Citizen engagement, voting behaviour & using our voices.

21/04/2025 57 min Temporada 1 Episodio 3
Citizen engagement, voting behaviour & using our voices.

Listen "Citizen engagement, voting behaviour & using our voices."

Episode Synopsis

Jeanette Calder, founder of the Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal (JAMP), reveals how Jamaicans can engage with governance beyond voting through digital tools and citizen action. She shares practical strategies for holding elected officials accountable and explains why declining voter turnout doesn't mean citizens can't influence government decisions.• JAMP provides six digital tools that give citizens information and access to decision-makers• Voting participation has fallen from 80% in the 1960s to just 29.6% in recent elections due to lack of trust and perceived ineffectiveness• Regular citizens can impact governance through call-in programs, social media, and attending Constituency Development Fund meetings• Politicians actively monitor citizen feedback—even 10 people raising the same issue gets their attention• The Access to Information Act gives every Jamaican the right to request information from government entities with a 30-day response requirement• "Don't let what you can't do stop you from doing what you can" – small actions by citizens add up to meaningful accountabilityVisit www.jamp.ja.org to access all accountability tools and learn how to engage with your government effectively.