Generation 2000

History

Generation 2000 was formed in December 1999 as a political action group seeking change in how public affairs were administrated in Jamaica.

G2K started out as a loosely affiliated group of young professionals, academics, and business people who met regularly at the home of Government Minister and JLP Deputy Leader James Robertson MP who was at the time a JLP candidate and caretaker in
St. Thomas. From these humble beginnings the group formed strong bonds and held meetings across Jamaica in an effort to connect with the Jamaican people and to hear their views on the JLP, its Party Leadership and challenges afflicting our country.

As their activities increased and the membership grew, the embryonic group moved their meetings to the office of one of their early patrons in New Kingston, Jamaica and met every Tuesday morning. Generation 2000 / G2K was officially born soon thereafter.

The First Structure

Generation 2000 was incorporated as a corporate non-profit body, with a board of Directors chaired by Dr. David Panton in the year 2000. There were sixteen directors, with Dr. Vindel Kerr acting as Executive Director. The group embarked on a period of meetings with the successful Jamaica Labour Party candidates. They then met with various interest groups throughout the country. A national youth conference was subsequently hosted at the Jamaica Conference Center.

This management structure lasted for the next two years.

Achievements of the Period

• Office established at the Belmont Road Headquarters of the Party.
• Database Centre established.
• Monthly Seminars and Town Hall meetings.
• U.S. Democratic Party consultant brought in to conduct an analysis of the organization and to proffer suggestions for the way forward for the organization.
• Public relations team created, TV and Radio Ads produced.
• Document entitled “Vision of Hope, Plan of Action” produced.
• GENERATION 2000 takes charge of a division in the successful North East St. Ann By–Election.
• US Republican Party consultant brought in to advise and assist in charting the way forward for the organization.

Change of Structure

With the approach of the 2002 General elections, the organization strategically shifted to a political structure, with a President and four Vice-Presidents. The Planning for the elections of 2002 saw the incorporation of the Polling Unit, the launch of the GENERATION 2000 campaign truck and the establishment of the first chapter of the organization, the Mona Youth League, at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.

Coming out of the 2002 General Election one of Jamaica’s leading Journalists, Cliff Hughes remarked, that G2K was one of the winners of that election in terms of the goodwill generated by our campaign, ads, debates on radio, and political work in the field.

Likewise, Tony Hart, one of Western Jamaica’s most influential persons, credited the JLP 2007 victory to the polling, analytical work, ads, and general political organization of G2K.

The "I did it my way" TV Advertisement had a tremendous impact on voters in its short life span, and so did other ads.

Dr. David Panton became the first President of Generation 2000.

Achievements of the Period

• Development of the GENERATION 2000 seminar series (broadcasted live) on Radio and Town Hall meetings.
• Provided pivotal financial and technical assistance to constituencies for the General Elections increasing membership in the House of Representatives from 12 to 26.
• Played a key role in the Development of the 2002 Manifesto of the Party.
• The Leader of the Opposition, the Most Honourable Edward Seaga in recognition makes Dr. David Panton a Senator for his and the organization’s contribution.

Change of Leadership

In November 2002 Dr. David Panton resigns from GENERATION 2000 to concentrate on his Senate and Shadow Cabinet post. Dr. Ronald Robinson succeeds him as President of GENERATION 2000. Dr. Christopher Tufton is elected General Secretary.

Achievements of the Period

• The Montego Bay Parish Chapter is launched.
• The University of Technology (UTECH) Chapter “Gentech” is launched.
• The Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Chapter launched.
• The Action News Letter is launched.
• GENERATION 2000 takes special responsibility for Trelawny in Local Government elections. Fifteen teams are sent to other Parishes. The JAMAICA LABOUR PARTY wins the elections, its first victory at the polls since 1983.
• Additional Parish committees are formed.

New Leadership

In November of 2003 Dr. Christopher Tufton is elected President of the organization. He was re-elected unopposed in November 2004, Vice Presidents included Trudy Deans, Ian Murray and Kent Gammon. Dr. Chris Tufton was appointed an Opposition Senator in June 2005.

Achievements of the Period

• Created the Generation 2000 Constitution.
• Moved from associate group to affiliate group of The Jamaica Labour Party thus securing voting rights.
• Launched the Generation 2000 online newsletter GENERATION 2000 E-News.
• Launched the Generation 2000 bi-monthly Gleaner article Generation 2000 Policy focus
• Completed study of last two General Elections.
• Establishment of Constituency Support Units in 21 critical constituencies.
• Launched Parish Chapter in St. Catherine.
• Establishment of Chapters at the College of Agriculture and Science (CASE), MICO, MONEAGUE, SHORTWOOD and BETHLEHEM Teachers’ Colleges.
• Re-launched Generation 2000 Website.
• Established research unit for shadow spokespersons.
• Launched overseas Chapters in New York and Florida.
• Established Parish steering committees in all Parishes without chapters with view to converting them to chapters in the course of the current year.

Recent Leadership

In November 2006 Warren Newby was elected President of the organization. Following the 2007 General Election, Newby was appointed Senator and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports.

Former President Dr. Christopher Tufton following the 2007 General Election was elected as Member of Parliament for South West St. Elizabeth and was appointed Minister of Agriculture.

Former Generation 2000 President Dr. Ronald Robinson was also appointed to the Senate and made Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

Dr. Ronald Robinson is also a Deputy General Secretary of the JAMAICA LABOUR PARTY.

Former Vice President Ian Murray is also a Deputy General Secretary of the JAMAICA LABOUR PARTY.

Other GENERATION 2000 trailblazers include the Hon. James Robertson, previously Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister and now Minister of Energy and Mining, MP for West St. Thomas and Deputy Leader of the JAMAICA LABOUR PARTY; Hon. Andrew Gallimore, Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and MP for West Rural St. Andrew; Hon. Michael Stern, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Investment and MP for North West Clarendon; Gregory Mair, MP for North East St. Catherine among several others.

2007 General and Local Government Elections

GENERATION 2000 played a major role in what is described by many as one of Jamaica’s more defining General Elections, which was held on September 3, 2007. The organization supported the JAMAICA LABOUR PARTY in a variety of ways ranging from political organization, polling and policy development to public relations, advertising and campaign management, attracting young people to the political process and taking part in broad range of community service and social activities.

Other achievements of this phenomenal period include:

• The election of G2K members to several Parish Councils
• The launch of chapters in Portland, Manchester and Portmore
• The development of G2K steering committees across the island
• The successful hosting of several successful Third Tuesday Forums
• The launch of the Green Juice Newsletter
• Several successful beach clean ups and other environmental initiatives
• The tremendously successful Leadership Development Program (LDP)
• Participation in the IYDU Conference in Panama City, Panama
• The renaissance of the G2K Website

Operational Guide

GENERATION 2000 operates on the Principles of the Acronym ACTION which stands for:

• Analysis and debate
• Cooperation and Tolerance
• Transparency and Accountability
• Initiative
• Organization and Structure
• National Interest first