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In continuing support of the GraceKennedy Group’s philanthropic mission to create environmentally sustainable projects, promote healthy lifestyles and increase access to education, the GraceKennedy Foundation will host its 31st annual public lecture, “Cleaning Kingston Harbour – Pipe Dream or Gold Mine,” on April 3 at 5 p.m. at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.
“Downtown Kingston has been our home for 97 years and Kingston Harbour is right in our backyard. GraceKennedy is very keen to see the area reach its potential. As such, we are very concerned about the level of pollution at the harbour and the long-term damage to the mangroves and aesthetics of the area. The lecture will explore the environmental and economic benefits of having a clean harbour and the role young people must play in making this a reality,” said Caroline Mahfood, Executive Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation.
While lectures usually feature only one speaker, this year the format will be changed to be more like a panel discussion. There will be three speakers – Professor Mona Webb, Director of the Centre for Marine Sciences at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus, Dr Wayne Henry, Director of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), and Mr Tijani Christian, Chairman of the Commonwealth Youth Commission. The moderator will be Professor Dale Webb, President of the University of the West Indies Mona Campus.
Professor Mona Webber, GraceKennedy/James Moss-Solomon Senior Professor of Environmental Management, is a marine biologist and ecologist with over 25 years of teaching and research experience. As Director of the Port Royal and Discovery Bay Marine Laboratories and the Centre for Marine Sciences at the University of the West Indies, Professor Webber’s expertise in mangrove habitats, microplastics, zooplankton and marine life will provide much needed environmental expertise to this discussion.
Dr. Wayne Henry assumed the role of President and Director General of PIOJ in 2016. Prior to joining PIOJ, he served for five years as Vice President of Government Affairs for Scotiabank Group, as Chief Technical Advisor to the Minister of Finance, and as Special Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture. He previously served as Resident Representative of the World Bank in Jamaica and as a Lecturer in Economics at the University of the West Indies for several years. In his leadership role at PIOJ, Dr. Henry will provide deep insights into economic, social and environmental issues to achieve sustainable development goals in downtown Kingston.
Tijani Christian is a voice for youth and youth development wherever he goes around the world, captivating audiences with his compassionate and passionate persona. He has served as Jamaica’s Youth Ambassador to the Commonwealth, Ambassador for One Young World, member of the Speakers Bureau for the Caribbean Community Single Market and Economy (CSME), and former Chair of the Caribbean Youth Council (which oversees 16 Caribbean nations). Most recently, Tijani was elected Chair of the Commonwealth Youth Council at the Commonwealth Youth Forum and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in April 2018. Tijani is the first Jamaican and Caribbean national to be elected to this position, officially representing 1.2 billion young people from 53 countries around the world. Tijani’s youth perspective will play a major role in the lecture.
“We believe that as one of the largest private entities in the Caribbean, GraceKennedy can help bring together key government agencies, the private sector and citizens to advance this effort. With the opening of GK’s new headquarters, I believe the timing for this discussion is perfect. A vibrant economy in Kingston’s downtown area can, in the long term, reduce crime and violence, improve business prospects and enhance aesthetic appeal, thereby helping to attract more locals and visitors to the nation’s capital and, more importantly, helping us to drive sustainable development in Jamaica,” said Ms. Mahford.
The talk is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending can register online at https://gkflecture2019.eventbrite.com/. The talk will also be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jC3z8mJcuw
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