In Focus Edition

By Impacting Jamaica

Highlights and restate fundamentals necessary for the continued advancement of the nation.
To raise consciousness of the national good, mobilization of people to build community and na

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· Society & Culture

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FAQs about In Focus Edition:

How many episodes does In Focus Edition have?

The podcast currently has 28 episodes available.

In Focus Edition episodes:

September 25, 2023 Uncovering Jamaica's Gender Gap in Education
Prepare to be mind-blown by the eye-opening insights of Dr. Herbert Gayle in this thought-provoking podcast. Is Jamaica's education system failing its boys? Are women outperforming men academically? Join us as we look at education and independent Jamaica through the eyes of Dr. Gayle, an esteemed anthropologist and senior lecturer at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI).

In this riveting discussion, Dr. Gayle unravels the untold story of how historical factors have played a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape of Jamaica. He passionately argues that even before gaining independence in 1962, the seeds were sown for male students to face barriers to accessing quality education.

Despite these challenges, Dr. Gayle celebrates Jamaica's progress in education post-independence, shedding light on the remarkable achievements of women in the country's academic sphere. He attributes much of this success to the empowering messages about women's societal roles that gained momentum during the Michael Manley administration in the 1970s.

However, the real shocker lies in Dr. Gayle's assertion that the lopsided educational development between females and males has led to the emergence of a deeply flawed social structure. He connects the dots between this disparity and the alarming levels of violence that have plagued Jamaica. Brace yourself for his chilling prediction: "At the current rate, many women may end up with an MA degree but no M-A-N, and many men might have dollars but no sense."

Join us on Impacting Jamaica as our host, Byron Buckley, engages Dr. Gayle in a candid and enlightening conversation that will challenge your perspective on education, gender, and social dynamics in Jamaica.
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26min
January 15, 2023 Take seriously how people live, says Anglican Bishop
Anglican Bishop of Kingston Reverend Garth Minott envisions a Jamaican society based on respect, love, integrity, and peace.
He believes respect is at the heart of solving the problem of crime and violence which begins in the home with parents disrespecting children. He says respect means seeing the other person as valuable too.
“We are coming out of a context of enslavement where Blacks were not seen as people. They have driven that idea of non-personhood in us to the extent that we do not treat everyone with dignity and regard their worth,” he said.
Bishop Minott underscores the importance of integrity. “We need to begin paying attention to the holistic nature of people - body, mind, and spirit. We have to take seriously how people live, where they live and their quality of life,” Bishop Minott tells Impacting Jamaica host Byron Buckley.
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53min
December 25, 2022 All must get onboard to build a better Jamaica, says popular pastor
Music-loving clergyman, Astor Carlyle dream envisions the establishment in Jamaica of an international reggae Academy where the rudiments of Jamaican music and other art forms are taught along with the business aspect.

The Academy, he proposes, would recognize and award artistes, local and international, who excel in the Reggae music genre. He says the island-nation has adequate practitioners, professionals, and academicians to make the reggae academy a reality.

Rev Carlyle, who has been the pastor at Webster Memorial United Church in St Andrew for more than a decade, advocates the promotion of the God-consciousness among the population. This, he believes, supports the God principles of hard work, honoring life and facilitating the sustaining of the lives of others.

“When we have this God consciousness being so translated it then determines how I treat my neighbor, how I drive on my roads, how I obey the laws and how I ensure that moral consciousness is how I operate as a Jamaican,” Rev Carlyle tells Impacting Jamaica host Byron Buckley.

He believes this transformation in values should begin with the curriculum in schools, including teaching civics and holding devotions. In addition, the Church needs to re-engage communities through the holding of Sunday and Sabbath schools.Get more for the clergyman in this episode of Impacting Jamaica.
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31min
November 17, 2022 ‘Stop in the present, reframe direction’
Sixty years after gaining political Independence, Jamaica is at a major ideological crossroad and must decide which direction to take, says international cultural economy expert, Dr Deborah Hickling-Gordon.

She notes that the Jamaican society has been carrying a lot of baggage grounded in the colonial process which has affected our psyche even until today.

“My vision for the future requires us to stop in the present and reframe the direction we are taking,” Dr Hickling-Gordon tells Impacting Jamaica host, Byron Buckley.

She envisions Jamaica’s development through a five-part frame, including political ideology, philosophy, governance, economy, and operational mode. She points to the critical need for the Jamaican Society to articulate a workable political ideology following the ending of neo-liberal era featuring individualism and distrust of government ahead of the emergent post-global populist era.

Dr Hickling-Gordon, who is coordinator of the cultural and creative industries programme at the University of the West Indies, said growth in the sector was achievable by incentivizing participants and integrating them into the formal economy.
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30min
October 06, 2022 Social justice a must for progress, argues administrator Dr Maurice Smith
The Jamaican society is being undermined by a fault line of social injustice that contributes to the high incidence of violent crime and is embedded in even the education system, according to Dr Maurice Smith, university registrar and chief administrative officer at the University of the West Indies.

He posits that the future of Jamaica relies heavily on matters of social justice; where human rights are ensured and protected; where basic freedoms are assured every citizen; where there is access to resources – health care, housing, and food security.

Dr Smith envisions a Jamaican society where there is equity; where there is wide participation and engagement; where every citizen gets the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process; and where we appreciate value in diversity.

In this episode of Impacting Jamaica, Dr Smith explores multiple topics with host Byron Buckley; and emphasized that “social justice is at the heart of what we do and who we are as a people”.

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28min
August 04, 2022 Jamaica: A very ‘splintered people’ at 60
Educator and public policy analyst Dr Charlene Sharpe celebrates Jamaica’s resilience as a small island-state that punches above its weight on the international stage, noticeably in athletics and other sports. However, Dr Sharpe, an Associate Vice-president at Northern Caribbean University, points to significant cracks in the socio-economic fabric as the nation marks its 60th anniversary of independence.“We still have not got that part right,” said Dr Sharpe who believes fixing the socio-economic cracks starts with the core values. “I envision a nation where we are very deliberate about our core values and our identity. We must tackle the problem of development by developing more positive core values,” she tells Impacting Jamaica host Byron Buckley.Dr Sharpe envisions a Jamaica that places value on the welfare of vulnerable groups such as the young, elderly, and poor. She envisions a society where the justice system and the rule of law are adhered to by all.She emphasizes the need for equity in the opportunities and available resources to gain wealth, thus closing the economic gap among groups in the society. This, she believes, accounts for the high level of brain drain among, especially, the Jamaican youth population.
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38min
July 24, 2022 Jamaicans are best known for their stubborn belief in the impossible, says Dr Amina Blackwood-Meeks
Jamaicans are a proud people, and despite the challenges, their spirit and tenacity remain undaunted. As Jamaica celebrates 60 years of political independence, this edition of Impacting Jamaica reflects on the things that make Jamaicans famous.Author, actress and cultural expert Dr Amina Blackwood-Meeks points to people’s stubborn belief in the impossible, the willingness to stand up for justice, and creativity, as things Jamaicans are famous for.Listen to her inspiring chat with host Keisha Hill in this week’s episode of Impacting Jamaica.
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29min
July 17, 2022 'It’s easier to build strong children, than repair broken men'
Beloved teacher Marcine Parkinson-Pike maintains a positive relationship with students long after they have left her classroom.With a firm belief in a Frederick Douglas’ quote, “It’s easier to build strong children, than repair broken men,” Mrs. Parkinson-Pike, a grade 6 teacher at Bethlehem Primary and Infant, is advising parents to “love your children, be a good role model and create a balance of play and work.”She is also urging parents to “speak to your children and allow them to speak and let them make mistakes,” in order to adequately prepare them to cope in society.As we reflect on the strides made by Jamaica over the past 60 years, the educator is most proud of achievements in sports and music and notes that even though the nation is facing challenges, she believes ‘the good’ will outweigh ‘the bad’.Listen to her hopeful thoughts and advice in her chat with Impacting Jamaica host, Shelly-Ann Harris.
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23min
July 03, 2022 It’s time to do more to accelerate growth, says Jamaica National chief Earl Jarrett
Corporate leader and distinguished public servant Earl Jarrett is calling on the political directorate to modernize the rules of doing business in Jamaica to attract investment from the international community and generate economic growth. This is part of his vision of Jamaica for the next decade.Jarrett, who is CEO of the financial conglomerate, Jamaica National (JN) Group, argues that the legislative and regulatory framework for doing business in Jamaica requires reform and needs to be more hospitable to local and international investors.He cites the creative industries as one area that could benefit from a relaxation of measures. “If you are bringing in the tools for creativity like cameras and mixing boards, they get no duty concessions. Those are treated almost as consumer products, and they have high duty rates,” Jarrett tells host, Byron Buckley in this episode of Impacting Jamaica: The Independence Edition.
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28min
June 25, 2022 Put little civics back in it
‘Jamaica Strong and Free: A Civic Education Handbook’ promises to help every Jamaican, so interested, learn about their rights, their constitution, their country.The book has come at a time when there are numerous calls for a return to the lessons of civics in schools. That call has also come from Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown, who has spearheaded the creation of the civics handbook.Listen as Parchment Brown and her legislative council, Yaniek Douglas, speak to Impacting Jamaica host Keisha Hill about the importance of this book, especially on the occasion of Jamaica’s 60th anniversary.
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26min

FAQs about In Focus Edition:

How many episodes does In Focus Edition have?

The podcast currently has 28 episodes available.