Michael Manley Essay Competitions 2003-2010

The Michael Manley Essay Competitions got under way in 2003 and have been held annually since that year, except in 2009, when an adjustment in the timetabling of the competitions resulted in judging being pushed back from the first term of the academic year (late 2009) to the second term (early 2010). The competitions are held in two categories – for secondary-level students in Jamaica and tertiary undergraduate students throughout the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Three prizes are offered in each category, but the judges from time to time have reduced the number of prizes where warranted by the standard of entries.

The panel of judges in 2010 comprised: Ms Daphne Comrie, former Principal of Kingston Technical High School (Chief); Mrs Pamela Kelly, Director of the Self-Access Learning Centre, University of Technology (UTECH); Mrs Doris Mayne, former Head of the English Department, Hillel Academy; Dr Ivy Mitchell, former Principal, Hampton High School; and Ms Schontal Moore, Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Language, Linguistics & Philosophy, University of the West Indies (Mona). Prizes for the 2010 competitions were donated by the National Housing Trust of Jamaica.  

The following have been the prizewinners over the years.

 

Secondary

Year

Subject

1st Prize

2nd Prize

3rd Prize

2003

 

No award

No award

No award


 

2004

“How can we foster a greater spirit of self-reliance in Jamaica as part of the process of nation-building?”

Shana Lee Cawley Glenmuir HS

Zakiya McKenzie St Andrew HS

No award


 

2005

“A social contract would contribute positively to Jamaica’s national development.” Discuss 

Occero Fuller Camperdown HS

Special prize to 12-year-old L’Jay Perry        Campion College

 


 

2006

“The islands of the Caribbean are perhaps the perfect example in today’s world of the effects of colonial   economics.” – Michael Manley, Jamaica: Struggle in the periphery. Discuss 

Aisha Porter-Christie            Holy Childhood High School

Alex Shirley Muschett High School

Toniann Jones      York Castle High School


 

2007

“Democracy means far more than the right to vote every five years. It means the right to participate in every aspect of national and community life. The people must believe that they can take part.”       -- Michael Manley, Retirement Broadcast, March 1992. Discuss"

Cyrina Maxwell Papine High School

Daniella Manning  Waterford High School

No award


 

2008

“In countries like Jamaica, women are becoming the best scholars and the most able and dedicated administrators, yet they continue to suffer disadvantages in terms of the law and in economic opportunity.”
-- Michael Manley, “The Poverty of Nations”. Discuss.

Donia Fuller Campion College

Elton Johnson Cornwall College

Khamal Clayton Cornwall College

 2010

 “Housing is the heartbeat of human development. All social progress begins in the home” – Michael Manley, 1975 Budget Debate

Nishi Barclay Waterford High School

Special prize –Melissa Douglas Grade 7 student, St Andrew HS

No award 

 

 

 

 

 

Tertiary Undergraduate

 

 

 

 

 

Year

Subject

1st Prize

2nd Prize

3rd Prize

2003

“How can Commonwealth Caribbean states survive under the doctrine of globalisation?” 

Jermaine McCarthy
UWI, Mona

Seyon Hanson UWI, Cave Hill

Trudy-Ann James Linton                  Edna Manley College


 

2004

“Successful Caribbean regional integration can be achieved only in the context of wider South-South cooperation.” Discuss

Latoya Richards UWI, Mona

Marlene Segre UWI, Mona

No award


 

2005

“Failure to focus on the social implications of globalisation will have serious consequences for the development of the Caribbean.” Discuss

Cindy Simon of The Bahamas         UWI, Mona

Evette Smith Inst. For Theological & Leadership Dev’ment

Devon Wilson       UWI, Mona


 

2006

“The concept of the nation state as an arena for independent economic development is becoming increasingly obsolete.” – Michael Manley, "The Poverty of Nations”. Discuss

Joel Karl Richards of St Vincent & the Grenadines
UWI, Mona

Marlon Moore UWI, Mona

Shana Lee Cawley UWI, Mona


 

2007

“Where political sovereignty has been conceded but economic power remains untouched, equality remains a myth, social justice proves unattainable and even freedom becomes an ambiguous phenomenon.”
-- Michael Manley, International Conference in Support of the Peoples of Zimbabwe & Namibia, May 1977. Discuss

Quaine Palmer UWI, Mona

Zandrea Banton UWI, Mona

No award


 

2008

"The idea of equality is the only enduring principle by which mankind may be guided in the conduct of national and international affairs. " – Michael Manley, Address to the 27th Session of the UN General Assembly

Opal Skerritt Montserrat Community College

Tanishe Wade-Meghross Shortwood Teachers College

Monique Long University of the West Indies, Mona

 2010

“Self-reliance, equality and democracy are the objectives towards which we must strive. Without these we cannot build a just society” – Michael Manley, “The Politics of Change”  

Christopher Worrell College of the Bahamas

Monique Long University of the West Indies Mona

 No award