MDGs

• National Report of Jamaica on Millennium Development Goals for the UN Economic and Social Council Annual Ministerial Review.
  Geneva, July 2009
  The country has made good progress in eight out of the 14 MDG targets for 2015. Jamaica has already achieved the targeted reduction in absolute poverty, malnutrition, hunger and universal primary enrolment and is on track for combating HIV/AIDS, halting and reversing the incidence of malaria and tuberculosis, access to reproductive health, and provision of safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Lagging in gender equality and environmental sustainability, it is far behind in child and maternal mortality targets. Of great concern is the significant slippage in the proportion of the urban population living in unacceptable living conditions or slums.
  source: Planning Institute of Jamaica

• Vision 2030 Jamaica: National Development Plan 2009: Planning for a Secure and Prosperous Future. January 2009
  Vision 2030 Jamaica introduces a new paradigm which redefines the strategic direction for
  Jamaica and puts us on a different path – a path that will lead to sustainable prosperity.
  source: Government of Jamaica

• Crime, Violence, and Development: Trends, Costs, and Policy Options in the Caribbean.
  March 2007
  It has been hypothesized that recent crime troubles in the Caribbean could be tied to the activities of deportees who have learned criminal behavior in the developed countries. This report examines the situation in Jamaica, which is one of the Caribbean countries proportionately most affected by criminal deportations. With currently available data, it is possible to conclude that it is unlikely that the average deportee is committing crime in Jamaica. At the same time, it is possible that a minority of deportees is involved in criminal activity. Assisting in reintegration efforts for deported offenders could be a cost-effective way for deportee-sending countries to promote development and weaken international crime networks.

Tourism

• Towards a Sustainable Tourism Product forJamaica: A Dynamic Simulation Modelling
  Approach. Working Paper. September 2007
  This paper presents a system dynamics-based tourism model, which focuses on the dynamic interdependencies between the hospitality sector and both the labour market and the manufacturing sector. The model incorporates a generic value-chain structure (VCM) that allows modelling of customer-supplier value chain for the tourism sector.
  Additionally, a work-force structure is incorporated into the analysis to capture the labour dynamics surrounding the hospitality sector.
  source: Bank of Jamaica

• The Ten Year Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development in Jamaica (2001 - 2010)

  Projected to cover a 10 year period, the planning process of the Master Plan began in 1997 February and is divided into three phases: Industry Diagnosis, Formulation of Strategic Options and Tourism Action Planning, the first two of which were completed by the end of 1998 December. The plan, still in its embryonic stages, is expected to be the policy framework guiding the future development of the sector.
  The specific objectives of the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development as stated in the document are as follows: i) providing a framework for the sustainable development of tourism in Jamaica; ii) identifying priority areas or regions for tourism development in Jamaica iii) structuring the development of tourism facilities in terms of time and location; iv) identifying finance and investment needs; (v) identifying potential tourism markets; vi) providing strategies for the development of tourism products and facilities in the context of environmental and cultural preservation and conservation; and vii) identifying the appropriate strategies needed at both the policy and operational levels for implementation of the Master Plan.
  Source: Jamaica Sustainable Development Network

• Monitoring Social Policy Outcomes In Jamaica: Democratic Evaluation and Institutional Change

This paper documents a continuing initiative to monitor and improve social policy in Jamaica. Developed as a key component of the Jamaica Social Policy Evaluation (JASPEV) process, the initiative seeks to link technical innovation in the collection and flow of information to a process of institutional change and inclusiveness at different levels of governance. source: World Bank

• 2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (Western Hemisphere)

All men and women desire and deserve to live in dignity and liberty. As President Bush said: "The advance of freedom is the great story of our time." Promoting human rights and democracy is a worldwide phenomenon and there is a growing global discussion of democracy and the universal values protected by democratic governance.

By defending and advancing human rights and democratic principles, we keep faith with our country’s most cherished values and lay the foundation for lasting peace. Fulfilling the promise of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and building vibrant democracies worldwide will take generations, but it is work of the utmost urgency that cannot be delayed.
Source:US Dept. of State

• NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY: A Vision for Jamaica

The purpose of the Policy is to facilitate the development of an environment that optimizes the potential of each young Jamaican. Specifically, the Policy seeks to: • Define a common vision and framework for youth development; • Articulate the roles and responsibilities of youth in their personal and national development; • Serve as a tool for advocating youth development issues.

Overall Policy Goals 1. To foster a culture of positive youth development and participation in decision making around activities that affect the lives of youth 2. To increase the capacity of service providers to provide accessible, relevant and high quality services for young people and their families 3. To guide for the development of a multi-sectoral approach to youth development in Jamaica.
Source: Min. of Education,Youth & Culture.