New Year’s wishes

‘Do unto others as we would have them do unto us’

For Jamaica, I would wish less violence in word and deed, more equity, more tolerance, greater respect, higher appreciation of one another’s talents, and less denigration of our shortcomings. In a word, I would love to see each of us, in our own space, become more our brother’s keeper and do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

During 2023, I would like to see less divisiveness, primarily through existing partnerships becoming more productive in overcoming national challenges, namely, the recommencement and institutionalisation of the Vale Royal Talks under the guidance of the Church; more effective utilisation of the National Partnership Council in achieving consensus on critical issues; greater public awareness and support of the Crime Monitoring Oversight Committee; and the acceleration of the work of the Education Transformation Oversight Committee in implementing the recommendations of the Patterson Commission.

I would also like to see progress in rebuilding declining public trust and confidence in our democratic institutions by equal enforcement of the law against the well-off and the connected, who enjoy impunity, especially in the leadership of the scores of public bodies spending billions of taxpayers’ money without reporting, in compliance with the Public Bodies Management Accountability Act.

In addition, I anticipate prompt action to fulfil promises made, particularly in relation to Jamaica becoming a republic, the passage of an `acceptable Enhanced Security Measures Act, and a code of conduct for parliamentarians.

Overall, I want more citizens to come together and learn the value of speaking out and the importance of civic participation in getting the authorities to respond positively to the needs of the public.

PROFESSOR TREVOR MUNROE

Principal Director of the National Integrity Action

Let’s build a more equitable Jamaica

Like thoughtful Jamaicans everywhere, I yearn for the country’s effective governance, resulting in peace and crime reduction.

I want us to disrupt and prevent the continued breakdown and decay of the social order that mainly result from ineffective parenting, lack of meaningful opportunities for our young people, and numerous collusive partnerships between corrupt politicians and equally crooked business people.

Also, I urge the Government and other stakeholders to make 2023 the year when we break the bondage of the monarchy and His Majesty’s court.

Above all, I would like to see the Government and other leaders focus on creating a more equitable society.

KAY OSBORNE

Strategy Consultant and Media Analyst

Engage youth seriously, more than mere tokenism

As we enter a new year, our hope for Jamaica is that we engage our youth in a way that is not only for face value. This means not just calling upon them when a representative is needed, but wholly including them in conversations to ensure that all the intersectionalities between age, gender and class are included in all discussions and matters of national importance. Furthermore, it is hoped that Jamaica will not use youth and students as tokens when having forums, but to be intentional when planning events that seek their expertise.

Moreover, one of the main goals that the National Secondary Students’ Council (NSSC) would like to accomplish for the year 2023 is to establish islandwide equity among Jamaican students, exclusive of their socio-economic status, class and ‘rank’. Over the years, there has been a great disparity in how school administrators and stakeholders treat students in schools across the island. This disparity has been observed to be proportional in relation to the socio-economic standing of the school and its students. With this, the NSSC would like to establish equity among all schools through the various projects outlined in our plans for the remainder of the academic year.

DANNYELLE-JORDAN BAILEY

President, National Secondary Students’ Council