Celebrating Jamaica's Best

THE WEEKLY GLEANER | JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | I24 FOUNDED IN 1955, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has positioned the Caribbean island as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. JTB CANADA plays a critical role in the development and promotion of the island’s tourism industry. The organisation engages travel media and industry partners to provide valuable destination resources while supporting local diaspora groups through its work with the Jamaican Canadian Association, Jamaican Alumni Associations, and Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation. In 2020, JTB expanded its reach even further by launching JAMAICA, Heartbeat of the World, a vibrant new brand campaign that puts Jamaica at the centre of global culture. Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) Members of the Jamaica Tourist Board Canada team. CONTRIBUTED T HE JAMAICA Customs Agency stands proud with our fellow Jamaicans at home and across the diaspora, in celebrating and recognising Jamaica’s 58th year of Independence. We are cognisant that trade matters, border security matters, economic growth matters, and the preservation of our independence matter. Jamaica Customs is uniquely positioned as a symbol of Jamaica’s sovereignty through its mission-critical mandates of trade facilitation, border protection and revenue collection, thus safeguarding, sustaining and increasing Jamaica’s economic competitiveness and fiscal independence for national development and advancement. As an important agency in Jamaica, we remain committed to our motto ‘Country above self’. Velma Ricketts Walker, CEO/commissioner, Jamaica Customs Agency. Jamaica standing proud as a sovereign state The first ever National Independence Celebrations. AUGUST 6 - 8, 2020 JAMAICAN CANADIANS COAST TO COAST Events will be broadcasted on platform at www.jcccgroup.ca For more information email: jcccindependence2020@gmail.com This virtual celebration will feature events in eight Canadian cities. • Jamaican Cultural Association of Nova Scotia (JCANS) • Jamaica Association of Montreal Foundation • Jamaica Association of Montreal Inc. • Jamaican (Ottawa) Community Association Inc. (JOCA) • Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA - Toronto) • Windsor West Indian Association (Caribbean Centre) • Jamaican Association of Manitoba • The Jamaican Canadian Cultural Association of British Columbia (JCCABC) • Jamaican Canadian Association Alberta (Calgary) The highlights of the event are as follows: • Opening ceremony with messages from the heads of Jamaican and Canadian Government • Virtual curated tour of the Canadian Museum of Immigration - Pier 21 Halifax to celebrate the arrival of the Maroons – Jamaican/Nova Scotian Connections: from the Maroons to the Present Day • A celebration of Jimmy Cliff the Harder they Come Movie - Jamaica’s very first feature-length film • Tribute to the trailblazers – A discussion with Senior Jamaican Canadians who lived in Canada in the 1960’s • Cultural Edutainment for Children • Jamaican cooking demonstrations and • A journey through the history of Jamaican Music from – Ska, Mento, Rock Steady into Dance Hall INDEPENDENCE FEATURE J L 30 - A T 30,