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JAMAICA: Tourism Director hails marathon as part of Kingston City Run

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#Kingston, October 25, 2018 – Jamaica – Tourism Director, Donovan White, has lauded the organisers of the annual Kingston City Run for expanding the slate of activities for the seventh staging in 2019 to include a marathon, noting that this has the potential to attract visitors to the capital city.

The three-day run, organised by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association’s (JHTA) Kingston Chapter, is slated for March 15 to 17.

Speaking during the recent launch at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, Mr. White said Kingston is “well deserving” of becoming part of the global trend that sees people travelling to “experience what it’s like to run in a marathon.  I think that’s the experience that makes the transition of [the] Kingston City Run to [include a] marathon, a really bold move by the organisers,” he noted.

Mr. White described the event’s introduction as a “fantastic development” for the country and wider Caribbean, “because I believe Jamaica has a leadership role to play in the business of driving this region of the world forward”.  He argued that running continues to emerge as “a way of life for a lot of people in a lot of places… people [who] we would like to show [more of] Jamaica [to]”.

Noting the success of the annual Reggae Marathon in Negril, which, he said, has gained a “really good positon” globally over the years since its inception, Mr. White contended that Kingston is equally deserving of being a “part of the experience of, not just running, but meeting new people, making friends, and creating a lifetime of memories”.

He added that Jamaica, particularly the capital city, “needs to have something like this that becomes part of [the] flagship of our tourism product for the destination of Kingston”.

“What it means is that runners… from all over the world [will] get an opportunity to spend two or three days in Kingston and, maybe, get an opportunity to see that Kingston is just as beautiful… or even more beautiful than some other places [globally] that they have been to run,” he said.

The City Run/Marathon, staged since 2013, aims to raise funds to support projects for Kingston’s homeless, vulnerable youth through partner charity organisations, and heighten awareness of the capital city as a tourist destination.

Proceeds from the event will go towards the Open Arms Drop-In Centre; Marie Atkins Night Shelter; Food For the Poor; Alpha Institute (Alpha Boys’ Home); and Missionaries of the Poor.

In addition to the marathon, it includes a half marathon, 10k race, 5k run/walk, and a kids run, the latter of which will involve youngsters from inner-city communities as part of the organisers’ focus on inclusive participation.

The weekend of events also includes a welcome party for race participants and other stakeholders on Friday, March 15; a lifestyle and fitness expo on Saturday, March 16; with five and 10k races and marathons set for March 17. The activities will culminate with an awards ceremony and finish line reggae festival on March 17.

For her part, Kingston City Run founder and Organising Committee Co-Chair, Nicola Madden-Greig, noted that a number of great cities around the world host marathons, adding that “we think [Kingston is] a great city, and we should definitely have a great marathon”.

“We want to put Kingston on the map and really celebrate all that is wonderful about our capital city. Kingston is where it all happens. We are the heartbeat of Jamaica, and we definitely will be celebrating all of this, come March 2019… so we are very excited,” she said.

Mrs. Madden-Greig advised that all races will start and end at Emancipation Park in New Kingston.

Participants will traverse scenic routes that take them past notable and historic landmarks such as Devon House, King’s House, Bob Marley Museum, and Hope Gardens.

Mrs. Madden-Greig indicated that the courses were measured by the International Association of Athletics Federation/Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (IAAF/AIMS) International Measurement Administrator for the Americas and ‘A’ class measurer, Bernie Conway, and have been ratified in keeping with IAAF global standards.

The Co-Chair informed that the organising committee has forged a strategic partnership with Active.com, one of the largest race registration and marathon promoters globally, which will be responsible for all Kingston City Run/Kingston Marathon registrations and marketing.

“We will also be working with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), and will be facilitating a series of launches through JTB’s partnership in various locations… including New York, Florida, Toronto, and London. We already participated in Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) in September and that was where we really pushed out to our international tour operators and travel agents,” she said.

Additionally, Mrs. Madden-Greig said the Committee has partnered with Dynamic Lifestyles Chief Executive Officer, avid road-race runner and wife of the Tourism Director, Patrice White, who will officially serve as the event’s Ambassador.

“Patrice is going to [in her role as] an international ambassador push the word out locally and internationally. We are very excited and pleased to have Patrice on board,” she said, while indicating that further details on the event will be announced in January 2019.

Mrs. Madden-Greig encouraged stakeholders to “work with us [as] this is long-term vision for our city.” She particularly urged them to support participants in the kiddies run.

“Last year, we were able to have just over 500 children on the road. These were sponsored kids’ teams. So you can sponsor a team of, like, 59 children and you can brand them… put them in nice little shirts. You fully sponsor their registration… we pick them up for you… [and] we feed them… give them a nice breakfast… [so] inner-city kids get to enjoy this event,” she said.

The Co-Chair indicated that “this is something that we are trying to inculcate, in terms of building a culture of running… [by] allowing them to enjoy an event, celebrating the city in which they live”.

“It is going to be a ramped up effort to really secure our place in the marathon space and in the space of distance running races worldwide. We really want you [our stakeholders, especially sponsors] to dig deep and invest in this.  Don’t think of it as a sponsorship, but as an investment in your city and how we can really grow this,” Mrs. Madden-Greig added.

Main sponsors of the event, which had just under 5,000 participants last year, are the JHTA, JTB, Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA), RJR/Gleaner Communications Group, and Marksman Limited.

 

 

Release: JIS

Contact: Douglas McIntosh

Photo Caption: Tourism Director, Donovan White (left), shares a light moment with Founder and Organising Committee Co-Chair, Kingston City Run/Kingston Marathon, Nicola Madden-Greig (centre); and the event’s Ambassador, Patrice White, during the recent launch at The Jamaica Pegasus, New Kingston. The annual event is slated for March 15 to 17, 2019.

 

Dave Reid Photo

 

 

 

 

 

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CARICOM pushes need for Reparations Tribunal at Forum in Geneva

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Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer 

Words are in circulation in support for the establishment of an international tribunal, geared towards seeking reparations for centuries long transatlantic slave trade, after a CARICOM official made calls at the third session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) in Geneva, Switzerland.

During day two of the gathering held from April 16 to 19, 2024, David Comissiong, Barbados Ambassador to the Caribbean Community, stated there is a need for the tribunal as there is currently no international court to deal with the issues of reparations.

Commision, like the other members that support his view, according to reports, are aware this won’t be an easy feat, as he expressed that establishing the tribunal would require a “positive decision” by the UN General Assembly, further  calling on the officials at the Forum and the UN, to come together through international collaboration and “make this happen.”

The idea creation of the tribunal was born last year 2023, suggested by the PFPAD, now reiterated by Comissiong.

Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General, in a video, addressing the opening of the forum, supported the ongoing calls for respiratory efforts, a sentiment not shared by many.

Mentioning that racism is still an issue in today’s society, Guterres said, “ now we must build on that momentum, to drive meaningful change by ensuring that people of African descent enjoy the full and equal realization of their human rights; by stepping up efforts to eliminate racism and discrimination, including through reparations.”

 

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CARICOM sends warning as Oil prices creep higher in the Israel v Iran conflict; 14 regional states import energy

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Garfield Ekon
Staff Writer

The recent attack on the Sate of Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran, has delivered growing uncertainty across the Caribbean region, and the rest of the global economy.

Chief among the many concerns, is the free flow of oil from the Middle East, which stands at 31% of daily production for the global economy. At minimum, shipping costs are likely to increase based on the increased risk of military action in the Persian Gulf.

Pressure is also building on US and European insurance clubs to avoid any transaction, including those with China, that involve Iranian crude and additional rerouting of oil and gas shipments in response to Houthi threats, or Allied responses.

According to the Caribbean Community Council of Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), “these developments not only exacerbate the already tense situation but also pose significant threats to regional stability and international peace,” the group warned in a media statement.

It added that the continued cycle of retaliation, including the recent attack on Israel by Hamas, Israel’s “disproportionate response” in Gaza, and the “alarming new dimension of direct confrontations between Israel and Iran, leads to an untenable situation fraught with potential for greater regional conflict and global instability.

“The human toll of this conflict, highlighted by tragic incidents such as deaths and injuries to children, demand an immediate and empathetic response from the global community. It is imperative that there be no further escalation that can lead to more suffering and instability,” it said.

While calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, the regional body underscored that it strongly urges both nations to halt any further military actions that could worsen the situation, endangering not only their own populations but also the broader international community.

“We implore all parties to consider the severe consequences of further conflict and to commit to diplomatic solutions that ensure the safety, sovereignty, and dignity of all people involved,” the CARICOM statement said.

On October 6, 2023, the day before Hamas attacked Israel, the international benchmark Brent crude was trading at $85 per barrel and has been fluctuating at up to $96.

On Thursday, it traded at $91 per barrel. With the exception of gas-rich Trinidad and Tobago, the 14 other countries of CARICOM, are energy importers.

Approximately 93 percent of the region’s energy needs are met by oil imports, which average 13% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

 

 

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Gov’t Committed to Seeking Reparations for Chattel Slavery – Minister Grange

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KINGSTON, April 16 (JIS):
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, says the Jamaican Government remains committed to seeking reparations for the prolonged period of chattel enslavement endured by the African forefathers on the country’s plantations.
Minister Grange said that the historical events of the transatlantic slave trade continue to have a lasting impact on Black communities to this day.
She contended that the ongoing struggles to finance education and healthcare, address poverty and housing issues, respond to economic shocks and climate change impacts, and foster peaceful societies are all rooted in the historical legacy of enslavement.
Minister Grange was addressing a church service on Sunday (April 14) at the Webster Memorial United Church in St. Andrew, where an apology was issued on behalf of the United Reform Church (URC) in the United Kingdom (UK) by Moderator of the Assembly of the URC, Reverend Tessa Henry-Robinson, for the church’s  historical involvement in slavery.
“We, the general assembly of the United Reform Church, mindful of our own history and that of our antecedent bodies, wish to confess and apologise for our role in transatlantic slavery and the scars which continue to blight our society, our church and the lives of Black people in our midst and around the globe today,” the apology read.
Minister Grange, in accepting the apology, urged UK churches, particularly those whose representatives were present for the historic apology in Jamaica, to communicate to their government the ethical imperative of admitting culpability through an apology and working with Jamaica to discern the potential avenues for reparations.
She said that the church’s role in the transatlantic slave trade has had significant and enduring effects on Black communities, impacting society, the church itself, and the lives of Black individuals worldwide.
“It is this complicity of the church that gave solace and comfort to the citizens and governments of UK and Europe as they endorsed and defended with their military project, that saw the capture, the torture, the dehumanisation, and devaluation of African people, legacies of which we experience today as racism, white supremacy, and discrimination,” she stated.
“We struggle to build peaceful, stable societies because of the perpetration of violence which was the platform on which enslavement was executed yet, in spite of this, we have been good converts to these same religions. Our people have adopted and adapted the doctrines and rituals of these new religions and in many instances have energised and revitalised them with cultural practices of African spirituality,” the Minister emphasised.
The URC is a community of Christians gathering in local churches across England, Scotland, and Wales, and is part of the global family of Reformed Churches, comprising more than 70 million Christians.
With approximately 42,000 members in around 1,200 congregations, supported by more than 600 ministers, the URC plays a significant role in the spiritual and communal life of its members and the broader community.
CONTACT: BRITNEY STEVENS

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