Elections are being held throughout the United States in Jamaican American communities with little interest from residents. These are elections to elect members to the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council, formerly the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board. The elections are being held from December 2, through to December 19, to elect a representative from each of the three core Jamaican regions in the US – the Northeast, West/Mid-West, and Southern regions.
Since 2004, when the Jamaican government initiated a formal structure between Jamaica and its diaspora, all former board/council members elected to represent the Southern Region were from Florida; South Florida to be precise.
However, only relative few of the estimated 775,000 Jamaicans living in the Southern Region, consisting of Florida, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, voted for these individuals. That’s because after 18 years most people either have little interest in, or lack understanding of, a formalized Jamaican diaspora organization.
Frankly, these elections have only resulted in electing board/council members given the proverbial basket to carry plenty water.
Unfortunately, attempts to formalize the relationship between Jamaica and its diaspora have been sluggish. Granted, a Jamaica Diaspora Conference is held biennially in Jamaica, but in between there are significant inconsistencies in the relationship.
There are several challenges impeding the diaspora from functioning as a coordinated organization, similar to other diaspora communities in the US. Few of these challenges were able to be effectively addressed by former advisory board/council members in either the US, Canada, or United Kingdom, because their effectiveness was handicapped from the outset of their tenure.
The challenges include the functionality of the Jamaica/diaspora organization. The Jamaican government formally liaises with the diaspora through the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council consisting of members from Jamaica and the diaspora. However, this hasn’t proved to be a practical system.
The role of council members representing the diaspora are frustrated by factors, including lack of funding and administrative support, and the logistics of being effective representatives of the vast US territory. This system needs to be urgently reviewed and adjusted.
The diaspora is also challenged by lack of unity, structurally and functionally. Without some unification, it’s difficult for the diaspora to participate effectively in matters affecting Jamaica.
Another serious challenge is the misconception that a functioning diaspora organization is the responsibility of the Jamaican government. The diaspora is a Jamaican community outside of Jamaica. To function effectively internally and with Jamaica, the diaspora needs a formidable autonomous organizational structure.
The focus, even before 2004, is for organizations within the diaspora to provide various forms of assistance to Jamaica. While this is commendable, the diaspora badly lacks strong inherent leadership with the potential to address issues affecting Jamaicans living within the respective overseas communities, while simultaneously addressing issues relevant to Jamaica. This is an issue that needs addressing.
However, for this leadership to be effective several changes are needed.
Suggested changes include:
Creation and implementation of an umbrella type Jamaica Diaspora Board (JDB), an organization that functions within and across the broad Jamaican diaspora, with representatives elected from smaller geographical regions, more practical to serve. The JBB will be led by a chairperson appointed by the elected board members.
To be effective the JDB needs to be appropriately gender- and age-balanced, capable of pulling on the participation of youth, cultural, community, business, media and religious leaders, and professionals within the diaspora.
Establishing stronger rapport between the JDB and Jamaican diplomatic representatives across the diaspora so the Board can be sufficiently apprised of Jamaica’s public policies, and the diplomats of diaspora issues.
Creating a sound, functional communication channel that reaches and sustains feedback from Jamaicans regionally, nationally, and internationally. This is necessary to make the diaspora more effective at serving itself, while developing, coordinating, and implementing projects relevant to Jamaica, and incumbent Jamaican governments.
Addressing the funding challenges, establish a Jamaica Diaspora Investment Fund (JDIF) be established under the JDB, supplemented with loans and grants from Jamaican, national, international financial institutions, and structured financial contributions within the diaspora.
The focus of the Jamaican diaspora should move beyond attending biennial and other conferences in Jamaica, to being the source of financial remittances and charitable contributions to Jamaica.
A properly structured, competently led diaspora board, functioning autonomously within the diaspora, with clear communication channels with the Jamaican government, and other Jamaican entities, would serve to improve the relationships between the diaspora and Jamaica.
Electing members to a Global Jamaica Diaspora Council controlled by terms set by the Jamaican government, and without any administrative tools is futile to a functioning diaspora. This hasn’t strengthened relationships between Jamaica and its diaspora since 2004, and likely never will.
