Salutations 

• Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon Delroy Chuck
  Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs, Mrs. Grace-Ann Stewart McFarlane
  Acting Director, Public Law, Restorative & Preventative Justice Unit, Mrs. Sandy Lue Cole-Jarrett
  Representative for the Commissioner of Police Dr. Kevin Blake – Mr. Richard Stewart, Deputy Commissioner of Police
  Administrator General & Chief Executive Officer, Administrator- General’s Department, Ms. Stacie -Ann Carty 
  Chairman of the Dispute Resolution of Jamaica, Mr. John-Bassie 
  Representative for High Commissioner of Canada, Mark Berman – Dr. Deborah Duperly Pinks, Senior Development Officer
  Distinguished guests

Good morning. 

The mark of a great justice system is one that is accessible, understood and sensitive to the challenges and differences of its clients. Today’s launch of a Public Education Campaign on Estate Planning is aimed at improving the numbers of Jamaicans legally settling their affairs for the benefit of their loved ones, while the approval granted for the Development of a National Policy on Alternative Dispute Resolution signals Jamaica’s intention to strengthen viable options for resolving disagreements and conflicts. These are important developments in justice service reform and delivery. UNDP is therefore proud to join you at this important juncture in the implementation of the Social Justice Project, which brings us steps closer to achieving Jamaica’s vision of a world class, inclusive justice system.

I extend great appreciation to our partners at Global Affairs Canada (GAC) whose generous support has made these developments possible. GAC’s role in financing justice sector reform has produced transformational outcomes, and UNDP is honoured to have partnered with Canada for more than 15 years in bringing Jamaica’s visionary agenda to life.

UNDP, under the Social Justice Project, is equally proud to support the development of an Alternative Dispute Resolution policy, by facilitating the requisite research, ensuring a high-quality product grounded in evidence. The SO-JUST project aims to expand the suite of alternative dispute resolution programmes offered by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. In keeping with this key objective, the policy framework is a necessary step to guide the development, implementation and ongoing improvements required to make this a true success story.  

We believe that such a policy can break new ground in people-to-people relations in Jamaica, leading to a reduction in violence. This is what every community wants and deserves, and UNDP stands ready to support beyond development to the implementation phase, in pursuit of our shared objective of a justice system that engenders non-violence and peace.

The Public Education Campaign on Estate Planning is an excellent opportunity to creatively communicate the nuts and bolts of the process and more importantly, the benefits. Those who receive your products should understand that they have the power to protect their families, advance generational wealth and pre-empt tragic disputes We salute the Administrator General Department for spearheading this important and necessary initiative under the auspices of the SO-JUST Project. 

Information fosters understanding and knowledge and this fuels empowerment and agency. By launching this public education campaign, we are strengthening the foundations of this inclusive justice system we are building and affirm a core truth: Access to justice is a right, not a privilege.

To our stakeholders and partners, your efforts are a testament to the transformative impact of collaboration. Let us continue to work together and remain committed to breaking barriers, fostering inclusion, and building a Jamaica where every individual can access the justice they deserve. 

Thank you.