Reports of recent increases in the popularity of the discipline of geography among students are not surprising. As global systems are increasingly shaped by the impositions of climate change, insecurity and territorialism and globalization, an understanding of the intersections between natural and human systems is critical. The discipline of geography is ideally positioned to provide answers to many challenges which require an integrated approach. The Jamaican Geographical Society continues to play an important role in the generation and diffusion of geographical knowledge and skills by supporting geographical education across the island of Jamaica. Through regular field trips, seminars, workshop and other modes of engagement, the JGS has cultivated a rich knowledge and skills base among members who have made significant contributions to national and regional development. The JGS will continue to support the efforts of the Department of Geography and Geology in consolidating the relevance of geography in addressing challenges at the global and local scale.

Description and Purpose of Organization

The JGS was primarily established to advance the discipline of geography in Jamaica. The Society is managed by an elected council, and its members include scholars, educators, students, and employees in the public, private and NGO sectors in Jamaica as well as members of the public with a general interest in Geography. Since it was founded, the Society has been actively engaged in the dissemination of geographic research and knowledge through its newsletter and various outreach and sensitization activities including panel discussions, workshops, guest lectures, field trips and occasional exhibitions.

Journals or Major Publication Series of The Association

Title: The Jamaican Geographer

URL, if available: www.mona.uwi.edu/geoggeol/JGS/JGS.htm

Current Activities or Projects

The JGS has embarked on a number of outreach activities in recent years ranging from panel discussions, guest lectures, through to its various educational programs and workshops. Since 2010, the JGS has held four panel discussions on topical issues affecting the Jamaican society and economy. The Society recently held a panel discussion looking at the state of the Jamaican housing market post the 2008 global economic recession. Previous panel discussions have focused more on the state of geography education in Jamaica, by (i) looking at the challenges Jamaican highs school teachers face in preparing students for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and (ii) examining the reasons behind some high school’s decision to replace geography with social studies. Over the past four years the JGS has been supporting the Dream Jamaica summer program by hosting whole day workshops on GIS under the broad theme of “Why Geography Matters”. Dream Jamaica was formed in January 2008 to help high school students in Jamaica visualize and realize their dreams (for more details on the Dream Jamaica initiative go to www.dreamjamaica.org/). The Society has recently been awarded a Global Greengrants Fund grant to assist in raising awareness of climate change among Jamaican youth. The dissemination/exchange of geography research and knowledge is done through the Society’s newsletter [www.mona.uwi.edu/geoggeol/JGS/JGS.htm] and Facebook page [www.facebook.com/pages/Jamaican-Geographical-Society/185075108183139]