Jamaicans Abroad Have a Role to Play in the Country’s Development – GG

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Professor Kenneth Hall, has said that the Jamaican Diaspora had a significant role to play in the country’s development.
Professor Hall, who was addressing the 15th anniversary celebrations of the New York Chapter of the Ruseas Old Students’ Association (ROSA) on Saturday (Sept.16) in Queen’s, challenged nationals abroad to see themselves as more than just remitters of foreign currency to loved ones and associates back home. “It is no secret that one of the largest source of foreign exchange for the government and people of Jamaica happens to come from you, but the question is, how can you influence the policies in Jamaica?” he asked. He noted that the government and people of Jamaica had an obligation to maintain and strengthen links with the Diaspora, and the creation of the Diaspora Foundation was aimed at fostering that process.
“No Jamaican living anywhere in the world should ever feel that he or she does not have the full support and consideration of the government and people of Jamaica. You have a contribution to make in sustaining our values,” Professor Hall said.
Meanwhile, Professor Hall pointed out that Ruseas needed assistance to remain relevant in a changing world, and urged the alumni association to create the kind of linkages with the institution, which would help create a relevant curriculum and proper motivation for the student body and faculty. “I believe that that will serve as an incentive for them,” he said. A major challenge facing the 200 year-old school, the Governor-General said, was the problem of adequate housing, now considered a prerequisite for attracting and retaining quality teachers. The anniversary function included the presentation of awards to Professor Hall and Dr. Basil K. Bryan, Consul General to New York, in recognition of their outstanding service to community and country. Lisa Bryan-Smart accepted on behalf of Dr. Bryan, who was unable to attend. Members of the executive also received the president’s award for dedicated service to the association. The theme of the celebration was: ‘Honour the legacy, celebrate the future’.