UN Jamaica celebrates UN Day with Experience 2030

United Nations Jamaica celebrated UN Day 2017 with the general public on 24 October by introducing for the first time ‘Experience 2030’ – an interactive activity geared to reinforce knowledge on the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while helping patrons understand their role in securing them.

UN Jamaica recreated a unique village experience for patrons at Emancipation Park by clustering UN Agencies, partner government organizations and civil society according to their related work among the 17 SDGs.  Through digital tools, interactive displays and giveaways, exhibitors engaged patrons and showcased programs and projects helping to secure the global goals by 2030..

The event was attended by students and teachers, private sector and government representatives, users of park and the general public. A favourite spot was the SDG Action Zone, an online interactive exhibit that engaged patrons in the global My World exercise and other interactive games for prizes. They were joined in the ‘town square’ section of the village by Vision 2030 of the Planning Institute of Jamaica, which also engaged patrons in SDG games and other activities. In addition, private sector company, Academic Journeys provided on the spot coding and web design classes for students and engaged them in online quizzes on the SDGs. 

The Great 2030 Debate, featuring mixed teams of UWI, UTECH and Edna Manley College students informed and entertained guests as they debated on the SDGs parliamentary style for medals. The teams, coordinated by the Jamaica Association for Debating and Empowerment, were enriched by presentations from private sector and civil society representatives.  

UNDP Resident Representative a.i., Dr Elsie Laurence-Chounoune said UN Jamaica hoped that the exhibits would help patrons better understand the link between their work, dreams and visions and the 17 goals. “More than that we invite you to review and goals and see where you can best deploy your talents to make these goals a reality right here in Jamaica”, she said.

PIOJ Director General, Dr Wayne Henry, who brought greetings on behalf of the Government, acknowledged the UN as a partner in Jamaica’s development for more than 50 years, and noted their valuable contributions to national development.  He noted that Agenda 2030 is a welcomed initiative, as it aligns very well with Jamaica's national development agenda, reflected in the Vision 2030 Jamaica National Development Plan, the country’s strategic road map to achieving its goals of sustainable development and prosperity by 2030.

Main partners for Experience 2030 were the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, which created visual signs to support the recreation of a village experience; the Planning Institute of Jamaica, FLOW, which powered the Wi Fi; RJR Gleaner Group; and the Jamaica Association for Debating and Empowerment.  Among the participating exhibitors were the UN Agencies resident in Jamaica, the Vision 2030 Secretariat and the PIOJ, the Ministry of National Security and the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica. Event MC was Emprezz Golding.

The SDGs are the global plan to transform the world including Jamaica by 2030. Locally, the Vision 2030 national development plan has integrated most aspects of the SDGs.