Jamaica and the Jamaican
Diaspora
By Delano Franklyn
Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
Whatever their initial reasons for departing Jamaica the vast majority
of Jamaicans abroad have never forgotten their roots. This is manifested
in the numerous charitable initiatives which are undertaken every
year, either individually or collectively, by a number of Jamaicans
to help relieve pressing social needs in Jamaica. The existing connection
is also manifested in the increase in the flow of remittances to
Jamaica. Many Jamaicans abroad also remain exceedingly proud of
their roots because of Jamaica's outstanding performance on the
international stage - whether in the area of sports, music or academic
performance.
While acknowledging the continued love for Jamaica by Jamaicans
living abroad, and the connections which currently exist, it is
generally agreed by all that much more can be done to move the relationship
to even greater and more exciting possibilities.
In doing so however, we must be mindful of the observation which
was noted in 1992 by the Report of the West Indian Commission, entitled
Time for Action;
"Lest it be thought that our interest in the Diaspora is purely
mercenary, we must also find better organised, more systematic,
ways of involving ourselves in the problems they face in their new
homes … We must represent our interest in the well-being of
our people at the highest levels and whenever required. We must
treat these men and women and children of the Diaspora as West Indians
all, far from home but close at heart". [pp.26-27]
This point must not be underestimated. Many persons in the Jamaican
overseas community are of the view that they are remembered only
when there is a crisis in the country and the country is in need
of assistance. Others are also of the view that the overseas community
is now receiving greater attention because of the increase in remittance
flow to the country.
I remember well a number of panelists, including Sir Bill Morris,
making the point at a Symposium at the University of the West Indies
in October 2003, that Jamaican leaders, be they from the public
or private sectors, must not only focus on the opportunities for
investments and greater remittances when interfacing with the overseas
community, but must also explain how they intend to make the bureaucracy
much more 'overseas friendly'. The panelist pinpointed as examples,
access to Jamaican passports, customs regulations, the postal system,
access to land titles, as well as access to death and birth certificates.
As Bill Morris said, 'once you recognise that these are some of
our main challenges and they are dealt with, investments will flow
into Jamaica with greater ease.'
Therefore, if we are not to be perceived as mercenaries, it is
incumbent upon us to address some of the daily frustrations experienced
by members of the overseas community. It is also important for us
to point out not just what the overseas community can do for us
but what we are prepared to do for that community.
Efforts to Strengthen Links
While recognising the need to strengthen the links between Jamaicans
at home and abroad, it must be pointed out that the Jamaican Government
has sought over the years to encourage a systematic and coordinated
approach to the relationship with the Jamaican's overseas community.
An overview of the Government's efforts in this regard will show;
- That overseas Missions have continuously played a very significant
role in encouraging the Jamaican community overseas to activity
support the Government's development programmes, including support
for trade and investments.
- As a matter of policy, members of the Government when on official
business abroad, would use the opportunity to engage in community
meetings.
- In 1993 Ministry Paper # 2 entitled the Charter for Long-Term
Returning Residents was tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister
Patterson authorising the establishment of the Returning Residents
Facilitation Unit (RRFU) with responsibility for the administration
of the Returning Residents Programme.
- In 1998, the Cabinet decided that the RRFU should be changed
to the Jamaicans Overseas Department (JOD). The JOD, based in
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade seeks to promote
and protect the interest of Jamaicans overseas.
The issue of the relationship between the overseas community and
Jamaicans at home came up formally for discussion in the Upper House
of Parliament in November 1998 when Senator Trevor Munroe tabled
a motion for debate. The motion called for (a) the recognition of
the positive role of overseas Jamaicans in Jamaica's survival and
development, (b) to convene a conference or consultation of overseas
and resident Jamaican's and (c) for such a conference to consider
the appropriateness of a dedicated Minister or Ministry to the issues
facing overseas Jamaican's and returning resident communities.
The motion was extensively debated and unanimously adopted by the
Senate.
Series of Dialogue
Despite these efforts to forge a greater relationship between Jamaica
and the Diaspora, there has never really been a 'coming together'
of members of the Jamaican Diaspora to discuss how the relationship
can be strengthened, except for a series of dialogue which took
place throughout the United States, Canada and Europe between January
to June 1999.
That 'series of dialogue,' conceptualised by Jamaican Glen Gilpin
of Gilpin Associates Inc. and sponsored by the Jamaica National
Guild and the National Association of Jamaicans and Supportive Organisations
(NAJASO) had as its objectives;
- To promote the concepts of Sustainable Development in
Jamaica emphasising how Jamaicans in the Diaspora can contribute
to the process.
- To discuss practical and concrete measures that Jamaicans
in the Diaspora can implement to support Government's efforts
under the CARICOM/United States Agreement Programme of Action,
and other bilateral and multilateral agreements.
- To present a forum for organising Jamaicans at home and
in the Diaspora into a more cohesive unit.
- To review selected Jamaicans in the Diaspora sustainable
economic development prospects.
- To assist the Jamaican private sector to penetrate foreign
markets through joint ventures and licensing arrangements
- To serve as a medium for the presentation of the Jamaican
people's position on foreign policy issues in international fora.
It was further pointed out by the organisers that the,
'Participants in these series of meetings would present their findings
in a special session among the representatives of the Diaspora,
the Government of Jamaica, its private sector and civil society
to be held in Jamaica in August 1999'.
While the objectives of the 'series of dialogue' were laudable
and a number of recommendations were made, there is no record of
a 'special session' being held in Jamaica to present these recommendations.
Diasporic Conference
Conscious of the need to pay greater attention to this area of
Government's responsibility, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson after
the October 2002 national elections, assigned a Minister of Government
the direct responsibility of advancing the relationship between
those at home and abroad.
Since then, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and
the Jamaicans Overseas Department in particular, have taken on the
challenge with the full and total involvement of private sector
companies and the returned residents' associations. This process
of interaction led to the hosting of the Symposium referred to earlier,
in October 2003, at the Mona School of Business. It was specifically
designed to solicit the views and opinion of representatives of
the overseas community as it relates to the path to be pursued by
the Government in developing its work in this area. Their instructions
were very clear. They told us:
- The work and contribution of members of the community must never
be taken for granted. The necessary appreciation must be shown
at all times.
- That efforts must be made to address the issues facing the overseas
community as we call on the community to 'invest' and increase
the flow of remittance to Jamaica.
- That the relationship between the two communities must be symbiotic
(as outlined by the West Indian Commission)
- That the Government must develop a mechanism to facilitate an
ongoing dialogue between the two parties.
- That the Government should not sign off on any policy initiative
or programmes without first discussing these initiatives with
the community
- That the overseas Missions must be oriented to treat with equally,
both foreign affairs and foreign trade matters
- That the overseas community is extremely diverse in its composition
and orientation and therefore, the peculiarity of one community
must not be used to assess all the communities
- That in attempting to improve the relationship, the Government
must not seek to do everything all at once but must instead concentrate
on what is practical and doable.
As a follow up to this Symposium, a Planning Committee consisting
of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign
Trade, private sector entities, other public sector agencies, the
University of the West Indies, the University of Technology and
the returned residents associations decided to organize, for the
first time in Jamaica, a Conference of overseas Jamaicans under
the theme, 'The Jamaican Diaspora - Unleashing the Potential'. The
Conference will have three broad objectives;
- To record the country's appreciation of the contribution of
Jamaicans living overseas to Jamaica's national development and
- To use the occasion as an opportunity to more comprehensively
involve overseas Jamaican in the economic, political, social and
cultural life in Jamaica.
- Develop the necessary structures to strengthen the relationship
between the two groups
The Conference will be another opportunity to build on the efforts
undertaken in the past and those that are currently being pursued
by many within the Diaspora. While it is recognised that the conference
will allow the participants the opportunity to express themselves,
the main intention is to take decisions which are both realistic
and implementible. Emphasis will therefore be placed on proposals
and decisions which can advance the working relationship between
the two communities. in order to ensure that the Conference does
not become a 'talk shop'.
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