RIM Programme to be Rolled Out in 25 Additional MDAS

The Government’s Records and Information Management (RIM) programme is to be rolled out in 25 additional ministries, department and agencies (MDAs), which will comprise the third cohort under the engagement.

This was announced by Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Robert Morgan, who said that the exercise will be led by the Jamaica Archives and Records Department (JARD), with support from the Cabinet Office.

He was speaking during the digital launch of the Cohort 3 RIM Implementation and Workshop on Monday (September 28), to commemorate International Day for Universal Access to Information, under the theme ‘Records Management – Saving Lives, Building Trusty, Bringing Hope’.

Mr. Morgan said seamless access to information can and will only occur “when the importance of record creation, preservation, maintenance, use and disposal is acknowledged”.

He said it is for this reason that Cabinet, in 2018, approved the implementation of the Government of Jamaica Records and Information Management (RIM) Policy.

“This policy outlines standards for the effective records and information management across all sectors. This will now ensure that all Ministries [are] standardised across the public sector and reduce the time in which entities take to retrieve records and information for access to the public,” the State Minister added.

Against this background, Mr. Morgan is urging the MDAs in cohort three to comply with the timelines and work closely with the support team to fully implement the RIM programme.

“As the team provides support to you in the implementation of the process, we will also be monitoring, tracking and reporting on your progress to the Records Information Management Committee,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Mr. Morgan advised that the Ministry, with the support of Cabinet, is conducting a strategic review of JARD, with a view to increasing the capacity of the Department to fully undertake its mandate as outlined in the RIM Policy and legislation.

He further informed that modernisation of the Archives Act is being undertaken to bring the legislation in line with new trends and developments in records and archives management.

Mr. Morgan noted that access to information and the Government’s work in seamlessly aligning the interests of the public in this regard are fundamental in “securing the freedoms that Jamaicans are entitled to”.

He said that the Ministry and its agencies are committed to continue to provide the public with information within the framework of the law, and to enhance the records management systems “to allow government information to be accessed in a timely manner”.

Commemoration of International Day for Universal Access to Information on September 28 is spearheaded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The day was initiated during the 74th United Nations General Assembly in 2019.

Its observance advocates for the adoption and implementation of sound constitutional and statutory policy guarantees, endorses principles of the right to information in times of crises, and highlights the impact of proactive sharing of information on health and education as well as inclusive and gender-sensitive initiatives, focusing on vulnerable groups for prosperity and sustainability.