Strengthening Diaspora Engagement

Senator The Honorable Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

Photo credit: David Spencer

In March 2018, Senator The Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr. was appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MOFT) with responsibility for Diaspora Affairs. The Generation X minister says he’s intimately au fait with many of the interests and concerns of the diaspora having studied and lived overseas. He outlines the immediate priorities of the MOFT to strengthen diaspora engagement, contextualises diaspora impact and contributions to nation building and highlights key investment opportunities for their continued support.

What are your goals and plans to further engage members of the Jamaican Diaspora?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade holds portfolio responsibility for Diaspora engagement. We recognise the immense talent, skills, boundless creativity and ingenuity which are resident in the Diaspora. In order to drive the engagement process forward, I have developed a four-pronged approach, aimed at strengthening the linkages between Jamaicans abroad and those at home, creating opportunities for investment and serving the needs of our Diaspora.

The first approach is to strengthen the lines of communication between Jamaica and the Diaspora. This move would capture data of the various demographics in the Diaspora and assist in devising a strategic communication plan to creatively engage these groups. This would include maximizing the traditional media platforms to further connect to our people.

Secondly, we are also striving to improve collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies to create a more efficient system for philanthropic donations.

Thirdly, we will seek to facilitate the transfer of Diaspora skills and expertise for the development of local communities and our nation as a whole.

Lastly, we are expanding our outreach to Jamaicans beyond the United States of America, Canada, and the United Kingdom through active engagement with Jamaicans living in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and across the globe.

How does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade intend to spark the interest of 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation members of the Diaspora in Jamaica’s development?

In an effort to ensure the sustainability of the Diaspora Movement, it is critical that we connect with the younger generation. Young people do not share the same interests nor have the same affinity to Jamaica as their older counterparts. Over the last two years, my Ministry has taken deliberate steps to engage young people in our Diaspora. Since taking office in March of this year, I have met with Jamaican students in Cuba twice and have had robust and vibrant discussions with young leaders in the United Kingdom and Canada. We have now formed a team comprising young members of the diaspora who will be the nucleus responsible for developing and creating programmes and campaigns geared towards engaging the youth.

STRATEGIC DIASPORA CONTRIBUTIONS

Participants in the youth forum at the 2018 Jamaica Canadian Diaspora conference held in Toronto, Canada.

Photo credit: David Spencer

What are some of the key contributions the Diaspora has made to the Jamaican society?

The Government of Jamaica truly appreciates the tremendous work and commitment of our Diaspora, whose contributions have positively impacted our local industries and economy in many ways.

EDUCATION

The Diaspora has been magnanimous in their contributions to Jamaica. In particular, they give financial contributions, educational materials and supplies, which have proven to be invaluable for the development of Jamaica’s education sector. For the period 1st April 2017 – 31st March 2018, the National EducationTrust (NET) indicated that Diaspora contributions to education amounted to US $292,793.63. The sector has also benefited from contributions made by the Jamaica Diaspora Education Taskforce (JDETF). The JDETF consists of Jamaican educators and relevant stakeholders who focus on capacity development of our teachers, especially in relation to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

HEALTH

The Diaspora also plays an important role in contributing to Jamaica’s health sector. There are an estimated 200 recorded health missions that visit Jamaica annually, many of which are from the Diaspora. The Missions provide free health care services in general medicine, general surgery, vision screening, dentistry, pharmaceuticals, and ophthalmology, to name a few. These services are well appreciated especially in rural communities.

TOURISM

Jamaica’s tourism industry continues to be one of the leading contributors to Jamaica’s Global Domestic Product (GDP) and continues to enjoy a considerable level of support from members of our Diaspora, with promising projections for the future. Data from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) indicates that, on average, 151,000 Diaspora tourists visit annually, which accounts for 7 percent of all stop-over visits.

REMITTANCES

The Diaspora has also contributed to the wellbeing of their families in Jamaica. It is estimated that in 2017, we received USD$2.2 billion dollars in remittances, which were primarily used by recipients to pay utility bills and cover day-to-day living expenses. Remittances have emerged to be the fastest growing and most stable source of capital flow and foreign exchange in the last decade.

SAVINGS

With respect to savings, it is estimated that the Diaspora has invested over US $1.1 billion in the Jamaican stock exchange, institutional savings and business enterprises, as at 22nd June 2017. According to the Jamaica Stock Exchange, the Diaspora’s investment in the stock markets as at July 2017 was valued at US$321million. According to Caribbean Policy Research Institute(CAPRI) total savings held in three of Jamaica’s major financial companies which court Diaspora business, namely Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS), Jamaica National (JN) and National Commercial Bank (NCB), totalled US$659 million.

Key leaders of the Jamaican diaspora in Canada with Senator The Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr. at the 2018 diaspora conference in Toronto, Canada.

Photo credit: David Spencer

Senator The Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr. with Bishop Ransford Jones, chair of the Canadian Jamaican Diaspora Christian Alliance.

Photo credit: David Spencer