Gov’t Committed to Deepening Diaspora Engagement

The Government is committed to deepening diaspora engagement, says State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge.  

Speaking during the virtual discussion forum, ‘Let’s Connect with Ambassador Marks’, on Thursday (January 25), Mr. Terrelonge thanked members of the diaspora for their contributions to Jamaica in the form of their wealth of knowledge, skills, expertise and resources.

“As a Government, certainly our vision extends beyond the borders, as evidenced by an all-encompassing, family-oriented National Diaspora Policy that we have. We see the Jamaican diaspora members as ambassadors of our culture. They have certainly been resilient and the very embodiment of innovation and creativity,” he said.

The Policy provides the framework for enhancing the principle of mutuality between Jamaica and the diaspora.

It is aligned with the goals articulated in the National Development Plan, Vision 2030 Jamaica, which aims to create a framework for Jamaica to achieve developed country status.  

Mr. Terrelonge pointed out that four successive and successful Jamaica Regional Diaspora Conferences have been held in the United Kingdom, Canada, Africa, and Paris, France, which gave members opportunities to discuss issues directly.

He advised that the 10th Jamaica Biennial Conference will be held from June 16 to 19 in Montego Bay, St. James.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all members from across the United States and the extended diaspora coming back to Jamaica where we can have that sort of physical interface. Of course, our Prime Minister [the Most Hon. Andrew Holness] will be there… Minister [of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon.] Kamina Johnson Smith, other leaders of Government and the private-sector business interests, they’ll also be there,” he detailed.

Mr. Terrelonge shared that the conference will give members of the diaspora a chance to look at concerns they have related to crime, corruption, and violence, among other issues.  

He informed that the primary mission of Prime Minister Holness for 2024 and beyond is more peace and productivity.  

“[For] the Diaspora conference coming up in June, the key focus is peace, which would include security and citizen safety, as well, and productivity, which is wealth creation and employment. So these are some of the topics that we’ll be looking at,” Mr. Terrelonge stated.