Jamaica Launches 2024 Trees for Peace Competition: Cultivating Cultures of Peace Through Green Initiatives
Kingston, Jamaica – In a vibrant effort to foster a culture of peace and environmental stewardship, the 2024 edition of the Trees for Peace Competition has been officially launched. The initiative, spearheaded by the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Youth, aims to transform school campuses into serene and ecologically sustainable peace gardens.
The launch, held at Kingston High School, featured prominent figures including Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, and Dr. Elizabeth Ward, chair of the Violence Prevention Alliance, who participated in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony with students. This year’s initiative coincides with the International Day of Peace and is themed ‘Cultivating a Culture of Peace.’
Schools across Jamaica have until October 31 to submit their applications for the competition. The aim of the initiative is to foster peace and environmental consciousness by encouraging the development of well-maintained green spaces conducive to community involvement and conflict resolution. "We are looking forward to seeing creative entries that not only beautify school environments but also serve as peaceful sanctuaries," stated Dr. Ward.
With a focus on high-risk and vulnerable communities, the initiative targets approximately 100 schools across all seven educational regions. These schools will work on designing gardens that reflect creativity, environmental awareness, and efficacy in promoting peaceful interactions.
The Ministry of Education and Youth’s Safety and Security in Schools Unit will be instrumental in guiding and evaluating the program, ensuring that the initiative aligns with nationwide educational and security objectives. Their coordinated efforts include collaboration with the Early Childhood Commission, which will integrate the competition into its School-Wide Positive Behaviour Intervention Support (SWPBIS) framework. Additionally, units focusing on guidance and counseling, health and family life education, deans of discipline, and restorative justice will contribute essential support.
A collaborative partnership extends to the Ministry of National Security, which will deploy School Resource Officers to facilitate activities concerning trafficking-in-persons and small arms control, enhancing the peace-building focus of the gardens.
In a commendable show of unity, environmental agencies like the Forestry Department and the National Environment and Planning Agency join forces with Jamaica 4-H Clubs to provide seedlings and technical gardening assistance. The non-profit organization Trees that Feed also lends its expertise to support this green initiative.
Since its inception in 2018, the Trees for Peace initiative has seen participation from over 100 schools, successfully marrying ecological conservation with peace-building principles. The 2024 edition aims to capitalize on past successes with improved partnerships and a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework.
The call is now on for schools to join this transformative journey by submitting their applications through the VPA’s online platform and social media channels. This initiative not only seeks to cultivate vibrant gardens but, more importantly, to instill a legacy of sustainability, peace, and community engagement within Jamaica’s educational culture.
