Kingston, Jamaica — Jamaica’s path to sustainability will be determined not only by government policies or international agreements, but by the generation now filling classrooms and lecture halls. This was the central message delivered by Senior Director of the Access to Information Unit (AIU), Damian Cox, during the Right to Know Week 2025 Conference at the AC Hotel in Kingston.
Cox underscored that the responsibility of preparing tomorrow’s leaders must begin today. “It is through the education of our children that we secure the future of Jamaica’s environment. They must be equipped with knowledge and empowered to act,” he declared.
Education as the Foundation
He pointed to the United Nations’ reaffirmation that Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is embedded within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), serving as a cornerstone for broader progress. Jamaica, he explained, has embraced this principle by weaving environmental awareness into the national education agenda.
The AIU, operating under the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, has aligned with the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) to create programmes where students actively shape sustainable practices.
Bridging Gaps in a Digital World
The conference, themed “Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age,” examined how technology is reshaping awareness. Cox stressed that digital tools can amplify environmental action, allowing information to cross generations and borders.
At the same time, he cautioned that Jamaica must confront the digital divide—ensuring that access to vital knowledge is not limited by geography, income, or infrastructure. Issues of misinformation and data security, he added, also demand vigilance.
Building Collective Will
Cox framed the moment as both a challenge and an opportunity: “While the digital revolution opens new doors, it also brings new responsibilities. We must create an inclusive Jamaica where every citizen, young or old, has access to information and education that enable meaningful participation in our future.”
The AIU continues to drive this mandate, positioning itself as a guardian of transparency and public access to information.
A Day of Global Recognition
Right to Know Week culminates each year on September 28—the International Day for Universal Access to Information, formally declared by UNESCO. The observance affirms that open access to information is not a privilege but a right, and remains vital to strengthening democracy, accountability, and environmental stewardship worldwide.
