Secretariat support for Jamaica
Elections
Jamaica received Commonwealth Election Professionals (CEP) Initiative training in May 2018. Its election officials improved their knowledge of campaign and party financing, women’s participation and new media.
Countering violent extremism
In 2018, a Secretariat project encouraged partnerships and dialogue in Jamaica to prevent violence and conflict. The project focused particularly on women and young people.
The Secretariat's Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) project helped Jamaica prepare a Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
The Secretariat helped senior officials in Jamaica strengthen their skills, systems and processes to tackle violent and extremist views. The focus was on the country’s prisoners.
Countering violent extremism work
Youth and education
The Secretariat Youth Programme helped Jamaica increase youth employment and encouraged young people to set up businesses.
The Secretariat helped Jamaica with recommendations to improve boys’ education.
Trade
The Secretariat helped Jamaica develop a Maritime Hub Strategy. This involved analysis of bunkering (the supplying of fuel for ships) and dry docking (a narrow basin that is flooded to allow a load to be floated in, then drained to allow that load to rest on a dry platform). Jamaica attracted US$20 million in investment as a result.
Sustainable development
The Secretariat advised Jamaica on managing its petroleum and mining sector resources more sustainably. It helped the country negotiate a new production sharing contract.
Climate change
Jamaica used the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub to access money from international projects and funds to help it tackle climate change.
Environment and climate change work
Blue Charter
Jamaica is a member of the Mangrove Ecosystems and Livelihoods and Marine Protected Areas Action Groups.
Connectivity Agenda
Jamaica is a member of the Regulatory Connectivity clusters of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda. The Connectivity Agenda is a platform for countries to exchange best practices and experiences to trade and investment and undertake domestic reform.
Jamaica in the Commonwealth
Four Jamaican women have won Commonwealth Writers’ Prizes: Olive Senior in 1987 (Best Book); Erna Brodber in 1989; Alecia McKenzie in 1993; and Vanessa Spence in 1994.
The Commonwealth Library Association has its secretariat at the Mona, Kingston, campus of the University of the West Indies.
