Senator, Dr. Ronald Robinson (right), Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade, makes a point on behalf of the Diaspora during at town hall meeting at Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn, NY, on Friday, April 17, 2009, at the start of an official nine days, four states visit. Consul General of Jamaica in New York, Mrs. Geneive Brown Metzger (left) who is hosting the visit, looks on. Sharon Bennett photo.
NEW YORK (JIS) Friday, April 17, 2009 – Jamaica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator, the Honourable Dr. Ronald Robinson, is of the opinion that the Jamaica Diaspora Movement has not been affected by the change of government since September 2007.
At the first in a series of community/town hall meetings at the Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Robinson said that the Jamaica Diaspora Movement has not been affected by the changing fortunes of political parties and continues to enjoy bipartisan support.
Underscoring the work done by his predecessor Senator Delano Franklin under the previous administration, Dr. Robinson who now has portfolio responsibility for Diaspora Affairs, touted the progressive improvements seen in the Diaspora Movement.
These he said included the creation of the Jamaica Diaspora Foundation, chaired by Professor Rex Nettleford and the Jamaica Diaspora Institute under the executive direction of Professor Neville Ying.
Dr. Robinson told the audience that finding the right mix of personnel to access funding and provide proper representation at the global level is underway. He used the occasion to announce the appointment of Vincent HoSang, CEO of Caribbean Food Delights/Royal Caribbean Bakery to the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board.
Bishop R.C. Hugh Nelson (second right), Pastor of the Church of God Church of East Flatbush, NY; shares his thoughts with Senator, Dr. Ronald Robinson (second left), Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade; Mrs. Robinson (left) and Consul General of Jamaica in New York, Mrs. Geneive Brown Metzger (right), prior to the start of the town hall meeting at the Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn, NY on Friday, April 17, 2009. Senator, Dr. Robinson will meet and share his thoughts on the current state of affairs at home with Jamaicans in four states over nine days, through April 26. Sharon Bennett Photo
“We have come a far way as a Diaspora Movement if we are to reflect on where we were ten years ago. A lot of work has been done,” Dr. Robinson noted.
Senator Robinson said that in the context of the global village and with the Diaspora now accounting for the single largest industry – remittances, the matter of government representation from then Diaspora will be delayed until the issue of dual citizenship is sorted out.
Senator Robinson who is on an a four state official visit, will hear from Jamaicans in New Jersey at a town hall meeting scheduled for the East Orange High School, on Wednesday, April 22, at 7:00pm., and hosted by the Jamaican Organization of New Jersey (JON-J).
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Contact:
Aubrey L. Campbell
JIS/NY
T: 212-935-7506