Jonathan BurkeGraduated from the University of the West Indies in 1982 with a B.A Hons in Language Literature and Geography. He has 20 years in senior management, creating, coordinating and implementing developmental projects as well as corporate policy. He has worked as Programme Manager for UNDP, , Jamaica Violence Prevention Peace and Sustainable Development Programme: UNDP (01/ 06/08 – 31/03/11) Responsible for the implementation of the budget in excess of US$3,000,000. Working closely with the Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Justice, Dispute Resolution Foundation, Institute of Criminal Justice (University of West Indies), The Social Development Commission and other community based organisations. This program was funded by the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, UK AID (DFID); He was CEO and Founding Director of Young Americas Business Trust (Ja) Ltd. (09/06 – 06/08) YABT Jamaica is affiliated to and associated with Young Americas Business Trust, the youth arm of the Organisation of American States.

In Jamaica YABT has concentrated its efforts on the unattached youth cohort 17-35yrs. This unskilled, jobless and often illiterate group is in crisis. YABT Jamaica, partners with other concerned organisations to implement projects that provide alternative pathways of individual growth which lead to the re-absorption of the target population back into the society as functional and responsible citizens.

He was Technical Advisor on Entrepreneurship and Physical infrastructure development at the Planning Institute of Jamaica in the early stages of the Community Renewal Programme.

He has also worked as an independent Consultant for Inter American Development Bank, local and international NGOs, and the Jamaican Government. He is currently the recently appointed Project Manager for the Jeffrey Town Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction Project, in Jeffrey Town, St. Mary Jamaica.

He is the author of an award winning Children’s book about a Monkey who adapts to Climate Change by planting sweet potatoes in flower pots at the top of trees in his forest.