COADY International Institute – Global Change Leader’s Programme
Placement Report March – May 2012
Liesl Marisa Harewood – Global Change Leader,
Placement Agency
In fulfillment of Item B13 of the Action Portfolio Requirements
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INTRODUCTION
The Flag of Jamaica
The Sun shineth, the land is
green, and the people are
strong and bold is the
symbolism of the colours of
the flag. BLACK represents
the strength and creativity of
the people; GREEN
represents hope and
agricultural resources; GOLD
represents the natural wealth
and beauty of sunlight.
Thanks to their athletes, their artists and musicians, their academics and their people in general,
including the Rastafarian movement, most persons can recognize the Jamaican flag. Famous
Jamaicans include Professor Rex Nettleford, Charles Hyatt, Herb McKenley, Randolph
Williams, Edna Manley, Louise Bennett-Coverly, Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley, Usain Bolt, Asafa
Powell and Yohan Blake (track and field athletes), Courtney Walsh (cricket) and Jamaica’s Bob
Sled Team.
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, 234 kilometres (145 mi) in length, up to 80
kilometres (50 mi) in width and 10,990 square kilometres (4,243 sq mi) in area. It is situated in
the Caribbean Sea, about 145 kilometres (90 mi) south of Cuba, and 191 kilometres (119 mi)
west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Its indigenous Arawakan-speaking Taíno inhabitants named the island Xaymaca, meaning the
"Land of Wood and Water", or the "Land of Springs".
Once a Spanish possession known as Santiago, in 1655 it became an English, and later a British,
colony, known as "Jamaica". It achieved full independence in 1962. With 2.8 million people, it is
the third most populous Anglophone country in the Americas, after the United States and
Canada. It remains a Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. Kingston is
the country's largest city and the capital. The weather is tropical, with April to June being the
rainy months and June to November as the official tropical hurricane season.
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ABOUT THE COMPETITIVENESS COMPANY
Affectionately called The CC, The Competitiveness Company has been in existence for six (6)
years, during which it has amassed a wealth of experience from collaborating and working with
Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, the public sector, regional and international
institutions, as well as Associates.
In 2005, the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA) established The CC, creating an in-house
centre of expertise in competitiveness on which the private and public sectors can draw. The goal
of The Competitiveness Company is to increase and enhance the competitiveness of Jamaican
and regional firms, ensure that their products can command a premium in the market place and
move Jamaican and regional exports up the value chain.
The Vision and Mission of The Competitiveness Company are:
Vision: We are the first choice in enabling consulting services for international competitiveness,
strategy and cluster development for Caribbean firms.
Mission: We will enhance the prosperity of Jamaica and the region by improving the
competitiveness of MSMEs through the delivery of innovative solutions and diagnostic-driven
data by a multi-disciplinary, high-performance team.
The Competitiveness Company, over the years, has embarked on the export of services to
various countries in the Region including Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Trinidad & Tobago, St.
Kitts, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, and the Dominican Republic.
It has played a lead role, in association with its Intellectual Property attorneys, in working with
MSMEs to improve their recognition and understanding of intellectual property and the role that
it can play in their competitive advantage.
The Competitiveness Company possesses a number of characteristics that enable it to confront
the increased competition in the market place in which it operates. These include the following:
1. The Company possesses a highly motivated and highly qualified staff. The
company’s team has a strong depth and range of academic qualifications. This is an
indication of the Company’s ability to handle complex and challenging tasks. Very few
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small companies in Jamaica or elsewhere have this depth of intellectual capital available
to them. Very importantly, the team is committed to and enjoys the work what they do.
2. An established record in writing winning proposals: The Company has developed a
good track record in writing winning proposals to get funding from donor organizations
in order to implement the mission.
3. A highly motivated and experienced team leader: Dr. Beverley Morgan, Head of The
Competitiveness Company has strong technical competence in delivering high quality
output. Coupled with her passion, her leadership has motivated the team to follow this
direction thus resulting in high quality production and output for the company. I am
fortunate to have been assigned her as my mentor during the Global Change Leader
experience.
4. Alliance with a recognized Parent Company: The Jamaica Exporters’ Association is a
45-year old, recognized body and has a well-established list of more than 200 members.
This strengthens the links with the network of MSMEs, especially those which trade
internationally.
5. Strong focus on team training: Human capital is a critical source of competitive
advantage for the Competitiveness Company. As such, it invests heavily in training its
team so that they can be up to date with the latest thinking in the competitiveness.
MARCH 2012 - ASSIGNED TASKS & WHAT OCCURRED IN HOST ORGANISATION &
RESULTS
5-9 March Permission granted by Mentor Dr. Beverley Morgan of The Competitiveness
Company to participate in the Organisation of American States (OAS) Election
Observation Mission to Belize.
12-16 March European Union Projects Received 8 Framework Contracts that The Competitiveness Company have
recently signed. 3 of these contracts are COLEACP and 5 of these contracts are
EDES. One of my tasks and personal learning objectives is to review these
contracts and make recommendations on how The Competitiveness Company can
proceed with the next stage of these contracts.
Intellectual Property
Reviewed Executive Summary of Case Study on Caribbean Intellectual Property
and Branding for colleague Annabelle Haynes. One of my tasks and personal
learning objectives while on my placement is to learn more about intellectual
property especially as it relates to the Caribbean as there is a lack of information
and understanding in this area. The Competitiveness Company was invited to
participate in “IP Week 2012” from 22-28 April, 2012 and I will be attending this
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on behalf of the Company.
Marketing
Became one of the Administrators of the The Competitiveness Company’s
Facebook Page. At the start of the week the Page was at 77 “Likes” and the
target for the end of the week was to attain 100 “Likes” on the Page. By
close of business on 16 March the Team had achieved 118 “Likes”. Our
goal for the week 19-25 March is to reach 150 “Likes”.
Generated content daily for The Competitiveness Company’s Facebook and
Twitter Pages. [See Appendix: File #1: Email to Marketing Team
(14.03.12)]
Worked on a Press Release with colleague Tameka Dunbar regarding the
placement and the Global Change Leader’s Programme. The Press Release
is pending approval and comments from the rest of the team.
Wrote an article entitled “The Caribbean Woman: Global Change Leader?”
for publication on The Competitiveness Company website
http://www.thecompetitivenesscompany.com/news/133-the-caribbean-
woman-global-change-leader
Meetings Attended
Attended the "10th
EDF Country Strategy and National Indicative Programme,
Non-State Actors’ Consultation". [See Appendix: File #2: Notes from EU
Country Strategy Meeting (13.03.12)]. This meeting provided me with an
overview of the EU’s involvement in Jamaica and I was able to meet some of the
key stakeholders.
Proposals
Worked on proposal for . My colleague Nicardo Neil and I will
be submitting two proposals for:
Learning Track 2: Adolescent Girls & Young Women
Learning Track 5: Youth Enterprise Development
My tasks and personal learning objectives are to develop and improve my proposal
writing skills during my placement. In this regard I will be working on proposals
throughout my placement.
FOLLOW UP Request a copy of the Marketing Plan from Margaret Mais. Review and make
comments and suggestions to the document and strategy of the Company.
Look at framework contracts Week of March 19-23, 2012 and start to compile
information on the contracts to see which organisations, territories and potential
projects could be done through these contracts.
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Work on presentation for upcoming “Lunch and Learn” to the team.
19-23 March European Union Projects
Read all 8 framework contracts and made notes. Started to formulate ideas and
questions. Need to talk to Dr. Beverley Morgan for further explanation.
Marketing
Received hard copy of the Marketing Plan for the Competitiveness Company.
Reviewed and edited and circulated to the team. Deadline for responses set March
30, 2012.
Continued to promote the Facebook page to increase the number of “likes”.
Submitted web content for the page.
Meetings Attended
Monthly meeting with USAID representative and some of The Competitiveness
Company team for update on the USAID-funded projects.
Quarterly meeting of the membership of the Jamaica Exporters’ Association.
Featured speaker was the Minister of Finance Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips. I was able to
network and meet some of the private sector participants of Jamaica.
Proposals
Worked on proposal for Learning Track 2: Adolescent Girls &
Young Women.
Team Meeting to Review Potential Proposals
The team reviewed several calls for proposals and decided to pursue the following:
Urbanization and Development: Delving Deeper into the Nexus
RGK Center – ARNOVA Presidents Award for 2012
Both proposals are due on April 16, 20102. Will be working on pulling information
together for both of them.
We received a Specialty Crops Project Update from Hilda Vaughan
26-30 March Marketing
The Facebook page currently has 125 “likes” – 25 short of the 150 target we
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had established previously. The revised goal is to have 200 “likes” by the
end of April 2012.
Wrote an article entitled covering the Closing Ceremony for Building Skills
and Creating Wealth project
http://thecompetitivenesscompany.com/news/134-urban-farmers-feted-as-
ornamental-fish-project-comes-to-a-close/
Meetings Attended
Went on a site visit of two ornamental fish farms on Saturday 24th
March, 2012
with Shomari Small and Everton Reece of The Competitiveness Company and
approximately 22 potential fish farmers who had recently completed the training
programme by the company. These farmers are now in the initial phase of having
completed training and about to get involved in the practical aspect of the fish
farming. The two venues we visited were in Red Hills and Russell Road, and we
were able to see two farms at different stages of development.
Meeting with Professor Duncan and some of The Competitiveness Company team
to discuss our Urbanization and Development proposal. Some timelines were set
and information is to be submitted by April 4, 2012.
Closing ceremony for the Building Skills and Creating Wealth project. This was
attended by representatives from The Competitiveness Company, the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries, Jamaica Social Investment Fund, the European Union
Delegation in Jamaica and the urban fish farmers. We also did a site visit to one of
the ornamental fish farms in Jones Town, an urban community in Kingston.
Proposals
Submitted proposal for Learning Track 2: Adolescent
Girls & Young Women.
Working on proposal with colleagues for the GDN Research Grant for
proposals on Urbanization and Development: Delving Deeper into the
Nexus due April 16th
, 2012.
FOLLOW UP Work on information for the Urbanization and Development proposal
Have meeting on Marketing Plan document
Look at the Funding for Climate Change Research in Developing Countries
Continue to promote the Facebook page to achieve 200 “likes”
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APRIL 2012 - ASSIGNED TASKS & WHAT OCCURRED IN HOST ORGANISATION & RESULTS
2-5 April
European Union Projects
Attended and assisted with the facilitation of the Guys Hill United PMO Cluster
Management Workshop on April 3, 2012 with my mentor Dr. Beverley Morgan,
colleagues Hilda Vaughan of The Competitiveness Company and Tracey-Ann
Wright, Consultant with the International Trade Centre, ACP Commodities
Programme. The objectives of the workshop were:
(1) To provide an understanding and appreciation of the development, role and
operation of the Guys Hill PMO
(2) To ascertain present and anticipated production levels
Marketing
All day team strategizing to review and brainstorm about the revised
Marketing Plan of the company. Made some notes for facilitator Nicardo
Neil and circulated after the meeting.
The Facebook page currently has 161 “likes” – 39 short of the revised goal
of 200 “likes” by the end of April 2012.
Proposals
Working on proposal with colleagues for the GDN Research Grant for
proposals on Urbanization and Development: Delving Deeper into the
Nexus due April 16th
, 2012.
10-13 April
European Union Projects Received 8 Framework Contracts that The Competitiveness Company have
recently signed. 3 of these contracts are COLEACP and 5 of these contracts are
EDES. One of my tasks and personal learning objectives is to review these
contracts and make recommendations on how The Competitiveness Company can
proceed with the next stage of these contracts. (Need to follow up with mentor BM
on this)
Meetings
April 11 & 12: Attended Jamaica Country Assessment Prioritisation Workshop for
Vision 2030. Submitted a summary report of the workshop [See Appendix: File
#3: Notes from Jamaica Country Assessment and National Prioritization
Workshop]
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Proposals
Working on proposal with colleagues for the GDN Research Grant for
proposals on Urbanization and Development: Delving Deeper into the
Nexus due April 16th
, 2012.
Working on proposal for Funding for Climate Change Research in
Developing Countries due April 25th
, 2012.
Other
Worked on getting manufacturing companies from Jamaica to apply for the Study
Tour to Europe in June 2012 as part of EU-funded project that I am working on.
Worked on Assignment 3 for Coady: GCL Program
Worked on Presentation for Learn at Lunch schedule for April 25, 2012
16-20 April
Proposals
Submitted with colleagues for the GDN Research Grant for proposals on
Urbanization and Development: Delving Deeper into the Nexus.
Marketing
All day team strategizing to review and brainstorm about the revised
Marketing Plan of the company. Made some notes for facilitator Nicardo
Neil and circulated after the meeting.
Continued the promotion of the Facebook page – target of 200 likes to be
achieved by the end of the month.
Meeting
To discuss the CDE proposal and the detailed design of the IP Business Unit for
The Competitiveness Company.
23-27 April
JIPO Press Launch and Open Day
Attended with colleague Margaret Mais at the JIPO office.
Presentation: Learn at Lunch
Researched, created and facilitated the session “Networking and Mentoring Your
Way To Competitiveness” for staff and invited guests.
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NETWORKING IN ACTION
Some of the contacts I made throughout my placement in Jamaica. These persons I have
all contacted subsequently and have on my database.
ORGANISATION NAME POSITION MET / LOCATION
Small Business Association
of Jamaica
Dr. Meredith Derby April 11 – 12: Jamaica 2030
Medium Term Framework
Consultation
Delegation of the European
Union to Jamaica, Belize,
The Bahamas, Turks and
Caicos Islands, and the
Cayman Islands
Jesús Orús Baguena Head of Operations March 13 - 10th
EDF Country
Strategy and National Indicative
Programme, Joint Annual Report
/ End of Term Review 2011,
Non-State Actors’ Consultation
March 28 - Building Skills &
Creating Wealth Closing
Ceremony
Compete Caribbean Project
Travelled with mentor Dr. Beverley Morgan, Hilda Vaughan and videographer
Linden to Jakes, in St. Elizabeth, as part of the community-based tourism project
marketing and strategic plan that The CC will be executing. Spent the day touring
the community and learning about all their accomplished and future projects. My
assignment 3 looking at the Power and Citizen Space was a reflection on this
experience.
Marketing
Achieved 205 Facebook likes – marketing target established at the beginning of my
placement was achieved.
30 April – 4 May Brainstorming Meeting
To discuss upcoming calls for proposals including:
Innovation and Productivity in the Service Sector
Application to CDE for Jamaica Exporters Association / IP Business Unit
Training
Proposal Writing Team Training session facilitated by Dr. Morgan
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China Harbour Engineering
Company Limited
Colvin Heath-London Senior Business
Manager
Met at a social function March
2012
International Trade Centre Tracey-Ann Wright National Consultant Former Coady Graduate in 2010
Works in the Jamaica Exporters
Association building (same
building as The Competitiveness
Company)
Delegation of the European
Union to Jamaica, Belize,
The Bahamas, Turks and
Caicos Islands, and the
Cayman Islands
Thomas Millar First Secretary:
Economics, Trade,
Politics and
Information
April 11 – 12: Jamaica 2030
Medium Term Framework
Consultation
CONCLUSION, OWN LEARNINGS & FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
Overall, I remember texting my mentor one Friday evening in March saying
“Best.Placement.Ever” followed by “Best.Mentor.Ever”. I think that is how I can succinctly
conclude this entire experience of my professional placement in Jamaica at The Competitiveness
Company.
Some of my learnings taken from this experience:
Mentorship is critical for success
I need to learn to “manage myself”
Sometimes my effervescence can be a hindrance to my progress and development
I will continue my relations with my placement agency as I have made my CV available to them
to be pulled on as a consultant on future projects that match my skills, experience and expertise. I
will also be contributing monthly articles to The Competitiveness Company’s website. My
mentor-mentee relationship will be an ongoing engagement. I have been given a Learning
Leadership textbook from which I will be working through and exchanging thoughts and ideas
via Skype with my mentor.
I was so fortunate to have a challenging placement – it has left me knowing that I have to
restructure elements of my life if I am to be a leader who changes the globe. I really do not have
any recommendations for future placements as I got everything that I wanted, but didn’t even
know I needed out of my experience.
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File #1: Email to Marketing Team (14.03.12)
Good Job Web Team 2 messages
Nicardo Neil <[email protected]> Wed, Mar 14, 2012
at 7:22 AM
To: [email protected], [email protected],
annabelle haynes <[email protected]>, aroberts
<[email protected]>, "Dr. Beverley Morgan"
<[email protected]>, Everton Reece <[email protected]>,
Shomari Small <[email protected]>, Tameka Dunbar
<[email protected]>, Liesl Harewood <[email protected]>
Team
Just wanted to send a quick thanks and "good job" to my partners in crime for the CC website
(Liesl, Annabelle and Tameka). Though the site is quite young I'm still celebrating the fact
that we broke our records for daily site visits and page views yesterday (33 and 120
respectively). This is thanks especially to Annabelle and Liesl's efforts submitting articles
and promoting TCC on the facebook page. I encourage the rest of the team to aid in this
effort. Just to repeat, the more content we generate, the more visits we get; the more visits we
get across all our online platforms the more exposure there is for TCC and the more people
have us on the brain for things that fit our skills and competencies. I will be generating a
monthly, one page website report starting at the end of this month to keep everyone abreast
of how we're doing.
Keep it up!
--
________________________________
Nicardo Neil | Marketing & Project Manager
Urban Value Chain Development Project
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File #2: Notes from EU Country Strategy Meeting (13.03.12) 1 message
Nicardo Neil <[email protected]> Thu, Mar 15, 2012 at 2:14 PM To: [email protected], [email protected], annabelle haynes
<[email protected]>, aroberts <[email protected]>, "Dr. Beverley
Morgan" <[email protected]>, Everton Reece <[email protected]>, Shomari Small
<[email protected]>, Tameka Dunbar <[email protected]>, Liesl
Harewood [email protected]
Team
Liesl and I attended the "10th
EDF Country Strategy and National Indicative Programme, Non-State Actors’
Consultation" this past Tuesday. Here are our notes and takeaways from the meeting:
Present:
Barbara Scott (Director, External Cooperation Management – PIOJ)
Dianne Davis (Manager, European Union Unit – PIOJ)
Richard Lumsden (Programme Director, Plan Development Unit – PIOJ)
Jesús Orús Báguena (Head of Operations – EU)
NSAs Present:
The Competitiveness Company
Jamaicans for Justice
RISE Life Management The purpose of the meeting was to provide an overview of the:
Jamaica Cane Farmers Association
The current Joint Annual Report on delegation outlays and projects
GOJ's Vision 20130 (The EU Delegations plans to more explicitly align its Priorities with Vision 2030
Priorities)
Plans for Future Cooperation
Highlights
30% of funds for the this planning period are as yet uncommitted and must be committed by December 2013
or risk being de-committed
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Current questions about Jamaica's Macro-economic stability and Public Financial Management (including
ongoing IMF negotiations) means the "Budgetary Support" modality of fund disbursement is effectively on
hold. The Delegation is contemplating direct "classic projects" to expend the remaining funds (approximately
33 Million Euros).
Jamaican delegation received an additional 22 Million Euros as a "top performer". The delegation seems
determined to focus this money on public Health related priorities
Another Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP III) has been finalized and is about to be signed. 9.5 Million
Euros has been allocated
In the National Development Plan (Vision 2030) for Jamaica “competitiveness” is one of the focus areas and
a top priority
Issues/Challenges Raised by NSAs
Lack of cohesion between EU regulations & rules and those of the signing agency (raised by TCC)
Lack of awareness of new calls for proposals. This point was countered by the argument that it is not the role
of the EU office here in Jamaica since in some instances neither the EU (Jamaica) or the PIOJ are aware of
some of the calls for proposals. The onus is on the non-state actors and the respective organisations to tap
into these opportunities.
Lack of expertise amongst NSAs for proposal writing. The Competitiveness Company offered its expertise in
proposal writing and training to the delegation.
Some NSA's felt that in the past they were not consulted enough by the delegation in the way they were at
this meeting.
Overall, the tone of the meeting was commended as being one that was open, transparent and vocal. The
representative of the Head of Operations – EU, a new role, was keen to maintain this level of dialogue with the
participants throughout his tenure in Jamaica. It was noted that the relationship should not be one of attributing
blame to any of the relevant parties, but to find solutions in working together to access the funding and implement
sustainable projects that would benefit the economy of Jamaica.
--
________________________________
Nicardo Neil | Marketing & Project Manager
Urban Value Chain Development Project
Contacts:
W: 1-876-929-1203 | 1-876-929-4440
F: 1-876-960-9869
Website: www.thecompetitivenesscompany.com
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File #3: Notes from Jamaica Country Assessment and National Prioritization Workshop
Medium Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF) 2012-2015
National Prioritization of Issues
April 11-12, 2012
Representing The Competitiveness Company: Nicardo Neil & Liesl Harewood
The Workshop Objectives were:
- Arrive at consensus on the main development issues and challenges to be addressed of
the next medium term (three-year period, 2012-2015)
- Articulate the country’s key national priorities and related strategies for the next three
years within the context of a new Medium Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework
Mr. Everton McFarlane, Deputy Director General, PIOJ
An environmental scanning report was conducted and a summary of the potential impacts of
major trends can be noted as follows: demographic transition, migration, rising commodity
prices, cyclical economic growth rates, globalisation and emerging markets, growth of
democracy, climate change, environmental degradation and disasters, increase in non-
communicable diseases, empowerment of women, urbanization, advance of technology and ICT.
These trends would have key impacts in the following area: demographic, economic,
governance, environmental, social and technological.
Vision 2030 Jamaica has 4 goals, 15 national outcomes and 84 national strategies. This
information is listed at www.vision2030.gov.jm
Dr. Wesley Hughes, Financial Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning
We are currently engaged in a critical struggle in Jamaica. There is a long standing economic,
social, physical and intellectual deficit. The positive is that although there has been a change in
the political administration, the vision 2030 Jamaica plan remains endorsed by the ruling party.
Jamaica now needs stringent measures to deal with the economic and financial challenges. One
of the problems is that in this current environment, Jamaica is not building a sustainable system.
Dr. Gladstone Hutchinson, Director General, PIOJ
Raised the issue of dominance of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa),
these emerging markets forged their own competitive advantage. If Jamaica is to compete with
these existing ones then we need to get our internal policies set up. Some of the global issues we
need to address: demographic, BRICS, income distribution, social equity and development.
Question by Mr. Thomas Millar, EU Delegation
While these issues are being discussed are relevant – most of the criteria used does not address
the discussion about inequality. He posed whether this was a concern as to how inequality was
being addressed in the quest to development? We address development but never how the
development will be paid for – example what is the taxation system and structure?
He also raised the issue of the time frame: a lot of things are priorities but sometimes there is just
not enough time.
Mr. Richard Lumsden, Programme Director, Vision 2030 Jamaica, PIOJ
Provided an overview “Setting the Context for the Workshop: Jamaica Country Assessment and
National Prioritization”.
• Cooperation Programme
• Government of Jamaica Planning Process
• Plans for Future Cooperation and coordination of human rights reports
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He stated the need for a comprehensive review of domestic legislation. Several times throughout
the session it was referenced the need to pass the National Disability Bill, which is linked to one
of the priority areas.
There needs to be an integrated and standardised accountability framework and improved local
governance framework that would augment the human rights in the country.
Justice Reform Programme – Jamaica needs to review and update the existing to ensure its
relevance and to ensure it carries us to and beyond 2015 until 2030. The accessibility and
capacity of the justice system needs to be reviewed. There needs to be expansion of the offenders
rehabilitation programme as there is a high level of re-offenders and that is a big issue.
National Prioritization Working Group Sessions
Group 3 (Liesl Harewood)
We did a review of the GDP, unemployment rate etc. and recognised some of the key initiatives
that already exist in the in the country, the need to build on those initiative and identify new
strategies.
Top 10 issues:
1.1 Migration
1.7 Rising Levels of Poverty
1.12 Inadequate Youth Development
2.1 High Levels of Crime and Violence
3.3 Low Economic Growth Rates
3.5 Uncompetitive Business Environment
3.6 Low Labour Productivity
3.7 Poor road transport infrastructure and services
3.8 Undeveloped opportunities in maritime transport and logistics
3.12 Development of cultural and creative industries
In Breakout Group 3 – the top 5 identifiable issues were:
1.6 Inadequate education and training
2.1 High levels of crime and violence
1.10 Weakened family and poverty
3.10 Lack of energy focus
3.12 Internationally competitiveness
DISCUSSION
Some of the points coming out of the discussion in this group:
April 12: Day 2
Looking at the action plan and moving forward
Presentation by Dr. Arun Kashyap, Resident Representative, UNDP
Proposed breakout groups:
1) National Security, Justice, Accountability and Human Rights
2) Education, Training, Youth Development, Early Childhood Development and Parenting
3) Unemployment, Growth and Tax Reform
4) Natural Environment, Energy, Waste Management and Land Use Planning
5) Poverty and Social Protection
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6) Productivity and Business Environment
7) Science, Technology and Innovation
It is about engendering shared strategies to reach the Jamaica 2030 vision. This process has been
built on partnership. It is the national strategic action planning.
Ms. Afrika Thompson, Public Relations Manager, Social Development Commission
Social development - Stakeholder partnerships in achieving vision 2030, led community
development, current engagement and organisation
Mr. Everton McFarlane - PIOJ
-impact of climate change
Development and Challenges – rural development is not represented, rural areas have the highest
level of poverty looking at the social area in the environment
Validation of main development issues
Importance of public scholarship and discussion
Need for all stakeholders involvement in guiding the process
NATIONAL PRIORITIZATION ACTION PLANNING WORKING GROUP SESSIONS
(Concurrent Sessions)
NATIONAL SECURITY, JUSTIC, ACCOUNTABILITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS –
Group 1
- Jamaica needs to facilitate new investments in the priority industries that have already
been identified in the National Export Strategy of Jamaica. We need to look at them
under the ACP project and other key initiatives, like the Tourism Master Plan.
- It is critical to encourage and institutionalise entrepreneurship. Currently it is treated as
something that happens when people fail in other areas. It needs to be integrated in the
school curriculum. There needs to be support for existing entrepreneurs and we want to
strengthen the facilities that have business incubation schemes such as UTECH. There is
significant room to strengthen business incubation in Jamaica
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT – Group 2
Children with disabilities – all inclusive play. There needs to be a programme of values and
attitudes as all these points are cross cutting. Results based governance and accountability, this
speaks to school boards. We need consistent quality of teaching.
Emphasis on use of the arts as mainstream component in education in the schools from early.
Integrating policies and programme for youth development. There needs to be a reduction in teen
pregnancy and more responsibility in part of father. There needs to be a reduction in child abuse
and violence against children.
There needs to be increased financial support, through the student loan bureau and more
scholarships available.
Strengthening of programmes for unattached youth, the vulnerable and persons with disabilities.
TAX REFORM – Group 3
Compliance and equity is important. We are encouraging government and other stakeholders to
discuss mechanisms to broaden the tax base. There needs to be a competitive tax rate. We need
to be looking at the kind of investments we will be providing to some of the entrepreneurs and
firms in the competitive industries.
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Under consideration is the Omnibus Incentive Act - some of the incentives do not need to be
arbitrarily withdrawn but we should be looking for over the next three years to be implementing
the Omnibus Incentive Act.
There are a number of professionals who are evading taxes and engaged in the underground
illegal economy.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY, WASTE – Group 4
We need to discuss energy use and cost especially in the area of competitiveness.
We need to discuss conservation and alternative energy sources.
Planning – parish development plan and national spatial plan, we need to talk about squatting,
enforcement.
Design and develop a waste management framework. We discussed the environmental
performance index. One of the key areas is environmental health with sanitation pollution.
POVERTY AND SOCIAL PROTECTION – Group 5
Need for implementation of a coordinated poverty reduction programme
The most marginalised groups are: rural woman, inner city, communities, persons with
disabilities, unattached youths
We need to broaden the social protection system
Health – group was concerned that people need to be empowered to take responsibility for health
and opt for a healthy lifestyle. There needs to be a comprehensive primary health care system.
PRODUCTIVITY AND THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT – Group 6
Engaged in a conversation about Jamaica’s competitiveness. The dichotomy that exists is
productivity is more of the private sector element and the business environment is more of the
public sector element. They both however play a part in the productivity and business
environment of Jamaica. The group looked at value chain expansion, increasing sophistication of
private businesses and the need to transition from factor-based to knowledge-based to
innovation-based.
There needs to be a drive to more value-added production. Improving the infrastructure and
efficiency of the public sector institutions through investment in technology. There is a need to
make public sector more proactive and less reactive, make it more efficient.
Creating an enabling environment that fosters entrepreneurship and MSME development.
Entrepreneurship should be promoted and encouraged by both private sector and public sector.
More skills training and certification, access to capital and venture funds, technical and
management support.
Investing more in research and design and linking this to production, creativity and innovation is
not something we invest in a lot.
Intellectual property/policy increased – we need to look into this.
Physical infrastructure, good roads, energy costs, electricity
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION – Group 7
1) The systematic inclusion of science and technology in education to foster teaching and
innovation
2) Need to provide students with the possibility of opportunities
3) Need to use applications and software
4) Need to expose students to technology at early childhood level
5) Need to provide incentives
6) Need to improve access to education tools through cell phones
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7) There needs to be 100% internet access
8) Introduction of science and technology into industries to provide competitive grounding
with output in goods and services, to increase efficiency in niche markets, profit markets
Job creation, wealth creation and poverty alleviation, national innovation system – modern
resource science and technology policy
We need more diaspora partners, international grant agencies,
NEXT STEPS
-Framework of results, indicators and targets
-Identify key progress and projects that will align
This is a 6 Step Process
-developed country status by 2030
The MTF is in a phased approach to advance the planning process
2 year packages- we are currently in a period of new discussion with the IMF, this MTF
phase is 2012-2015
7 national priority issues which we deem most important to address
Final Medium Term framework by July-August 2012