JCDC wants to keep the Jamaica 50 momentum going

JIS:

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) is seeking to capitalise on the successful staging of activities during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the country's Independence.

According to JCDC director of field services, Marjorie Leyden-Vernon, the commission will be maintaining the Jamaica 50 parish committees which had been formed to assist in the design and implementation of the parish celebrations.

"We are going to try our best to maintain the strong level of support from our committees, so that we can have far more people involved in making decisions as to what celebrations we do per parish," she said, noting that inputs from citizens were essential for the successful staging of events.

Additionally, she said the organisation will be working closely with communities in an effort to keep the momentum and patriotism displayed by Jamaicans during the Independence celebrations.

"This is a special year, the 50th Jubilee, and everybody is putting out a special effort, so we would love to keep that momentum going into next year and the next 50 years, where Jamaicans really understand 'Emancipendence' and give their full support," she says.

Efforts will also be made to maintain the high level of enthusiasm and support shown by sponsors.

"We will continue speaking with sponsors. We are looking to set up a review with our sponsors for them to analyse and assess how we can move forward and where they were happy, so that we can get bigger and better support as we go forward," Leyden-Vernon added.

The director said the organisation has started reviewing activities that were undertaken since January. Internal reviews will be done over the next few months with senior management staff and regional officers.

Leyden-Vernon is extending commendations to persons who participated in planning the parish events.

"In my estimation, the JCDC parishes had a 90 per cent success rate with the series of activities for the Independence celebrations," she added.

She pointed out that the events would not have been successful without the help from volunteers and community members.

Meanwhile, the director said the parish offices are now busy with activities to commemorate the life and work of one of Jamaica's cultural icons, the Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverley, fondly known as 'Miss Lou.' The celebrations, which started on September 13, will continue to September 29. Following the celebrations, the JCDC will begin planning activities for Heritage Week 2012, from October 7-15.