A message of clarification to Jamaican Diaspora leaders, families, and friends

Sometimes, clarifications are necessary when I speak or write on matters relating to Diaspora engagement. People ask why there is so much confusion about the governance of Diaspora organizations and the government of Jamaica. Let’s make this clear; the government has no authority over any person or organization in any other country than within Jamaica. No law in Jamaica applies to the Diaspora, where or how we live, work, play, or decide to give back to our country. Jamaicans in the Diaspora (USA, Canada, UK, or outlying areas are responsible only to the governments where they live. However, you must abide by the laws of Jamaica whenever you return home for a visit, business, donating or vacation.

The advisors to the government ( the representatives of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC), who were recently elected, are or will become representatives for the Jamaican government and are NOT Diaspora Community representatives. Yes, we voted for them, but only (from the perspective of the Jamaican government) that we identify the person we want to be our representative to advise the government of Jamaica, not as our Diaspora representatives. When those elected persons accept the advisor role, they operate on a Jamaican government's terms of reference (TOR) on a board chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. The minister could ideally…