Welcome to Impacting Jamaica
SHARING THE LOVE: US Resident donates tablets
Five-minute feature on acts of kindness by local or overseas based non-government individuals and organisations that have benefitted Jamaicans.
Written and produced by the Radio Department of the Jamaica Information Service
News for Week of August 7, 2022
We are here to inspire, motivate and uplift.
Science entity offers support to educators
Educators across the island are being invited to participate in the Scientific Research Council’s (SRC’s) virtual summer attachment programme this month.
The free five-day professional development initiative aims to advance the knowledge of teachers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Interested teachers are required to complete a registration form, which can be found on the SRC’s website and submit their résumé for consideration.
Coordinator for the Science and Technology Education Unit at the SRC, Kavelle Hylton, said that through the initiative, the entity is targeting improvement in students’ performance in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).
She noted that while it is tailored for primary and secondary-level educators, early-childhood teachers are welcome to join to advance their knowledge in STEM.
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Mattresses for dozens of early childhood rest areas
Early childhood institutions across the island will benefit from a donation of 300 mattresses from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
The contribution was at the request of the Early Childhood Commission in the Ministry of Education and Youth.
The mattresses will provide for the establishment of isolation centres at the schools to satisfy the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ requirements for the containment of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Portfolio Minister Karl Samuda said that the items will also facilitate the setting up of rest areas for the children. He said that the donation is a “concrete display of joined-up government” and will ensure that the “children can be made more comfortable while the professionals go about their business of developing their minds”.
Community Relations Manager at the Early Childhood Commission Tanisha Miller said that the donation will help schools in meeting and maintaining at least five of the 12 legal operating standards.
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Experts tout ‘sustainable fashion’ for Jamaica
Players in the local apparel sector are being urged to look towards sustainability as the global fashion industry places increased focus on more environmentally friendly practices.
Acting Head of Department for Applied Art, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Laura Lee Jones, said there can be no conversation surrounding the future of fashion without mentioning sustainability.
Citing a 2021 Harvard Business Review, she noted that “an active consciousness about reducing the environmental footprint by trimming operational waste, among other things, is going to be the central focus of any business venturing into fashion”.
This, she said, must also be at the forefront for the next generation of fashion designers.
Fashion Designer and Owner of Keneea Linton Boutique, Keneea Linton-George, agreed, touting sustainable fashion as an avenue to assist the recovery of the industry from the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
She noted that the increase in the consumption of fast fashion over the last two decades has not only impacted the industry but the environment.
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Red Stripe partners with Gov’t is beautification push
The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has partnered with Red Stripe Jamaica to execute a national initiative involving the beautification of various locations across the island.
Portfolio Minister Miss Olivia Grange said that the initiative will serve to inspire Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora to continue exemplifying the Jamaican spirit.
“Jamaica is among the world’s most tenable and globally acclaimed brands and cultures. The Jamaica 60 theme, ‘Reigniting a Nation for Greatness’, calls on us to recognize the power that lies within us as Jamaicans. We have made significant accomplishments over the past 60 years, and as we celebrate, we want to build the momentum so that Jamaicans at home and abroad feel reignited to create legacies for the future,” said Minister Grange.
To further the Ministry’s efforts, Red Stripe, the official beer of Jamaica 60, will be commissioning a series of murals that celebrate the pride of the people. The murals will be executed by local artists who will capture the Jamaican vibe and energy.
Foundation adopts Westmoreland primary school
The Savanna-la-Mar Primary School in Westmoreland is to benefit from financial assistance of US$10,000 per annum over the next two years under the revised Adopt-A-School Programme of the National Education Trust (NET).
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide the support has been signed by representatives of Dreams To Reality (DTR) Foundation, Dequity Capital Management and the school.
Acting Chief Education Officer Dr. Kasan Troupe lauded the partnership as a “gift that will continue to give.” She pointed out that “education is a weapon that breaks the cycle of poverty and gives people the opportunity to transform their economic and social realities. You are not just touching the individuals who will benefit directly, but those who will benefit [indirectly].”
Under the Adopt-A-School Programme, individuals and organisations are invited to identify schools within their geographical area that are in need of some intervention. The objective is to promote partnerships for the development of the education sector.
Biosecurity Is National Security
By Matthew McKnight and Neil Maniar
BOSTON – If a cyberattack upended the global economy, effectively shut down major cities like New York, and put millions of lives at risk, governments and institutions worldwide would undoubtedly respond by investing heavily in defensive capabilities. They would beef up their cybersecurity, install new safeguards, and collect data and intelligence on future threats – just as many already do in response to acts of cyber warfare.
When it comes to the equally disruptive COVID-19 pandemic, however, the response has been far less decisive. As new variants ravage the health and economic security of the world’s population, biosecurity measures – the early warning and monitoring technologies meant to prevent the spread of infectious diseases – are still not as layered, pervasive, or formidable as the cybersecurity systems we use to contain and mitigate the activities of computer hackers.
