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Unity, Reconciliation, and Truth: Leadership imperatives for a divided nation

Minister of Finance Nigel Clarke has taken (what I regard as) an untimely and unwise decision to place the images of former Prime Ministers Michael Manley and Edward Seaga on a new $2,000 banknote.  At present, the image of Michael Manley appears on the $1,000 note and Seaga appears on none. The entire process involves […]

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Urgently needed legislative changes: Limit powers of Ministers to overturn decisions

The Holness administration has had yet another resignation of a cabinet minister, this time a very senior minister who is also chair of the governing party, Robert Montague.  Montague’s resignation has come in the wake of an Integrity Commission report on the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA). The apparent facts which necessitated Montague’s resignation are instructive. 

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ASSESSING THE 2022 JAMAICA TEACHING COUNCIL BILL – SOME CONCERNS AND SUGGESTIONS

Canute S. Thompson The Government of Jamaica, through the Minister of Education, has tabled the gestationally-long “Jamaica Teaching Council Bill” whose purpose, among other things is to: Recognize and promote teaching as a profession; to contribute to improving the quality of teaching and learning in Jamaica by regulating the entry and standing of members of

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A Call for Public Discussion of our Educational System and its Transformation

Editor’s Note: The report of the Jamaica Educational Transformation Commission (JETC) has been submitted. To date, there has been very little public debate on the report. However, some commentators have expressed concern that the report has fallen short of expectations.  In this contributed piece, Dr. Louis Moyston, a historian, equity advocate, and educational consultant, shares

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Leadership in times of Challenge and Setbacks

Canute Thompson Today, January 20, 2022, marks the first anniversary of President Biden’s time in office.  It has been a mixed year with successes and setbacks with the setbacks appearing to outweigh the successes.  While his nearly $2T stimulus package (Rescue Plan) has brought relief to many middle class and poor Americans it has fueled

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The ultimate measure of leadership: Contrasting Principle-Centred Leadership with PR-Centred Leadership

Martin Luther King, Jr., the great 20th century civil rights leader, asserted in his 1963 book, Strength to Love, “the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige,

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Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel confronting Donald Trump at a G-7 meeting in 2018

Leadership reimagination in practice: Lessons from Angela Merkel

The spate of public corruption in Jamaica continues to pose an existential threat. Over the past year there have been at least two major corruption scandals each month. In one highly publicized case, a former Minister of Education who has been charged with major crimes involving public funds, was able to secure a golden handshake

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Lessons on Leadership: Why dictatorial tendencies are harmful and should be taken seriously

Societies from time to time must confront issues which are uncomfortable, and which require clear course of action. The recent developments concerning the Pathway International Church and it’s now deceased leader Kevin Smith, have brought into sharp focus, an important conversation we must have concerning the qualities we expect to see in those who lead.

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Jamaica’s Slippery Slope: Positive Signs, Required Further Steps

Jamaica is on a slippery slope.  The level of corruption unfolding before our eyes is unprecedented.  In my last column, entitled “Why we must not relent in the fight against corruption”, I sought to explain the social, economic costs of corruption, highlighting what the $100B lost per year really means in the deprivation of education,

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