Reflections on the SALISES 50-50 Conference

Friday August 24  marked the end of the SALISES 50-50 Conference: Critical Reflections in a Time of Uncertainty. The conference was the climax of work that began in 2009 by the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies. The conference sought to address the local, regional and internal challenges facing the Caribbean, reviewing and making suggestions to social policies as well as to critically assess post independence models for economic development.  


The  Honourable Dr. Peter Philips, Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service offered the keynote address on "Caribbean Independence: Past, Present and the Future - A Reckoning"   at the opening ceremony on Monday August 20. 

Other guest speakers included Chancellor of the University of the West Indies and former Director of the Pan American Health Organization Sir George Alleyne, the United Kingdom Member of Parliament of Jamaican descent  Diane Abbott, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Sir K. Dwight Venner, distinguished Professors Emerti of the University of the West Indies Norman Girvan and Selwyn Ryan and University Director of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies and social historian Professor Verene Shepherd.  

The five day conference saw over nine panels each day offering insight in areas ranging from: women and entrepreneurship; crime and violence prevention and reduction;  cultural and social currencies; socio-economic dependencies and the path towards development; regionalism and the Caribbean; education and language; youth policy and education;  information technology communication and development; climate change and the environment and 

On Friday August 24 the Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, Prime Minister of Jamaica offered her remarks and congratulations to the conference organizer and  the closing address was delivered by the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Prime Minister Gonsalves spoke on "The Independence Experience 
of the OECS and Prospects for the Future." 

The sessions that I attended were inspiring, thought provoking and enlightening. However the most profound message that I take from the conference came from Prime Minister Gonsalves at the end of the conference where he reminded attendees that as a region the Caribbean must use its sovereignty and independence as its key assets for the benefit of its people. The masses who must be educated and enlightened so the voting populous are aware of the policies being undertaken and they must have a voice in matters relating to our own development. PM Gonsalves also spoke on the importance of regional integration and cooperation that extended beyond CARICOM and the OECS and it was important to negotiate and seek partnerships with nations that will benefit the people of the region.

 It is this regard that I believe we have set to fully recognize our true potential as 50 years have passed since Commonwealth independence in the Caribbean we still seek to have the same partners of development.  We are no being bold and innovative enough to seek new alliances as we move forward.  We have yet as a region to deal with key issues of development and true sustainability and cooperation. 

2012 Figuring It All Out

I was supposed to write this blog post on January 1 and life started rolling on and so here we are and it is January 31. I have decided to set some clear measurable goals this year. Last year I spent an awful lot of time saying I wanted to do this or to acquire that. At the end of 2011 the many "do-to" and "go-get" lists simply never materialized.

Looking back at 2011 I am certainly happy and grateful for the strides I made in figuring what my goals are and thinking of strategies to achieve them. I am also happy with the relationships that I am building.


I have decided to follow a more organized approach to fulfilling my dreams. I have adopted Lisa Nichols' 4 quadrants of life and will focus on how to improve my life in all these areas.


1. Health and Wellness
2. Love and Relationships
3. Work and Finance
4. Spirit and Affirmation 


 More on these next time. 

Young Professionals Network Of Jamaica

The Young Professionals of Jamaica Network is a network of that provides opportunities to like-minded individuals to meet each other and to engage with politicians, academics, people who work in NGOs and influential members of the business community.   


The network brings together professionals aged 21 to 45 with a passion for nation building. 

Today May 18 the YPNJ will launch a Skills Consortium that will  comprise a cadre of skilled and experienced professionals, such as marketers, graphic designers, researchers, project-management specialists, writers, accountants, paralegals, and proposal writers, who will be available for employment on a part-time, short term or project basis.

The launch will be at 6 this evening at the Council of Voluntary Social Services Building, 2D Camp Road. 
For further information see the YPNJ Facebook Page 

ENvasa Research Institute-Nanny of the Maroons Project

The ENvasa Research Institute (ERI) first research project is  titled "Positioning Grandy Nanny as a Proponent of Black Power."

This project requires funding and we are in serious need of assistance in order to do so. We ask for and are grateful for assistance is cash, kind or information.

To help please contact via email at envasa_ja@yahoo.com.


The ERI is in need of the following professional grade equipment:
Digital Camera
Digital Camcorder
Digital Recorder
A laptop or a netbook

We are most grateful for any support in order to fulfill our mandate.

ENvasa Draughting & Building

ENvasa Draughting & Building is a construction and  architectural firm that provides quality architectural drawings, cost estimation and construction/building supervision services to Jamaican at affordable rates.
For further information we may be contacted at envasa_ja@yahoo.com

Welcome

My name is Chantel DaCosta and I am Jamaican Researcher and Writer. I am 23 years old. I am a firm believer in the metaphysical principle of the Law of Attraction.

With this as my foundation I am Innovator and an Entrepreneur. I am the owner and CEO of ENvasa Inc. ENvasa is a Jamaican based corporation that functions on dynamic multiple industry levels:

ENvasa Research Institute
ENvasa Draughting and Building
ENvasa Media and Publications
Caribbean Young Professionals Inc.
ENvasa Wellness
Urban Freedom
The ENvasa Foundation