Photo Caption: The Honourable Alando Terrelonge, State Minister in the Foreign Ministry, is pictured speaking to Jamaicans in the United Kingdom during a Diaspora engagement in London, last month. While there, he discussed the island’s transformation as a destination for trade and investment and the upcoming 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, set for June 16-19 in Montego Bay.
Media Release
Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Honourable Alando Terrelonge, is scheduled to meet with members of the Jamaican Diaspora in Paris, later today. This engagement with Jamaicans living in France and the wider European region, comes in preparation for the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference set for June.
Minister Terrelonge’s visit to France follows his virtual participation in the Inaugural Regional Diaspora Conference for Continental Europe, which was held last December. This will be his first in-person engagement with the Diaspora in Europe, since assuming responsibility for Diaspora Affairs in May 2023.
“I am delighted for this opportunity to engage with my fellow Jamaicans living in Europe, as it remains the commitment of the Government of Jamaica to strengthen Diaspora bonds globally, particularly in non[1]traditional diaspora locations, and to facilitate the contributions of Diasporans to the various processes underway in support of Jamaica’s economic growth and development. We value the inputs of the Diaspora and look forward to addressing some of their concerns, while sharing with them some of the recent policies and programmes implemented by the Government,” says Minister Terrelonge.
While extending an invitation to Jamaicans in Europe to attend the Diaspora Conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from June 16-19, during today’s engagement, the Minister will also highlight the expected outcomes of the conference, calling attention to issues of national importance such as as education transformation, healthcare improvement and investment opportunities, which help to drive socio-economic development.
Minister Terrelonge says France hosts approximately 1,000 Jamaican nationals and that there are approximately 5,000 more living across Continental Europe, including professionals in education and hospitality. These individuals in France, have contributed to the development and sustainability of the French language training programme in Jamaica. The programme also facilitates the placement of Jamaican students in French institutions to pursue Master’s degrees in French.
Minister Terrelonge, who is also proficient in French, lauds Jamaican nationals in Paris, for breaking linguistic and other barriers in France, and for their contributions to the French society. He says with a high degree of professionalism and entrepreneurship, which are characteristic of the indomitable Jamaican spirit, the Diaspora in Europe continues to play a crucial role in helping to strengthen the bilateral relations between Jamaica and France.
“The Government continues to value the level of engagement the Diaspora has had with the Jamaican Embassy in Brussels, and the contributions they make to Jamaica’s profile in France and across the European continent. They have been integral players in helping to strengthen cooperation in a number of areas, bolstering the bilateral relations shared between Jamaica and France,” explains Terrelonge.
Minister Terrelonge is currently representing Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the 35th Sherpa Ocean Panel Meeting in Paris, which began on May 14 and ends today.
