Time for Jamaica Diaspora Led Engagement Playbook 2.0

IT'S TIME FOR DIASPORA LED ENGAGEMENT DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT PLAYBOOK 2.0 This document is the 2.0 version of an earlier Diaspora Engagement Playbook - Diaspora Task Forces - A Model for Engagement Playbook and Startup Guide 1.0

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OUR HISTORY For many years Jamaicans overseas focused contribution to Jamaica through giving via non-profit organizations, alumni and individual effort. This philanthropic contribution was focused on their communities, their schools and clinics or hospitals.

In 2004 this evolved into the mobilization of the Diaspora for more than just philanthropic giving through a more structured and organized movement led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to focus on Social, Trade and Investment towards the achievement of the Jamaica 2030 Vision.

Growth has been challenging and the path we made as we walked it, was filled with uncertainties, discussion and sometimes confusion. Amidst the growing pains of a new movement, we have made excellent progress that rivals other Diasporas. Some of the more distinct benefits over the last 15 years, above and beyond Remittances, has been: Greater partnership between Jamaicans in the Diaspora and Jamaicans at home.

Increased awareness by the Diaspora on the opportunities for collaboration in Jamaica Greater partnership between the Diaspora and the public and the private sectors in meeting Vision 2030 Organic growth of measures to bring initiatives focused on not only philanthropic investment but also financial, in kind, intellectual and business investment as well.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs played an important and

OUR

HISTORY

necessary role kickstarting and creating structure around the movement but there is widespread debate about how the government of Jamaica should engage its Diaspora. Some think that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should set a template for the Diaspora to follow. There is a growing awareness however that accessing, and mobilizing the Diaspora at this stage of the movement will require the Diaspora itself evolving organically and naturally. A one size fits all structure will not. They Diaspora is scattered across Continents, Regions, jurisdictions as well as interest and temperament.

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We've seen a shift so we are now at a point, where Diaspora engagement requires a more Diaspora Led and integrated approach than what is currently being proposed.

Here is a four point plan we can engage to build on: 1. Use of existing governmental boards, committees and agencies in Jamaica to partner for growth. There are

The Jamaica Diaspora is not a physical “ rock” but a bunch of individuals living in various place across the globe. No single governance instrument can bring it together. The most important role the Diaspora can play in Jamaica’s development is to collaborate with the government, the private sector and NGOs to find creative ways to fill gaps, build capacity, and advance efforts developed the Jamaicans who do live on the rock.

The Diaspora is currently doing this through

-Missions: Medical and Educational -Church and faith base exchanges -Business, trade and investments -Taskforce project engagements** -Diaspora Advisory Boards -Plus Remittances All together these tools of engagement have helped our homeland in meaningful ways and brought billions in foreign exchange to the Island.

TODAY AND

MOVING FORWARD

52 such entities*. Diaspora members should sit on some these board, see below.

2. Create Diaspora Leaders vs Foreign Affairs Advisors.

Fortify and adjust the existing Diaspora Advisory Board (DAB) electoral system, Terms of Reference (TOR) and directives and create instead Elected Regional Diaspora Representatives (ERDRs -formerly DABs.) Design a detailed and workable new TOR with the facilitation of missions and consulates.

3. Leverage the existing and past Advisory Board members as stewards of this new way forward. The oldest Advisory Board members will term out with each election of new ERDRs and past ERDRs will join.

4. Each successive biennial conference, ideally with the legacy sponsors, should rotate through the core Diaspora regions and Jamaica. It should also expand to include best practice sharing and tours between Jamaica and the Diaspora.

The above is the contribution of a core group of committed Jamaicans in the Diaspora, for the beginning of a new way forward. What are your thoughts, how should this morph and expand?

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GET INVOLVED AND CONTRIBUTE CONTRIBUTE

ORGANIZE

Join the effort to build out this plan.

Send your thoughts and contributions to diasporaled@callingalljamaicans.org

Cluster in your Regions and virtually in collaboration with Missions and other stakeholders to brainstorm and discuss

LET US CO-CREATE THIS TOGETHER FOOTNOTES PLAYBOOK 2.0 This document is the 2.0 version of an earlier Diaspora Engagement Playbook - Diaspora Task Forces - A Model for Engagement Playbook and Startup Guide 1.0 The Jamaica Diaspora movement is far from monolithic, as the movement evolves, so will our perspectives and ideas around engagement and meeting our growing and diverse needs.

*EXISTING GOV BOARDS AND AGENCIES WHERE THE DIASPORA CAN IMMEDIATELY IMMERSE AND CREATE AN IMPACT The South East Regional Health Authority Board Western Regional Health Authority Board National Education Trust Jamaica Foundation for Lifelong Learning Jamaica Tourist Board Jamaica Tourism Product Development Company E-Learning Jamaica Company Limited National Energy Solutions Limited Coconut Industry Board University Council of Jamaica Teacher Appeals Tribunal Office of Disaster preparedness and emergency management Jamaica Fire Brigade National Solid Waste Management Authority Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica Apprenticeship Board Jamaica Library Service Sava Lamar Public General hospital Pharmacy Council The four regional Health Authorities

TODAY AND

MOVING FORWARD