Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

[Hopyoneson]

Thu Jun 15, 2006
Jamaican Diaspora to have greater say in local affairs

The Government and the Opposition have agreed that Jamaicans living overseas should have a greater say in local affairs.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Opposition leader Bruce Golding announced initiatives to give these Jamaicans a voice.

According to Mrs. Simpson Miller a Joint Select Committee of Parliament is to be established to deal with the affairs of Jamaicans living in the Diaspora.

For his part, Mr. Golding said both sides of the house have already agreed to consider legislation to expand the 21 member Senate.

He said this provides the perfect opportunity to include representatives of Jamaicans living overseas.

They were speaking on Thursday morning at the opening ceremony of the second Jamaican Diaspora Conference held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Downtown Kingston.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that her plans for improved social conditions should give Jamaicans a brighter future.

[sistactry]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

sound good, but what really is dis Committe of Parliment, what it really mean??

- dem gween deh pan we side in issues of discrimation
- a juss bigg ppl someting dis, (supposedly law making)
- jcans here can vote somehow tru dis
- wha really is this comm agenda??

[Hopyoneson]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst


Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (left) chats with Andrew Lawrence, supervisor of the Patrol Division, Hartford Police Department, at the two-day Diaspora Conference, which opened yesterday at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

NEARLY 500 delegates began a two-day conference in Kingston yesterday, seeking ways that Jamaicans at home and abroad can strengthen relations to the benefit of both groups.

This conference is the second, following the inaugural event two years ago, and immediately there was a suggestion for the establishment of a Jamaica Fund to help finance projects here.

At the same time, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announced that she would establish a parliamentary select committee to consider a formula for translating proposals from Jamaicans in the diaspora into national policy.

Opposition Leader Bruce Golding, echoing a proposal previously made by the Government, called for an expansion of the Senate to include representation from Jamaicans living abroad. He said this would allow for more effective involvement of the diaspora in the decision-making process.

BIGGEST BUSINESS

It is estimated that up to 2.5 million Jamaicans and Jamaican descendants live abroad. They annually send home about US$1.5 billion, equivalent to the gross earnings from the country's biggest business, tourism.

Yesterday Phillip Mascoll, president of the Canadian Diaspora, one of the groups established among Jamaicans abroad to press their own issues with Kingston as well as to help protect Jamaica's interests in their host countries, proposed a fund that would enhance the economic impact of Jamaicans abroad.

"We are proposing 'The Jamaica Fund' based on the Israeli model where Jamaicans can contribute on a monthly basis," Mr. Mascoll told the conference.

"There will be a board of directors and it will be fully transparent," he said. "However, this is nothing new, Israel has been doing it for 60 years and it made them great so why not us?"

This, as well as a raft of other issues, demanded the attention of the delegates, who were expected by tonight to issue a work plan for the next two years

[Hopyoneson]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

[ QUOTE ]
sound good, but what really is dis Committe of Parliment, what it really mean??

- dem gween deh pan we side in issues of discrimation
- a juss bigg ppl someting dis, (supposedly law making)
- jcans here can vote somehow tru dis
- wha really is this comm agenda??

[/ QUOTE ]

mi neen got no idea so a mi a try get unu thoughts pon di happenings, cause mi really want fi see Jamaica pon top performing at its highest capability.

[Hopyoneson]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

Dawn Butler

Dawn Butler, whose parents are Jamaican, is the Labour Member of Parliament for Brent South in the United Kingdom. The 36-year-old was born in London to Jamaican immigrant parents. On her election to Parliament, she became only the third black woman to have been elected to the House of Commons. There is a high concentration of Jamaicans in her constituency.
Miss Butler described herself as a woman of action and said she was ready to take the initiative to bridge the gap between Jamaicans at home and those living in Britain. This, she said, was the primary reason for her attending the Diaspora Conference, now on at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.
"There is a disconnect between the two sets of people, even though we are the same. I'm here to find out what I can do to bridge this gap," she said.
According to Miss Butler, the issues with which Jamaicans living in Britain are most concerned are the high crime rate in Jamaicas, as well as issues that concern the island's young people.
"We have to find a way to address the crime problem. I'm not just talking about the Jamaican Government, but all of us Jamaicans at home and abroad, because in the end, it's affecting us all. Back in Britain, if we were to have a get together of Jamaicans like this, the place would be overtaken by the Scotland Yard. It's the 'yardie' stigma. We won't get rid of that until we fix the problem at home," she noted.
Miss Butler said Jamaicans living in Britain had very strong opinions and suggestions on how the crime problem could best be tackled. She said she hoped to use the conference as an avenue to convey those suggestions to members of the Jamaican Government.


Daniel Gough is a union representative in the United States. He is from Mandeville, Manchester, but has lived abroad for the past 40 years. He is ready to roll up his sleeves and help get Jamaica back on track.
Mr. Gough is in no way intimidated by what he hears of the crime situation in Jamaica. "You hear a lot of stuff, but it's of no worry to me. I know that much of it is exaggerated. The key is to fix the problem, not to be scared. I am planning to move back home within the next few months and I will be using my experience working with the youth, to help to solve the problem," he said.
Mr. Gough said that in his estimation, education should be of primary concern to the Jamaican Government. "It is indeed most important. You cannot fix the country's problem until you reach the youth. If the Government does this, the country will be better off."
I am very encouraged


Serena Lee is a young woman who lives in the United Kingdom. Her parents are Jamaican and she is interested in moving to the island some day.
Miss Lee has come to Jamaica to see what opportunities exist for young people with the hope that within the next few years, she will be able to buy a house here. She said she was impressed by what she has seen. "You hear a lot of things about Jamaica back home. A lot of it is frightening, and to tell you the truth, many people make it sound as if you can't even walk on the streets. But from what I have seen so far, all the talk is far from the truth. I'm very encouraged by some of the things I have heard the Prime Minister say. I think that as long as we work at it, the country will be just fine."
Retirees can bring benefits


Clive Banton was born and raised in a fishing community in Clarendon. He moved to Canada in the 1970s. He works in the finance sector and is part of the Canadian delegation.
Mr. Banton wants the Government of Jamaica to pay closer attention to the economic power of returning residents. He thinks that if the Government acts quickly to address the issues that are of concern to Jamaicans who live abroad and are of retirement age, the results would be tremendous.
"The Government must look at this seriously and try to get as many of them as possible to return home when they retire. Think about those who have been working abroad for decades. If they return home and collect their pensions here, then that would be a great economic boost for the country," he said.
Mr. Banton noted that the main factor which stands in the way of persons who want to return home to retire, is crime. "People are very, very afraid of the crime situation in Jamaica. I know many people who want to come back home, but because of what they hear of the country, they stay abroad in the cold. This is a great loss to the country,' he said. In his view, the way to tackle crime is through social programmes.
"We have to bring back hope. We have to go into the communities and help the people who are disenfranchised by providing training and counselling. We are all one family and we must all try to help each other."
We must share experiences


Paulette Simpson is a member of the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board in the United Kingdom. She attended the first Disapora Conference in Kingston in 2004. Her main goal this time around is to mingle with members of delegations from other countries in an effort to find out how best the diaspora can assist in improving life in Jamaica.
Ms. Simpson wants to see the diaspora work more closely together.
"I want to get an idea of what was achieved over the last two years in the different regions. I think it's very important for us to share experiences with each other and by so doing we will learn what works and what doesn't," she said. Ms. Simpson noted that the Jamaican Diaspora regards crime and violence as the issue that needs the most urgent attention. "It's a huge problem. I'm hoping that we can all share ideas and experiences from our different regions and so come up with a plan to solve this problem," she said. Ms. Simpson noted that she, along with a number of Jamaicans living in the UK, are hoping that the Government will do good on its pledge to invest more in education. "It's the key really. It's perhaps the most important investment the country can make."

[sistactry]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

tanks ((((Kgn))))) [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

all this looks very promising and hopefully a lot of fruits we bear.., [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70371-jump.gif[/img]

[Hopyoneson]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

[ QUOTE ]
tanks ((((Kgn))))) [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

all this looks very promising and hopefully a lot of fruits we bear.., [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70371-jump.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]
I think many fruits will bear, first time in our recent history opposition and party in power are not confrontational, but hear mi now sis, my worry is not if it going to happen but when it will happen, will Jamaicans be ready to invest and buy up the resources or will the attitude of "mi naw go back" prevail and Jamaica get snatched from under dem nose cheap cheap. To tell the truth mi no want go back and have fi a accomodate certain "tings" like in a farrin cause mi neigbor is not from yawd, or like the Virgin Island whe dem a try turn some neigborhoods into yt only place (all a cho local woman off a cliff dress up like klan). Mi want be round people who know runnings and mi can relate to. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[mangoskin]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

can the right to vote be far off? I believe it's coming! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

[mangoskin]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

[ QUOTE ]


"We are proposing 'The Jamaica Fund' based on the Israeli model where Jamaicans can contribute on a monthly basis," Mr. Mascoll told the conference.

"There will be a board of directors and it will be fully transparent," he said. "However, this is nothing new, Israel has been doing it for 60 years and it made them great so why not us?"



[/ QUOTE ]
I would like to see the position paper on this

[Wahalla]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

Mi guh fi pappy show... People who actually make changes are out making changing rather than at self congratulatory, self righteous conference... I just have a low tolerance of people who have simplistic narrow solutions from a single feild and offer it as a panacea to all our nations ills..

Also the speeches would grate on my nerves... But I am not that smart...

[Hopyoneson]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

I hear what you saying Wahalla, but if they did not organize like that you think Portia or Golding would not even spit in thier direction, I think alot of these people are and plan on doing stuff in Jamaica. Its a start, hopefully the crab in a barrel ting/ jealousy ting dont derail it.

[sistactry]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

it sound good to me, u know why, nuff nuff nuff people waan go back home, and if dem really kick dis ting off right, hopefully [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70384-praying.gif[/img] dis can happen, [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

and a dehso ja a go boom!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/bannana_purple.gif[/img]

schools we get nuff help, hospital me no too sure bout, it worries me...de brain drain from the nurses/doctors, [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70361-embarassed.gif[/img]

nuh fret ur self bout de farriners, if dem never mash up de place all dis time, it wont happen again, [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70384-praying.gif[/img]

memba enoh, we likkle but we tallawha!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Butsiyah]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

This movement has the potential for success...potential, I said. The secret to success is stick-to-it-iveness. So many times we make great speeches that make everyone feel good, and ten years later everything quiet down. I don't see any information being published to advise interested people on how to get involved...or is this for the chosen few? Hmmmm [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70402-thinking.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70402-thinking.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70402-thinking.gif[/img]

[sistactry]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

i hope not, [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70384-praying.gif[/img]

it juss a pap off, so hopefully it wont quiet down, but me no tink it will....tooo many jcans deh bout!! but it worry me to dat nuff a dem same jcans deh too comfy now inna dem life style, but dere is nuff more who will tek up dis fight...its a long time coming!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70371-jump.gif[/img]

i hope the churches get involved...and I think they will...and if dat happen, we gone clear!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

[Hopyoneson]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

[ QUOTE ]
This movement has the potential for success...potential, I said. The secret to success is stick-to-it-iveness. So many times we make great speeches that make everyone feel good, and ten years later everything quiet down. I don't see any information being published to advise interested people on how to get involved...or is this for the chosen few? Hmmmm [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70402-thinking.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70402-thinking.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70402-thinking.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

It is on a invite only basis, the different countries organizations pick which delegates to send, so people just cannot walk up in deh for obvious reasons, look pon dis yah site and how hurry come up people talk to big sumaddy and yu get the concerns the govt have. There is a website and information out there, I think sistah D post about the canadian delegates I am going to form a west coast organization if there is none or join it once I get back to Cali from mi tour. The potential is great indeed, the pappy show is also great ..lawd I hope dem no just cass cass and actually work together. All Jamaicans united as one, what a sight to behold.