Increased Diaspora Youth Engagement Being Prioritised by State Minister Alando Terrelonge

Increased engagement with youth in Jamaica’s Diaspora is being prioritised by newly appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge.

He says this undertaking will be pursued as it relates to “growth and investment in Jamaica.”

“For them, we want Jamaica to be more than the home of their grandparents or their great-grandparents, more than the island of sun and sea and fun. We also want them to recognise that Jamaica is a place of great investment,” Mr. Terrelonge said.

He was speaking during a question-and-answer session at the United Kingdom (UK) Jamaica Diaspora Conference, held on Saturday (June 24) at the University of Brunel in London.

Mr. Terrelonge used the occasion to encourage Diasporans to invest in Jamaica.

“Business in Jamaica is at an all-time high, from [the perspective of] increased use of technology, with reduced unemployment. Also, when you look at the real estate market, it is a market that has been realising profits for investors in excess of 200 percent,” he said.

“So we want young Jamaican Britons to understand that you can come home, you can invest in the stock market. Jamaica has one of the best performing stock markets in the world,” the State Minister added.

Mr. Terrelonge advised that he will be reaching out to Diasporans in “uncharted areas”, citing countries in regions such as Africa and Latin America where he said there are many Jamaicans residing.

“Brand Jamaica is of global importance and the more we reach out and empower the Diaspora, the more the Diaspora can help to empower growth and development in Jamaica,” he added.

The Conference, held under the theme ‘Legacy Beyond Jamaica’, featured  discussions on strategies focused on sustaining the Jamaican identity across generations in Britain, as well as the island’s transition to a Republic.

It was attended by members of civil society, the academia, community leaders, the private sector and representatives of the Global Diaspora Council and the Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council.

In addition to the Conference, Mr. Terrelonge was involved in activities commemorating the Windrush 75^th Anniversary.

Mr. Terrelonge’s visit to the UK, from June 21-24, was his first since being reassigned to the Foreign Affairs Ministry as State Minister with responsibility for Diaspora Affairs.