New York, USA — With elections to the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC) behind them, the newly selected representatives are now turning their attention towards developing their agendas for the next three years and getting down to work.

A common theme on their to-do lists is the fostering of deeper engagement and connection within the Diaspora, focusing on youth development, the facilitation of economic growth and efforts to harness resources among Jamaicans for sustainable economic and social development.

Newly elected representative for the Southern United States Janice McIntosh says she “plans to build a digital network that will connect Jamaican Americans across the region to identify resources and opportunities available to them”.

“I also believe that by identifying representatives in each state and developing a shared database of skills and assets, we can strengthen collaboration, increase access and create a more connected and empowered Diaspora,” said McIntosh.

She is already working on developing a networking mechanism and resource hub which she disclosed would soon be rolled out, as part of the efforts to implement her overall plans.

McIntosh told the Jamaica Observer that part of her goal is to identify representatives in all 13 Southern states which make up the region to ensure her plans have broad-based support that would spur effective implementation.

Among the States under her watch are Arizona, Alabama, Arkansas, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

In the Northeast US, re-elected representative Michelle Tulloch-Neil has listed eight areas on which she will be focusing her attention. They include economic growth and the facilitation of investment; youth development and education; health and community wellness; policy advocacy and government engagement; data research and institutional strengthening; governance and accountability and culture, identity and community engagement.

In a press statement Tulloch-Neil, a familiar name in the Diaspora, said that in an effort to improve communication and engagement, she would launch a Northeast Diaspora website and a monthly newsletter designed to inform and drive participation and maintain momentum on issues that are of importance to the Diaspora.

This is seen as an obvious move to address the longstanding lack of interest in and low participation in several initiatives which have dogged the GJDC.

Part of the plans which Tulloch-Neil hopes to undertake under her policy advocacy and government engagement theme is the strengthening of the voice of the Diaspora in policymaking, which she “sees as essential”.

“I will seek to facilitate policy round-tables with US legislators and Jamaican officials to address critical issues such as immigration, dual citizenship, and trade. This is to ensure that the concerns of the Diaspora are effectively represented and addressed,” she said.

States which comprise the Northeast US region include Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

For Dr Binzie R Davidson, the newly minted GJDC representative for the West Midwest, one crucial objective is to revive the once vibrant umbrella National Association of Jamaica and Supportive Organisations (NAJASO).

“I believe that this needs to be done so that the organisation can once again play the important role it once did and for which it was established,” Davidson told the Jamaica Observer.

He too plans to harness the resources in the region for the economic and social Development of Jamaican nationals and supporters that will “benefit our people here and in Jamaica.” Davidson also pledged to work closely with elected GJDC Youth representative Solange Sinclair to ensure collaboration on youth development, as well as his other counterpart representatives for the overall good of Jamaica.

Dr Binzie R Davidson

Michelle Tulloch-Neil