Wednesday, April 23, signed a contract valued at approximately $40 million, for the construction of a Youth Information Centre (YIC) in Hanover. When completed, the centre, to be located at Watson Taylor Park in Lucea, will be the 11th built across the island to provide a space where young people can go to...

The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) has implemented several measures aimed at promoting the island’s museums, enabling easier access to, and encouraging greater appreciation of Jamaica’s heritage. These include opening museums to the public on Saturdays, to allow more people to view the large collections of artefacts and art treasures. Effective May 3, the Institute’s East Street, Kingston complex will be...

Nursing student by day, volunteer by night and a full time mother, that is life for 21-year-old Seidg Rowe, the Prime Minister’s Youth Awardee for Excellence in Youth Service. The single mother and final year nursing student at the International University of the Caribbean (IUC), has for the past ten years devoted herself to serving others. “I’m in love with volunteering…I don’t see the change overnight but I know there are youths that look up...

Children’s Advocate, Diahann Gordon Harrison has lauded the Jamaican justice system as one of the best in the Commonwealth. She however acknowledged that like all other justice systems, there is need for tweaking, and continuous re-examination, in order to improve the service delivery. Mrs. Gordon Harrison made the comments on Wednesday, April 16, while addressing a two-day training seminar for...

Approximately 50 police personnel and Justices of the Peace, from St. Ann and St. Mary, are taking part in the third in a series of training seminars, staged by the Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA), to promote and highlight its publication, ‘Child Justice Guidelines’. According to Manager for Public Education and Special Projects at the OCA, Nicole Hayles, the agency is...

Matters involving minors, which come to the attention of the Legal Aid Council, (LAC) are given priority as the Council endeavours to protect children’s rights to legal representation. Executive Director of the LAC, Hugh Faulkner, who gave this assurance, pointed out that children are placed in a special category of clients that his office deals with. Mr. Faulkner explained that...

Works by Jamaican artists will be showcased at the upcoming Jamaica Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition 2014 Travelling Showcase, scheduled for April 14 to 25. The event, which will take place at the Bloomfield Great House, at 8 Perth Road, Mandeville, Manchester, will exhibit original works of art that received the highest awards in the 2013 Jamaica Visual Arts Competition....