The Idea Lab houses ideas, evaluating their feasibility and determining whether they are worth pursuing - an exercise that may take up to a year. The Idea Lab also includes FIPA’s Booklets, which address social issues and are dedicated to the memory of the late Honourable Ruel Henriques, O.J., King's Counsel, and former Trustee of the Farquharson Institute of Public Affairs.
IDEAS
Is it a good idea for the Trade Centre to promote
the sale of domes?
Should we build more earthquake-resistant and hurricane-resistant domes in the Caribbean? FIPA has this idea as one of the resources in the Family Centre and raised this point on Linkedin in March, 2024. Why domes?
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Domes are highly earthquake-resistant due to their unique shape, which allows for an even distribution of weight and pressure across the entire structure. This design minimizes stress on any single point, making domes inherently stronger than many other architectural forms. Additionally, their low center of gravity reduces the risk of toppling during seismic events. Another advantage is that the curved surface of domes minimizes wind resistance and reduces pressure points, decreasing the likelihood of damage, But arguably the most interesting advantage is that domes become stronger when subjected to pressure. Date of idea: March 2024.
Is it a good idea for the Mental Health Centre to hold discussions on generational trauma?
Generational trauma is not exclusive to people of African descent; it can affect any group that has experienced prolonged periods of violence and oppression. This phenomenon is often seen in communities that have endured war, colonization, or systemic persecution, where the psychological effects are passed down through generations.
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Orlando Patterson highlights that statistics suggest Jamaica’s experience of over 180 years of plantation history may have been among the most brutal in the entire transatlantic slave trade (Orlando Patterson , The Confounding Island: Jamaica and the Postcolonial Predicament [Cambridge, MA, and London: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2019]).
Although the book referenced below focuses on the American experience, the concept of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is highly relevant to the legacy of slavery in Jamaica and other parts of the African diaspora, influencing events in recent history. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, written by Dr. Joy DeGruy, examines this subject in depth. Should this concept be explored further, or is it a topic best set aside? Why? Date of idea: July 31, 2024.
Is it a good idea for the Family Centre to concentrate on issues relating to
men and boys for one year?
Today, many men and boys face a unique set of challenges that lead to a growing sense of disconnection and feeling "lost." Traditional notions of masculinity often stipulate emotional suppression and discourage the show of vulnerability. In today's world, societal expectations about what it means to be a man are changing, yet is there sufficient guidance on how to navigate this transition? And how much should this shift - could we be throwing the baby out with the bath water?
Economic instability also adds to this confusion. Furthermore, issues like mental health stigma, fatherlessness, and the declining presence of male support networks lead many men and boys to feel isolated. Addressing these concerns requires fostering spaces where men and boys can discuss masculinity and express their struggles in safe spaces. Date of idea: January 2024
Is it a good idea for CCTL to consider this question at length - "how can we ensure that critical thinking with a human touch remains central in an increasingly automated world?"
AI increasingly taking over human functions is a growing concern today, as it raises important questions about the role of humans in decision-making, creativity, and problem-solving. While AI offers significant advantages in efficiency and data processing, there is a fear that over-reliance on automation could diminish the value of human judgment, empathy, and critical thinking—skills essential for leadership and innovation. The debate centers around whether we should engage in deeper, ongoing discussions about AI’s impact on these areas, or whether it’s enough to mention the issue periodically as technology continues to evolve. Should the implications of AI be a core topic in leadership conversations, or should it remain a secondary concern that is revisited only when necessary?
The Hon Ruel Nigel Adrian (RNA) Henriques, former FIPA Trustee of blessed memory, challenged the Board of Directors to restart the tradition of publishing small books on various topics of interest and utility to guide leaders of all kinds. He reminded the Board of Directors that FIPA once published the works of a Prime Minister, Ministers of Government, and noted intellectuals, including Professor Uwe Kilzinger, who wrote “The Background to Jamaica’s Foreign Policy” published by the Farquharson Institute of Public Affairs in 1965. Uwe Kilzinger was the first British economist of the Council of Europe and the founding president of Templeton College. Oxford. He purportedly continued to take an interest in FIPA. The Hon RNA Henriques asked the Board to never forget the history of FIPA, established in 1917 to serve as a model to other British Commonwealth countries. Coming in December of this year will be FIPA's position on Violence Prevention.
