Jamaicans Urged To Get Involved in Political Process in Adopted Countries

Former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. P. J. Patterson, has urged members of the Diaspora to legalise their status and get involved in the political process in their adopted countries.

This, he said, will give them a stake in the decision-making process in those countries, from which Jamaica, their homeland, could benefit.

“Continue to do even more in your adopted homes to participate in the social, economic and political life. Make your presence and influence left. The only way you can do that is to become citizens, registering to vote and voting, because that is the way in which you can exercise your full influence and it is the way in which you exercise the most fundamental right in any democracy,” he said.

Mr. Patterson was delivering the keynote address at the closing of the 6^th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay on Wednesday (June 17).

He reminded members of the Diaspora that they will not lose their Jamaican citizenship by becoming a citizen of another country.

The former Prime Minister, in his address, also called on members of the Diaspora to become brand ambassadors for the country.

He said that as brand ambassadors they will play a key role in protecting Jamaica’s image.

“You have an important role in promoting brand Jamaica as consumers, as designers, as modellers and as purveyors. We have to protect our image. We have to protect ourselves and when Jamaicans are letting us down in particular communities, we have a duty as leaders in the Diaspora to step in and tell them, that’s not what Jamaica is about,” he said.