Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

[KgnJa69]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

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Here's a useful link:

http://www.diaspora.org.jm/content/home/default1.asp

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Thanks for the link "Pattoo". That was useful...and gave me more insights without a representative being invited. I suggest we all go to the site and link up with the contacts listed on there and get the network going. I now know what I must do!!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

[Hopyoneson]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

Good Idea Kgn, dont wait for action, but get involved and link with the people dem ..no wait at all. More results of the conference

JLP hopes to harness the diaspora, without triggering political infighting

WHILE the government and the opposition are in agreement that Jamaicans living abroad should be involved in the affairs of the country, the Jamaica Labour Party appears for now to have a clearer suggestion on how to involve ex-patriates in governance.


Jamaica's consul general to New York Dr Basil Bryan (centre) and other members of the diaspora in Kingston for a conference that ended Friday, treated students of the Cecil Boswell Basic School at Collie Smith Drive, Trench Town, Kingston on Saturday. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)
On the opening day of the second biennial Jamaican Diaspora Conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre last Thursday and Friday, leader of the opposition Bruce Golding proposed that the joint select committee of parliament that meets to discuss constitutional reform, when it is considering expanding the Senate, to consider designating two seats in the upper house to Jamaicans living overseas.

"The agreements that have already been reached on constitutional reform include a provision for the Senate to be expanded to include independent members who represent interests outside of those of just the PNP and the JLP. Through that provision I think we should ensure that the diaspora is included in the Senate and therefore represented in the Parliament of the land," he told the conference, which included 500 delegates, twice the number that attended in 2004.

Those senators, explained JLP spokesman on diaspora affairs, Ed Bartlett, would be selected by Jamaicans abroad, and would be selected without consideration of political affiliation.
"If the political parties were to be responsible for selecting members, we would have a problem in that you would end up with a PNP diaspora person, and a JLP diaspora person. What we really want is a diaspora which is devoid of partisan colouration, and that reflects really, what is the feeling and the aspiration of Jamaicans living abroad who want to help the country," said Bartlett.

But to make that sort of place for the diaspora within the government, would require changing the constitution, which does not currently allow for the election of senators.

That suggestion, along with others raised by overseas Jamaicans, may be among the issues discussed when the joint select committee of Parliament announced by prime minister Portia Simpson Miller specifically to discuss issues pertaining to the diaspora, convenes.

A joint select committee is a combined appointment of senators and House representatives usually convened to consider technical legislation.
"That (the joint select committee) is the main addition to the institutional framework of the diaspora movement," said foreign affairs and foreign trade minister Senator Anthony Hylton.

Along with the other institutions created to facilitate the diaspora, including the Jamaican Diaspora Institute, the Jamaican Diaspora Foundation, and the Jamaican Diaspora Fund, says Hylton, the select committee will be the starting point for having the Diaspora formally recognised within the government.

"I think what we have now is a substantial framework for ensuring that the movement is institutionalised, signalling very clearly to the diaspora community that this is a movement and a commitment by the government and people of Jamaica that is not just for today, but is institutionalised for as long as they determine that it is important as a vehicle.

Still, the JLP is sticking to its suggestion and intends to raise the issue for debate as soon as the JSC is convened.
"We think that this is the ideal way to initially get the diaspora involved in governance," said Bartlett.

While the details of how exactly the diaspora senators would be selected or elected are yet to be worked out, the JLP spokesman was very clear about what changes needed to happen within the diaspora movement before any such changes could take place.

"One of the points that was made by the opposition leader in his remarks on Thursday is about the structures that the Diaspora movement has, because its democratic process must give full expression to itself so that it can in fact throw up candidates and representatives that are reflective of the will of the diaspora," said Bartlett.

"So the diaspora has a role in refining its structures and to strengthen its democratic process so that it can in fact put forward suitable candidates for those positions," he said, referring to the criticisms made by some overseas Jamaicans about the lack of transparency in the process of selecting delegates for the conference.

The biennial conference, organised by the foreign ministry, was first held in June 2004, and at that time brought together about 350 Jamaicans active in their communities abroad with local government officials, non-government organisations and the private sector to discuss issues concerning Jamaica and Jamaicans at home and abroad.

At the end of that 2-day event, delegates present elected a seven-member Diaspora Advisory Board with two representatives from Canada, two from the UK, and three from the USA to be the primary liaisons between Jamaican communities abroad and the Jamaican government.

500 delegates attended this year's conference, among them 100 Jamaicans living in the United Kingdom, 100 from Canada, 50 from Africa, central America and the Caribbean, and 150 from the United States.

At this year's conference, 23 resolutions were passed, including some that requested education be on the agenda for the next conference in two years; that there be a body of Jamaicans overseas commissioned to do research and help generate resources to fight crime; and that lobby groups be established in order to give Jamaicans abroad a greater say about issues affecting Jamaicans at home and in their adopted countries.

The conference will next be held on June 16 and 17, 2008.
SOURCE

[KgnJa69]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

Amen Kingston20!!...Damn you are on point! Sounds like a lot of logistics issues which must be addressed. I'm going to assume that we have folks in place through the different representatives throughout Can, US and UK putting the true numbers together (exactly how many Ja's and where). I was involved with a group, years ago, who was actively seeking to force the US cencus bureau to break down their designation of "African American" to reflect "Caribbean Americans" seperately so we can utilize our numbers to influence American policies as it relates to Caribbean issues. Folks this is critical, especially on some local levels. It all ties into what we are trying to accomplish; for example, if there is a need to lobby the different Governments on issues such as Immigration, hurricane disaster relief, IMF loan forgiveness etc. etc., the Jamaicans and the rest of the Caribbean nations will have more clout to effect change (re: the Mexicans in the US - 2 million mobilized in no time to send a message relating to Immigration reform in the US. "Manley would say... THAT'S POWER!!). I guess I'm partial to how I can contribute to the process outside of Ja since I reside in Atlanta, GA.

On the issue of voting, does the future include "poling stations outside Jamaica" for Jamaicans to vote in general elections? I'm not sure what the Ja constitution is on this, but would love to exercise that privilage similar to the Isrealies. I guess that's one of those long term agenda items for, maybe the 2010 conference.
Nuff respect to all the hard working folks on this agenda and know that you have the "silent majority" support!!

[Morpheous]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

Interesting development. Well I fully intend to return home to Jamaica, so even if Jamaica a bun dung mi still a go back. When I left bullets were flying in profusion in "certain areas" and I am sure when I return bullets will still be flying in "those areas". Yes Jamaica has problems and crimes, nothing that any other country not suffering from as well... Tell mi something new. She's my Jamaica and when money fi mek and run, I want to network and mek that money with people in Jamaica and the Caribbean. It's high time those professionals abroad go down and share and illustrate knowledge and experience rather than go down and exploit. I feel passionately about this and this is my goal for a long time now. I like to see African and Afro-Caribbean people prosper. I enjoy helping those that get up off their backside and try a thing nuh matter how small and helping those that wants the help but are in over their heads.

I have the utmost respect for the youths in the ghetto. They survive and continue their struggles despite all the BS that is going on around them. Those who can and are in a position regardless how small, should sponsor a ghetto youth to go to school (primary through to high school). Sort of like adopting a ghetto youth externally - being a God father/mother or guardian. These little things can help enormously in cutting violent crimes for the future if each one do their little part. You never know what benefits awaits Jamaica if such a youth is sponsored. One don't need to be part of a daispora congference to help Jamaica, though the DC does have an important role to play.

My parents use to do this very thing with older youths of high school age. The age when the crime element is ripe to take set. This news spread like wild fire and earn them much respect in the community not to mention peace of mind and safety. We hardly locked our doors in Jamaica in the area even though robberies were taking place. Gun men and robbers knew where we lived and never bothered us.

My Mom is now a retired nurse (mid wife) but still assist newly qualified and trainee nurses with the ropes around hospital procedures and processes. Bringing her experiences as a nurse in Jamaica, the UK and the USA at the request of the Jamaican government. So it seems the goverment is using the daispora method, be it on a small scale.


BTW I don't like this building... yuk. It looks like a block of council flats (projects) that got a lick of paint and slaped on a beach front.

[Hopyoneson]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

Good stuff Morpheous, we all should think of ways to give back, despite some thinking dat we ran away from yard [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] , we know in our hearts we physically left for various reasons, but yard was always in the heart. More feedback from the Daispora --->

A Jamaica Fund for diaspora takeover
I WAS overwhelmed with joy to hear that Jamaica may finally capitalise on its greatest export: PEOPLE!

For years, the diaspora has been chanting the words 'we waan go home' and no one has had the time to figure out how to get us back there collectively.

We have tried to do this one-one, but it is time to do this as a collective unit. The bottom line is Jamaica is losing itself in debt-financing. We have to create and use equity-financing and buy back Jamaica!

A Jamaica Fund would be the best starting place considering the quoted US$1.5 billion dollars it received last year. That is astounding!

I admit that when I send home funds to family, I feel safe because I know they will benefit. However, in the bigger picture, what good is a new pair of shoes if you drop in a pothole on the road?

An efficiently managed Jamaica Fund would collectively address national matters, community matters, and individual matters. This would allow the Government to focus on international matters.

If we all (both inside and outside of Jamaica) decide it's time to buy back the country, we can do it.

The Jamaican economy is in the middle of a corporate hostile takeover and we need to buy back the much needed 51 per cent of the stock to get it back into our control!

This is a difficult task, yes, but not impossible. Trust and faith in the funds management will be what we need to get the collective dollars flowing from the outside to the inside in order to achieve this endeavour.

This area is much too small for my full commentary, but, we are pleading with the powers that be to let us return to the land we love. We need you to help us to become confident in the funds management of our country's effort to once again emerge as the jewel of the Caribbean, because we are ready!

Everyone says it. Visitors say it. Natives say it. The Diaspora is singing it, 'Nowhere, NOWHERE nuh betta dan yaad!

I am, etc.,

S.H. ARMSTRONG

[email protected]

Atlanta, Georgia


SOURCE

[Morpheous]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

Agreed 100%.

However, not all need to go back to Jamaica in one collective swoop. That could be counter productive. Besides, professional links need to be established and maintained between Jamaica and Canada, UK and USA. This would ensure the business and finance sectors benefiting Jamiaca, make the best of both worlds; with professionals on either side making a smooth and efficient integration.

It would mean a smoother relocation for those ready to go home to work from that end and those aspiring Jamaicans having a better more organised chance to work in branches/netowrks abroad to further/develop their skills, qualifications and experiance.

What is needed is a well oiled machine working acorss all frontiers mentioned to keep Jamaicas economy, ecudation, production and medical infrastructure ticking nicely.

[mangoskin]

Re: Jamaica Daispora Conf - pappy show or catalyst

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..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]

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It is on a invite only basis, the different countries organizations pick which delegates to send

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this could be a problem if the usual class consciousness rears it's head (bring u clean police cert) [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]


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All Jamaicans united as one, what a sight to behold.

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I hope so, since it happens in Mexico..
in an article from today's Miami Herald, International Edition, there is an article "Living The American Dream" about Boye, Mexico
"a corn-growing community of 900 people founded by Otomi Indians long before Europeans came to the Americas."

Last year, Mexican migrants sent home a record $20 billion, making them Mexico's biggest foreign earner after oil. Half of it flows into poor villages like Boye.

Their dollars are seen everywhere in sun-soaked Boye. The schoolhouse, village church and even the paved main streets were built with funds from " el Norte " sent by <u>migrant clubs in the United States that collect donations from former residents. </u>