Ja must tap into potential of diaspora – Charles Jr
STATE MINISTER for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Pearnel Charles Jr says Jamaica should find strategic ways of leveraging the untapped potential of its diaspora.
He told the country’s diplomats gathered in Kingston for the 2018 Executive Management and Heads of Missions Conference that the Government intends to build a robust diaspora-engagement strategy and architecture that would strengthen and broaden Jamaica’s relationship with all its nationals worldwide.
“Countries such as ours must articulate a clear strategy to leverage this still largely untapped potential. I hasten to add that the strategy cannot only be a one-way street,” said Charles.
He said that the strategies must be based on the principles of mutuality, inclusiveness, participation, trust, communication, and accountability.
According to Charles, international migration is now viewed as a dynamic process of growth, advancement, and progress.
He said that migration, therefore, has the potential to empower migrants and advance their capacities.
“It is within that context that diasporas bear relevance. There is increasing recognition that diasporas are key actors on the international stage, and, therefore, for developing countries such as Jamaica, it is even more critical, given that we are both a sending and receiving state.
“Given their spheres of influence, they wield authority in corridors of power in their adopted countries, which, if capitalised, can be of tremendous benefit to their countries of origin,” Charles said.