Jamaican High Commission United Kingdom

Fellow Jamaicans,

As you may know, Jamaica is making significant strides to improve the engagement and involvement of our Diaspora in our nation’s development.  One major tool of engagement has been the Diaspora Advisory Board which has been in existence for the past 15 years.

Arising from discussions with Diasporans across the globe and other stakeholders, it became clear that there needed to be an expansion of the Board which would take into account Jamaicans from other regions who were not currently a part of the Board. Consequently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, in collaboration with the current Diaspora Advisory Board Members discussed and agreed on the creation of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC).

The new Council will be established in January 2020. It is a more inclusive and expanded mechanism for deeper and wider collaboration among and within the Jamaican Diaspora.  The main role of the Council is to serve as an advisory and consultative body to create pathways for increased engagement with and involvement of the Jamaican Diaspora.

Membership of the Council will comprise twenty-eight (28) members to allow for global representation. Fourteen (14) will be elected from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Of the fourteen (14), seven (7) members will be Youth Leaders between the ages of 18 and 35 years who will also form part of this new engagement structure. Young people are critical to the sustainability of the Diaspora movement.

The first cohort of Youth Leaders for this Council will be appointed, given the establishment of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council (GJDYC).   The remaining 14 members will be selected from other regions including: Africa, Asia and the Pacific; the Middle East; the Caribbean; Latin America and Europe. The Council will also include persons with expertise from the following sectors: Education; Health and Wellness; Arts, Sports and Culture; Citizen Security; Development Issues; Faith-based Community and Commerce.

Electoral Committees are being formed in the respective locations to conduct and manage the logistics for the election of Global Jamaica Diaspora Council members.  The information, including the voter registration form and the nomination form, as well as the final slate of candidates are posted on the High Commission’s website and social media pages.

We are encouraging all Jamaicans whether by birth, descent, marriage, naturalisation or registration to offer yourself to become a member of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council.  Similarly, your participation by way of voting is essential to the election process.  

The Mission would also appreciate, in particular, the support of community leaders and organizations in the UK, in promoting this important election process.

Please find attached for your information, the following documents:

-  Brochure

- Briefing Notes on the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC), inclusive of an illustrative chart of the new membership structure;

-  Terms of Reference and Election process for members to the GJDC; and

-  Frequently Asked Questions on the GJDC.

You may also visit the website at: https://www.globaljadiasporacouncil.com/

Thank you for your sustained interest in Jamaica.  We look forward to your participation in this important process and invite you to send any questions or comments to Contact Us/Feedback.