The new Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the five declared candidates contesting for the leadership of the People’s National Party (PNP) are scheduled to participate in six separate political leadership forums on the Mona Campus between March 3 and May 5.
The series kick off on Thursday, March 3 with newly elected JLP Leader, Senator Bruce Golding.
The second forum on March 10 will feature PNP Vice-president and Minister of National Security Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips in the Undercroft of the Senate Building.
Others who have agreed to participate are Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies; PNP Vice-president and Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sports, Hon. Portia Simpson Miller; PNP Chairman and Minister of Transport and Works Hon. Robert Pickersgill; and PNP Vice-president Dr. Karl Blythe.
Explaining the thinking behind series, Professor Kenneth Hall, Principal of the Mona Campus said, the election of a new leader of the JLP and the prospective change in the leadership of the PNP was “an historic moment in Jamaican politics” and the UWI had “a special responsibility to promote enlightened debate on the political transition”.
“The significance of such a comprehensive transition in political leadership is increased by the enormity of the challenges now facing the Jamaican and Caribbean people especially in the areas of crime control, the restoration of public order, economic development and the transformation of education”, Prof. Hall said.
The forum will not only provide the leaders with the opportunity to articulate their vision for the country but for the University Community and the Jamaican people to share their own views on Jamaica, the way forward. Each forum will begin with a vision statement by the presenter to be followed by a moderated discussion of about 90 minutes in which UWI faculty and students and members of the public and the media will engage in a wide ranging discussion of the issues.
The series is hosted and organised by the Mona School of Business, the Department of Government and the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES). For further information contact: Mr. Claude Robinson or Mrs. Olivene Burke, Mona School of Business, UWI Mona at tel. 977-2666, 977-4649.