Talk Up Yout!  Empowering Voices of Jamaica's Youth
  • HOME
  • TV Show
  • School Tours
  • Talk Up-Radio Show
  • #YoutFiChat UNDEF
    • #YoutFiChat Activity Sheets
    • Find Your MP
    • Hanover Milestone 1 Pictures
  • Counselling
    • Advice
  • Blog
  • Jobs & Scholarships
  • National Baking Company
  • TUY MEDIA Services
  • Advocacy MOU
  • Talk Up Yout Digital

Talk Up Yout Blogs

Voices of Youth
Powered by: National Baking Company
​

A Collaborative Conversation about Crime - Government, Law Enforcement & Youth

3/20/2017

0 Comments

 

Talk Up Yout's #YoutFiChat Initiative interviews State Minister in the Ministry of Security - Senator Pearnel Charles Jr and Head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Corporate Communications Unit - Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, with questions from youth across Jamaica, on Talk Up Radio.

Picture

​Kingston, March 18, 2017
- The Talk Up Radio Show by Talk UP Yout on NationWide 90 FM, recently hosted a “A Collaborative Conversation about Crime” which gave young people from all around the island an opportunity to ask the State Minister in the Ministry of National Security – Senator Pearnel Charles Jr and Head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit – Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, questions about crime. As part of the Talk Up Yout #YoutFiChat Initiative that seeks to connect young people with the high-level stakeholders in youth issues, a general call for questions was posted on Talk Up Yout’s social media spaces which elicited close to 50 responses from the young people of Jamaica.


The core mission of Talk Up Yout has always been to create impactful conversations about issues that matter. In situations where silence and stigma thrive, direct and thought-provoking dialogue can go a far way in empowering young people to call out those who want to hurt them and connect with those who want to protect them. The Talk Up Yout “Youth Empowerment Through Dialogue in Jamaica” project will provide a platform for Jamaican youth aged 14-24 years to advocate for workable solutions for the issues affecting them, and demand accountability from local and national representatives elected to serve them through 14 town halls engaging 1400 youth directly interfacing with officials. At the heart of the project is a capacity strengthening component, which aims to train 350 youth advocates across the country.  These advocates will mobilize their peers, generate consensus on priority issues and make representation to relevant elected public servants. Young people are encouraged to join by sending a message to Talk Up Yout’s Facebook Inbox titled #YoutFiChat

The questions Talk Up Yout received from youth across the island included asking if suggested solutions to crime are feasible, attempts to hold the government accountable for perceived corruption, requesting clarification about police and legal policy and questions about individual experiences young people have encountered.

Senator Charles and Superintendent Lindsay answered all the questions they were asked, even those they acknowledged were hard questions which might require more time to properly contextualize in order to find a good answer. Furthermore they spoke about other avenues for young people to let their voices be heard such as making submissions to parliament or engaging the State Minister directly on social media. They are also committed to sitting down with young people for a similar but longer conversation where more questions can be facilitated.

The Talk Up Yout Ambassadors who hosted the programme and asked the questions on the behalf of their peers all expressed satisfaction with the responses of the Senator Charles and Superintendent Lindsay, and thanked them for treating every question as important, noting that they even answered questions that are matters of public knowledge that could have been answered by anyone. This they believe demonstrates an appreciation on the part of Senator Charles and Superintendent Lindsay - of the fact that young people do not always know where to find the answers that everyone else thinks are so obvious.

Key information was disseminated, such as the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s WhatsApp (564 6840) line setup specifically for people to send video and audio evidence they receive via the social media app to the JCF instead of spreading it to their contacts and breaking the law. Senator Charles and Superintendent Lindsay also clarified their roles, explaining the work they do to serve Jamaica’s young people.

At the end of the broadcast, the consensus in the studio was that something ground-breaking had just taken place and everyone felt it was important for initiatives like this to continue to happen. Young people who heard their questions asked sent in thank you messages to Senator Charles and Superintendent Lindsay for answering and to Talk Up Radio for bridging the gap between the Jamaican youth and the people in positions of power. Talk Up Yout’s “Youth Empowerment Through Dialogue in Jamaica” #YoutFiChat initiative will keep these critical conversations alive, and connect thousands of young people in a similar fashion as the project rolls out across the island later this year.

Some of the questions asked by young people included:

  1. “When we gonna up di ting like CSI Miami?” – Camesha
  2. “Corporal punishment is still practised even though it is widely regarded as a push factor in young people becoming violent. Is corporal punishment illegal? And what is the policy regarding hitting children?” - Anonymous
  3. “When will the rich stop getting away with murder?” – Chelsea
  4. “I walked into a police station to report being sexually abused and there was a calendar hanging in the office with two women wearing little to nothing – their butt cheeks and breasts were exposed. I felt uncomfortable. Is that indecent exposure or pornography? Is it wrong for that to be hanging there?” - AM
  5. “Successive governments have been aligned to dons and have contributed to entrenching violence and crime as a political tool in Jamaica. How then does the government turn around and identify the communities they fed violence – as the cause of crime? And how do they expect these impoverished communities to simply change?” – AD
  6. “Almost every young person has a story of being robbed at one time or the other – of various items. How is the government/law enforcement tackling that problem?” - Anonymous
  7. “Are all cases, where someone posts information about possible lottery scammers and cyber bullies being treated in the same manner as the case of the co-founder of the Tambourine Army? Will that person be arrested and charged with malicious communication if the potential scammer files a report?” – Teresa
  8. “What does the government have in place for males who get raped and report it?” – Kenloy

Talk Up Radio is broadcast on Nationwide 90 FM, every Saturday morning, 10 am to 12 pm – A Talk Up Yout Initiative “Giving the Youth a Voice”. 

​
For more information on the Talk Up Yout: ‘Youth Empowerment Through Dialogue” dubbed “#YoutFiChat” initiative funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund go to:

http://www.talkupyout.com/new-projects.html

0 Comments

 Stamp Out Gender Based Violence-TALK UP YOUT 

3/10/2017

1 Comment

 

​BE BOLD FOR CHANGE
The UWI Institute for Gender and Development Studies joins the European Union and its Member States in Jamaica in teaching students at Meadowbrook and Ardenne High Schools about gender issues for International Women’s Day

Picture

 

Kingston, March 9, 2017 - There’s no denying the significant challenges young women face in Jamaica and around the world. Despite their hard work, dedication to excellence and stellar contributions to the growth of this country they still find it difficult to achieve their dreams or even live fulfilling lives without fear. The recent flare up in gender based violence offences being committed against women and girls is simply a symptom of this larger, human rights issue, an issue that requires BOLD CHANGE. Students at Meadowbrook High School and Ardenne High School in Kingston, Jamaica who participated in The European Union and its Member States' School Tour to commemorate International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 9, 2017 - benefitted from educational sessions focused on gender issues, led by the University of the West Indies’ Institute for Gender and Development Studies team. The information they shared with these bright young students prepared them to contribute to the global movement to empower young people to #BEBOLDFORCHANGE and to #STAMPITOUT, 'it' being gender based violence.

​Both Meadowbrook and Ardenne High schools are known to produce outstanding graduates, and their intelligent, articulate students fully engaged in the sessions which were presented by Professor Verene Shepherd, Dr. Adwoa Onuora, Mrs. Suzanne Charles-Watson and Ms. Judith Wedderburn. These sessions focused on defining key terms in speaking about gender, highlighting the connection between gender and socialization, recognizing gender based violence and using academic curricula as a tool for stamping it out. Some key terms explained by Dr. Onuora and Mrs. Suzanne Charles-Watson using the fun medium of a game of musical chairs, included gender, sex and gender based violence. Building on these definitions Ms. Judith Wedderburn engaged the students in conversations about their own socialization process and how negative and positive, attitudes, cultural norms and values regarding gender were consciously and unconsciously passed on to them. Immediately grasping this abstract concept, a student of Ardenne High commented that most people are interested in knowing the sex of a baby because “this can determine his or her entire life” - to resounding applause around the room. Other students of both schools highlighted incidents in their own lives where they felt their gender put them at a disadvantage or was the main reason for some form of discrimination and shared their opinions on stereotypical gender norms for men such as being emotionally unavailable and promiscuous, and women being sensitive, peaceful and submissive.
 
Naturally the sessions progressed from gender socialization to gender based violence. Students were walked through modern scenarios of sexual grooming where a person of power attempts to gain the trust of another in order to take advantage of that relationship to abuse them. These scenarios included being asked for nude pictures on social media or being tempted with material things like fancy cellular phones or even delicious foods. A key part of this discussion that Mrs. Charles-Watson zoomed in on was the issue of power. She carefully explained the imbalance of power in such situations that causes young people to sometimes fall for these tricks and while reassuring the students that their natural innocence should never be used as excuse for them being abused, she explained the warning signs and red flags of sexual grooming and gender based violence to look out for. This session elicited some very important questions from students of Meadowbrook High who asked about other situations of power imbalances  - such as a parent forcing a child who has been sexually abused to recant a statement they previously gave condemning the perpetrator of the crime because he or she is the parent’s spouse or partner. Students also asked about situations where a person who should be helping and protecting them, is sexually abusing them. These questions were tackled both by Mrs. Charles-Watson who highlighted agencies such as CISOCA that deal with such situations, and the Master of Ceremonies for the school tour Lasco Top Cop 2015 - Detective Sergeant Ava Lindo who spoke to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s protocol for dealing with such situations.
 
In one of the most emotional moments of the entire school tour, Ms. Lindo valiantly chose to share her story of surviving sexual abuse at age 15 and keeping it to herself for more than a decade. A living, breathing example of the importance of recognizing, protecting and uplifting women, Sergeant Lindo used her story to empower the students at Ardenne and Meadowbrook to always speak up about sexual abuse and to respect themselves and others.
 
Professor Verene Shepherd’s presentation highlighted the importance of recognizing the contributions of women to history, lest we allow young people to believe only men have shaped the world, and thereby discourage girls from becoming change makers.
 
In their vote of thanks speeches, student representatives of both schools expressed gratitude for the information disseminated and spoke about feeling empowered to stamp out gender based violence. They also thanked the European Union Delegation and its Member States resident in Jamaica for recognizing the importance of engaging young people in meaningful dialogue about gender and other similar issues to equip them with the information they need to not only protect themselves but to also support each other regardless of gender.
 
Those sentiments echoed the Head of the European Union delegation in Jamaica - Malgorzata Wasilewska who shared insights into the mission of the EU to support democracy, human rights and peace around the world and spoke about the long and fruitful relationship Jamaica has had with the EU. It’s a relationship spanning more than 40 years and including more than a billion US dollars in grants to the island.  Taking a few hours out of their extremely busy schedules all ambassadors to Jamaica from EU member states joined Ms. Wasilewska in imparting powerful messages about honoring the humanity of every person. The delegation included Chargée d’Affaires of the Embassy of Spain in Jamaica - Carmen Rives Ruiz-Tapiador, British High Commissioner to Jamaica - David Fitton, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of Germany in Jamaica - Michael Dumke, French Ambassador to Jamaica - Jean Michel Despax and Belgian Ambassador to Jamaica - Guy Sevrin, who also spoke words of encouragement to the students of Meadowbrook and Ardenne. The World Bank was represented by their Country Manager for Jamaica - Galina Sotirova and the United Nations was represented by Coordinator of the UN Secretary General High-Level panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment - Pat Francis.
​
Other notable speakers included a representative of the Ministry of Education - Susan Nelson-Bloomfield, Honorary Consul General of Thailand and CEO of Island Grill - Thalia Lyn who shared her experiences as a girl who was encouraged to succeed and as such grew into a woman who owns a massive chain of restaurants and Talk Up Yout Founder and Co-Executive Producer Emprezz Golding who in her own extraordinary style used her voice to encourage the youth to talk up!
 
Poet and entrepreneur Randy McLaren of Bresheh, used his creative dub poetry to entertain and inspire young people to continue to be “Progessive Youths”, eliciting roaring applause from everyone present. Even the German Chargé d'Affaires to Jamaica Michael Dumke, and British High Commissioner to Jamaica David Fitton both admitted that although they didn’t understand much of Randy’s Jamaican patois, the message clearly resonated with those who do understand the language, especially the students. Chargée d’Affaires of the Embassy of Spain,  Carmen Rives Ruiz-Tapiador, in her closing remarks, highlighted that the initiative was intended to explain what the European Union is and its concern for gender equality, which is a challenge in Jamaica and worldwide, thus the importance of partnership.   
 
Youth is a tumultuous period in every person’s life, where their personality is shaped by forces they are often not even fully cognizant of. This makes it one of the most critical periods in life and as such the need for good information that empowers young people to make good decisions cannot be overemphasized. This school tour has added to the European Union and its Member States' legacy of supporting Jamaican people and investing in the future of this country, an investment that can only lead to the improvement of this country and the world. Armed with information the students of Meadowbrook and Ardenne High Schools will continue to let their lights shine, and to seek the best.
​
A Talk Up Yout Media Blog
Email: TalkUpYout@gmail.com
Chief Editor: Kristeena Monteith
 
 


1 Comment

    Author

    Youth, ages 14 - 26, from all over the world, talking up. #TalkUpYout

    Archives

    November 2018
    May 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016

    Categories

    All
    Abuse
    Babies
    Career
    Empowerment
    Hakeem
    Her Voice
    Jamaican
    Jamaican Youth
    Kenloy
    Lumbar Lordosis
    Man
    Naggai
    Poet
    Recovery
    Solutions
    Stanley And Empress
    Talk
    Talk Up Yout
    UNCLE
    Vokal
    Volunteer
    Youth Voice

    RSS Feed

  Talk Up Yout (C) 2020

  

  • HOME
  • TV Show
  • School Tours
  • Talk Up-Radio Show
  • #YoutFiChat UNDEF
    • #YoutFiChat Activity Sheets
    • Find Your MP
    • Hanover Milestone 1 Pictures
  • Counselling
    • Advice
  • Blog
  • Jobs & Scholarships
  • National Baking Company
  • TUY MEDIA Services
  • Advocacy MOU
  • Talk Up Yout Digital