May 10, 2012
With some powerful partners, JAMPRO is on a mission to showcase young tech talent and get them working. The springboard is an innovative three-day event, Digital Jam 2.0 on June 28—30, 2012, at the Jamaica Conference Centre, Kingston.
Under the theme “The Future of Work is Online”, Digital Jam 2.0, seeks to empower Jamaican youth ages 13 to 35 years, by creating awareness, and work opportunities in ICT and the virtual space.
The forum is a collaborative effort of the Government of Jamaica, The World Bank, LIME, FLOW, Jamaican private sector ICT companies and international development partners. It will feature seminars, a 24-hour Hackathon (or coding competition), an apps competition, and and a Job Fair aimed at connecting business and youth. The job fair is expected to be one of the event’s key attractions.
Digital JAM 2.0 was officially launched Tuesday, May 8, at the Office of the Prime Minister by Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna. She said her ministry is developing new and creative initiatives to drive young people’s understanding that Jamaica is now competing with larger manufacturing countries in the global market.
Other speaking at the launch included Senior Development Specialist at the World Bank Fabio Pittaluga, Director for Sustainable Development at the World Bank Ede Jorge Vasquez, and FLOW’s President and COO Michelle English.