Robert Hart, Parliamentary ReporterREX NETTLEFORD, outgoing vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), has been appointed chairman of the Jamaican Diaspora Foundation, which was set up in response to discussions held at the Jamaican Diaspora Conference in June.
Senator Delano Franklyn, State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, made the announcement during his contribution to the State of the Nation debate in the Senate yesterday.
Mr. Nettleford was also recently appointed Ambassador-at-large by the Jamaican Government.
STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS
"By the end of the year, other members of the foundation will be announced and we aim to have the foundation officially launched early next calendar year," Senator Franklyn said, as he discussed attempts by both the Government and the private sector to deepen and strengthen relationships with Jamaicans living overseas.
The Diaspora Foundation will be a limited liability non-profit organisation, with a board of directors made up of "well-placed" Jamaicans based locally and abroad, as well as representatives from the public and private sectors.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
"It will have an operating arm, the Jamaica Diaspora Institute, which will also function as the secretariat for the Foundation," Senator Franklyn said. "The specific activities to be undertaken by the Foundation and its associated institute will be determined periodically by the board of directors who will ultimately be responsible for the timely implementation of these activities."
The Institute will be located at the Mona School of Business at the UWI.
Senator Franklyn told his colleagues that the Diaspora Conference, which was held for the first time this year, will be held every two years. The next conference is slated for 2006.
