Jamaica Values Contribution of Diaspora – Ambassador Saunders
By: , June 13, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Derrick Scott
Director of Diaspora And Consular Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ambassador Sharon Saunders (left), is greeted by Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore of the New York State Assembly, Jamaican-born Nick Perry (right). The occasion was the opening of the two-day Jamaica Diaspora North East Regional Conference at the Hilton New York JFK Hotel in Queens on June 10. Others sharing the moment (from 2nd left) are: Assistant Director Of Diaspora Affairs in the Ministry, Lincoln Downer; and Immediate Past President of the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations, Karlene Largie.The Facts
- Jamaica’s Acting Consul General in New York, Derrion McCreath, challenged the Diaspora to consider ways to strengthen their contribution to education, including sharing best practices.
- The conference was held under the theme: ‘Building a United Diaspora for Growth and Prosperity in Jamaica’.
The Full Story
Jamaicans in the Diaspora have received high praise for their decades of solid contribution to the development of the country.
Director of Diaspora and Consular Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ambassador Sharon Saunders, said the Government values the “commitment, loyalty, patriotism, sheer hard work and accomplishments” of overseas nationals.
Ambassador Saunders, who was delivering the keynote address at the opening of the Jamaica Diaspora North East United States Regional Conference in Queens New York on June 10, pointed out that the input of the Diaspora is integral to the country’s sustained progress.
She urged them to continue to partner with the Foreign Ministry “to strategise and initiate, to develop and innovate, and grow our people and our nation.”
“We, in Jamaica, do tend to listen to you members of the Diaspora very keenly as you hold the key with which you can unlock and help us to shape our future. There is a universe of possibilities for the Diaspora partnership and value to be derived from the relationship,” she pointed out.
Ambassador Saunders said that integral to the process is strong and dynamic engagement and involvement with younger Jamaicans, as they are the future leaders and shapers of the country.
Jamaica’s Acting Consul General in New York, Derrion McCreath, challenged the Diaspora to consider ways to strengthen their contribution to education, including sharing best practices.
Mr. McCreath urged the delegates to seek to tap into the knowledge and technical expertise in the Diaspora in order to explore new markets for Jamaican businesses.
The conference was held under the theme: ‘Building a United Diaspora for Growth and Prosperity in Jamaica’.
The event brought together Jamaicans residing in New York, New Jersey, Boston, Rhode Island, Philadelphia, Delaware, Baltimore, Washington DC and Virginia.
Over the two days, the participants discussed topics relating to Diaspora voting, trade and investment, public safety, immigration and deportation, the role of the youth, healthcare and education.