PIOJ Annual Report 2005 - Planning Institute of Jamaica

R E P O R T 2 0 0 5
Social Policy,
Planning and
Research
DR. PAULINE KNIGHT – Director
“
Included in the main thrust of the activities
for the year were initial steps to
extend the Social Safety Net to actively
seek to make families on welfare
economically independent; organizing
and overseeing an audit of the vital
statistics system in Jamaica . . .
”
The Division continued to focus on contributing to the
development of social policy and on the planning,
coordinating and monitoring of related programmes
and projects. In addition, emphasis was placed on providing
information through the conduct of research and
analysis with associated presentations and publications.
Included in the main thrust of the activities for the year
were initial steps to extend the Social Safety Net to actively
seek to make families on welfare economically independent;
organizing and overseeing an audit of the vital statistics
system in Jamaica; and the laying of groundwork for
implementation of a project to strengthen national capacity
in sophisticated social analysis. Among the highlights
were the hosting of a Poverty Seminar and launches of
reports on parenting and on the impact of the incarceration
of women on themselves and their families.
Five Units undertake the several responsibilities of the
Division, namely: Human Development; Population
Planning; Social Development and Gender; Social
Security and Welfare; and Policy Research. Areas covered
include health, education, training, poverty reduction,
security, justice, community development and the labour
market. Special attention is devoted to particular population
groups such as children, youth and the elderly, with
focus placed on gender and population planning issues.
The strategic approach utilized by the Division in discharging
its mandate in these areas involves:
i. maintaining a close ongoing relationship with implementing
agencies and donor/lender community,
thereby facilitating effective coordination and monitoring
of programmes and projects;
ii. conducting research studies and data collection on a
regular basis, including providing support for research
done by other agencies, so as to promote evidencebased
policy and programme development;
iii. collaborating with relevant bodies in the design/formulation
of policies and programmes; and
iv. interfacing with Cabinet to provide policy advice, as
necessary.
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