NEW YORK, USA — The Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC) for the Northeast United States has sent the Government a series of proposals it says are aimed at raising the level of engagement with the Diaspora.

The council said it is convinced that, if implemented, the proposals would help the Administration to tap into and maximise “the vast contributions the Diaspora can make to Jamaica’s development”.

Michelle Tulloch-Neil, the GJDC representative for the Northeast US, told the Jamaica Observer that the proposals were dispatched to senior director for diaspora affairs at the foreign ministry Lloyd Wilks.

The proposals are based on a set of key agreements and recommendations which were reached at the recently concluded, inaugural, United States version of the Government-supported Global Jamaica Diaspora Council conference, held from June 12-14, 2025 in the Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia.

Describing the Philadelphia conference “as extremely successful”, organisers said five specific areas of concerns were identified for the Government’s immediate focus.

These include: the enhancement of a formal Diaspora policy framework that institutionalises Diaspora engagement in national planning; the strengthening of consular support and legal aid for undocumented and vulnerable Jamaicans residing abroad; and an effort to prioritise Diaspora-led initiatives.

Also among the set of proposals are the need for the enhancement of educational partnerships and an expansion of collaboration in health care.

Elaborating on the proposals, Tulloch-Neil said, “attendees at the conference concluded that there is need to fast-track vetted projects and to expand the Diaspora outreach of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (Jampro), the investment arm of the Jamaican Government.

“It was felt by the conference that such a move could result in an increase in investments by Jamaican entrepreneurs residing outside of the island,” she said.

On its recommendation for an enhancement of educational partnerships, Tulloch-Neil said that this, “should include efforts to facilitate teacher exchanges, curriculum development, and scholarship programmes co-funded by the Diaspora”.

“We also decided that a need exists for collaboration in health care, especially in the rural areas of the island, and that this should be pursued by integrating medical professionals in the Diaspora in health campaigns.”

Regarding its proposal for the strengthening of consular support and legal aid for undocumented and vulnerable Jamaicans living abroad, Tulloch-Neil said recommendations came out of some serious discussions at the session on immigration.

“Considering the current immigration climate, and in response to the many questions, participating attorneys at the conference expressed their readiness to offer expert assistance in addressing these inquires.

“They have also agreed to be added to an existing roster of immigrating counsel who will be available to provide continued support and guidance. In light of the support from these attorneys a forum has been scheduled for July 16, 2025 to further advance the discussions initiated at the conference,” added Tulloch-Neil.

The forum, which will be chaired by Tulloch-Neil, is to be held under the theme: ‘Immigration: Understanding your rights and responsibilities – Part Two’.

She listed several key accomplishments which were reached at the conference, among which is the development of a Diaspora skills registry to connect professionals with Jamaican agencies seeking technical expertise in health, education, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure.

Strategic partnerships were also forged between US-based organisations and Jamaican institutions to support youth mentorship, health outreach and educational exchange programmes.

Going forward, Tulloch-Neil said, a designated team from the US Northeast Diaspora will be put in place to track implementation of the 2025 conference resolutions and to mobilise resources; and quarterly town hall meetings will be held to provide updates, gather feedback, and maintain community engagement across the Diaspora regions.

Arising out of the US conference, Tulloch-Neil said, mobilisation will begin for the 2026 GJDC Biennial Conference in Jamaica, “where Northeast US representatives will present progress made and advocate for unified global strategies”.