Veteran Jamaican journalist, civic leader and tourism advocate Janet Silvera has been selected to deliver three lectures aboard the 163rd Voyage of the Peace Boat, making her the only Jamaican among an international roster of speakers participating in the organisation’s global educational programme.

Silvera, chairman of Women of Western Jamaica (WOWJa) and a longtime writer with The Gleaner, will join academics, authors, journalists, filmmakers, musicians and social advocates from countries including Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Canada, the Netherlands and Mauritius.

Her selection follows the participation of Jamaica’s former Ambassador to Japan Shorna-Kay Richards, who delivered presentations on peacebuilding and nuclear disarmament in 2025, making Silvera only the second Jamaican invited to lecture aboard the vessel within the past year.

During the June 11–16 voyage, Silvera will lead sessions on Women and Youth Empowerment, Tourism as an Economic Powerhouse, and The Evolution of Jamaican Music and Its Global Influence.

The presentations will highlight Jamaica’s contributions to global discussions on resilience, entrepreneurship, innovation and cultural influence, while offering participants insights into the country’s social and economic development.

“This is a tremendous honour, not only for me personally but for Jamaica,” Silvera said.

“To have the opportunity to share Jamaica’s story with an international audience from diverse cultures and backgrounds is something I deeply value. Our country has much to teach the world about resilience, creativity, entrepreneurship and the transformative power of culture,” she said.

Founded in Japan, Peace Boat is an international non-governmental organisation that promotes peace, human rights, sustainability and intercultural understanding through global voyages and educational exchanges. Its speaker programme regularly features leading voices from academia, media, public policy, the arts and civil society.

A former marketing officer with the Jamaica Tourist Board and one of the country’s most respected tourism journalists, Silvera has spent nearly four decades covering tourism, business, community development and social transformation. Through WOWJa and initiatives such as the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run, she has championed programmes supporting women, youth and education.

Her tourism presentation will examine Jamaica’s rise as a premier global destination and the sector’s role as a key driver of employment, foreign exchange earnings and national development. Another lecture will explore Jamaica’s far-reaching cultural impact through ska, rocksteady, reggae and dancehall, while her empowerment session will focus on expanding opportunities for women and young people in developing societies.

The 163rd Voyage of the Peace Boat will travel to destinations across the globe, fostering dialogue, cultural exchange and collaboration among participants committed to building a more peaceful, sustainable and inclusive world.