Kingston, Jamaica – As the most recent addition to the Respect Jamaica Youth Ambassador programme, Jherane Patmore believes she has found the right platform to have her voice heard.
“Respect Jamaica is a platform for youth involvement, to mould the change I would like to see for Jamaica,” remarked 21-year old Patmore. “I’ve generally been academically based and this will be a great platform through which to do advocacy.”
Entering her final year at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Patmore is the incoming president of the UWI Mona Model United Nations (UWIMUN) and unafraid to express her passion for human rights. The youngster is one of 25 ambassadors recently chosen by the Respect Jamaica programme as a voice for fighting against discrimination in Jamaica.
“I consider myself to be passionate about human rights, security issues in the Caribbean, Latin America and the Middle East,” said Patmore. “I see myself doing great things here in Jamaica.”
Since joining the Respect Jamaica’s growing network of ambassadors, Patmore has been busy brainstorming with the team, writing proposals and sharing her opinions on her increasingly popular social media channels.
“I find that in our society we don’t have conversations about human rights issues, even when they are being infringed,” she said. “Respect to me is acknowledging someone is different, it doesn’t mean you treat them differently. Treat them as you want to be treated.”
Admitting to be shy but opinionated, Patmore is looking forward to one day being even more actively involved in human rights, particularly in protecting the environment and security issues. “We need to recognize that individual success is not important if as a society we’re not successful. It’s selfish,” she added.
Respect Jamaica’s Youth Ambassador programme aims to groom 150 ambassadors island-wide in forming a collaborative network that enables youth to actively participate in social action and advocacy.
Respect Jamaica is an anti-discrimination campaign that encourages the inclusion of all people regardless of race, religion, class, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation, and/or special needs as deserving of respect. Launched in 2014, the Respect Jamaica campaign has 30 corporates on board including Jamaica National, Digicel and Digicel Foundation, Island Grill, Wisynco, Caribbean Producers Jamaica and ATL Group, among others.
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