YOUTH LEADERS EMPOWERED TO FOSTER CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

Posted on November 28, 2024

KINGSTON, November 28 (JIS):

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development staged its inaugural Youth Councillors’ Forum in Manchester recently, where youth mayors and councillors got the opportunity to learn about the local government process and the operations of agencies under the Ministry.

The forum, held at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, was part of activities in observance of Local Government and Community Month in November under the theme ‘Local Government at Work: Facing the Future Together’.

 

It included presentations from a panel, which included  Permanent Secretary, Marsha Henry-Martin, and representatives of key agencies under the Ministry such as the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Board of Supervision, Social Development Commission (SDC), and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

Topics covered included strengthening participatory governance, local economic development initiatives, community disaster preparedness, environmental sustainability, and standards for better governance.

The objective of the forum was to empower the young mayor and councillors, selected from schools across the island, to become catalysts for change in their communities.

Deputy Executive Director, SDC, Omar Frith, who highlighted the agency’s focus on community development through sports, and social, economic and cultural initiatives, encouraged the youth leaders to seek guidance and mentorship from persons who are working in the local government space.

“Learn from them how they relate to their constituents; learn from them how they craft responses, because the policy measures will [develop], will come from the consultations you would have had with the people,” he noted.

Acting Director General of the ODPEM, Richard Thompson, advised the young people to build their leadership and organisational skills by getting involved with clubs and groups within their schools.

He encouraged them to share what they learn during the forum with their peers so that they can also have a better understanding of the local government process and help to influence their communities as well.

 

CITIZENS ENCOURAGED TO GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE

Posted on November 14, 2024

KINGSTON, Nov. 14 (JIS):

November is Local Government and Community Month, and citizens are being encouraged to use this year’s observance to deepen their understanding of local government functions and their impact on communities.

The Month is being observed under the theme: ‘Local Government at Work: Facing the Future Together’.

“I’m going to use this medium to encourage Jamaicans to get involved – call the Ministry of Local Government [and] call the Municipal Corporations,” said Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, in an interview with JIS News.

Several activities geared towards expanding and strengthening people’s knowledge about local governance are slated throughout the month.

Chief among these is a local government expo on November 20 at the National Indoor Sports Centre, beginning 10:00 a.m.

The event will showcase interactive booths, displays and demonstrations from all agencies under the Ministry’s purview, as well as the Earthquake Unit.

“This expo will provide a wide range of opportunities on the workings of local government,” Mr. McKenzie said.

A local government cookoff competition takes place on November 29 at Pearly Beach in St. Ann, beginning 11:00 am.

Another key feature of the Month is highlighting the work of the Junior Councils. These comprise Youth Mayors and Junior Councillors for each parish.

The Junior Council Programme provides an avenue for young people to play their part in their communities’ transformation and educate citizens about the importance of local government.

“What we will be doing this year is not just using November to feature the work of the Junior Councils, they will be [highlighted] right through the year until their tenure ends,” Minister McKenzie informed.

Youth Mayors from all parishes recently paid courtesy calls on the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition.

For more information on all the activities for Local Government and Community Month, persons may visit the Ministry’s website at https://www.localgovjamaica.gov.jm/ or connect with them on Instagram and X @localgovja or via their Facebook page.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MINISTER URGES HIGH PUBLIC VIGILANCE AS JAMAICA BRACES FOR WEATHER SYSTEM

Posted on November 4, 2024

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, Is urging continued vigilance as Cyclone #18 continues developing and Jamaica remains under a Tropical Storm Warning.

“I am asking everyone to take due care, and to heed the Advisories being published. I also want to assure everyone that the Government has taken the necessary measures to secure lives and property. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management is ready to respond to any incidents that may arise, and the network of Shelters and Disaster Co-ordinators is available to all who may require them. Our public utility and telecommunications companies, which are partners in the National Disaster Risk Management Council, have indicated their readiness for this event. While this is not projected to be a Hurricane, I am pleading for the exercise of every preventive measure as we endure this experience.

“We are just over three weeks away from the end of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, but I ask that we do not relax our guard, as this very active period draws to an end.”