The Ester Boserup Thesis Prize winner for 2015 has been announced, and this little bed and breakfast in Kingston, Jamaica is celebrating!
And, the winner is, Steven Jensen! We celebrate with Steven and his wife Heidi who have both stayed here over the past two years, because the final research for his PhD-dissertation, for which he is being awarded, was done right here at Neita's Nest in 2013.
When Steven wrote to us to make his booking, he said that he was "intrigued" when he made the connections between Neita's Nest, Hartley Neita and the biographies of former prime ministers Donald Sangster and Hugh Shearer. "I found it fascinating that you had that book recommendation on your website." He went on to say that he found the book on Hugh Shearer "very helpful for my work and for my knowledge of a unique period in history."
"I am doing research on the history of international human rights during the Cold War and I have uncovered Jamaica's pivotal role in this story which starts immediately upon gaining independence in 1962. Jamaica was a driving force in the international human rights diplomacy in the 1960s and in particular the UN Ambassador Egerton Richardson was outstanding (I rank his contribution to human rights internationally as highly as Eleanor Roosevelts contribution - if not higher) because of his remarkable skills and vision and the long-lasting effect of his endeavours with full support from the Government."
The positive synergies continued from there, and during his stay we invited Professors Rupert and Maureen Lewis, as well as Hugh Small Q.C. to join him here for dinner. These informal discussions led to introductions to and/or meetings with persons integral to the research such as, the former secretary to the late Ambassador, Ms Elaine Melbourne, and to Richardson's son and daughter. They were able to provide much insight into the man, Ambassador Richardson, this quiet man who made such a mark in world history.
And, the winner is, Steven Jensen! We celebrate with Steven and his wife Heidi who have both stayed here over the past two years, because the final research for his PhD-dissertation, for which he is being awarded, was done right here at Neita's Nest in 2013.
When Steven wrote to us to make his booking, he said that he was "intrigued" when he made the connections between Neita's Nest, Hartley Neita and the biographies of former prime ministers Donald Sangster and Hugh Shearer. "I found it fascinating that you had that book recommendation on your website." He went on to say that he found the book on Hugh Shearer "very helpful for my work and for my knowledge of a unique period in history."
"I am doing research on the history of international human rights during the Cold War and I have uncovered Jamaica's pivotal role in this story which starts immediately upon gaining independence in 1962. Jamaica was a driving force in the international human rights diplomacy in the 1960s and in particular the UN Ambassador Egerton Richardson was outstanding (I rank his contribution to human rights internationally as highly as Eleanor Roosevelts contribution - if not higher) because of his remarkable skills and vision and the long-lasting effect of his endeavours with full support from the Government."
The positive synergies continued from there, and during his stay we invited Professors Rupert and Maureen Lewis, as well as Hugh Small Q.C. to join him here for dinner. These informal discussions led to introductions to and/or meetings with persons integral to the research such as, the former secretary to the late Ambassador, Ms Elaine Melbourne, and to Richardson's son and daughter. They were able to provide much insight into the man, Ambassador Richardson, this quiet man who made such a mark in world history.
The National Archives of Jamaica provided invlauabe material for Steven Jensen in the summer of 2013 as he got deeper into his research on the pivotal role played in international human rights by a newly independent Jamaica during the Cold War; the latter was the subject of his PhD thesis.
Quoting from the website of the Copenhagen Centre for Development and Research, "The Ester Boserup Thesis Prize will be awarded for the first time in 2015. It will be awarded to a brilliant PhD thesis that treats one or several issues of development dynamics, of poverty and wealth, of marginalization and political participation, and of lawlessness and justice. The thesis must be successfully defended at the University of Copenhagen in 2014."
And it was.
When Steven ended his defense, the Chairman of the Review Committee read from the written assessment of his dissertation: “The main findings of the dissertation, challenging most previous interpretations, are both bold and original. … The dissertation is clearly and well structured, …, written with verve and passion”. The Committee concludes with: “The dissertation is a valuable and impressive contribution to international historical scholarship on the evolution of international human rights norms and their codification as international law in the 20th Century… the dissertation is obviously well suitable for publication”.
Dr. Jensen has since been honoured by an invitation from Cambridge University Press to publish this body of work.
We are pleased to have facilitated the Jamaican leg of Steven's research, and are honoured to have hosted this award-winning author and his lovely wife, and singer, Heidi.
And it was.
When Steven ended his defense, the Chairman of the Review Committee read from the written assessment of his dissertation: “The main findings of the dissertation, challenging most previous interpretations, are both bold and original. … The dissertation is clearly and well structured, …, written with verve and passion”. The Committee concludes with: “The dissertation is a valuable and impressive contribution to international historical scholarship on the evolution of international human rights norms and their codification as international law in the 20th Century… the dissertation is obviously well suitable for publication”.
Dr. Jensen has since been honoured by an invitation from Cambridge University Press to publish this body of work.
We are pleased to have facilitated the Jamaican leg of Steven's research, and are honoured to have hosted this award-winning author and his lovely wife, and singer, Heidi.
