Researchers and experts in the fields of criminology, security, justice, and religion will gather at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) on November 20 for a conference under the theme "Religion and Crime Prevention: A Focus on Jamaica and its Environs."

The conference will be held at NCU's Main Campus in Mandeville and is being hosted by the School of Religion and Theology.

Conference presenters include Dr Isaac Olatunji, professor of religion at Oakwood University, Alabama, USA; Dr Leon Wilson, provost of the University of the Southern Caribbean, Trinidad; and Assistant Commissioner of Police Assan Thompson of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Jamaica, along with other nations, is committed to implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030, with Goal 16 seeking to "promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development (and) provide access to justice for all ..."

"The Government has stepped up its endeavours to achieve peace and citizen security to enable the full blossoming of the economic potential of the island," said Dr Simon Bwambale, interim dean of the School of Religion and Theology at NCU.

"As an institution of higher learning, we are playing our part in the search for solutions," he added.

In addition to the main conference theme, there are several subthemes as follows:

- Religion and moral integrity

- Religion and extremism

- Faith-based initiatives and interventions in crime prevention

- Religion and recidivism

- Religion and holistic education

- Jamaican indigenous people-groups and crime prevention

- Any other topic related to religion and crime prevention

Bwambale said that the conference is open to all, including ministers of religion of all denominations, academicians, students, business persons, politicians, professionals, cultural leaders, and social workers.