Jamaica’s Previous Representatives to UNESCO Bodies/Committees

PERMANENT DELEGATE OF UNESCO

Permanent Delegates represent their member states in the many activities of UNESCO and its subsidiary bodies particularly if the representative from the member state is unable to participate.

Our Ambassador also coordinates, in collaboration with the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Jamaica’s participation and attendance at the Executive Board and General Conference.

JAMAICA’S CURRENT REPRESENTATIVES TO UNESCO BODIES/COMMITTEES

Governing Board, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) – until 31 December 2019.

Ms Angela Brown Burke, JP, Mayor of Kingston

World Heritage Committee 2013-2016

Tracey Commock (Director, Natural History Museum, Institute of Jamaica)

World Heritage Committee 2013-2016

Janice Lindsay PH.D. (Principal Director of Culture, Ministry of Youth & Culture)

IESALC, 2015-17 (International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean)

International Bioethics Committee (IBC)

Cheryl Brown (former Director, Office of Sponsored Research, UWI). She is currently Vice Ch

OUTSTANDING JAMAICAN CONTRIBUTORS TO UNESCO

Professor Barry Chevannes – His interactions with UNESCO

• Professor Barry Chevannes, well known anthropologist and sociologist gave the keynote address at the conference ‘Harnessing Culture for Positive National Transformation’ which took place June 29 – July 1, 2010. It is part of an ongoing effort of The Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS) for positive national transformation and was undertaken in association with the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO as a UNESCO Participation Programme
• Following the Special Tribute ceremony for Prof Rex Nettleford (4 June 2010) was The Round Table on “The African Presence in the World : Cultural Interactions between Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean”. It was organized at the occasion of the commemoration of the bicentenary of the independence process of Latin America and Caribbean countries and the fifteenth anniversary of the independence of African countries. Panelists included Prof. Barry Chevannes of the University of the West Indies. For the day’s proceedings visit: Click here
• Professor Barry Chevannes, Jamaica presented the Declaration from the FIRST FORUM (see below) at the CARICOM Summit on Youth Development (29-30 January 2010, Paramaribo, Suriname).
• THE FIRST FORUM OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOCIAL AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN “SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES FOR CARIBBEAN YOUTH IN THE CONTEXT OF THE GLOBAL CRISIS” 24 – 26 January 2010, JAMAICA
  Professor Barry Chevannes was the Key Presenter for PANEL 3 “DEVELOPING QUALITY POLICY RESPONSES, SUPPORTED BY RESEARCH AND DIALOGUE” . This session was chaired by The Honourable Olivia Grange, MP, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture (Jamaica)

• Professor Barry Chevannes was tasked to lead the Commission on Youth Development. by the27th Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in July 2006 undertaking “a full scale analysis of the challenges and opportunities for youth in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME); and making recommendations to improve their well-being and empowerment”.
• For the “CARIBBEAN SYMPOSIUM ON INCLUSIVE EDUCATION” (Hilton Kingston, Jamaica, 5-7 December 2007 by the UNESCO Cluster Office)
  Prof. Barry Chevannes, Professor of Social Anthropology, UWI Mona presented a Public lecture “Percy the Chick: Education and male socialization in the Caribbean”
• Prof. Barry Chevannes was part of the UWI team in the initial set up for Youth Path, (UNESCO Youth Poverty Alleviation Through Tourism & Heritage Project) whereby Youth in poor communities of the Caribbean are trained in the development and documentation of natural and cultural heritage sites to become the centre of internal or international tourism and so develop their communities and reduce poverty.

Professor Nettleford

“A King Among Men” from Caribbean Beat July/August 2010, p.26-30
http://www.meppublishers.com/online/caribbean-beat/past_issues/index.php?pid=2000&id=cb104-1-26.

In honour of the late ‘Rex’ Nettleford a Special Tribute and Round Table was held at UNESCO headquarters, Paris on 4 June 2010.

• In his Reflections on the Life of Professor the Hon. Ralston ‘Rex’ Milton Nettleford Mr. Esmond Reid, Deputy Permanent Delegate of Jamaica to UNESCO said “I am deeply honoured to be a part of today’s activities that have been organized in recognition of the immense scholarship and cultural legacy that has been…
• In his Reflections on the Life of Professor the Hon. Ralston ‘Rex’ Milton Nettleford Mr. Esmond Reid, Deputy Permanent Delegate of Jamaica to UNESCO said “I am deeply honoured to be a part of today’s activities that have been organized in recognition of the immense scholarship and cultural legacy that has been bequeathed to us by Professor the Honourable Ralston ‘Rex’ Nettleford; member of the Order of Merit of Jamaica, member of the Order of the Caribbean Community, Fellow of the Institute of Jamaica, Honorary Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford and distinguished member of the UNESCO family.

As was aptly stated in his eulogy, ‘His life stood as an excellent example of how education, talent and wise nurturing can combine to produce the highest excellence out of circumstances of limited social and material privilege.’

In other words, his life was the manifestation of UNESCO’s conviction that quality and inclusive education for all can contribute to the transformation and enrichment of peoples and their societies.

Professor Nettleford represented Jamaica, par excellence, as a member of the Executive Board of UNESCO from 1991-1995. Moreover, up to the time of his passing, he served as Vice-Chairman of the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO. He was also an active member of the UNESCO International Scientific Committee for the Slave Route Project, which he had previously chaired…”

• A video on his life and legacy, produced by Mr. Lennie Little-White, was also presented.
• Following the Special Tribute ceremony was The Round Table on “The African Presence in the World : Cultural Interactions between Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean” It was organized at the occasion of the commemoration of the bicentenary of the independence process of Latin America and Caribbean countries and the fifteenth anniversary of the independence of African countries.

Panelists included Prof. Andreas Bansart and Prof. Barry Chevannes of the University of the West Indies Dr. Nelly Schmidt and Prof. Paul Lovejoy of the International Scientific Committee of the Slave Route Project and Mr. Doudou Diène, Former Director of Intercultural Projects Division.

For the day’s proceedings visit:

http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=25659&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

Professor Nettleford was showcased at the Caribbean Studies Association (CSA) XXXV Annual Conference  May 24 – 28, 2010 in St Peter, Barbados. It was held under the theme “Understanding the Everyday Occurrence of Violence in the Cultural Life of the Caribbean”.

• CSA Roundtable: Remembering Rex Nettleford

Chair: Deborah Thomas, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
George Lamming, Barbados.
Brian Meeks, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
Peggy Antrobus, Barbados.
Gordon Rohlehr, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago.
Honor Ford-Smith, York University, Canada.

• SSHRC & UNESCO Special Panel in memory of Rex Nettleford

 “Dance Caribbean: Embodying Spirit, Nation and Diaspora in Movement”. 
Moderator: Gordon Rohlehr, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Marjorie Whylie, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
Dr. Maria Smith, Programme Manager, Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO
L’Antoinette Stines, Artistic Director/Founder L’Acadco: A United Caribbean Dance Force, Jamaica
Monika Lawrence, National Dance Theatre Company, Jamaica and University of Technology, Jamaica
Christian Campbell, University of Toronto, Canada

Dr.  Smith presented   “Silencing: Talk Back Through the Dance,” which examined how through the dance the Professor sought to preserve the intangible heritage and promoted a culture of difference by recording the dance iconography of the major folk forms of the traditional culture. It also looked at how the issue relating to the Slave Route Project – Breaking the Silence was addressed by raising the issues of Blackness, Race and heightening the African characteristics that survived the Middle Passage.

• A Focus on Professor Nettleford’s Contribution to Rastafari Scholarship

Chair: Michael Barnett, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
Rastafari and the critical tradition, Barry Chevannes, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
Reflections on the minority and majority report: Africa is Jamaica and Jamaica is Africa, Michael Barnett, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
Negotiating the African presence: Rastafari influence in the West – Jalani Niaah, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.

• His speech from the CSA 2009 Opening Ceremony (DVD)
• Interpretation of Pocomania, Gerrehbenta and Kumina by Nettleford for stage (DVD)
• Launch of book “Dance Jamaica:  Renewal and Continuity, 1962-2008