By Tómori Tomlinson
The Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence (GGPE) participated in the opening plenary for the United Nations in Jamaica Partnership Forum on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. The GGPE was represented by Mr. Abrahim Simmonds, the National Coordinator on behalf of His Excellency Sir Patrick Allen, Governor-General of Jamaica. In the discussion, Mr. Simmonds highlighted, “Young people believe, I believe that the pandemic is a nudge to recognize gaps in our current roadmap and recognize that the changes we need are not just in response to the pandemic, but to make Jamaica even more resilient on this lap toward 2030.” The National Coordinator further suggested broadening the scope of digital citizenship and extensively achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He also stated that the effort to build back a stronger Jamaica required joining in work with both the public and private sectors.
The objective of the forum was to set the stage and outline the need for driving effective multi-stakeholder partnerships in Jamaica. The forum was a part of the United Nation’s Partnership Week guided by the theme “partnerships for peace, planet and prosperity. The forum forged discussions on how the power of partnerships can deliver a shared vision for prosperous business, a thriving society, and a healthy environment in Jamaica. This was held in conjunction with the Light Jamaica Blue Initiative where various partners of the UN, including King’s House and the GGPE, lit their properties blue in recognition and support of the frontline workers in Jamaica.
The GGPE continues to mobilise resources to build a resilient path to recovery partnering with the UN for its recent National Youth Consultative Conference and the UN’s recent partnership week.
