Prime Minister says Human Capital Development & Modern Leadership Essential for Sustainable Development

Prime Minister the Most Hon.Portia Simpson Miller is asserting that human capital development and 21^st century leadership are imperatives for sustainable development in the region.

Mrs. Simpson Miller made the remarks during her keynote address at the Opening Dinner for the Working Visit to Jamaica of Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, Princess Anne and Closing Programme of the Caribbean-Canada Emerging Leaders’ Dialogue (CCELD) on Thursday, October 1 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

The Prime Minister noted that human capital development is critical for good governance, production, productivity, economic growth and sustainable development.

“My philosophy of ensuring that our people are at the heart of our strategy for social and economic development is well known,” she said.

Mrs. Simpson Miller pointed out that “Investments by the Government of Jamaica in education, training and innovation have been growing as a direct result of this policy emphasis. These are areas that have also been receiving sustained attention by companies keen on attaining or maintaining profitability and market leadership and honouring their corporate social responsibility.”

She added that the development and application of science and technology are also being strategically pursued through the National Commission on Science and Technology, integration into the school curriculum, and various programmes for digital transformation under the auspices of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining.

The Prime Minister noted that human capital development involves producing adaptable workers with a unique capacity to initiate and innovate and who are ready for the ‘knowledge society’.

She explained that, “In Jamaica, our goal is to locate ourselves firmly in this knowledge society with people who are inspired, educated, trained and trainable; people, who are generating new knowledge, new ideas and adding value to productive efforts at every level,” Mrs. Simpson Miller emphasised.

“For national development and personal progress, we must have people who are working together to find new ways of getting things done better and faster,” she said.

Against this background, the Prime Minister commended the human capital development focus of the CCELD and its 2015 theme – Leading through Innovation and Transformation.

She noted that “Innovation and transformation are important drivers for the countries of the Caribbean, whose societies and economies are in varying states of transition owing to the impact of globalization.”

She said Government, businesses and civil society must place urgent emphasis on fashioning dynamic 21^st century Caribbean leadership with the global perspective and confidence to competently tackle and overcome the challenges in the region. In this context, the Prime Minister expressed confidence in the region’s abilities to resolve the challenges in society.

“About the survival, renewal and future success of our civilisation, we dare not lose hope,” she said. “I take encouragement from the existence of initiatives such as CCELD. This programme continues to prove its commitment to strengthening leadership capacity to ensure more sustainable companies, institutions and communities,” the Prime Minister said.

The CCELD is supported by alumni volunteers and is managed by a professional conference organisation. It operates under the auspices of ELD Canada Inc., a registered Canadian charitable organisation and a Commonwealth Accredited Civil Society Organisation.

Led by its President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, ELD Canada develops and executes in-field leadership development programs for emerging leaders and is the Canadian arm of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences.