Events

• OAS S&T Best Practice Project Workshop and Launch
  At the UWI Regional Centre, Mona, , Tuesday February 26, 2013

At the UWI Regional Centre, Mona, , Tuesday February 26, 2013



The objective of the workshop is to bring the project started in 2008 to a successful conclusion for the participating core group from Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, with the participation of as many other groups as possible from the CARICOM region. The meeting will carry forward the broad conclusions reached at the two-day OAS S&T Best Practice Conference & Workshop held at the UWI Mona Visitors’ Lodge & Conference Centre on 12-13 April 2010.• To provide technical orientation that will enable each participant group to store a ‘core assemblage’ of geo-referenced information derived from its own preferred national data as a Digital Repository Database System, i.e. a flexible storage system that stores primary content data indexed by the metadata which describes the primary content. The type of system discussed in the Workshop will facilitate an optimal balance between the typical storage/access operations and long term preservation needs of institutions for a wide range of data types. The system will be designed to incorporate add-ons that provide visualization of search results for spatial data among other attributes. The design of the system allows participants’ data to be drawn from any preferred realm of Science and Technology but the examples used during the Workshop will concentrate on topics relevant to agriculture, environment and health.
• OAS/ CICTE Strategic Crisis Management Exercise on Maritime Security
  Kingston, Jamaica, Monday February 25, 2013

Kingston, Jamaica, Monday February 25, 2013



In an effort to avoid disastrous consequences, the CICTE Secretariat, as mandated by its Member States, has provided significant assistance in the last years to help all countries in the Hemisphere enhance their maritime security provisions. Under its Port Security Assistance Partnership, the CICTE Secretariat has aimed, through the implementation of Table Top Crisis Management Exercises such as this one, to assist Member States in effectively assessing the complex and multi-faceted nature of the response capacities and mandates of each of the actors involved in a crisis situation at port facilities. To do so, it encourages discussions at the strategic level to address potential vulnerabilities in security and emergency plans. In a nutshell, the objective of the Exercise is to test and ensure the efficiency of inter-agency coordination when a country is confronted to a security crisis.

In the News

• Strong Legal Framework Required for Biofuels Production - Minister Paulwell Jamaica Information Service
• UNHCR applauds Jamaica for signing the international convention to UNHCR
• Organisation of the American States(OAS) Scholarships 2014/2015 http://www.mof.gov.jm/scholarships

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Education

• Reduction of the Incidence of Rural Poverty through Interventions in Multigrade Schools

  Reduction of the Incidence of Rural Poverty through Interventions in Multigrade Schools
  
  

  The project is carrying out a targeted intervention in this segment of the education sector, by supporting and strengthening curriculum implementation in multigrade schools. This is being achieved by training curriculum developers and supervisors, school principals and teachers, enhancing provisions for in-service teacher training and development and procurement of instructional materials and equipment. This should result in an increase in the levels of performance by students in these institutions.

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• Deaf Education in Jamaica

  Deaf Education in Jamaica
  
  

  Deaf education in Jamaica was first introduced at the St. Christopher’s School for the deaf approximately 73 years ago. In recent years it has been seen where twelve schools across the island provides this service for our children from the pre-school to the secondary level and approximately five hundred students’ benefits.
  

  
  

  The Language and Literacy development for deaf children and youths project seeks to address the problem of poor development of language and literacy competencies among deaf students and many factors where identified, some of which includes:
  

  • Lack of effective promotion of language and literacy in the early years of the children’s life.
  

  • Inadequacies in the curriculum resources to meet the special needs of deaf students.
  

  • Use of ineffective instructional practices
  

  • Delay in early identification and intervention with children suffering from hear loss.
  

  
  

  It should be noted that the Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD) has undertaken programs to improve language and efficiency in a bid to address this problem.
  

  The deaf society represents a minority group in the island however Jamaica’s National Motto “out of many one people” shows that bicultural and bilingual groups are welcomed in the society.
  

  
  

  The project was executed by the JAD who is dedicated to its vision of seeing deaf persons becoming creative and productive citizens who participates in nation building. Other participants in the project include Ministry of Education, School of the Deaf and The deaf community.
  

  
  

  It is expected that the deaf study curriculum will provide a chance for an exploration of the physiological, social and communicative implication of being deaf in a non deaf Jamaican society. It is expected that the students will learn about technological and environmental adaptation that will help them to become independent adults.
  

  
  

  In the Jamaican society the situation that exist see many deaf individuals having a difficulty finding employment as many employers are unable to communicate with them and as a result will not hire them. No job means no money; no money means no funds for one’s basic needs. The dilemma becomes acute as the deaf sometimes turn to desperate means to provide the necessities of life.
  

  
  

  As a result of this the project becomes very beneficial as it helps to increase the deaf community’s involvement in development and create self confidence, self worth and self esteem in deaf persons. It has also provides well trained personnels (teachers ) to deal with the specific needs to our deaf children and also sensitize the public towards a greater acceptance of these individuals.
  

  
  

  The total estimated cost of the project is US$265,213 equivalent to approximately JA$ 225, 43105 of which US$210,923 is being requested from FEMCIDI.

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Science and Technology

• Institutional Strengthening for Promoting Best Practices in Science and Technology for the Caribbean States

  Institutional Strengthening for Promoting Best Practices in Science and Technology for the Caribbean States
  
  

  Improve the ability of selected CARICOM countries’ S&T infrastructure to apply data to socio-economic development

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FEMCIDI Projects

• Rural Youth Capacity Building and Business Development Project

  Rural Youth Capacity Building and Business Development Project
  
  

  The Rural Youth Capacity Building and Business Development Project aims at providing the skills necesasary for the youth cohort, 15-24 to increase their income generating potential.
  

  Partnerships with the Ministry of Youth and agencies such as the 4H clubs and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) will facilitate the hand-holding approach of the project in building capacity and providing technical assistance to these enterprising youths and community groups.
  

  
  

  Label Created for Products
  

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OAS Internships

The OAS Student Internship Program is designed for undergraduate, graduate and young professional student to allow them to work within their fields of study. The program although unpaid is very competitive. The OAS has 28 national offices and some special programs located in the member states. Internships are available in almost all of the offices and this will allow interns to choose whether they prefer to work in their home country or in another office.

• Why the Organization of American States?

  The Organization of American States (OAS) is the main political forum of the hemisphere which promotes and supports Democracy, Human Rights, Multidimensional Security and the Integral Development in the Americas. The OAS seeks to prevent conflicts and to provide political stability, social inclusion and prosperity in the region, through dialogue and collective actions.

• What is our offer?

  We offer you a unique opportunity to gain work experience in different areas and in an international and a multicultural environment. You will have the opportunity to participate in a meaningful learning experience with orientation to the OAS mission, pillars, structure and projects in the hemisphere.

• Where can I do my Internship?

  The OAS has 28 national offices and some special programs located in the member states. This allows anyone interested, to participate in the internship program in their country of origin, or other country of interest.
  

  Besides working in the different projects of the Office, interns must participate in a series of activities that are part of a Complementary Online Program
  

  This is an unpaid internship. Candidates must meet a series of requirements.
  

• Requirements for application

  • You must have a GPA of 3.0 out of 4 (American scale) or equivalent according to the country. This means that you have to be in the top 25% of your class).
  • While being a student is a requirement for the application, you should also be at least in the second year of your undergraduate program
  • Your internship should last at least 10 weeks and at the most 6 months.

• Documents Required

  • Complete the application form (requested to internships@oas.org)
  • 2 letters of recommendation.
  • Official transcripts with your grades.
  • Currículum Vitae.
  • Copy of your passport.
  • Once you are selected, the Intern should submit Proof of insurance.

  All the documents should be sent to internships@oas.org

  Internships are available in Washington DC. Check out www.oas.org/internships.

OAS Scholarships

The OAS Academic Scholarship Program (Regular Program), established in 1958, grants scholarships every year for the pursuit of Master’s Degrees, Doctoral Degrees and Research leading to a degree. The OAS Special Caribbean Scholarships Program (SPECAF), established in 1983, grants scholarships for the last two years of undergraduate studies to citizens and residents of the English-speaking Caribbean OAS Member States. In addition to these programs the OAS, through its Partnerships Program for Education and Training (PAEC), is able to offer other attractive scholarship opportunities for academic studies with the support of its partner institutions in the Americas and around the world.

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OAS - Rowe Fund Educational loan programs for Studies in the United States

The OAS - Rowe Fund loan program for studies in the United States was established in 1948.  This program grants financial aid in the form of interest-free loans for up to $15,000 dollars for graduate, research, and the last two years of undergraduate studies, including semester exchange programs.  Applications may be submitted at any time during the studies in the U.S. and are accepted and reviewed year-round.  For more information about how to obtain a Rowe Fund loan, find other financial aid for studies abroad, or identify a university in the United States according to field of study, cost, or location, visit: www.oas.org/en/rowefund and follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/rowefund