Letter from the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board in response to an editorial

Mr. Editor,

We want to commend you for highlighting the matter of the current
status of the engagement of Jamaican Diaspora and its importance and
relevance to Jamaica at this time in our history. We believe that the
discussion of a “Greater Jamaica”, both those home and abroad, is a
critical one in meeting our mutual challenges and delivering on our
dreams. For this reason, we are appreciative of the bi-partisan
support of our government and supportive private sector in moving the
Diaspora engagement along during changing administrations.

In contrast, as inferred from your commentary, we do not embrace the
notion and attitude that Jamaica’s relationship with its Diaspora
community is primarily premised solely on needy times. We are
convinced that nurturing our Diaspora engagement is based on
deliberate strategic measures to meet our country’s challenges and
also to partake in positive opportunities. While we make no qualms
about giving to our homeland, we do not believe that our country has
taken full advantage of the relationship on many levels.

Over the years, we have had numerous community forums with public and
private sector leaders to discuss initiatives and commitments, but
have encountered more frustrations with follow through than expedited
closure. Notwithstanding, we also share the blame for not being more
vocal and demanding and furthering our community organizing in our
various jurisdictions.  All parties recognize that it is time to bring
substance and purpose to this relationship.  Given the global identity
of our country’s personality, we cannot avoid our inevitable path to a
“Greater Jamaica.”

As such, we commend the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade
for listening to our urging through the voice of the Jamaican Diaspora
Advisory Board.  We are ready to provide further testimony and, as
requested, to speak directly to our family and peers at home.  In
addition, we are also looking forward   to the next Jamaican Diaspora
“Convention”, scheduled for June 2010.

This is not only an exciting time for deepening this relationship, but
also vital in addressing the myriad of fiscal obstacles and societal
regressions that we fail to recognize openly.  We hope that all
Jamaicans will recognize that our population is not only 2.8 million,
but actually a powerful statistic of a total of 5 million worldwide
and growing.  We have yet to tap our true potential.  This Committee
is the catalyst for a Sunday dinner conversation that is well past its
time.   Thank you for setting the table and hearing the alarm.

Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board

Patrick A Beckford (USA, North East)
Marlon Hill (USA, South)
Wayland Richards (USA, Mid West/West)
David Mullings, (USA, Future Leaders)
Sharon Abrahams (Canada)
Claudette Cameron-Stewart (Canada)
Leo Campbell (Canada, Future Leaders)
Celia Grandison-Markey (UK)
Derek Douglas (UK)
Saffron Jackson (UK, Future Leaders)