MIAMI (JIS):
IN AN effort to continue its communication network with the diaspora, the Government of Jamaican will launch its website today. Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Delano Franklyn, made the announcement at a recent town hall meeting at the Miramar City Hall, in Miramar, South Florida.
The minister reiterated that government was continuing its efforts to strengthen the relationship with Jamaicans in the diaspora and the creation of the website was just one of the many networks to be established in this regard.
'JAMAICA DIASPORA DAY'
To coincide with the anniversary of the first national diaspora conference, held last June in Kingston, Senator Franklyn also mentioned that plans had been proposed for the historic June 17 date to be celebrated as 'Jamaica Diaspora Day' locally and in all the overseas communities in which Jamaicans reside.
He informed that a number of activities would be celebrated to commemorate the efforts of Jamaicans and their contributions through the ministry and its overseas missions, as well as
community organisations in those areas.
Arising out of last year's conference, was the appointment of a seven-member advisory board of Jamaican nationals overseas, to work with the minister to formulate strategies that would best serve the overseas communities. South Florida attorney, Dahlia Walker-Huntington, was selected as the representative in the Southeast United States.
Elaborating on other efforts to continue ongoing dialogue within the diaspora, the minister also mentioned the establish-ment of the Jamaica Diaspora Foundation, to be chaired by Professor Rex Nettleford, former vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies. This organisation will be responsible for the "oversight of formal operations to keep the channels of communication effective among the diaspora," he said.
At the two-day conference held last June in Kingston, 400 Jamaican nationals, including 300 from overseas communities in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom, convened to establish ways in which linkages could be strengthened among Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora.
The minister reiterated that the government intended "to recognise and treat seriously the relationship with nationals overseas no different from your presence at home".
ONGOING COMMITMENT
He noted the ongoing commitment and contributions of Jamaicans to their island home. To further reinforce those efforts, the linkages created through the work of the diaspora committees would include stakeholders, such as corporations, international and national agencies and, more significantly, the role of returning residents and friends and supporters with an interest in the country's national development.
The minister said plans were ahead for next year's conference to be held in Kingston which, he said, resulted from a proposal put forward at last June's conference for a bi-annual national diaspora conference.
In an effort to broaden the base of participation, he encouraged the nationals to get involved in all activities held in respective communities towards positive and economic development of Jamaica.
