Jamaica to Host Annual Conference of CPSA

KINGSTON — Jamaica will host the 41st Annual Conference of the Caribbean Public Service Association (CPSA) from July 24 to 29, at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown, Kingston.

Some 159 delegates and participants are expected to attend the conference, which is being organised by the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) and the Jamaica Association of Local Government Officers (JALGO).

President of the JCSA, O’Neil Grant, said that this year’s theme: ‘Championing Public Service for All’, is relevant, as Jamaica seeks to transform its public sector.  

Mr. Grant said that the JCSA wants to ensure that the tenets of quality public service is maintained during the period of transformation.   

The President pointed out that the issues affecting Caribbean countries are similar to those in Jamaica, and solidarity is the approach taken when solutions are being sought to address them.

”We will come to these sessions and we will have in front  of us Resolutions from the various affiliates, which they will want their countries to support and lobby in either their home country or through CARICOM,”  the President said.

The conference will commence with a service at the Garrison Church, Up Park Camp, on Sunday, July 24, beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by the Opening Ceremony at the Conference Centre, at 4:00 p.m. Prime Minister, the Hon.  Bruce Golding will deliver the keynote address.

There will be a cocktail reception after the opening ceremony, to be hosted by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles.  

The CPSA is a regional Federation of public sector workers, which was formed in the 1970s. The Federation has membership in 15 Caribbean countries. The Secretariat is located in Dominica.

Next year the conference will be held in Montserrat. Host countries are selected alphabetically.

By Joan Gayle