More Jamaicans urged to access government information

Author: Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter

Title: Access to information needs to be more public

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

Date Published: Friday, October 2, 2009

URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20091002/news/news3.html


Abstract:

Article highlights the situation following the implementation of the Access to Information Act in Jamaica, in 2002. The views of Damian Cox, director of the Access to Information Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister are revealed. He suggests that there is need for more publicity on the Act among the ordinary Jamaicans, and highlights that currently, mostly professionals and academics are making use of the provisions and the rights afforded by the act.

The article also discusses the high school essay competition to promote the knowledge and importance of the Act among students.


Excerpt:

Damian Cox, director of the Access to Information Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister, says more people need to take advantage of the Access to Information Act.

"I think we need more Jamaicans to use the law, I don't think even in this time when we are going into a review of the act everybody feels like we need to get more persons, ordinary Jamaicans using the law because the system
is in place," he told The Gleaner at the launch of the Access to Information National High School Essay
Competition, yesterday.

US classic film series at a Jamaican public library

Title: US classic film series begins

Date Published: Wednesday, September 16, 2009

URL:http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090916/ent/ent1.html


Abstract:

Article reveals the plan to show a series of American films in the Kingston and St. Andrew Public Library between September and October. The series will include films such as Lilies of the Field, The Wizard of Oz , Gone with the Wind and A Patch of Blue. Brief information about some of the films in the series are given.


Excerpt:

The United States Embassy in Jamaica and the Jamaica Library Service began its classic film series yesterday with a screening of To Kill a Mockingbird.

The films, which are free to the public, will be shown every Tuesday from September 15 to October 13, at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Library starting at 6 p.m.

‘Let’s play chess’ at the National Library

Title: ‘Let’s play chess’ at the National Library

Source: Trinidad and Tobago's NewsDay

Date Published: Thursday, September 10 2009

URL: http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,107071.html


Abstract:
National Library of Trinidad and Tobago accommodates the Trinidad and Tobago Chess Foundation chess training programme. The President of the Foundation outlines the potential benefits of the programme.

Excerpt:

THE Trinidad and Tobago Chess Foundation has launched their training programme, “Let’s Play Chess”, in Port-of-Spain. The eight-week training programme is staged on on Sundays from 10 am to noon starting at the National Library.

The programme offers adults and young people from the age of seven years, the opportunity to benefit from training in the sport. Commenting on the programme, Edison Raphael, President of the Chess Foundation, said, “Chess is a game which focusses [sic] on the development of critical thinking skills and cognitive ability.”