Position Paper for the

Jamaica

I. General Statement

Jamaica is exceedingly honored and pleased to be attending this year’s Summit of the Americas for the Organization of the American States (OAS). Since becoming a member of the OAS in 1969, Jamaica has continuously strived to better itself to fully embody the ideals and purposes of the OAS. Specifically, the delegation would like to highlight Article 3 of the Charter which proclaims that, “The American States proclaim the fundamental rights of the individual without distinction as to race, nationality, creed, or sex” and that, “the education of peoples should be directed toward justice, freedom, and peace1”. The delegation hopes to work with fellow member states at this twentieth session of the OAS to promote a safer and increasingly inclusive hemisphere through programs targeting educational opportunities. The delegation believes that educating the public will allow for self-improvement of citizens and a brighter future for all.

Under the direction of the honorable Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, Jamaica has turned its main focus towards self-empowerment and personal responsibility. Seeking to better the OAS through the betterment of society overall starting on the individual level. The delegation has been tirelessly working to solve issues such as female representation in the government, energy efficiency, protecting the youth, literacy rates, and reduction of violence overall.

In cohesion with these goals, Jamaica has set goals to have 30% of the parliament be female in the near future2. The recent International Labour Organization (ILO) report placed Jamaica highly in terms of proportion of women currently holding high management positions3. In addition, despite the Jamaican literacy rate sitting just under 90%, Holness has a record of focus on education. Prior to obtaining office, Holness was the Opposition Spokesperson on Education and a member of the Cabinet as Minister of Education. Focusing on the youth for the sake of the future is not a new concept for Holness and will continue to be an area of improvement throughout his term4. Jamaica has already introduced the Career Advancement Program (CAP), the Alternative Secondary Transition Education Programme (ASTEP), the Jamaica Teaching Council, and many more institutions focused on creating a more structured and stable education system. In his speech prior to being elected prime minister, Holness stated that, “the youth of Jamaica must be at the center of Jamaica’s development plans if we are to secure the nation’s prosperity.5”

The Jamaican economy is primarily focused on service industries which in turn account for roughly 70% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Most of these services are directed towards. The government receives significant funding from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to aid in development initiatives. The delegation has been receiving an IMF loan since 2013 which will expire in 2017 focused exclusively on reform. Despite those who criticized the ability of Jamaica to reach the IMF’s goals, the country has met over 95% of them thus far and is operating with a significantly improved macroeconomic landscape6. Inflation is reporting to be at an all-time low and business confidence is at an all-time high7.

In conjunction with being a part of the OAS, Jamaica is an active member state of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and is cited, along with the states of Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, as one of the many Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Jamaica joined its fellow CARICOM member states in addressing the United Nations (UN) Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20) with concerns over the vulnerability caused by global climate change. The delegation is motivated and determined to sustainable development as stated by Prime Minister Holness at the

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International Conference on Sustainable Development in 2016, “Jamaica is naturally and irrevocably aligned to the sustainable development goals and at every opportunity we reaffirm our commitment to achieving them. Furthermore, Jamaica will play its part in regional and international fora to promote attainment.8”

The delegation hopes that member states can work together with the Commonwealth of Jamaica towards a brighter future which is paved by education and overall inclusiveness. Jamaica believes that the OAS can be a beacon of democracy, prosperity, and hope to others if we work together. The national moto, “Out of Many, One People” is not just exclusive to Jamaica, but rather can be applied to the OAS as a whole. We may be from different cultures and backgrounds, but we get the best results when we act as one for the betterment of society. The Commonwealth of Jamaica hopes that it can work together with all other member states for this purpose. For the future.

II. Particular Statements

A. Committee: General Committee (GC)Topic One: Reducing the Rate of Violence against Women

Jamaica is fully aware and appalled by the acts of violence taken against women across the world in general, but specifically in member states. The delegation stands firmly on the belief that a key component of violence against women stands in the lack of women in the workforce in many member states to this day. The delegation sees that violence by strangers is an issue in society, but most reports are between domestic partners throughout the United Nations which includes all OAS nations. Statistics show that about 35% of women experience physical or sexual violence by non-intimate partners while 70% experience violence from intimate partners9. This is both emotionally as well as physically scaring with statistics showing that women who experience sexual assault are more likely to get abortions, have low weight babies, and have HIV infections10. This not only affects our women in society immediately, but subsequently the future women and men of the Americas who will be born from these at risk women.

These issues of women being abused while in relationships is an outcome of the notion, which prevailed through centuries, that women are second class citizens. Much of this notion came about because women were unable to be independent due to lack of education and job opportunities. Across the globe women are being denied educational opportunities which could help to ensure a safer and more prosperous life for them. In the OAS though, we stand for democracy, a system of governing which is only effective when it has an educated populous. As the charter states in Chapter VII, Article 47:

The Member States will give primary importance within their development plans to the encouragement of education, science, technology, and culture, oriented toward the overall improvement of the individual, and as a foundation for democracy, social justice, and progress.11

We, as the OAS, have the foundation to start eradicating violence against women though education and the increase of women in the workforce across the hemisphere. Equality is the key to ending violence and can only be achieved if it is worked for and accomplished on one’s own

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merits. Furthermore, studies such as the Demographic Transition Model have shown that population stability is a result of the increase in women’s rights and ability to obtain jobs. As women enter the work force, they become more independent and have increased control over their bodies as a result. This leads to lower birth rates so that women can maintain their jobs and lower death rates which are a result of more successful economies12.

Multiple OAS sessions have occurred which resulted in treaties targeting the eradication of violence against women and they ways that the OAS can better the situations of women to reduce violence overall. The 1994 Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence Against Women “Convention of Belem Do Para” defined violence against women as, “any act or conduct, based on gender, which causes death or physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, whether in the public or the private sphere13”, while subsequently outlining the rights of women, and the duties of states to protect those rights. This conference created the Mechanism to Follow up on the implementation of the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence Against Women, “Convention of Belém do Para” (MESECVI) as well which has been a focus recently to evaluate the successes and failures in eradicating violence against women14.

The delegation firmly believes that the key to solving this issue is two pronged. Initially starting with preventative techniques such as self-defense trainings for women and young girls in the Americas. Next, to encourage more and more women to stay in school and know that they can do whatever they set their minds to through highlighting women who have been successful in obtaining government offices and high management jobs in each of our respective member states. In order to be a truly democratic nation, women must be empowered and encouraged to seek out positions which raise their status in society.

Jamaica is proud to be a nation which has multiple female cabinet and parliament members15, one of which is Juliette Holness. The delegation strives to increase female representation significantly over the subsequent years and in turn move towards a freer and more just society. Women are the future and so we must work together towards a safer hemisphere for them.

B. Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI)Topic One: Reducing the Number of Young People Not Studying or Working

Jamaica believes it is essential to uphold the nature and purposes for which the Organization of American States (OAS) charter declares. Through the charter, each member state has committed themselves to “give special attention to the eradication of illiteracy16” and to “ensure the effective exercise of the right to education17”. Member states have also pledged to understand that “work is a right and a social duty, it gives dignity to the one who performs it18” and the importance of “fair wages, employment opportunities, and acceptable working conditions for all19.” The Commonwealth of Jamaica staunchly supports these principles and urges member states to highlight them when considering the immense number of young people throughout the western hemisphere who are not in school or working.

As a developing nation, Jamaica is attentive to the fact that education is a building block to prosperity and an essential component to becoming a developed nation as expressed, in Vision 203020. The Jamaican government under Prime Minister Holness is actively working to achieve sustainable development goals. Namely, towards the eradication of poverty which historically stems from lack of access to quality education. The Ministry of Education in Jamaica is guided

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by the philosophy that “Every Child Can Learn… Every Child Must Learn”21, pushing for the notion of literacy for all. The Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATHE) has offered subsidies as a conditional cash transfer (CCT) to Jamaican households that fall below the poverty line if their children maintain an exemplary attendance record in school22. This year, The Jamaican Ministry of Youth and Culture has begun targeting the unattached or at-risk youth with the objective to “engage unattached youth in positive social activities, and steer them away from antisocial behaviors, including crime23”. The Youth Empowerment and Reintegration Programme (YERP) is a Pilot Programme and is currently in the process of being implemented in Jamaica to empower young people by focusing on the “youth in need of nurturing and attention” as emphasized by Permanent Secretary, Sherril O’Reggio Angus24.

Jamaica is deeply concerned for the youth of the Americas and finds it a priority to secure their futures by enhancing the quality of their education. One in two children at the primary education level in Jamaica are illiterate and attendance rates at all levels are poor25. The 2014 Economic and Social Survey for Jamaica shows the number of people ages 15 to 19 not enrolled in school, a training institution, working or looking for a job has increased to an alarming 388,80026. As of July 2016, the unemployment rate of the ages 15 to 24 in Jamaica is at 29.2 percent27. A portion of the youth, specifically under the poverty line, feel there are no opportunities to succeed in school or the workplace, and take to the streets turning to juvenile criminal activity and often recruited into organized crime. According to a 2008 world bank study, the Jamaican youth begins to engage in violence at ages 10 to 1528. The Jamaican Constabulary (JCF) national intelligence bureau conducted a study in 2013 finding a concerning 60 percent of murder victims at ages 15 to 24 were unemployed29. The study also showed that the number of gangs in areas throughout Jamaica has a direct correlation with the number of unattached youth30. The Caribbean Human Development Report (UNDP) in 2012 showed Jamaica had the highest youth crime-rate conviction in the region31. The Commonwealth of Jamaica is alarmed by the aforementioned figures and looks forward to working with member states to find new ways to tackle this topic which is plaguing our western hemisphere.

It is of no surprise that children who fall below the poverty line have a larger chance of being illiterate, dropping out, repeating school, and furthermore being unattached from society. This dis-attachment in itself leads to a diminishing number of accessible opportunities for the impoverished youth to succeed in a formal work environment. The Commonwealth of Jamaica firmly believes focusing on making a lasting impact in primary education will directly affect the number of unattached youth and form a better-equipped work force for member states. Starting from the ground up with primary school and laying a foundation for the youth and their progress is the best and most efficient way to do this. Keeping at-risk children from becoming unattached from society and in turn, making them engaged, empowered, and accountable is of upmost importance for sustainable development of the Americas. The youth is the future.

Topic Two: Improving Energy Efficiency on a Hemispheric LevelThe OAS over the past decades has dedicated itself to helping conserve the energy in the

hemisphere through the Summits of the Americas, which brings attention to many critical environmental and energy needs. In 1994, the First Summit of the Americas resolved to encourage delegations to create cooperative partnerships to strengthen our capacity to prevent and control pollution, to protect ecosystems and use biological resources on a sustainable basis, and to encourage clean, efficient and sustainable energy to production and use32. In the Plan of Action Miami, 1994, section 12.6 promotes the

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use of energy efficient, non-polluting technology, with conventional and non-conventional techniques. This resolution demonstrates the dedication the OAS has had to the issue of energy efficiency, and with the time frame of the summit, shows the importance of this topic to the OAS. The OAS reaffirmed its priority to energy conservation with the Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain, 2009; the OAS keeps the sovereignty of each country in mind with resolution 46, each country having the right to deal with conservation and the use of their own resources as the country sees fit. Regarding resolution 63, the OAS continues to promote good environmental governance by, advancing efforts, and strengthening and enforcing national laws3334.

Jamaica in the recent past has become increasingly vigilant in regards to the type of energy the country is using to power its cities and other facilities and the amount of energy that the country is consuming to the same effect. The Jamaican government has recently renewed a program called the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program (EECP). This program was instituted in 2011 due to the public sector in Jamaica being responsible for 12 percent of national energy. With an average growth rate of 4 percent, the EECP was a pilot program that replaced air conditioners and outdated lighting with new energy efficient light sources in the TAJ (Tax Administration of Jamaica) building. This took a time span of January 2012 to January 2015 and produced savings of 29 percent, on a per month basis, for the building’s electric bill35. The main agency in Jamaica focusing on energy consumption is the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining founded in 1980. This agency, under the title Ministry of Industry and Investment, is listed with the task of distributing the electricity to all of Jamaica. Currently 93 percent of Jamaica has access to electricity (98% urban and 87% rural)36 and has a program in place called Rural Electrification Program (REP) established in 1975. The purpose being to fulfill a mandate stating to provide 100 percent of Jamaicans in rural areas electricity37. Jamaica has set many goals referring to energy through the Ministry of Energy and Mining dating from 2009-2030, which include the levying of taxes on petrol (Oil) to encourage the conservation of it, improving infrastructure by implementing a maximum axel weight, and developing a relevant and sustained public energy information program and information database38. Jamaica will implement these initiatives through agencies such as the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, Bureau of Standards and the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.

Through the OAS charter Chapter II, Article 3, subsection b, “International order consists essentially of respect for the personality, sovereignty, and independence of States, and the faithful fulfillment of obligations derived from treaties and other sources of international law39.” We, the OAS, respect each nation’s personal sovereignty and values so that we do not infringe upon them. The Jamaica looks forward to seeing constructive ideas about ways to solve the problem of energy in continuing agencies such as CARICOM with programs targeting goals and intentions for the nations in CARICOM from 2009-203040. Jamaica hopes to create great discussion and discourse about the topic of energy efficiency in the hemisphere and believes that, as the body of the OAS, we can tackle this global problem.

C. Secretariat for Multidimensional Security (SMS)Topic One: Hemispheric Standards for Gun Safety & Regulation

Jamaica recognizes the Organization of American States’ concern with gun safety and regulation within the Americas. Article 3, Section J of the OAS Charter states “social justice and social security are the bases of lasting peace.” The Commonwealth of Jamaica is aware of and deeply troubled by the continuing difficulties surrounding gun violence. Many of the gun deaths

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that occur each year happen to be accidental deaths. Of these, a disturbingly large amount are children. Due to this prevalent issue, the Jamaica calls for the establishment of a program called “Prevention First: Gun Safety through Education,” which will consist of an annual awareness week implemented in elementary and secondary schools featuring the mascot “Safety Sam.” This program will promote gun safety by educating children on the potential dangers of handling firearms without adult supervision. The program will aid in reducing child gun deaths by educating youth, thereby ebbing their curiosity about guns and informing them that firearms should never be handled by anyone other than adults.

Jamaica feels that the youth of the world are the future and should therefore be protected from harm and educated to understand the potential dangers of the world around them. In Jamaica there were over 190 reported accidental gun deaths in 2009 alone41. Thus far in the United States in 2016 over 500 children have been killed or injured by guns42. Around 8% of the world lives in Latin America and the Caribbean yet the area accounts for approximately 33% of the world’s killings43. Too many of these deaths are children. The Commonwealth of Jamaica feels that it is the duty of the Organization of American States. Chapter II, Article III, section J of the Organization of American States Charter states that “Social justice and social security are bases of lasting peace.44” We as a body owe the children of our member states a secure environment conducive to the learning that is essential for the youth to become the future leaders that they are needed to be. To secure our future success as an organization we must secure the future of our youth by educating them. Education is the greatest weapon against violence and as an organization that will always support the children of our countries, we can stand together and fight the atrocities of gun violence.

Topic Two:  Multidimensional Approaches to Combating Juvenile DelinquencyThe OAS is committed to securing safety of all member states, as well as the children

within each member state. There is no denying that juvenile delinquency is a burden on each member state, as well as the families who are unfortunately bound to suffer. The Organization of American States Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) states in The Rapporteurship on the Rights of Child “One of the chief causes of concern to the Commission is the fact that in a number of States of the Americas, very young children are held responsible and accountable for violations of criminal law; in some States, children as young as 7 can face criminal prosecution,”. Though these children are being prosecuted so young the Rapporteurship also deems detention as a “last resort”. This means there are alternative ways to preventing, punishing, and rehabilitating these children and adolescents. The first principle in The United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency states that “The prevention of juvenile delinquency is an essential part of crime prevention in society.45”

Prime-Minister Holness’ Administration is dedicated to combatting juvenile delinquency, specifically for the sake of the children and adolescents of each member state. Jamaica has been dedicated to fighting juvenile delinquency. The Jamaican government passed a Child Justice Programme, with the objective of “[developing] and [sustaining] a justice system in which the best interest of the child is paramount in the administration of the programs to secure their protection,46”. This four-year plan of action was enacted in the year 2010 and carried out until 2014. Though most of the provisions within this act were intervention attempts, it was a successful program and aided in the fight to keep children and adolescents safe. Along with Jamaica itself, UNICEF and the OAS have cooperated with each other in combatting juvenile

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delinquency and the government of Jamaica is committed to continuing its efforts in order prevent juvenile delinquency47.

Jamaica is hopeful to push for a prevention program that will lower the amount of Juvenile Crime in the Americas and Caribbean. Addressing the problem before it arises does have a higher impact of lowering child persecution rates and opening up a safer environment within each member state. The mission description for the Secretariat for Multidimensional Security on the OAS official website states that our goal is:

To promote and coordinate cooperation among the OAS member states and between them and the inter-American system and other bodies in the international system, in order to assess, prevent, confront, and respond effectively to threats to security.

Jamaica is devoted to this goal. Juvenile Delinquency is a threat to security, not just for the member state, but for the children of these member states. Children who are thrown into crime are thrown into a universe where they are completely unsafe. Time and time again the government of Jamaica and the OAS as a whole have worked together, through the cooperation of each member state, this organization, and The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to prevent and eliminate Juvenile Delinquency in the Americas.

D. Secretariat for Strengthening Democracy (SSD)Topic One: Addressing Racial Discrimination and Violence

Jamaica recognizes the concern of racial discrimination and violence within all the member states of the Organization of American States. The delegation understands that tensions between races have been rising quite steadily, and is extremely concerned with the wellbeing of the effected racial minorities. The Commonwealth of Jamaica believes that the solution to racial discrimination and violence is in raising awareness of the inequalities that surround certain races as well as educating the population of the importance and history of each race.

As stated in the Constitution of Jamaica, “no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of any written law or in the performance of the functions of any public office or any public authority”48. The delegation believes that discrimination is an unnecessary evil which need not play a part in the society or politics of the delegation. Fortunately, Jamaica possesses a low rate of racial violence within its borders, however the delegation recognizes and supports the OAS, especially in its efforts to alleviate the tensions regarding race. The Inter American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has described the regional issue as:

In the Caribbean, racial discrimination towards Afro‐descendant people is linked to the darkness of the skin, poverty, and the control of economic resources. As an example, the experts noted that the tourism industry – one of the most profitable in the region – is managed by non Afro‐ descendant people, not only as regards capital and ownership, but also as regards managerial level, and most of Afro‐descendants have lower‐ranked and less paid jobs in this activity49.

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The color of skin is currently noted as a large factor in not only social standing but also in creating an unfair economic advantage. The disparity that discrimination can cause only poses to cause harm to the relationships of the population of the OAS. The member states are called to work jointly to improve these conditions, and to help raise those up who have been treated as if they are second class citizens.

The low rate of racial violence in the Jamaica is mostly due to the fact that the population’s race is nearly homogenous. However, the delegation is not free from the confines of discrimination. Research has shown that discrimination within the Jamaican society comes from many factors, such as beliefs, social class, disabilities and other issues1. Jamaica is greatly concerned with the equality, or lack thereof for its people as well as in the population of the OAS.

Jamaica believes that it is imperative for the OAS to take strides with bringing awareness to the issue of racial discrimination and violence on a larger scale. The Commonwealth of Jamaica is thankful to convene with the other delegations of the OAS to share knowledge and ideas for the betterment of life for the races which have been so harshly affected. This delegation is very excited to work in accord with the other delegations for changing the lives of the population of the Americas for the better.

Topic Two: Promoting Civil Registration & the Right to IdentityJamaica is deeply cognizant of the negative impact of under-registration in the Americas.

Jamaica supports the Organization of American States in defending the right to identity by eradicating under-registration within member states. The right to identity has been established many times over through international declarations and charters. Article 6 of the United Nation’s Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.”50 One of the principles the OAS was founded under is to “proclaim the fundamental rights of the individual without distinction as to race, nationality, creed, or sex.”51 Through the Universal Civil Identity Project of the Americas, the OAS is currently working to defend the individual’s right to identity by promoting the civil registration of all persons in the hemisphere.

Almost one fourth of the global population has never been registered.52 According to the United Nations Development Programme, the act of registering a child automatically bestows “a number of rights such as the right to health care, nationality, schooling, passport, property ownership, voting, formal employment, or access to banking services.”53 Civil registration is necessary to collect reliable statistics on births, deaths, and causes of death within a country or region. This data is used support the development of health and education services.

Jamaica implemented its “Free First Birth Certificate Initiative” in 2007. This initiative aimed at fully registering all children within Jamaica. The Registrar General’s Department has greatly increased registration rates in the country, partially because of ‘bedside’ registration.54 Currently, Jamaica is a member of the Latin American and Caribbean Council for Civil Registration, Identity, and Vital Statistics (CLARCIEV), an organization that facilitates the exchange of registration and identification practices.55 The Commonwealth of Jamaica notes the

1

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underrepresentation of Caribbean countries in CLARCIEV.56 In July 2016, Jamaica hosted the inaugural Caribbean Civil Registration and Identity Management Conference. The objectives of the conference included examining best practices for civil registration across the Caribbean sub-region, critically examining the link between civil registration and identity protection, and establishing a Caribbean network of registrars similar to CLARCIEV.57

Jamaica is deeply aware of the lack of coordination and dysfunction between OAS member states regarding regional registration conferences. The delegation proposes that a new conference be created, one which encompasses all member states. Through a hemisphere-wide conference, Member states will be able to share practices, statistics, and research, thus strengthening their own registration systems, and ensuring that all individuals of the hemisphere are registered. The delegation is confident that a hemisphere-wide conference under the OAS and PUICA will result in better organization of statistics, and better coordination between countries, particularly between those with established registration systems and those with developing registration systems.

Jamaica hopes that through this proposal, the right to identity will be further protected, and that all individuals within the hemisphere will be registered, allowing them to have access to basic services such as healthcare and education which will in turn strengthen democracy throughout the hemisphere.

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1 Charter of the Organization of the America States. Article 3, sections L and N. 19482 "PM Reaffirms Jamaica's Commitment to Sustainable ..." Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/PM-reaffirms-Jamaica-s-commitment-to-Sustainable-Development-Goals3 "Prime Minister Andrew Holness Pays Tribute to Women on ..." Web. 21 Oct. 2016.http://jis.gov.jm/prime-minister-andrew-holness-pays-tribute-women-international-womens-day/4 "Andrew Michael Holness - Jamaica Information Service." Web. 21 Oct. 2016.http://jis.gov.jm/profiles/andrew-michael-holness/5 "JLP Has Youth at the Center of Development – Holness." Jamaica Labour Party. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.jamaicalabourparty.com/articles/jlp-has-youth-center-development-%E2%80%93-holness6 "IMF Survey: Strong Recovery in Jamaica but Bold Reforms ..." Web. 21 Oct. 2016. https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2015/09/28/04/53/socar062116a7 ibid8 “PM Reaffirms Jamaica's Commitment to Sustainable ..."Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/PM-reaffirms-Jamaica-s-commitment-to-Sustainable-Development-Goals9 "Facts and Figures: Ending Violence against Women | UN ..." Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures10 "Facts and Figures: Ending Violence Against Women." UN Women. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures 11 Organization of American States Charter, Chapter VII, Article 4712 Demographic Transition Model, https://www.populationeducation.org/content/what-demographic-transition-model13 "Multi-lateral Treaties: Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence Against Women "Convention of Belem Do Para"" Organization of the American States. June, 9, 1994. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.oas.org/juridico/english/treaties/a-61.html14 "Permanent Council of the Organization of the American States General Council." Organization of the American States. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.oas.org/council/COMGRAL/mujer.asp15 "Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women." Jamaica CEDAW. 9-27 July 2012. Web. 18 Oct. 2016. http://www.evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/~/media/files/un%20women/vaw/country%20report/america/jamaica/jamaica%20cedaw%20co.pdf16 Charter of the Organization of American States, Chapter VII, Article 50. 194817 Charter of the Organization of American States Charter, Chapter VII, Article 50. 194818 Charter of the Organization of American States, Chapter VII, Article 45. 194819 Charter of the Organization of American States, Chapter VII, Article 34, Subsection g. 194820 "Jamaica: Education For All Review 2015; 2014 - UNESCO." Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0023/002300/230020E.pdf21 "About the Ministry of Education." Ministry of Education: Youth and Education. N.p., 14 Oct. 2016. Web. 18 Oct. 2016. http://www.moe.gov.jm/about22 "Jamaica: Education For All Review 2015; 2014 - UNESCO." Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0023/002300/230020E.pdf23 Williams, Rachel. "Unattached Youth to Benefit From Empowerment and Reintegration Programme."Jamaica Information Service. Government of Jamaica, 24 Nov. 2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://jis.gov.jm/unattached-youth-to-benefit-from-empowerment-and-reintegration-programme/24 Linton, Latonya. "Ministry to Target Unattached Youth through YERP." Jamaica Information Service. Jamaica Government, 20 Jan. 2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://jis.gov.jm/ministry-to-target-

unattached-youth-through-yerp/25 "Jamaica Educational Challenges, Issues, and Solutions." Caribbean Education Foundation. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.educatechild.org/jamaica-challenges.php26 “The Economic and Social Survey Jamaica 2014." Jamaica Tourist Board. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.jtbonline.org/download/the-economic-and-social-survey-jamaica-2014/27 "Jamaica Overview." The World Bank. 20 Sept. 2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/jamaica/overview28 Sepaul, Marcia. "Youth at Risk — The Ties That Unravel - News." Jamaica Observer. 23 July 2012. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Youth-at-risk---The-ties-that-unravel_1194450129 Hibbert, Kimberley. "Study Reveals Link Between Unemployment and Crime." Jamaica Observer. 4 Nov. 2014. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Study-reveals-link-between-unemployment-and-crime_1785899530 ibid31 Hall, Arthur. "Jamaica Pays Dearly for Youth Crime, Says UN Report." The Gleaner. 9 Feb. 2012. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120209/lead/lead4.html32 "First Summit of the Americas." Summit of the Americas. 9-11 Dec. 1994. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. Miami, Florida. http://www.summit-americas.org/miamidec.htm33 "Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain." Fifth Summit of the Americas. 19 Apr. 2009. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.summit-americas.org/V_Summit/decl_comm_pos_en.pdf34 "Follow up and Implementation: Energy Mandates." Organization of the American States: Summit of the Americas. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.summit-americas.org/sisca/energy_eff.html35 "Project Profile (PP) Jamaica." Jamaica Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=3583941236 "The World Fact Book: Jamaica." Central Intelligence Agency. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/jm.html37 "Rural Electrification Programme (REP)." Ministry of Science, Energy, and Technology. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://mset.gov.jm/rural-electrification-programme-rep38 "Jamaica's National Energy Policy 2009-2030." Ministry of Energy and Mining. Oct. 2009. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://mstem.gov.jm/sites/default/files/National%20Energy%20Policy_0.pdf39 Charter of the Organization of the American States, Chapter II, Article 3, Subsection b. 194840 Hewitt, Charlie. "Winds of Change for Jamaica Renewable Energy." Renewable Energy World. 7 May 2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/ugc/blogs/2015/05/winds-of-change-for-jamaican-renewable-energy.html41"Jamaica Gun Facts, Figures, and Law." Gun Policy: International Firearm Injury, Prevention, and Policy. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/jamaica42 "Mass Shootings 2016." Gun Violence Archive. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.gunviolencearchive.org/reports/mass-shooting43 Watts, Jonathan. "Latin America Leads World on Murder Map, but Key Cities Buck Deadly Trend." The Guardian. 6 May 2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/06/murder-map-latin-america-leads-world-key-cities-buck-deadly-trend44 Charter of the Organization of the American States, Chapter II, Article III, Section j45 "JUVENILE JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE AMERICAS." Organization of American States. July 13, 2011. Accessed October 06, 2016. https://www.oas.org/en/iachr/children/docs/pdf/JuvenileJustice.pdf.46 United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (The Riyadh Guidelines): Resolution. United Nations: UN, 1991.47 "Child Justice Programme." Ministry of Justice. Accessed October 06, 2016. http://moj.gov.jm/programmes/child-justice.

48 “The Constitution of Jamaica” July 25, 1962 Accessed October 5, 201649 "The Situation of People of African Descent in the Americas." Organization of the American States: Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. 5 Dec. 2011. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/afro-descendants/docs/pdf/AFROS_2011_ENG.pdf50 "Universal Declaration on Human Rights." United Nations. 10 December 1948. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/51 Charter of the Organization of the American States, Chapter II, Article 3, Section l. 194852 "The Births of Nearly One Fourth of the Global Population of Children under Five Have Never Been Registered." UNICEF. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://data.unicef.org/topic/child-protection/birth-registration/53 Mikkelsen, Lene, Alan Lopez, and David Phillips. "Human Development Reports: Why Birth and Death Registration Really Are “vital” Statistics for Development." United Nations Development Programme. 14 Apr. 2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/why-birth-and-death-registration-really-are-%E2%80%9Cvital%E2%80%9D-statistics-development54 "History." Registrar General's Department. Government of Jamaica, Web. 21 Oct. 2016. https://www.rgd.gov.jm/index.php/about-us/history55 "Who We Are." Latin American and Caribbean Council for Civil Registration, Identity, and Vital Statistics. Organization of the American States, Web. 21 Oct. 2016. http://clarciev.com/en/who-we-are/56 "RGD’S INAUGURAL CARIBBEAN CIVIL REGISTRATION AND IDENTITY MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE JULY 2016." Registrar General's Department. July 2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. https://www.rgd.gov.jm/index.php/news-events/news/88-rgd-s-inaugural-caribbean-civil-registration-and-identity-management-conference-july-201657 "Caribbean Civil Registration and Identity Management Conference." Registrar General's Department. Web. http://www.ccrim.rgd.gov.jm/programme.html