Diaspora much more than a dollar sign

Peter Edwards, Guest Columnist

As the Government prepares to host the 5th Jamaica Diaspora Conference this week, this important issue has again become the topic du jour.

Based on recent news items as well as my reading of the conference website, it seems that this year's forum will be primarily focused on business, trade and investment, philanthropy, social investment and diaspora diplomacy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also plans to unveil a new Diaspora Policy.

I fully support any discussions that may facilitate better engagement of the Jamaican diaspora, as these focal areas are very important to national development. Increased financial investments in health tourism, capital markets and large infrastructure projects (such as the logistics hub and industrial parks), promoting venture capital and entrepreneurial investments in medium and micro business are all key areas that the Jamaican diaspora is poised to play a greater role in.

However, I have noted that in the past, as well as present day, the discussions on this topic have been primarily focused on seeking the financial support of Jamaicans abroad (through business or philanthropy).

As many are aware, remittances are the nation's leading contributor to foreign-exchange earnings and account for 15 per cent of Jamaica's GDP (bauxite and tourism each contribute five per cent). The Government is, therefore, correct in its effortsat redirecting these sources of funding towards job-creating enterprises.

While this is indeed very important, there are many other ways that Jamaicans in the diaspora can contribute to the sustainable economic growth and development of our island home.I would like to suggest that in order to fully harness the collective power of her people, Jamaica (i.e., Government and private sector) needs to focus on more than just the potential cash influx from the diaspora. The diaspora is much more than a dollar sign.

You may ask, where am I headed with this? It should be noted that the Jamaican diaspora is not a homogenous block.We all did not migrate in the 1960s, '70s or '80s. This means not all of us are approaching retirement with disposable incomes andable toconsider investing in our homeland.

We are a mixed group. For example, some of us may have left the island less than 10 years ago for a variety of reasons (school, work, etc.).Some of us may have recently completed first, second or terminal degrees in a variety of disciplines and just started working. Some of us may be approaching mid-level career phases in our various professions. Some may even have recently started families or businesses in their country of 'voluntary exile'.

My point is that persons in the diaspora face a wide range of complex social and economic factors which would not necessarily allow them to substantially contribute financially, or better yet, physically return home to Jamaica. However, these individuals represent a vast repository of skills and knowledge that could be harnessed towards nation building.

TAP INTO TALENT

I would like to suggest some ways Jamaica can better engage with this group of individuals who may not have the financial wherewithal, but have the energy, passion and commitment to offer their talents to their nation.

My first recommendation is in the area of policy development and legislation.Jamaica has a long list of policies and legislation that are in varying states of limbo. These include many Green and White Papers, other laws that need to be upgraded or changed, as well as policies that may need analysis and evaluation.

There are members in the diaspora with specialised degrees, including PhDs, postdoctorate scholars, academics and industry practitioners who have content expertise in a range of disciplines, have access to cutting-edge technologies and are familiar with advanced analytical approaches.

These content areas include, but are not limited to: sustainable agriculture, climate change, water management, environmental management, education, transportation, health care, information technology as well as various forms of economic approaches such as micro- and macroeconomics, institutional, labour and natural resource economics, to name a few.

Aside from short-term consultancies, the Government needs to provide better ways of facilitating the participation of these individuals. For example, through existing research institutes or newly created think tanks, these diaspora members could assist with high-end policy and cost-benefit analyses of large projects, drafting and updating legislation where necessary, policy evaluation, simulation and sensitivity analysis, economic and biophysical forecasting, among a host of other potential activities.

I understand that the state minister for foreign affairs, Arnaldo Brown, has indicated that the Government intends to establish a database of Jamaican professionals and investors abroad. I hope this database will include a broad cross section of disciplines and professional interests (not just business).

PUT DIASPORA ON BOARDS

My second suggestion relates to facilitating the inclusion of the diaspora on executive and national boards. This is closely related to theprevious discussion above and, again, could apply both to the Government and private sector. In this modern age of video and web conferencing, I see no reason why a Jamaican in the diaspora could not sit on the National Water Commission or National Housing Trust boards, for example.

Diaspora directors could participate virtually, and if there are legislative barriers, these should be removed or updated. Of course, in some instances, time-zone differences may pose a challenge, but I am sure that a committed Jamaican living overseas might be willing to stay up late or get up early to participate in a board meeting if called to do so from time to time. Additionally, with this approach, there are obvious cost savings from avoiding airfare and accommodation expenses.

REFORM CONSTITUTION

The final suggestion is related to the need for amendments to the Constitution to allow for increased political involvement of Jamaicans who may be considering a (full) return home. The current Supreme Court's interpretation of Section 40 of our Constitution is, in my opinion, one of the barriers for some Jamaicans in the diaspora who may be considering higher national service.

I presented some suggestions in a previous article (Sunday Gleaner, November 13, 2011, 'Wooing Jamaican diaspora into national service) and so I will not say much more on this controversial and emotional topic.

I have presented three examples, of which there are many more, where the Jamaican Government, private sector and civil society can more fully engage with the diaspora. The diaspora community offers so much more than remittances and foreign or (more appropriately) 'diaspora' direct investment.

Tecnological advances can allow for various types of real-time participation in nation-building activities. Jamaicans in the diaspora have unique skill sets in areas such as economic policy, biotechnology, engineering, foreign languages and education. These skills can be harnessed as Jamaica seeks to compete in an increasingly global world. All of us may not be 'strapped' with hard cash, but we can contribute an equivalent or greater value in professional and technical services.

Dr Peter E.T. Edwards is a Jamaican marine scientist, environmental economist and policy analyst. He currently works as a consultant for a federal ocean and coastal management agency in the USA. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and peteretedwards@gmail.com.