Jamaica was elected to the UNESCO Executive Board

Hon. Olivia Grange is Jamaica’s representative with alternates: SG Everton Hannam, Lenford Salmon, Dr. Susan Otoukan and Odayne Haughton for the period 2017-2021.

Further, Jamaica will Chair the Committee on Conventions and Recommendation and is also a named member of the Committee for Non-Governmental Partners.

Jamaica once again elected to UNESCO Executive Board

Jamaica’s membership to the Executive Board is for the period 2017-2021. In making Jamaica’s campaign pitch, Hon. Minister Grange said, “Jamaica stands ready as a member of the [Executive] Board to assiduously fulfill this mandate and contribute to strengthening the work of UNESCO.

“It is our view that UNESCO carries a heavy burden of responsibility to assist in tackling various global economic and political crises
and in finding solutions that will promote sustainable development for all,” she added.

Honourable Minister also spoke at the General Policy Debate on Nov 4. She acknowledged her Colleague Ministers and other delegates from the Caribbean, who suffered from the unfortunate onslaught of extreme weather conditions in recent months which caused widespread devastation and destruction including the cultural heritage sites. Minister Grange noted that the events demonstrated that climate change is a real and present threat to Small Island Developing States.

She extended congratulations to outgoing Director Irina Bokova under whose tenure climate change was given prominence with the implementation of initiatives aimed at promoting the importance of mitigation and building the resilience of SIDS to the impact of the climatic events.

Minister Grange also highlighted the inequities of global economic systems that often result in social and psychological damage to citizens. She indicated that added to that dynamic the residue of slavery and colonialism, provides for a prescription for disaster of one kind or another. The Minister stated that it was against this background that Jamaica has intensified its focus on the nation’s youth by deepening their involvement and participation in national affairs and promoting youth employment in the cultural and creative industries sector.

Her presentation also captured major accomplishment of the country including strides made in establishing UNESCO Clubs in schools, in a programme which encompasses Culture Clubs and Heritage Clubs. This she noted creates a more formidable and impactful cultural experience for Jamaican youth. As part of the Executive Board Jamaica was unanimously ratified to Chair the Committee on Conventions and Recommendation and is also a named member of the Committee for Non-governmental Partners.