THE MONTHLY GLEANER | OCTOBER 5 - NOVEMBER 4, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS MISSED 7 Neil Armstrong/Gleaner Writer TORONTO: ALANDO TERRELONGE, minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, says central to his vision as chair of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council is having a strong focus on youth inclusion and power. “It is my strong belief that the young kings and queens can positively impact development once we equip them with the appropriate resources and opportunities. Sustainability of the diaspora movement and fostering affinity among the over 104,000 second-generation Jamaicans and over 42, 000 third-generation Jamaicans as well as fourth-generation Jamaicans here in Canada is therefore critically important as the demographics of the community continue to evolve,” said Terrelonge who was on his first official visit to Canada as minister of state with responsibility for diaspora affairs. He was introduced by Marsha CooreLobban, the new high commissioner of Jamaica to Canada. He was the keynote speaker at the Regional Jamaica Diaspora Conference (Canada) 2023 held at the Ebenezer Holiness Church of God in Toronto, with satellite venues in Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver where he expounded on the theme of the gathering – engagement, collaboration and action. “If we fail to involve the youth of Canada of Jamaican descent, ... and if we continue to lose more stalwarts, as they continue to grow older, then it means that we would have failed to continue their legacy.” He underscored the importance of Jamaicans involving their children and grandchildren so that they can continue the legacy of their forefathers. “And so, I intend to pay special attention to empower them and let them all realise that their true birthright resides in ‘Jamaica, land we love’ and that they too must be cognisant that they can play their part, that they must play their part, in ‘advancing the welfare of the whole human race’.” The minister noted that they have recognised through the first term of the council some of the specific issues in which the youth cohort has demonstrated key interest and plan to participate. These include education, sports, technology, tourism, investment opportunities, innovation, and the creative arts. As a result, his ministry has deliberately engaged the ministries of tourism, culture, gender, entertainment and sport, and industry, investment and commerce to leverage their assets to anticipate the work by the Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council as mandated by the National Diaspora Policy. He said leveraging technology is a key enabler for diaspora engagement and as they continue that approach, they must recognise that technology is one way to get everyone’s involvement. DIGITAL REGISTRATION PORTAL Minister Terrelonge said there is a digital registration portal being developed in partnership with the International Development Bank and is slated for public testing later this year. “We anticipate that the portal will be publicly launched at the upcoming tenth biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference scheduled for June in Jamaica, 2024. As one of the deliverables emerging from the Diaspora Policy, you’ll be pleased to note that this portal will provide tailored services, including outreach activities, social and economic engagement as well as streamlined data access and collection to Jamaicans in the diaspora in concert with Jamaican ministries, departments and agencies. The minister assured that the information will be confidentially held and stored in a safe environment. Speaking on the Jamaica Diaspora Engagement Model (JAMDEM), he said it is a bespoke investment portal developed in partnership with the International Organization for Migration. Terrelonge said this recognises the growing interest in investments among the diaspora, and hinted at more to come on stream over the next few months. He said the two mechanisms have been informed by Jamaicans in the diaspora and designed with them in mind. The minister said the regional conference was happening at a time when Jamaica’s Vision 2030 is becoming increasingly realised through robust policy-driven action by the Government ushering in the once struggling levels of economic and social transformation. “This has in fact created an enabled environment for investment and a great place to do business – a fact I hope all of you will consider as we deliberate today.” He lauded Jamaica being recognised as an economic giant in the region of the Caribbean and Latin America by its international multilateral partners of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, among others. “Jamaica now reports nine successive growth quarters – a feat that only Jamaica can boast across the region. It is important and I want you all to dispel the rumours, dispel the propaganda because ‘nuff tings a gwaan’ a Jamaica. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond not one teacher, not one doctor, not one policeman, not one nurse, not one civil servant, was fired in Jamaica because of the strict fiscal policy which has seen our economy growing from strength to strength in Jamaica.” The regional conference also featured a fireside chat with minister of tourism Edmund Bartlett about the future of tourism, sustainability and the challenge of climate change; the impact of racism and discrimination on Jamaican Canadians; challenges and opportunities of healthcare in Jamaica; crime and the justice system; education and the diaspora’s role in preparing Jamaican students for the future; and a plenary session examining “where do we go from here?” Dr Sylvanus Thompson, chair of the Regional Jamaica Diaspora Planning Committee, extended the welcome to everyone. The new consul general at Toronto, Kurt Davis, sang the Jamaican anthem alongside consul Younna Bailey-Magalhaes. ‘Their true birthright resides in Jamaica...’ Minister responsible for diaspora affairs underscores youth engagement Danae Peart, MC of the opening ceremony (left), and Alando Terrelonge, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and minister with special responsibility for Diaspora Affairs at the conference. CONTRIBUTED
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