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Launch of Sexual Harassment and Disability Policies (Speaking Notes)

Welcome everyone to this historic occasion as we launch our sexual harassment and disability policies.

Some persons might wonder why is the UDC emphasising these softer activities given our largely technical role as government’s leading urban and rural development planning agency.

SPEAKING NOTES – SENATOR K.D KNIGHT , OJ, QC, BOARD CHAIRMAN

Salutations

Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, Minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for information and our guest speaker

Senator Floyd Morris, President of the Senate

Hon. Derrick Kellier, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Agriculture and Fisheries

Her worship the Mayor Councillor Senator Angela Brown Burke – Kingston and St Andrew Corporation

Robert Hill, Town Clerk, KSAC

Alison Mclean, Principal Director, Bureau of Women’s Affairs

Christopher Williams, Chairman, Jamaica Association for the Deaf

Lola Marson, Executive Director, Jamaica Society for the Blind

Leo Osbourne, President of National Workers’ Union

Members of the UDC Board of Directors

Members of Staff of the UDC

The Media Fraternity

Welcome everyone to this historic occasion as we launch our sexual harassment and disability policies.

Some persons might wonder why is the UDC emphasising these softer activities given our largely technical role as government’s leading urban and rural development planning agency.

The truth is that we have always believed that people are at the heart of development and everything revolves around ensuring that we create and maintain harmonious environments that facilitate excellence.

It is critical therefore that our staff members who are the engines of the corporation be allowed to work in an environment that releases their full potential and not debilitate their functions.

Only the board of the UDC can provide leadership in this regard and ensure that the relevant policies are in place that will promote professional growth and development.

I wish to remind everyone of our corporate values and philosophy which state – the UDC believes in people and we see ourselves as an organization of people serving people. We are committed to making development happen for the people of Jamaica while nurturing a culture which values both our internal and external customers and is sensitive to their needs.

Since assuming the chairmanship of the UDC board in 2012, I have met some hard working and professional people who are truly dedicated to our goals and mission as a corporation. I believe that it is the combination of their efforts with the board and executive leadership that we have had unparalled success in divesting various assets including the Jamintel building, the Oceana Hotel, the Forum Hotel, the creation of the new forum fishing village, the leasing of the Victoria Pier building, the completion of the Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre and many other successful ventures.

I must interject here that it was only last week that I had the pleasure of participating in the launch of the Bayfront Villas, the development taking place on the old forum location.  Viewing the model units on display confirmed for me that the UDC is on the right path, and through the divestment of the forum asset is beginning to impact the socio economic fabric of our nation.

We can only continue to build on the tremendous goodwill and reputational credibility of the UDC from henceforth, and the launch of policies such as these, which will further empower the staff to give of their best. As the latest street lingo says, ‘up, up up’. Let us take this as our theme going forward and let us indeed ‘turn up the thing’

I thank everyone for joining us today and look forward to the keynote address from Minister Sandrea Falconer and words of encouragement from our other specially invited guests.

Thank you.