Foreign Affairs Ministry Opens Exhibition to Launch 55th Anniversary Celebrations
By: , September 5, 2017The Key Point:
Photo: Donald De La Haye
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith (left), presents two publications commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Ministry’s establishment to Chief Executive Office of the Jamaica Information Service, Donna-Marie Rowe, during a ceremony at the Ministry’s Dominica Drive offices in New Kingston on Monday, September 4.. The ceremony was held to launch the publications and open a commemorative exhibition. In the background is Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Marcia Gilbert-Roberts.The Facts
- Members of the public are invited to view the display from Tuesday (September 5) to Friday (September 15) between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.
- Senator Johnson Smith said the exhibition will highlight the Ministry’s achievements and celebrate its partnerships with the international community through the diplomatic and consular corps and representatives of international organisations, ministries, departments and agencies, private sector and non-governmental organisations.
The Full Story
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade launched its 55th anniversary celebrations with the opening of an exhibition highlighting the entity’s achievements since 1962.
Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, and Foreign Service Officer in the Ministry’s Bilateral Relations Department, Dayton Thomas, cut the ribbon to officially launch the two-week exhibit at the Ministry’s Dominica Drive offices on Monday (September 4)
It features publications, photographs, and videos showcasing Jamaica’s diplomatic relations with the international community over 55 years.
Visitors will be able to tour the various departments and learn about their work, the role of the overseas missions, and about the bilateral partners.
Members of the public are invited to view the display from Tuesday (September 5) to Friday (September 15) between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.
In addition to the exhibit, two publications were also launched, titled ‘The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica: A Historical Perspective 1962-2017’ and ‘Policy Statements of Jamaica at the United Nations 1997-2016’.
Minister Johnson Smith said the publications provide “an invaluable source of information for all students and analysts of foreign policy as well as for the general public”.
She explained that the anniversary activities, under the theme ‘The Jamaican Foreign Service at 55: Saluting a Legacy of Distinction’, are intended to explain the role of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
She noted that members of the public do not always understand the work of the Ministry and “do not always appreciate its contribution to the achievement of national goals”.
Senator Johnson Smith said the exhibition will highlight the Ministry’s achievements and celebrate its partnerships with the international community through the diplomatic and consular corps and representatives of international organisations, ministries, departments and agencies, private sector and non-governmental organisations.
“All of you are our partners. All of you are part of our network and our success is a reflection of the dividend reaped through fruitful engagements with you,” she added.
In its 55 years of existence, the Ministry has been led by 15 Ministers, nine Ministers of State, four Parliamentary Secretaries and 16 Permanent Secretaries. Minister Johnson Smith is Jamaica’s first female Minister of Foreign Affairs, and was appointed to office in March 2016.
The Ministry had its beginnings in 1961 with the establishment of the Department of External Affairs in the Office of the Premier.
The Foreign Ministry was one of the three Departments of Government deemed essential for independent Jamaica.