Student artwork to feature on the cover of Jamaica’s UN Review

Students across Jamaica have contributed their artistic talents to the nation’s sustainable-development efforts through the Jamaica’s Young Voices: SDG Creative Expression Competition, a partnership between the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and e-Learning Jamaica.

One of the winning pieces will appear on the cover of Jamaica’s third Voluntary National Review (VNR) to the United Nations this July – a notable moment for youth involvement in national development reporting.

The competition’s winners were Bryce Wilson of Campion College, who topped the lower-secondary cover design challenge; upper-secondary story winner Haley Clarke of York Castle High; and primary-level winner Nadisha Byfield of Christel House. The winning students received laptops from e-Learning Jamaica along with trophies, certificates and gift vouchers from Kingston Bookshop. Their teachers were also recognised with gift baskets for their guidance.

The competition attracted 31 entries from students across the island, including a submission from Dayanna Jackson, a student of the Lister Mair Gilby School for the Deaf.

Launched in September 2025, the competition invited students from grades four to 13 to interpret the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through art and creative writing. Their submissions offered candid reflections on resilience, equality, innovation and their vision for the future.

At a recognition ceremony in Kingston on March 19, PIOJ Director General Dr Wayne Henry described the initiative as a meaningful expression of inclusive development.

“When Jamaica presents its VNR at the UN High-Level Political Forum in July 2026, the first image that all will see will be a vision of sustainability created by young Jamaican students. Additionally, excerpts from winning creative writing submissions will be featured throughout the report, ensuring that youth voices are woven into Jamaica’s account of its development challenges and aspirations,” Henry said.

The ceremony also underscored the difficulties schools have faced since Hurricane Melissa, which caused extensive infrastructural damage, connectivity challenges, and prolonged disruption to teaching.

Andrew Lee, chief executive officer of e-Learning Jamaica, praised students’ resilience and outlined the agency’s work to shore up the education system.

“Consistent with Goal Nine, we’re also building resilience, resilience in our technology infrastructure. Since Hurricane Melissa, we’ve been providing schools with resilient satellite broadband internet connectivity,” Lee said.

He added that the organisation would equip 150 schools in the affected parishes with Starlink satellite devices by the end of March, with a further 150 planned for the next fiscal year.

“What’s more, e-Learning Jamaica will be providing matching solar-powered electricity to these schools, helping to ensure that teaching and learning can continue even after severe weather events.”