NDTC dancers

Preparations are in earnest for the 60th anniversary season of the National Dance Theater Company of Jamaica (NDTC).

The season which will run over four weekends (Friday to Sunday) from July 22 to August 14 — will showcase works from the group’s repertoire over the past six decades as well as new works specially choreographed for the commemorative year.

Artistic director Marlon Simms told the Jamaica Observer that patrons will be excited by the old favorites which have been revived for this signal anniversary, as well as new works which represent the growth and continuity of the company, co-founded by Rex Nettleford and Eddy Thomas in 1962, the year Jamaica gained independence from Great Britain.

“The preparations and rehearsals are intense at this time. Having been off the stage at this level for the past two years due to the pandemic means that there is a level of relaxation among the members of the company, which is understandable. So I have to meet them where they are, and encourage them to get to desired levels, because the truth is there has been no need to demand this level of rigor on their bodies over the past two years. We have to awaken the spirit and get them to that level,” Simms shared.

The cycle of procrastination

We have all struggled with procrastination in one way or another, whether it is putting off important work or delaying simple tasks around the house. We are all guilty of it, we even try to compensate for it by saying everybody does it. Procrastination can get to the point where it can pigeonhole someone into a very unsuccessful life. This can happen because people are unmotivated to move forward, and they eventually give up on their dreams. Here are five ways procrastination ruins your quality of life and some hacks on how to stop procrastinating.

Goals Become Hard to Achieve.

The human body prefers a state of comfort, that is why every time someone sets out to achieve a task whether personally or professionally there is a feeling to remain neutral. Procrastination makes it hard to achieve short-term and long-term goals, which reduces the possibility of people getting a better life for themselves.

• First, find out the reason you procrastinate.
• Then break down goals into achievable objectives which are easier to complete.

Procrastination causes you to lose time.

The future of innovation

Over the last decade, the respective governments have pushed vision 2030. Which is to make Jamaica the place to live, work , raise families and do business. While this is an idyllic situation, little effort has been put into making this dream a reality. Which begs the question, is this only a dream fed to the masses to sound progressive by the respective governments? The novel coronavirus forced us to adapt to new changes and while some progress was made, it was done in haste and more improvements need to be made. For real change to happen, the government must emphasize personal development in the form of different skills that can then be translated to make vision 2030 a reality. If safe environments are created to facilitate and foster these skills, vision 2030 may be a reality.

Commendations must also go to the government for trying to create some training programs like (HEART/Trust NTA) to teach youths a certain skill set, but most of the skills worth getting are micro-skills or soft skills. If they can master these skills, the big skills will be easier to conquer and will also create innovators that will drive the country forward. Here is a top ten (10) run down of the different skills needed to win in the 21st century. Communication skills: Learning how to communicate effectively with others.

For effective communication to take place, the information being transmitted must be understood and the communication being made must be clear. Imagine having a good idea but because of poor communication skills, you are not understood. This effective communication must be pushed as an important skill set to possess. 

* Learn to lead: Learn to get people excited about an idea. As the adage goes, the 'future belongs to the brave'.

 The future is going to need leaders who get people excited about an idea and lead them forward. For change to happen, people must be taught how to lead, which can pave the way for innovation to happen. 

Members of the Pan African Roots Synergy Delegation

The Summit was spearheaded by the Organizing & Planning Committee of the Roundtable: Professor Dr. David Horne, President of the Sixth Region Diaspora Caucus (SRDC), Archbishop Dr. Chidiebere Anelechi Ogbu, President of The African Diaspora Union (AFRIDU) and Mrs. Grace Abena James, “Right To Return Alliance” along with the representation of various Pan-African organizations and AFRICORA/SOAD represented by VPM Keturah Amoako and the SOAD members resident in Ethiopia discussed and deliberated for 4 days the Diaspora Declaration of 2012 ratified by the AU Heads of State.

At the end of the 4 days, two documents were produced in response to the Diaspora Declaration which will be submitted to the relevant AU organs, more particularly, CIDO and ECOSOCC.

These documents can be read here:-

1. THE ADDIS ABABA MAY25th_2022 DECLARATION RESOLUTION MB
2. THE ADDIS ABEBA MAY25th_2022 TEN YEARS AFTER SUMMARY AGREEMENTS MB

The Roundtable Committee and all organizations represented are hopeful that CIDO and ECOSOCC will act upon the recommendations and necessary actions as detailed in the documentation to ensure greater involvement, participation, and representation of 6th Region Pan-African organizations, NGOs, and entities to fully integrate within the organs of the AU and to ensure that the 6th Region will have a permanent and consistent presence at the AU table.