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Positivity, compassion and a love of dogs are three things that come to mind when thinking of Emelita Robbins - and also underpin the ways in which she'd like to improve the island.
A former lawyer, Emelita is CEO of end-of-life palliative care charity Jersey Hospice, and a Governor at Victoria College - both roles demonstrating her passion for making her home a better place for all generations.
Having lived in London for much of her professional career, Emelita says she is very appreciative of the island’s special qualities and the community it supports. She told Express how she'd like to make things even more special...
It seems to be a human condition to note the negative first, and I’d love to see more people in Jersey valuing what we have. I think many of the problems we face can be flipped on their heads and that island life can offer unique solutions.
Pictured: Fort Regent could be home to a world-class sporting facility, if we only use our imagination...
In the news recently was the sale of the Waterfront complex, and lots about Fort Regent. Rather than describing it as an expensive liability, how about returning it to its glory? Why not look at developing a world-class sporting facilities such as a velodrome and an Olympic swimming pool, with an on-site hotel that could be used for training and hosting events? We could make Jersey a destination for sports tourism. We have seen the impact of bringing the Super League Triathlon to Jersey, and could capitalise on this.
We need to think big, be bold and believe in ourselves more.
I believe a good education is a privilege we should seek to bestow on all young people. Not just for their benefit, but for the huge advantages a skilled and knowledgeable workforce offers. However, I think its time to move away from an education system that places so much focus on core academic subjects and exams that require our young people to remember and regurgitate large amounts of information on paper.
Pictured: Education shouldn't be all about the academic - tech can help facilitate skills useful for life too, Emelita argues.
Technology offers us data at the touch of a screen. I’d love to see a more skills based curriculum in Jersey, one that facilitates our young people learning a greater range of life skills, from how to manage their finances and planning for the long term, to recognising that they are likely to have portfolio careers and will need to be adaptable and resilient. The importance of living, with good mental and physical health should be something everyone is supported in achieving.
A lot of new legislation has been passed in Jersey in the last decade to improve the rights of islanders, but there is still quite a long way to go.
No one would query the right of a woman to work these days. In fact, many women take the lead in managing the family’s finances and being the main earner. However married women are still obliged to obtain their husband’s permission to discuss their own tax affairs with the Income Tax Department.
Pictured: The Taxes Office has pledged to scrap its "sexist" rule for married women - Emelita wants them to get on with it.
It's time for antiquated laws like this to go.
There is a shortage of good quality affordable housing on the island. If we are to support the needs of local people, young and old, and to succeed in attracting and retaining key workers who provide essential services to our whole community we need to address this, Rather than offering low-cost homes that offer little architectural inspiration to their occupants, I’d love to see Jersey embracing innovative housing solutions.
Pictured: Emelita is calling for some 'outside the box' thinking when it comes to affordable housing.
Modular housing, for example, now offers precision-engineered, digitally designed, eco-efficient and, most importantly, affordable homes that promote living well. Wouldn’t it be great to see modern projects like this in our parishes?
We have fantastic beaches that offer wonderful dog-walking opportunities. I am a regular beach user and a dog owner.
Pictured: More opportunities for paws on the sand would be greatly appreciated by dog owner Emelita.
I’d love to see the laws requiring dogs to be kept on a lead in the summer months on the beaches relaxed, so that some beaches or sections of them remain open for free use by our seagull-chasing four-legged family members.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author, and not of Bailiwick Express.
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