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Salutations

 

Master of Ceremonies

Her Excellency Audrey Marks, Ambassador of Jamaica to the United States

Hon. Earl Jarrett, OJ, CD, Chief Executive Officer, Jamaica National Group

Ms. Trudy Deans, Consul General of Jamaica to New York

Mr. Oliver Mair, Consul General of Jamaica to Miami

Dr. Elaine Bryan, Honorary Consul of Jamaica to Atlanta 

Members of the Diaspora Advisory Board, Mr. Wayne Golding (Southern Region), Mrs. Akelia Lawrence-Maitland (North East Region), and Dr. Rupert Francis (Mid-West Region)

My delegation accompanying me: 

Ambassador Sharon Saunders, Under-Secretary, Diaspora, Protocol and Consular Affairs Division, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

Mr. Lincoln Downer, Director, Diaspora Affairs Department in the Ministry

Representatives from the media

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen

First, let me say how pleased I am to be here on this crisp autumn morning among such an eclectic, diverse and distinguished group of Jamaicans and friends who have travelled from the North-East, Midwest and Southern regions for this historic Jamaica Diaspora USA Leadership Summit. I also bring you warm greetings from the Government of Jamaica, ably led by Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness and Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith who leads the MFAFT.

Permit me also to acknowledge the three (3) Diaspora Advisory Board Members, and the volunteers who comprise the Organising committee who have worked diligently in the planning and execution of this Leadership Summit. I invite Mr. Wayne Golding Sr, Dr. Rupert Francis, Mrs. Akelia Lawrence-Maitland and members of the organising committee to stand and be recognised for the foresight and inspiration to convene this Summit.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am mindful of the historical significance of the city of Atlanta, the birthplace of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was one of the greatest leaders that the world has ever seen. Dr. King left a lasting legacy for us and successive generations to emulate. It is also noteworthy to acknowledge that the City of Atlanta and by extension the State of Georgia is home to a large Jamaican Community cementing the strong connection between Atlanta and Jamaica.

Fellow Jamaicans, this is my first official visit to the Southern region of the United States of America as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. I must thank our hosts for the warm southern hospitality for which they are renowned. Immediately following my arrival, I was whisked away to Sandy Springs where I had the opportunity to meet with a group of impressive young people and Jamaican businessmen and women who are passionate about Jamaica. We had excellent exchanges and discussed matters of mutual interest, in addition to exploring avenues for deeper co-operation.

This ground-breaking Leadership Summit is the first of its kind from a Jamaican Diaspora context. It has caught the attention of the wider Diaspora and will consequently serve as a model for collaboration and cohesiveness among Jamaicans globally.

The Summit serves as a call to action for you as leaders in your respective spheres of influence to develop a road map that will strengthen the collective voice of the Jamaican Community in the United States of America. This bears relevance at the local, state and federal levels.

Jamaican values and identity

Friends, as you chart a path of building a unified Diaspora, I urge you to recall the history of the first generation of Jamaicans who migrated to this country. They had steely determination, a strong sense of community, pride, purpose and industry, all uniquely Jamaican. I hasten to add that these intrinsic values have been inculcated in us as a people. I firmly believe that these unique Jamaican values have attributed to your continued success and high levels of accomplishment in this, your adopted homeland. Let me pause to recognise all of you here at the Summit today, among others, who have risen to positions of power and influence in this country by dint of hard work, undeniable ability and skill and perseverance.

Alignment with Vision 2030

As you explore in depth the various elements that will form part of the Diaspora Development Plan, it is most strategic that you recognise the benefit of the Plan being aligned also to the four core goals of Jamaica’s National Development Plan: Vision 2030 adopted in 2009. Let me restate for emphasis what these are –

Goal 1: Jamaicans are empowered to achieve their fullest potential. This means that Jamaica must have a healthy and stable population, world class education and training facilities and social protection for the vulnerable.

Goal 2: The Jamaican society is secure, cohesive and just. The national outcome is to reduce the high levels of criminality and to create a safer environment for all Jamaicans.

Goal 3: The Jamaican economy is prosperous. The overall objective is the achievement of macro-economic stability, technology-enabled society, as well as a favourable business environment that will lead to increased investment and more jobs for our people.

Goal 4: is the attainment of a healthy environment which means we have to manage our natural resources more responsibly and implement strategies that mitigate the impact of climate change.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Fellow Jamaicans, our national development goals are inextricably linked to the UN’s Sustainable Development 2030 Agenda, with its 17 sustainable development goals, which 193 countries committed to attaining in 2015. I am pleased to report that the UNDP Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support Assessment (MAPS) recognizes a 91 percent alignment between our national planning framework and the sustainable development goals. We are currently focusing on 4 priorities within our Medium Term Socio-Economic Framework namely; peace and security, trade and investment, energy transition and climate resilience. Therefore, by implementing the priorities set out in the MTF, we will simultaneously be implementing the SDGs.

Ladies and gentlemen, this calls for not only a whole of government approach but essentially a whole of society approach. The Diaspora who forms part of a connected element of our country across the world is one of our key development partners. Further, it is imperative that you understand the synergies which exist between your individual contributions at the local level; be it social impact investments or skills and knowledge transfer, and wider national and global imperatives. In other words, the involvement, contribution and participation of Jamaica’s Diaspora is at the heart of nation building!

Fellow Jamaicans and Friends, as we seek to ensure that our efforts are aligned and working in synergies I will take the opportunity to give a brief update on the progress we have made as a country with your efforts:

1. All indicators show that the Jamaican economy grew by an estimated 1.8 percent in the April to June 2018 quarter when compared with the corresponding quarter in 2017. It is anticipated that the debt to GDP ratio will fall below to under 100%.
2. In July 2018, the number of persons employed was 1,226,400, representing an increase of 12,800 persons since July 2017. The number of persons employed in the ‘Construction’ industry in July 2018 was 103,700, an increase of 9,400 persons when compared to July 2017.
3. Our unemployment rate is now 8.4% lowest in a decade.
4. It must be noted that a significant number of recent investments occurred in the Business Processing Outsourcing Industry (BPO) and is expected to continue growing in the medium to long term.
5. Jamaica’s tourism industry remains buoyant with a 2.7% increase in stopover arrivals in September 2018 as compared to September 2017.
6. The Jamaican currency has stabilized. The dollar is now $126.99 against the US currency and has notably appreciated when compared to ending of the 2nd quarter of 2018, when the exchange rate was more than$130.00.
7. Bloomberg has reported the Jamaica Stock Exchange leads the world in terms of growth. In 2015 Bloomberg also cited the JSE as highest performing stock market.
8. In an effort to combat Non Communicable Diseases, we implemented the Jamaica Moves Campaign in 2016 which includes promoting physical activity, healthy eating and knowing your health status. It has been adopted by CARICOM Heads of Government meeting held in Montego Bay in July 2018.
9. Major crimes are down. As of this week, there has been a 21.8 % decrease in murders, 20.2 % in shootings, 11.4 % fall in robberies, 6.2 % in break-ins, when compared to the corresponding period in 2017.The State of Public Emergency has strengthened the capabilities of the State security forces to effectively maintain public order, public safety and citizen security. The SOE in St. James, St. Catherine North and Sections of Kingston Central, Kingston Western and St. Andrew South Police Divisions has been extended for another three months until January 2019.
10. The Government is taking steps to ensure that all students are given equal opportunities to excel, including those with special needs. This entails putting measures in place to accommodate students with physical and other challenges, especially during the sitting of examinations.

 

Fellow Jamaicans, I want you to know that we are listening to your concerns and are working with you for a better Jamaica. For example, under my leadership, the Ministry established the Returning Residents Taskforce in response to the myriad issues affecting the Returning Residents community. A deliverable of the Taskforce is the publication of the Safety and Security Handbook for those Jamaicans seeking to return home and those who have already returned. I am pleased to inform that the Handbook published by the Jamaica Constabulary Force has been completed and circulated to our Diaspora through our various networks.

We also met with Jamaica Customs Agency to explore avenues for co-operation, in addition to addressing the concerns raised by Diaspora entrepreneurs and philanthropists. Over the next few months, we have agreed to partner in developing a communication strategy to guide the Diaspora on the relevant procedures and processes as they relate to the importation and donation of items into the country.

 Fellow Jamaicans, we (GOJ) have acknowledged and have integrated you into our development of national policies. Let me reiterate that Jamaica’s advancement is dependent on a whole of society approach, with our Diaspora as a key partner!

Ladies and gentlemen, it would be remiss of me not to mention that we will be convening the 8th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Kingston during the period 16th -20th June 2019. We have begun the preliminary process and will be seeking your input in short order.

Before I close, I would like to offer a few thoughts on the guiding principles necessary for the elaboration of your strategic Diaspora Development Plan. First, the Plan should be inclusive where it brings together the Jamaican organisations, Associations and Taskforces and those who may not be affiliated with any group.
Second, it should entail strong partnerships and co-operation across a wide spectrum at the local and national levels. Third, the Plan should embrace mutuality, that is, it should serve the interests of all parties involved.

Lastly, the Plan should include a robust framework that is sustainable and must include the millennials. As many of you know, I am passionate about young people. I intend to lead the establishment of Diaspora Youth Councils so that the young people will have a functional space to craft ingenious strategies and programmes for their own empowerment. I also wish to expand the Birthright Programme by giving youngsters the opportunity to experience Jamaica in terms of the work environment and culture. This will serve to strengthen the affinity and linkages with Jamaica. I would encourage other corporate entities to come on Board!

Fellow Jamaicans, let me recap that the conceptualisation of this Summit is timely, and visionary as it places Diaspora interests on the “centre stage”. It presents an opportunity to further cement intra-Diaspora partnerships with the national goals in sight. I look forward to the robust exchanges as well as the resulting actions.

Thank you for being such an attentive audience!

 

 

 

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