PIOJ Hosts Dialogue for Development and Lecture Nov. 1-2

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) will be hosting the biennial staging of its Dialogue for Development Series and Lecture, from November 1 to 2.

The series, which is geared towards educating the public about government policies and, by extension, soliciting their feedback, will be a free virtual event requiring registration.

Senior Director, Corporate Marketing and Communication, PIOJ, Marcia Blake Hall, told JIS News that, for this year, the Institute decided to take a reflective approach in bringing the information to the public.

“We are looking back. We have come 60 years, and we want to look beyond the 60 years. So in this two-year event, with the theme: ‘Beyond 60: Evolving, Innovating, Inspiring’, we are going to, again, seek the public’s participation in the policies that we are looking at,” she said.

On day one, there will be a panel discussion featuring local scholars as well as entrepreneurs.

“We will have Dr. Heather Ricketts, Dr. Christine Clarke and Professor Dale Webber. In the afternoon session, we will have Mr. Trevor Forrest, Mr. Gordon Swaby, Dr. Garette Dijan Fairclough and Dr. Adrian Coore; and on day two, there will be a distinguished lecture by Dr. Peter Blair Henry,” Mrs. Blake Hall informed.

Persons can participate by registering on the PIOJ website at pioj.gov.jm and clicking on the events tab.

“There is a QR code there also. So just go ahead and register and participate in the two days of activities. Apart from the panel discussion and the lecture, there will also be a virtual exhibition. The projects of the PIOJ will be highlighted. But we have partners that are Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies and private sector that we have invited, and they will be in the exhibition,” she indicated.

Persons are encouraged to participate in the series, as Government policies help to shape daily life activities.

“Remember, policy formulation and quality implementation involve the public. The public has a voice. The public needs to use their voice, and that will help inform how we move forward,” Mrs. Blake Hall said.