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Activities in the United Kingdom (UK) to celebrate Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence are gathering momentum, with a flurry of events to take place from May 16 to October 16. The first of three ‘Jamaica 50’ Lectures will be held at the Jamaican High Commission in London on May 16, with Executive Chairman of GraceKennedy Limited, Douglas Orane, to speak...

Director of the Jamaica 50 Secretariat, Robert Bryan, is warning that persons could face legal action if they use the Jamaica 50th anniversary logo without permission. Mr. Bryan, who was speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ held on May 1 at the agency’s head office in Kingston, said the logo has been trademarked and is therefore protected by law. He...

A registry is to be established for all children with special needs, says Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier. The Minister said the registry will provide data on the number of children who require assistance under the Ministry’s Early Stimulation Programme. “We have to focus on the children (with special needs), as they are human beings just...

Jamaica’s renowned expertise in horticulture, as well as the country’s musical talent and cultural achievements, will be take centre stage in Washington DC, May 4 –5, during the capital’s 73rd annual Flower Mart and Festival.  The two-day signature event will bring thousands of horticulture experts and exhibitors, alongside thousands of aficionados and visitors, to the historic Washington National Cathedral in...

Chairman, Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan, says that Jamaica has made significant strides in matters related to child development over the last 50 years. The ECC Chairman was speaking on April 25 at the official launch of Child Month 2012 at the GraceKennedy Limited offices downtown Kingston. Activities will start in May and will be celebrated under the...

Several activities have been planned to celebrate the island’s children during National Child Month (May), which was officially launched on April 25, at the GraceKennedy offices, downtown Kingston. The National Child Month Committee (NCMC) will kick off activities with a National Church Service on Sunday, May 6, at the St. James Anglican Church, Annotto Bay, in St. Mary.  Churches islandwide...

The Government of Jamaica and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have entered into a five-year Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) 2012, valued at US$13.85 million or just over $1.2 billion in support of national efforts to improve the welfare of marginalised and vulnerable families and children. The grant was formalised during a signing ceremony on Thursday (April 24) at...

Executive Director of the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO), Carol Simpson, says the office continues to champion Brand Jamaica and protect the island’s unique products. She said that focus is being placed on the cultural industry. “We’ve been looking at traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions, genetic resources, working with our young people (particularly from) Rastafarian and Maroon communities,” she said....

Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, says the government will be taking a more integrated approach to youth development in an effort to maximise results and effectively utilise resources. This will involve pooling the resources of agencies and organisations with similar targets in order to ensure greater efficiency and reduce costs. “What we have to realise is that...

Youth leaders from the disabled community are clamoring for greater access to tertiary-level training and employment opportunities, as they struggle to gain equality with their able-bodied peers. The youths voiced their concerns to Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, and United States Ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency Pamela Bridgewater, among other stakeholders, during a roundtable discussion hosted at...

The revamping of the national programme to commemorate Jamaica's 50th anniversary of Independence was among the top priorities of the Ministry of Youth and Culture during the government’s first 100 days in office. An Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by portfolio Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna, was set up to oversee the process, and included Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting; Minister...

Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, has informed that submission for a new Reparations Commission has been made to Cabinet. She was contributing to a debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (April 17) on a private members motion brought by Member of Parliament for Central Clarendon, Mike Henry, regarding reparations for slavery. Miss Hanna explained that...