INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE 2023
from
The Honourable Alando Terrelonge
Minster of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
Fellow Jamaicans in the Diaspora,
Happy Independence to you all!
This year, we commemorate our anniversary of Independence under the theme, “Jamaica 61: Proud and Strong”, one which epitomises the popular Jamaican adage, “wi likkle but wi tallawah“. In defiance of our comparatively small physical size, as a country and as a people, we exude resilience, fortitude and determination – intrinsic qualities imparted to us by our forebearers over hundreds of years. The Jamaica we call home today, is the legacy of our ancestors and the manifestation of our continued quest for prosperity and development. This is a reality of which we must never lose sight.
A blessed nation, Jamaica continues to shine in the international arena, receiving many accolades, supported by a strong brand, driven mainly by our cultural, sport and artistic attributes and the national characteristics that define us. As we recall the struggles for independence, we are reminded of the seminal role ingenuity, courage and vision have played in uniting our people in the call to freedom and to stand up against injustice. We can take our encouragement from the past to inspire us to reap new victories in the years ahead.
Our Independence anniversary is also a time for celebration and we take great pride in the various activities that are organised, both locally and across the global diaspora, to commemorate our rich cultural heritage. In particular, we must also reflect upon and pay homage to our magnificent African legacy and our mighty ancestors who fought and sacrificed their lives to win our freedom from the period of enslavement as pronounced in the edict of Emancipation 185 years ago. These events represent significant investment in keeping our heritage alive, for “a people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”
This also allows for the further development of projects and programmes to engage our diaspora, connect them with their glorious roots, and empower them with the knowledge that they are descended from a proud and strong people. For we must never forget that the same strength and resilience of our forebearers course through our veins and flourish across the diaspora in the untapped resources of 2nd 3rd and 4th generations of LIT Jamaican youth who no doubt have a role to play in Leading Inspiring and Transforming not just their communities abroad, but also in making a positive impact to the further growth, sustainable development and prosperity of Jamaica.
Consequently, I am forever mindful that our youth is a critical cohort in our development agenda and I am committed to pursuing initiatives for their engagement in the Diaspora. It is my conviction that our enduring cultural heritage, an endowment which we share as a people, remains an important lever in enabling greater connectivity and empowerment, as we seek to further advance our development agenda.
As we look ahead, the Government of Jamaica remains steadfast in our duty to build our great nation in alignment with Vision 2030, our National Development plan. It is significant that the National Diaspora Policy is also firmly aligned with Vision 2030. As Minister of State with responsibility for Diaspora Affairs, this singular fact is an important focus of my efforts. My vision for Diaspora engagement is anchored in the commonalities that unify us and the collective thrust in our mutual Jamaica-Diaspora partnership. The full implementation of the National Diaspora Policy requires continued dedication and commitment, even as we draw on the experiences of the past to refine and re-energise a robust approach going forward.
On this our 61st Anniversary of Independence, let us re-dedicate ourselves in unwavering service to our homeland, to our fellow Jamaicans, to our brothers and sisters. Let us enlarge the boundaries of Brand Jamaica into the depths of lands not usually trodden, as we play our part to advance the welfare of the whole human race and continue to make Jamaica “proud and strong”.
