Government Strengthens Engagement with Global Diaspora

The Government has made engagement with the diaspora a national strategic priority, as the country’s continued development relies significantly on the contributions of the global diaspora communities.

With this in mind, the Administration has strengthened the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC) and the Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council (GJDYC) to further engage members of the diaspora.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, in addressing day three (June 17) of the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, being held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James, indicated that the GJDC, in particular, has been expanded from an eight-person advisory board pre-2016 to 30 representatives currently.

“We now have Council reps from Australia, Africa, Middle East, Western Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America and, of course, our traditional areas, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom,” Mr. Terrelonge explained.

“So, it’s broad in scope, because as a Government we recognise that Jamaicans are everywhere,” he added.

The State Minister highlighted the importance of having Honorary Consuls and other officials in place to support the diaspora. This structure ensures that Jamaicans abroad receive the necessary services and remain connected to their homeland.

He added that while remittances play a major part in Jamaica’s GDP, the invaluable expertise, collaboration, and innovative thinking that diaspora members bring as “thought leaders” and “industry players” are critical to national growth.

“The 1,200 registered attendees for this conference give testament to the fact that the Government has a concerted approach, as is evidenced by our Strategic Development Plan, which lists the National Diaspora Policy as a part of that,” Mr. Terrelonge outlined.

“So again, a strategic part of [Jamaica’s] national goal and development is diaspora engagement, and I can’t thank you all enough for what you continue to do to enhance Jamaica’s growth and development,” he added.

For her part, Vice Chair of the GJDC, Dr. Shauna Chin, highlighted the Council’s efforts to deepen relationships across the globe.

She pointed out that representatives from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America have been actively working to enhance engagement with the Jamaican Diaspora in their respective regions.

Initiatives such as regional conferences and identifying trade opportunities, such as introducing Jamaican sugar to new markets in Latin America, are among the projects being undertaken in these regions, according to Dr. Chin.

“So, the idea is how we can get trade with that region to encourage trade and investment, and that’s what the Council is about. It’s about finding key persons in these regions to be able to deepen the engagement, not just with Jamaicans there but also strengthen trade,” she noted.

The 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference is being held from June 16 to 19 under the theme, ‘United for Jamaica’s Transformation: Fostering Peace, Productivity, and Youth Empowerment’.

The event brings together more than 1,200 members of the diaspora, stakeholders from various sectors, and local Jamaican leaders to explore synergistic strategies that address key challenges and harness opportunities for transformative change.