$2.4 Million to Boost Partner for Peace Project

The Government has earmarked a sum of $2.4 million in the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, for the Jamaica Partner for Peace, Community of Practice project.

The project, which is being funded by the United Nations Development Programme, aims to connect state entities, NGOs, civil society and international donor agencies online to engage in peer to peer learning, and share practical experiences and solutions to challenges.

It also aims to strengthen the capacity of peace practitioners to respond to shared challenges; and capture, document, store and disseminate best practices and lessons learned.

Implemented by the Ministry of National Security, the programme is scheduled to run from May 2012 to April 2014.

Targets envisaged include: publishing of at least one newsletter per quarter; partnering  with at least one agency to host a  workshop/forum on issues related to domestic, youth and/or community violence; launch social marketing campaign; and organise and deliver at least two capacity building workshops/seminars in partnership with another agency to showcase good local crime interventions.

It is expected that during 2012/13, at least two queries per quarter will be completed; 45 frontline responders will be empowered with the skills, knowledge and methodology to respond to domestic violence related issues; 27 police officers, nurses, community workers and students will be educated on domestic violence; and there will be a move to raise awareness among youth on the sexual offences legislation.

By Athaliah Reynolds-Baker, JIS Reporter