From left: Becky Stockhausen, executive director, the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica; U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Donald Evans, and AmCham Jamaica president, Anthony Jenkinson, at the United States Chamber of Commerce Awards event in Washington,D.C., on December 4, 2003 where AmCham Jamaica was awarded the U.S. Chamber's International American Chamber Community Service Award for 2003. - Contributed WASHINGTON, D.C.:
IN A magical 'Oscar-like envelope-opening' ceremony in Washington, D. C., The United States Chamber of Commerce, on December 5, awarded its 'International American Chamber Award for 2003' to the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AmCham-Jamaica) for its work as a catalyst in the development of a unique, community-based anti-crime programme, initiated earlier this year and funded through a significant grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). AmCham-Jamaica was selected from among the 94 AmChams in 82 countries to receive this year's award.
"We are so honoured to have received this award, but this was truly a group effort," said Anthony Jenkinson, president of AmCham-Jamaica. "We helped get the ball rolling, but we could not have done this without the grant and ongoing leadership from USAID, the help of those on Capitol Hill especially Congressman Charles Rangel and the work of the Police Executive Research Forum and so many others. We are grateful to everyone who is helping us 'Heal Jamaica'."
AmCham's anti-crime initiative began a process that eventually led to the USAID grant and the U.S. Chamber award for the Jamaicans. The unique programme began with the recognition that the negative perception of the island's crime rate was limiting economic growth on the island and among businesses that serve the island. Jamaican businesses, through AmCham Jamaica, then provided $100,000 to fund a study in 2001 of the island nation's inner-city crime, which was conducted by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) of Washington, D.C. In its final report, PERF recommended 83 ways for Jamaica to reduce its homicide rate. "The PERF Report," as the recommendations were called, provided a road map for reducing crime in Jamaica, but it quickly became clear that additional resources would be needed in order to implement the PERF Report's recommendations.
FUNDING ALTERNATIVES
Over an 18-month period, Jamaican Police Commissioner Francis Forbes and officials from AmCham-Jamaica and PERF pursued funding alternatives in consultation with various officials in Washington, D.C. They were ultimately successful in obtaining a US$3.5 million grant through USAID and the U.S. State Department's International Narcotics and Law Enforcement division.
"We are pleased to be able to help make this important programme a reality," remarked Mosina Jordan, former-Mission Director of USAID-Jamaica. "We believe strongly that this will not only serve to benefit Jamaica and its residents, but will also offer lessons in community-based crime prevention that can be applied in many other parts of the world."
This grant marks the first time USAID is assisting another country with "policing activities." Because it was the first such grant in history, new legislation was required to implement the programme. The effort on Capitol Hill was led by U.S. Representative Rangel of New York; the American Ambassador to Jamaica, Sue Cobb; and Ms. Jordan. The bill passed unanimously and was signed into law by President George Bush.
The USAID grant money is being used to provide the Jamaican Constabulary Force (JCF) with PERF training in community policing and trust-building. In addition, area businesses will fund construction of a unique police station in Grant's Pen, designed to serve as a model for other community policing programmes. The U.S. State Depart-ment is funding an additional technical advisor, to be based at JCF headquarters, to assist with the implementation of other PERF Report recommendations.
"A primary goal of these efforts is to restore the trust between law enforcement and the citizens of Jamaica a necessary component to solving and reducing crime," explained Chuck Wexler, PERF executive director. Congressman Rangel remarked: "I am so pleased that this innovative programme, as well as the American Chamber of Commerce in Jamaica, are being recognised. This is an excellent example of corporate citizenship, and I have no doubt that this effort which is supported by citizens, business, law enforcement and the governments of two nations will curb crime in Jamaica, and will ultimately serve as a model by which American companies can assist other developing countries in similar circumstances."
MEASURABLE REDUCTION
Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said the programme is a great example of a new approach to corporate citizenship for AmCham offices worldwide. "The quality of life for Jam-aicans will improve dramatically as a result of this programme," Mr. Donohue said. "It will be a safer, more pleasant place to live, and certainly the measurable reduction in crime will help the island's economy."
Each year, the U.S. Chamber's Center for Corporate Citizenship (CCC) recognises achievements of extraordinary corporate citizenship in the United States and in the overseas community where American businesses have an active presence. Awards are given to one U.S. business and one American chamber of commerce for their citizenship work in the United States, and to one U.S. company operating abroad and one international chamber, each for their programmes overseas.
"Our involvement in this initiative was launched in direct response to concerns of our member companies who advised that security costs had become their single largest expense, and was making companies operating in Jamaica unable to remain competitive in today's global marketplace. The cost of crime had an impact upon our ability to attract tourists as well as foreign, and local investment in the island," says AmCham's Executive Director, Becky Stockhausen.
The American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica was established in May 1986, in King-ston, under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America and the Association of American Chambers of Commerce of Latin America and the Caribbean. The mission of the non-profit, independent organisation is to promote investment and trade between the United States and Jamaica.
