New Year’s wishes

Audrey Hinchcliffe, CEO of Manpower and Maintenance Services Limited Group

My wish for Jamaica for 2023 is that we the citizens take pride and focus on what we want to achieve for ourselves, our communities, and ultimately, the country, for a harmonious co-existence. I also wish for leadership that will motivate and galvanise Jamaicans to embrace the vision that their welfare is intricately bound up with what is good for the country. Much can be accomplished by the formulation of sensible, implementable policies that protect fundamental rights and enable equal opportunities regardless of who we are. This way, we the people will feel a sense of patriotism, uphold law and order, educate our children, and protect the environment. We the people will also become more aware and invested in transforming Jamaica into the exceptional country that it can become.

Gary “Butch” Hendrickson, CEO Continental Baking Company Limited

As we approach the start of another new year, my wish for Jamaica and Jamaicans is that we focus on our children - their health, safety, and of equal importance, their education. There is solid evidence that proves that the formative years, the first six years of a child’s life, are the most crucial learning period, and it is of utmost importance that we heavily invest in quality education for our children. They simply deserve it. Any investment would include, but by no means be limited to, a clean, safe, and secure learning environment, trained educators, and a robust programme that educates and stimulates their young minds. Also of importance and very high on my wish list is our children’s nutrition. Their brains simply will not function the way they should without the proper nutrients, which include protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. Jamaica needs to focus more on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education to provide our youth with a strong education base from which to grow. I remain committed to supporting programmes such as these as long as they are carefully curated with real oversight for measurable results.

Dr Diana Thorburn, director of research at the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI)

My wish for Jamaica in 2023 and beyond is to address policy problems with evidence. The most pressing issue facing Jamaica is the high level of violence, in particular homicidal behaviour. I would like to see a greater reliance on research and data to inform policy decisions and interventions. In particular, I would like to see the Government take bold moves towards regularising informal communities, thereby disrupting the safe havens where violence producers restock, rearm, and replenish themselves to go back out to kill, extort, and pillage.

In 2023, I would also like to see a focus on improving the lives and outcomes of children in state care by placing greater emphasis on evidence-based interventions and programmes. We should be gathering and analysing data on the effectiveness of different approaches to intervene in situations where a child is in need of care and protection, and tracking outcomes of current interventions. Evidence-informed policies and programmes are more likely to lead to better outcomes for children and their families. Data-driven decisions also augur well for a more effective use of resources. Let us move away from relying on preconceived notions and anecdotal evidence, and what seem like good ideas but which are untested and uninformed by data, and in so doing, move towards a safer and more prosperous country for all Jamaicans.