Residents of Ulster Spring and adjacent communities in Trelawny will soon have access to an improved library, following rehabilitation works at the facility this Labour Day. Falmouth’s Mayor, Councillor Garth Wilkinson told JIS News that approximately $100,000 has been allocated to carry out repairs at the library. The Mayor noted that the Ulster Spring Branch Library, which is the parish...

Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, says Jamaica should preserve its culture as this is one of the areas that can help to grow the economy. “We have to take advantage of our culture …we have to make a deliberate effort to make it a part of the economic growth, because we have a competitive advantage,” Ms. Hanna...

Plans are in high gear for the parish coronations of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Miss Festival Queen Competition, which is this year being held under the theme, ‘Jamaican Women…Shaping our Culture and our Nation.’ Winners in the 13 parish competitions, who are crowned Parish Queens will compete at the national show scheduled for Saturday, July 19 at the...

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...

Professional and amateur writers are being encouraged to submit their work for the annual Jamaica Creative Writing Competition 2014, organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC). The deadline for entry is Wednesday, April 30, and forms and guidelines are available at the JCDC’s website www.jcdc.gov.jm or at any JCDC parish office islandwide. Applicants must also submit three hard copies...

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...