Basil Jarrett | 2024 in review: Lessons for 2025

The new year is typically a time of reflection and renewed hope. And in reflecting on the last year, I’ve come to realise that the topics that seemed to dominate this column in 2024 were as diverse as the Jamaican culture itself. From cybersecurity to crisis communications, work-from-home policies to debates about Jamaica’s total fertility rate, the conversations here, in my very humble opinion, were both insightful and sobering. But as we prepare to write a new chapter in 2025, what are the enduring lessons of 2024 that should guide our path forward?

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT

The year 2024 saw Jamaica grappling with the growing threat of cybercrime. From sophisticated phishing schemes defrauding financial institutions to discussions about the inadequacy of our cyber laws, this issue dominated headlines all year long. What stood out most was the urgent call for strategic partnerships between law enforcement, academia, and private businesses. But we also learnt that our laws, policies, and public awareness must evolve as swiftly as the tactics of our cybercriminals.

From natural disasters to reputational crises, we also discussed the importance of getting ahead of the narrative during crises and emergencies. Whether it was urging businesses to create robust crisis communication plans to advocating for national campaigns to educate citizens on accident response, the year also highlighted that hope is not a strategy. Preparedness is.

Then we looked extensively at the debate over remote work and work-from-home policies, which continued to polarise opinions. While some employers embraced flexible work arrangements, others clung to traditional in-office set-ups, wasting, in my opinion, the valuable lessons taught by COVID. My articles repeatedly emphasised that productivity and well-being shouldn’t be sacrificed for optics, and advocated that work-life balance ought not to be a luxury, but rather, a necessity for mental health and national productivity.

But by far, one of the topics that I found most engrossing was the puzzling phenomenon of our declining totally fertility rates. I thoroughly enjoyed researching and writing those three or four articles, as we pondered the long-term implications for the country’s social and economic structure. The conversation raised critical questions about support systems for young families, affordable housing, and the cultural factors influencing our population trends.

We also ventured a few times into the murky waters of the state of our men and masculinity. I decried how International Men’s Day came and went with barely a whisper, and sparked reflections on how society today views men’s issues. Topics like toxic masculinity, the evolving role of men, and the crisis of manhood were front and centre. If there is one thing I would like readers to take away from those pages, is that gender discussions must include men, not exclude them, as is the current trend.

WHAT WE LEARNT

Indeed, 2024 was a year of hard truths, but it left us with several takeaways. One of those lessons was that preparedness is everything. Whether tackling cybercrime or preparing for the next natural disaster, the importance of forward planning cannot be overstated. Reactive measures are not only costly, but also inefficient. From crisis communication strategies to robust cybersecurity laws, preparation is the backbone of resilience.

Another key lesson is that the digital economy, despite offering such tremendous potential, also brings a host of vulnerabilities. In 2024, we saw how cybercriminals exploited persons and systems, but we also learnt how strategic collaborations could counter these threats. Awareness, education and innovation, therefore, will be our best defences in 2025.

On the matter of remote work and work from home or wherever you feel comfortable, we were reminded that productivity thrives when employees are trusted and supported, and mental health is safeguarded when work-life balance is prioritised.

Finally, the discussions around Jamaica’s total fertility rate illuminated a stark reality: our future workforce depends on today’s birth rates. Policies that support young families, such as affordable childcare, better parental leave, and housing solutions, must become priorities in 2025. And on the matter of inclusivity in gender discussions, ignoring men’s issues won’t solve gender inequality. Instead, fostering open dialogues about masculinity, fatherhood, and the evolving role of men can lead to healthier relationships and stronger communities.

PRIORITIES FOR 2025

So, where do we go from here? If 2024 was a year of learning, 2025 must be a year of doing. As a country, I believe that there are some low-hanging fruits that we should prioritise. Cybersecurity legislation is one such example. Jamaica’s laws must be updated post-haste, in order to tackle emerging threats like ransomware and AI-driven scams. Public-private partnerships and international collaboration will be vital to staying ahead of cybercriminals. And on the matter of remote work, employers must revisit the national framework on flexi-work and begin to lead the charge in redefining what work looks like in the future. Flexible policies that prioritise outcomes over appearances will not only enhance productivity, but also improve national well-being.

Affordable childcare, better housing solutions, and improved parental leave are also urgent non-negotiables, if we want to address our declining fertility rate. But we also need honest, inclusive conversations about what it means to be a man in modern Jamaica. These discussions should aim to empower, not vilify, and to build stronger, more cohesive communities.

A CHALLENGE FOR 2025

These were just a handful of the more poignant topics that I picked out from a year’s worth of Thursday newsprint. The full list is much more comprehensive. As we bid farewell to 2024 therefore, let’s remember that progress isn’t automatic, it’s intentional. The lessons of the past year have given us a road map, but it’s up to us to ensure that we follow it. Cybersecurity, work-life balance, family policies, and gender inclusivity aren’t just buzzwords; they’re building blocks for a better Jamaica.

In 2025, let’s now move beyond reflection and into action. Let’s turn our discussions into policies, our policies into practices, and our practices into progress. After all, the future we want is the future we build – one lesson, one policy, one action at a time.

I dedicate this column to my dear colleague and friend Barbara Gayle, who always encouraged me to “let go and let God”. Your words were powerful, Miss G. They will stay with me forever.

Major Basil Jarrett is a communications strategist and CEO of Artemis Consulting, a communications consulting firm specialising in crisis communications and reputation management. Visit him at www.thecrisismajor.com and send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.