Association of Businesspersons
UNITE JAMAICA PEOPLE (UJP)/ ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS PERSONS (AOB) CLEAN NATION INITIATIVE(CNI) “TOGETHER WE CAN”PROJECT
UJP/AOB –CNI aim to provide opportunities for Jamaicans to be a part of the restoration of “cleanliness” in the broadest sense of the word. For communities and students, the opportunities will be presented to build on, and expand beyond the academic foundation inherent in school and institutional activities. The initiative will encourage and stimulate young people to think creatively, take action and to inspire others to use more practical and community-minded methods to impact issues. As an outcome the initiative aims to develop more rounded individuals who will be readily employable and be a greater asset in the productive world in which they will embark.
The UJP/AOB-CNI initiative hope to form partnerships with all sectors of society to “join hands” for Cleaning the Nation in the broadest sense while Empowering the masses to achieve a transformed society where “clean” will be recognized as a new culture in the everyday life of all citizen .With the concept of a “clean nation” it is anticipated that Civic Pride, respect of self, others and the environment will be the hallmark of every able bodied Jamaican who will make new pledges and commitment to embrace a culture of renewal through observance of better practices and attitudes.
Communities and Institutions of learning will form the foundation for the program as these are the avenues that generate potential leaders of the future. As culture is learnt school will be fertile ground to take care of scholastics and attitudinal changes required to ensure sustainability and knowledge continuation to the process. For this initiative all learning institutions will be engaged, The other major impact partner for the initiative will be the Communities where “Clean” will be the” Busy” and “Buzz” words that will be promoted and action to be practiced. Several incentive and awareness programs will be introduced under the initiative which will be geared to promoting “Leadership in Action” with the goal of developing and strengthening leaders to take charge, teach, monitor and enforce behaviors while inculcating habits in all the citizens.
The Primary features of UJP/AOB JAMAICA –CLEAN NATION INITIATIVE are: • Development of action oriented young people who will be guided and trained to take responsibility for their choices that will result in the outcome for their own lives and by extension the country. • Initiation of an appreciation for systems that are functioning in “clean’ ways ,build on them while discouraging actions and systems not conducive to good governance and management practices .
The initiative will engage the private sector and government and challenge them to be contributors and participants in a “cleaner, non corrupted environment and society”
• Working with all stake holders to look at systems that are working in the best interest of our nation ,developing them and also look at what is not working, what it should look like and initiate the appropriate action to achieve the desired results.
• Ensuring that the “throw away”culture is diminished and redound to life styles that encourages renewable,sustainable and more permanent relationships are engendered in all activities in a very broad way.
• UJP/AOB-CLEAN NATION INITIATIVE aims to produce meaningful outcomes by influencing the collective consciousness and awareness with vehicles such as:
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High profile media coverage of initiatives and associated sponsors
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Employers being able to access more well rounded workers who would be more – confident, dedicated ,aware and respectful in a broad sense. o An environment that is sustainably clean and friendly to users in the broadest sense.
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Communities that are motivated, diverse and self sufficient, while being developed for the retention and empowerment of its citizens.
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National Pride and Civic responsibility and respect displayed by all leaders and citizens alike for humans,animals and the wider environment
THE GENTLEMAN’S CLUB PROJECT
Vision: To consume the mind of all human male and implant a value system which positively impact their character and ensure that the product of their daily lives shape the society in which they live to be more gentle, peaceful, respectful and productive in every conceivable way that guarantees a better quality of life for all those with whom they interact.
Mission: To intervene in every home, institution, community and the nation at large and implement programs and project which will have a positive mind altering effect upon all males to ensure they are fully engaged and empowered to assist in the National Transformation process.
All members of the gentleman’s club will be automatic members of the AOB/UJP Movement from registration. The gentleman’s club is seen as a timely and most appropriate response to the pathological conditions that exist in the country of Jamaica today as it relates to a dislocated social system and a devalued Value system.
The primary goal of The Gentleman’s Club is to reverse the negative trends in the Value system within the society by inculcating a paradigm in the mindset of our people to influence the way they behave and deal with issues of attitude, ego, morality, character and respect for self, others and the environment. The goals we wish to impact and accomplish with the establishment of this organization is to encourage all the citizens of the country to focus more about what we can achieve as a disciplined and united people and less on the negative things that impede our progress.
Removing the need to focus on negatives represents a more significant step toward reducing the activity of youth violence while concentrating on getting the youngsters to be a part of a productive upwardly mobile organization which intend to establish itself as a national institution and reference point for acceptable behaviour and character building in the country. If we can concretize the need for positive association with organizations such as the gentleman’s club which is umbilically linked to the National Values program and sponsored by the network of Churches and other religious and civic organizations, the spread and effect of the intention can quickly be realized.
In our society the negative influences which have permeated our culture through our music, associations, entertainment and social media exposure have allowed and created avenues for individuals to have gained psychological benefits of recognition and respect for what main stream society view as unacceptable behaviour. Consequently, the participants of this imposed subculture have gained in self-esteem and in social and economic status and in some situations implanted themselves as icons of communities with even national infamy. The Gentleman’s Club hope to replace the negative associations by putting the necessary structures in place to fulfil the unmet needs of our members. Many of these needs were identified by Maslow.
They included the: Lower level needs: Physiological: Bodily needs, hunger, relationship, shelter Safety Related: Health, safety and protection from physical and emotional harm Higher Needs: Belonging: Acceptance, Affection, belonging and friendship Esteem: Autonomy, achievement, self-respect and status recognition. Self Actualization: Desire to fulfil a potential or ambition
The Gentleman’s Club recognize that Gangs and other present negative inducements serve a purpose in our Jamaican society because they are functional. Their members "derive psychological benefits of recognition and respect" and gain in "self-esteem and some social status" as a reward for being a member of the gang.
While Partisan Political affiliation and the desire for control of “turf” are recognized as reasons for gang formation, the primary cause can be traced to issues arising from breakdown in various social institutions and systems (i.e., family, school, community, lack of employment and real or perceived injustice in the system). The existence of gangs suggests one or more of the social institutions in the community in which the gang operate have failed to have delivered on a mandate and created a void for its development and growth.
Other issues related to social institutional failure can be linked to the generation or acceleration of other problems of social and moral degradation such as teen suicide, teen pregnancy, school violence, delinquent or criminal behaviour, and other social pathologies. The primary underlying cause of the development of associations can be linked to underprivileged conditions, poverty or an inability to access social or economic opportunities.
The gentleman’s club will seek to create an environment where young person’s can be successfully socialized to be independent and self-reliant in the enveloping cocoon of an extended family where they also learn the importance of reciprocity
MUSIC EMPOWERMENT &TRANSFORMATION PROJECT FOR COMMUNITY AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN JAMAICA PROJECT
VISION: To utilize music education as a catalyst for unearthing talented youth within communities and empower them through the development of their musical skills and ability in a disciplined and transformative way that they will be a source of pride to themselves, their family, community and nation. Mission: To obtain necessary resources and support for the establishment of music schools in every community in Jamaica and create Community bands for popular music and engage in local, national and international competitions and performances ,all to be a part of a resocialization and restoration of the morals and values of the Jamaican society. THE FOUNDATION AND POWER OF MUSIC
THE CONCEPT: Music has from early times been an instrument of transformation and reconciliation. Musical instruments were created for people to play and utilize for the expression of numerous emotions. In Jamaica today the need for the avenues of expression of emotions to be displayed cannot be overstated or emphasized. Many homes and communities of recent years have been “torn apart” by the expression of emotion through the gun and other violent acts. UJP/AOB in association with all change stakeholders sees the need to replace the gun with the drum and other musical instruments for the expression of tempered less violent emotions.
As advocates for National Empowerment and Transformation we see the introduction of strategic music education along with other far reaching values and resocialization program as a very important and impacting first step in redefining how communities will respond to the change process. It is important to recognize that this community initiative need to be all encompassing and homogeneously rolled out in every community across the island concurrently to impact the desired effect that will be required. The intent is that within twelve months of implementation, the first inter community band contest can be held to stimulate pride and a sense of purpose within communities. To complement the music development program it is anticipated that through Unite Jamaica People (UJP)/ Association of Businesspersons (AOB) and other like minded stakeholders, the project will be so resourced to implement the environmental “clean Nation” project and the launch of the Gentleman’s and Ladies club to support the values and educational programs. AOB/UJP recognize the monumental task, however with the support of a United Jamaica and sincere friends the program can be achieved.
DONATE AN INSTRUMENT AND SAVE A LIFE …..BE THAT INSTRUMENT OF TRANSFORMATION The intent of the initiative is to undertake an international appeal for Musical Instruments to be donated to Jamaica for the program .All orchestras, bands, instrument manufacturers and individuals will be appealed to for their new or used instruments for the impact project. Further, we intend to appeal to current Jamaican musicians, volunteers and all international support agencies to sponsor qualified music instructors to participate in the program for a minimum of three years after which they should be mandated to have trained at least one Jamaican to replace them to ensure the sustainability of the project. Institutions such as the ALPHA BOYS home will be revived and supported under the program in memory of its valuable contribution to music and the music education that has emanated from that institution.
UJP in Association with the AOB recognize that there are tremendous logistic and community related work which will be required for engaging this transformation program, however we are confident that with the United team and with the necessary resources this Vision will be undertaken and the transformation of Jamaica from a violent society to a gentler more peaceful, tolerant and productive society will be recognized in a very short time.
National Empowerment Shelter Transformation (NEST)PROJECT
The NEST program is designed to impact and transform the basic lifestyle of homeless, sane, able bodied individuals and families by providing basic accommodation, food , occupation and safety on a sustainable farm based residential facility. The NEST program will provide participants with subsidized living accommodation, with basic services, in a secure communal setting. The concept revolves around empowering all able bodied homeless persons who have the ability to contribute to the society through work or other active economic participation.
The typical NEST compound will comprise communal facilities catering to dining area, common rooms, library/homework/IT centre, laundry facilities, first aid rooms, daycare centre, administrative offices and security post all established on a farm with plants,animals and other economic generating activities. Assistance will be provided to establish a job bank for clients to receive opportunities for empowerment outside the community. The compound will be landscaped and contain facilities for recreational activities such as gym, drama, light sports events, concerts and cultural events. ASSESSMENT&MENTORING
The assessment and mentoring program will essentially offer evaluation, counseling, individual developmental plans, life skills coaching and short term counseling services to singles, newcomers and parents on an individual, group and family basis. The program will help newcomers deal with their past traumas caused by whatever the circumstance or experience they endured to have brought them to this place .The program will offer appropriate supports and referrals about relevant issues to satisfy adjustment in the Jamaican Society. Mentoring will be provided to help residents deal with problems of everyday living and help them deal with times of personal crisis such as adjusting to a new life in the NEST, eviction, divorce, adjusting to a working lifestyle or any other circumstance which represent trauma. Responsible Parenting information and/or supports will be made available to families, individually or as a groups.
Re-Socialization for Transformation PROJECT
Re-socialisation in the Jamaican context is all about inculcating values, morals, discipline and respect for self others and the environment. We want to go back to first principles of common courtesy, hygiene, deportment, manners and generally good behaviour to take back our country....
In fact, this was how we were socialized before the word "modern" took on a new meaning .We want back people of character and integrity and children who do not lose their childhood prematurely because of a warped culture which have been imposed on them. We need to bring back the value and civic pride in honestly working and earning.
We need to be reminded of what caring for each other is all about. We need to be our brother’s keeper and we need to get back to the days when community leaders and institutions were the moral compass of our society. Let us be the conscience of our social and economic transformation by instituting polices and projects that inculcate respect for self, others and the environment.