United Nations Development Programme Jamaica

(Domino tournement; Jamaica Violence Prevention, Peace and sustainable Development Programme (JVPPSD); Trench Town, Kingston-Jamaica; September 2010. Photo: JVPPSD Project)

 

Overview

 

UNDP believes good governance is essential for realizing the stable environment necessary for inclusive growth and development. Good governance and safe communities are mutually reinforcing and are important for creating an enabling environment to improve the quality of life and economic development in communities.

Jamaica faces many challenges which the Government and people have been working to overcome. National priorities include human rights, safety and security, restoring social capital, strengthening the restorative and delivery mechanisms of the justice system, public sector reform and local governance reform.

UNDP is supporting Jamaica's efforts to address these priorities, to meet the challenge of deepening democracy and enhancing citizen security. Our governance programme reflects national priorities which include reducing violence and strengthening citizens participation in local government decision-making and oversight. UNDP also supports initiatives to maximizing the positive impacts of migration on national development.

UNDP has made important contributions to strengthening the capacity of security and justice institutions, and to local governance institutions. UNDP has also supported key institutional and policy reforms.  Our reputation for impartiality and transparency in dealing with human rights protection has made us a trusted partner of Jamaica.

UNDP making a difference

The Democratic Governance Unit works with government partners, civil society, private sector, academia, other United Nations agencies and International Development Partners to achieve significant development results.

Key Goal

UNDP is working to increase the capacity of government and communities to attain a more peaceful, secure and just society

Success Stories

 

 

"Equip, Empower, Engage" - Career Exposition reaches over 1500 students

 

 

 

Governance in the News>

Initiatives

Increasing citizens' security and community safety

Expanding people's opportunities

• We are working together with our partnersto enhance democratic governance through increased community safety, with due consideration for the human rights of vulnerable people.

-       Women's safety audit demonstrated how women and children's participation is important in community safety planning.

-       We have strengthened initiatives that promote peace, conflict prevention and reduction.

In our 2012 - 2016 programme, we will contribute to the capacity development of key national human rights institutions, and support the establishment of a national oversight mechanism.

• We partner with national and local governments and with communities to strengthen the delivery of equitable services with emphasis on citizen security and community safety.

-       A key element of our work is support for policy reform, including support to Crime Prevention and Community Safety Strategy.

• UNDP makes a strong knowledge contribution through its support for research and analysis.

-       Among the initiatives is our contribution to the Caribbean Human Development Report which charts the links between citizen security and development.

Expanding access to justice

Effective, responsive, accessible and fair justice systems is a pillar of democratic governance

UNDP supports efforts to achieve a more effective, responsive, accessible and fair justice system in Jamaica. We collaborate with national and international partners to bolster initiatives that promote the rule of law and increase access to justice, including formal and informal processes. This is achieved through capacity development of the Ministry of Justice to enable improved justice systems, and through technical assistance for the promotion of alternative dispute resolution and restorative justice mechanisms.

Local governance

Promoting inclusive representation and participation

UNDP is working with partners to support initiatives that deepen community participation in local governance. We help strengthen the capacity of civil society and local authorities to plan and implement community safety measures.

We support citizen participation in local development planning and implementation process, with a particular emphasis on women's involvement. UNDP is also strengthening synergies with national initiatives such as public sector transformation reform and local governance reform.

Strong local governance is central to human development and is therefore, a vital element of UNDP's work on inclusive governance that contributes to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Current Projects

UNDP Jamaica is working in partnership with the government of Jamaica, civil society and other stakeholders in the realization of these projects which have socio-economic, cultural and political implications:

Start Date	Project Code	Title	Status	Project document
2012	00078972	Justice Undertaking for Social Transformation (JUST) Program in Jamaica	Ongoing
2011	00081528	Community of Practice on Peace, Security and Justice	Ongoing
2011	00079489	Mainstreaming Migration in National Development	Ongoing
2011	00077769	Enhancing Civil Society Participation in Local Governance for Community Safety	Ongoing

See our recently closed project 

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