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MAPPING JAMAICA’S DIASPORA PROJECT LAUNCHED
Wednesday, June 11, 2014 --- Kingston, Jamaica --- Minister of State Arnaldo Brown at the official launch of the Mapping Jamaica’s Diaspora Project held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade yesterday (Tuesday, June 10, 2014) stated that “It is expected that by June 2015, the Jamaican government will have a database of Jamaicans in the Diaspora, following the completion of the Mapping Jamaica’s Diaspora Project, which has been underway, since December 2013.”The Mapping Jamaica’s Diaspora project is being implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). “A comprehensive database of Jamaicans in the Diaspora is a necessary developmental tool, since it will assist the Government in locating Jamaicans in the Diaspora who possess certain skill sets associated with our critical development projects, that we may currently not have in sufficient supply,” said the State Minister.It has been stated many times on various occasion that Jamaica is a borderless society, being able to employ the skills and expertise of Jamaicans, wherever they are, in areas where there are gaps in the resident Jamaican labour force is in tandem with this claim. The project is designed to identify the locations, skills, expertise and interests of members of the Jamaican Diaspora. This structured approach will gauge their interest in the following key areas for growth, such as:
This sentiment was reinforced in a message from Minister AJ Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, which stated that the“project aims to identify, through survey responses, the ways in which the Diaspora can contribute to the development of Jamaica, while also determining their needs and concerns.”Mr. Robert Paiva, the Regional Director for Central & North America & the Caribbean (IOM), in his video message (/sites/default/files/civicrm/jamaica_diaspora_mapping_launch.xspf) lauded the work that has been undertaken and highlighted that this is one of a series of diaspora mapping projects that the IOM has funded globally. It is important to note that the IOM has been playing a significant role in supporting the work of the Jamaican government in engaging the Diaspora. The IOM sponsored the initiative to develop Jamaica’s first Migration Profile and the International Migration and Development Policy led to current work being done to develop Jamaica’s Diaspora Policy and this Mapping Jamaica’s Diaspora Project.
From Left: Mr. Lloyd Wilks, Director, Diaspora and Consular Affairs Department (MFAFT); Honourable Minister of State Arnaldo Brown, (MFAFT); and Mrs. Rukiya Brown Project Assistant (IOM).The official Mapping Jamaica’s Diaspora website was also launched. To participate in the survey members of the Jamaican Diaspora may log on to www.mapjadiaspora.iom.int.I am here. You are there. We are Jamaica – A borderless society. Together we work towards growth and prosperity.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014 --- Kingston, Jamaica --- Minister of State Arnaldo Brown at the official launch of the Mapping Jamaica’s Diaspora Project held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade yesterday (Tuesday, June 10, 2014) stated that “It is expected that by June 2015, the Jamaican government will have a database of Jamaicans in the Diaspora, following the completion of the Mapping Jamaica’s Diaspora Project, which has been underway, since December 2013.”The Mapping Jamaica’s Diaspora project is being implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). “A comprehensive database of Jamaicans in the Diaspora is a necessary developmental tool, since it will assist the Government in locating Jamaicans in the Diaspora who possess certain skill sets associated with our critical development projects, that we may currently not have in sufficient supply,” said the State Minister.It has been stated many times on various occasion that Jamaica is a borderless society, being able to employ the skills and expertise of Jamaicans, wherever they are, in areas where there are gaps in the resident Jamaican labour force is in tandem with this claim. The project is designed to identify the locations, skills, expertise and interests of members of the Jamaican Diaspora. This structured approach will gauge their interest in the following key areas for growth, such as:
- Logistics;
- Agriculture;
- Manufacturing
- Information and Communications Technology;
- Creative Industries;
- Energy and Mining; and
- Health and Wellness Tourism
This sentiment was reinforced in a message from Minister AJ Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, which stated that the“project aims to identify, through survey responses, the ways in which the Diaspora can contribute to the development of Jamaica, while also determining their needs and concerns.”Mr. Robert Paiva, the Regional Director for Central & North America & the Caribbean (IOM), in his video message (/sites/default/files/civicrm/jamaica_diaspora_mapping_launch.xspf) lauded the work that has been undertaken and highlighted that this is one of a series of diaspora mapping projects that the IOM has funded globally. It is important to note that the IOM has been playing a significant role in supporting the work of the Jamaican government in engaging the Diaspora. The IOM sponsored the initiative to develop Jamaica’s first Migration Profile and the International Migration and Development Policy led to current work being done to develop Jamaica’s Diaspora Policy and this Mapping Jamaica’s Diaspora Project.
From Left: Mr. Lloyd Wilks, Director, Diaspora and Consular Affairs Department (MFAFT); Honourable Minister of State Arnaldo Brown, (MFAFT); and Mrs. Rukiya Brown Project Assistant (IOM).