In the wake of the recent violence in West Kingston one organisation is already looking at trying to encourage the youth of Jamaica to channel their feelings and passions in a more positive direction.

Manifesto/Jamaica is a non-profit organization with a mission statement that declares they are "dedicated to youth empowerment and nation building through the Arts and Culture." Their aim is also to provide a platform for exposing Jamaica’s talented artists and culture agents, facilitate knowledge transfer and creative support for these artists and agents, energize and unite the practitioners and proponents of the creative industries and develop nation-building strategies through these creative industries. All this and the fact that the executive board are all below 30-years-old makes it truly a For Youth, By Youth initiative.

Many youths, not just in Kingston but right across Jamaica, are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the country’s status quo and with feelings that it is becoming harder for them to focus on the positive movements happening around them, Manifesto|Jamaica is trying change this mind thought and show the creative young people of today that their artistic calling can indeed be translated into a worthy and viable profession, especially in an ever evolving economic climate. With this achieved they then want to encourage and build confidence so that they can advance and find employment within creative industries and see that these types of profession need not be frowned upon or ridiculed; but that practitioners in this blossoming sector are to be seen as vital for the maintenance of a healthy society.

As part of their growing campaign and to help build awareness to their work Manifesto|Jamaica are staging the Festival of ART’ical Empowerment between 14th and 17th October 2010. The organization plans for all types of artists from all types of art forms to converge for this 4-day festival where there will be many exhibitions, dance competitions, film screenings, cooking showcases, live musical performances, workshops and soul-healing exercises at various venues across Kingston and Saint Andrew.

According to Lesley-Ann Welsh, one of the festival producers and one of its directors, “The power of the arts and culture to effect change is undeniable. Jamaica is a creative and cultural super power and its time we harness that energy and be the change we wish to see. There are many talented youth in Jamrock and we intend to empower them to pursue their crafts with passion and pride.”

For more information on the organization you can visit their website : www.manifestojamaica.com
Or join them networking via www.twitter.com/ManifestoJA and www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=110696965634949.