‘Dinner & Debate’
Vice-president of the Jamaica Chess Federation and chairman of the Endgame Chess Club, Peter Myers (left), instructs Rushawn Sangster and Aliea Messam (right), while councillor for the Stony Hill division, Tosha Schwapp, Member of Parliament Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn and Jessan Johnson look on. JAMAICA YOUTH will have an opportunity tomorrow evening to share in the cut and thrust of the first United States Presidential Debate ahead of the 2016 elections.
They have been invited to the ProComm building at 2 Phoenix Avenue in St Andrew, where they will participate in the live viewing of the debate action.
Monday’s viewing is the first in the ‘Dinner and a Debate’ series of the United States Embassy in Kingston, brought to the public through collaboration with the 51% Coalition, with Panos Caribbean as implementing partner.
ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING
The series forms a part of a larger initiative to raise awareness and advance understanding of the US election process, with an examination of lessons and implications for Jamaica and the Caribbean, in the interest of responsible and democratic governance.
“The United States and Jamaica have been partners for centuries,” said counselor for public affairs at the US Embassy in Kingston, Joshua Polacheck.
“And with this historic election, we approached the 51% Coalition to ensure that the Jamaican public has an opportunity to understand the issues facing the American voter. We’re even bringing officials from the two major political parties to explain their respective party platforms,” added Polacheck.
STAKEHOLDERS
Three other debate viewing events, which will target a variety of stakeholders, and two public education fora involving speakers from the two US political parties are also a part of the suite of activities under the initiative.
“The initiative represents an opportunity for all Jamaicans to be engaged on a dynamic and intriguing political process that is teeming with issues of relevance to the island and to the Caribbean as a whole,” said Petre WilliamsRaynor, Panos Caribbean country director.
“The 51% Coalition looks forward to the next few weeks, eager for the sharing and learning they will afford, and trust that our people – women and men, young and old – will support the effort,” added Williams-Raynor.