Innovative Intervention Measures in Fostering Community Development in Jamaica

Authors Avatar

LAW and SOCIETY - Conference Research Paper

Innovative Intervention Measures in Fostering Community Development: Making culture matter

Abstract

There has been a multi-sectorial approach to solving the cultural and societal issues that hinder the growth of the social capital of the population. Various models addressing social and criminal issues have changed the economic and political landscape of various countries. In this paper we will glean and discuss best practices of different countries such as Australia and Singapore which are former commonwealth countries known to have done well in many areas where Jamaica suffer currently. Thee countries have had a dynamic approach in engineering a cultural paradigm shift and this research will highlight innovative intervention methods of removing old cultural patterns, and political partisanship, thereby empowering local government and provide solutions to foster community development.

All cultures are inherently predisposed to change and at the same time also resistant to change. Historically, Jamaica and other slave societies have a ‘plantation culture’ steeped in the African ancestry, with an entrepreneurial spirit-the remnants of the slave culture for ownership of our own ‘things’. This can be directly related to a STATIN report of 2009, which indicates that 743,300 persons were outside the labour force, and this includes people who are not looking for work, those not available for work. Others do not want to work while some are incapable of working. The report shows that the vast majority of the people outside the labour force (77 per cent) lack academic qualification and did not pass any examination.

New cultural patterns will replace the old psyche through mandatory military service for all eligible citizens, competitive tax regime to encourage entrepreneurship, mandatory voting to guarantee the participation of the entire voting population in the ownership of governance and to break garrisons and the use of cooperative societies to foster trust and build sufficient social capital.

The term ‘innovative’ refers to the idea of approaching something in creative and non-traditional manner with the purpose of effecting change. According to the www.enwikitionary.org/wiki/innovative - “innovation is a new way of doing something or new stuff that is made useful”. It may refer to incremental and emergent or radical and revolutionary charges in thinking, products, processes or organizations. Subsequently, the term interaction, according to the same source, is a kind of action that occurs as two or more objects have an effect upon one another. Hence, the idea of a two-way effect is essential in the concept of interaction as opposed to a one-way causal effect.

In 2006 on May 1st the Honorable Bruce Golding, then leader of opposition, combined a series of information based on long-term historical research. These issues were mainly regarding the problem of crime and violence within the country of Jamaica and its subsequent impact on community underdevelopment and by extension overall development. This is in conjunction with the current trends, which sheds light on the need for swift implementation and strategic policy making in order to remedy the situation facing our country. As a result contributing projects that would generally suffice in the overall decline in crime and violence were targeted and ushered in a document entitled “the Road map to a safe and secure Jamaica” ().

The subsequent relevance of this road map to our topic is one of intrinsic and the most intricate relationship, not only due to the fact that community development measures will have a simultaneous impact on downward spiraling crime and violence, but as an additional causal factor, it will serve to cushion and attach ‘head-on’ the problem of poverty which is undoubtedly one of the many contributing elements to our crime and violence issue.

The existence of poor cultural and societal norms hinders the growth of the social capital of the population and as a direct result, hinders the economic growth and investment capital of the state. The conversion of marginalized communities can only be attained through urban renewal where these communities become self sufficient being engaged in a cultural paradigm shift that fosters investment and savings and facilitates defined expectations among the constituents. There are some key concepts that are critical in this assessment of ‘Innovation intervention measures in fostering community development, making culture matter’.

Cultural Paradigm Shift

When we refer to cultural paradigm shift we are looking at where we are now versus where we were before and ultimately where we want to be. Jamaica has been steeped in a culture of consumerism and there has been a loss of work ethics, where there is a focus on immediate gains either through illicit or illegal means. Revert to our ancestral roots for ownership of our own things and to revive the entrepreneurial spirit and create business centres in and around St James.

Governance

Governance relates to decisions that define expectations, grant  and or verify .

 

Accountability

This is the obligation to bear the consequences for failure to perform as expected.

Trust

Join now!

The reliance on the integrity, strength and ability

All these defined terms are relevant to symbiotic relationship that is required in making culture matter.

Challenges to Development in Jamaica

Some of the challenges that we face are political partisanship, the non adherence to principles of good governance, the cultural and work ethics of the population. The implementation of mandatory voting, mandatory service in the Jamaican Army, a policy of inclusion for all citizens; decentralisation and legislative and economic strengthening of Local Government authority, and the rewarding innovation and entrepreneurship are some tangible ways that marginalised communities in ...

This is a preview of the whole essay