The Intersection of Gender, Culture and Education: Jamaica: The Next 50 Years!

“The horror of the extermination of millions of Jewish people and others of different faiths during those years must never be forgotten or denied.”- Pope Francis. The Holocaust is arguably one the darkest chapters in human history. The horrors and atrocities committed against the Jews during the 1940’s were unspeakable. Oftentimes, we speak of the terror of the Holocaust; however, we must also acknowledge the heroism of many who risked their own lives to save the lives of many Jews. January 27, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp by Soviet troops. Over one million people were murdered in this vast complex alone, most of them Jews. The date also commemorates the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust . The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) each year joins the international community in paying tribute to the memory of th...

“AI offers major opportunities, provided that its deployment in schools is guided by clear ethical principles. To reach its full potential, this technology must complement the human and social dimensions of learning, rather than replace them.”- Audrey Azoulay- Director General UNESCO. Despite the pronouncement from the United Nations regarding education being a human right; a significant number of students globally do not live this reality. Education offers children an opportunity out of poverty and a promising future. Unfortunately, about 244 million children and adolescents around the world are out of school; 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math; less than 40% of girls in sub-Saharan Africa complete lower secondary school and some four million children and youth refugees are out of school. The United Nations adds that their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable. Unfortunately, inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelon...

“Already the regularity of its motion promises the most conclusive results. One collects numbers that, compared with the predictions of theory, permit one to appreciate how far the true pendulum approximates or differs from the abstract system called 'the simple pendulum.”- Leon Foucault. Most of us probably know the Earth rotates on an almost-vertical axis every 24 hours, which gives us one Earth day. Yet, this basic knowledge was not always so unquestionable. As far back as 470 BCE, ancient Greeks speculated the Earth itself moves. In 1851, French physicist Leon Foucault demonstrated how our planet rotates using his now-famous pendulum. Foucault first conducted his pendulum experiment in the Paris Observatory, then the Panthéon, where it remains an impressive centerpiece today. January 8 is recognized as Earth's Rotation Day annually. This important day is a reminder that the Earth spins on its axis, which is why we have day and night. This day is a great time to learn abo...

“Wherever there are birds, there is hope.”- Mehmet Murat Ildan. Birds have always held a special place in our hearts. According to Born Free USA , nearly 12 percent of the world's almost 10,000 bird species are in danger of extinction. Regrettably, each year, millions of birds are captured from the wild or produced in captivity for commercial profit or human amusement, only to waste away in conditions that fail to meet the instinctive behavioral and physical needs of these wild animals. National Bird Day , celebrated on January 5 each year, is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of birds in our ecosystems and their conservation. The day encourages people to appreciate the beauty, diversity, and significance of birds while promoting efforts to protect their habitats. National Bird Day was first established in 2002 by the Avian Welfare Coalition. The day not only draws attention to the pressing issues of bird extinction and habitat destruction but also encoura...

"Reading Braille really is important. I mean, we can listen, hear things being said. But to be able to have the privacy of only your fingers and your mind being able to know what's going on, it's a good thing".- Stevie Wonder. It is estimated that 1 billion people live with some form of disability. Unfortunately, these individuals are less likely to access health care, education, employment and to participate in their community. Such persons are more likely to live in poverty, experience higher rates of violence, neglect and abuse, and are among the most marginalized in any society. For the visually impaired, life can be rather restricted given that there is limited access to information. This reality oftentimes leads to isolation and depression. World Braille Day is a reminder of the importance of accessibility and independence for people who are blind or visually impaired. World Braille Day has been observed since 2019 on January 4. The United Nations Convention...

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”- World Health Organization. Wellness oftentimes takes a fractional approach and this is problematic. The narrative regarding wellness must be viewed in holistic terms in order to achieve wholesome wellness. It is only when a wholesome strategy is taken that we can achieve comprehensive access to well-being. On January 3rd, the global community observes International Mind-Body Wellness Day. The day is set aside to recognize the profound connection between mental and physical well-being. The celebration of this day provides an opportunity to raise awareness and promote a holistic approach to well-being, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy mind and body. Oftentimes there is a disconnect between the mind and body. However, the mind and body share a profound and reciprocal influence. Recent research highlights the essential connection, emphasizing th...

“Today’s science fiction is tomorrow’s science fact.”- Isaac Asimov. Many of us live in a world of escapism. This fictional space is necessary to counter the stress and toxicity of everyday life. When it comes to fiction writing, the stories are only limited by one’s imagination. Regardless of your taste in fiction stories chances are a few of them involve some sort of science fiction topics. The word fiction is described as literature created from the imagination, not presented as fact, though it may be based on a true story or situation. Types of literature in the fiction genre include the novel, short story, and novella. The word is from the Latin fictiō, “the act of making, fashioning, or molding.” Science fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that explores the effects of scientific discoveries, technological innovations, natural events, and evolution on people and their relationships. It is often set in the future and typically deals with imaginative concepts such as space e...