Lisa Peterkin and Claude Mills, Gleaner WritersTORONTO, Canada: THERE IS a new spirit of cultural awakening and resolve afoot in the Jamaican community in Canada. That new spirit was defined during the launch of the Jamaican Diaspora-Canada Foundation at Club Paradise in Etobicoke on December 3.
Jamaicans in Canada are determined that they will revitalise the fortunes of the land of their birth through the collective will and combined talent and resources of its immigrant community.
The high-powered launch featured appearances by distinguished guests, dignitaries and pillars of the Jamaican business community in Canada.
One of those guests was Claudio Valle, Canadian High Commis-sioner to Jamaica, who flew in from Jamaica to attend the function. He praised the initiative as one that further "cements the relationship between Jamaica and Canada".
"Like many Jamaicans, I am part of a diaspora. I came to Canada at the age of 13 from Free Italy, one of the poorest areas of Italy for centuries. When our people travelled abroad, much like Jamaicans talked of the 'Rock', we talked of the majestic mountains because we understand the attachment to the land," he said.
CLOSE LINKS
"We established close links to our homeland. Today, Free Italy enjoys the highest standard of living in Italy, and I can tell you it works, moving from the individual to the collective, it makes sense and over time, you will get there it is achievable in a generation if we all contribute with the channelling of talent solutions to the problems in Jamaica are achievable in less than 60 years," Mr. Valle said to loud applause from the appreciative audience.
"You need to organise yourselves to have an effective voice at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. You have to come together in a way so people will listen to you," Mr. Valle urged.
Jamaica's High Commissioner to Canada, Carl Marshall, praised Philip Mascoll, president and Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, vice-president, for the tireless work to form the foundation, which he said represented a turning point in the thinking and resolve of the diaspora, which was first founded when the first Jamaican became a domicile citizen in Canada.
"Something new is happening this evening," he said. "I'm urging all Jamaicans to come together and work hard with the Diaspora."
FLAG BEARERS
During his address, he paid tribute to the JCA (Jamaica Canadian Association and NCOJ (National Council of Jamaicans and Supportive Organisations in Canada) which have been flag bearers of the Jamaican interests in Canada for many years. He also paid tribute to the work of the 12 member board two from Canada, three from the US and two from the UK which came out of the first Diaspora conference this year, and which will work closely with Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Trade, Delano Franklin.
The Diaspora-Canada's job is to connect with the thinking of Jamaicans all over Canada to see what help can be given to the development of Jamaica-nothing is being formed here this evening that is on a lower or higher level or wider level than already exists here, Mr. Marshall added.
He also read from a prepared statement sent by the Minister of Foreign Trade, which attempted to outline the efforts of the Jamaican government to facilitate the generous overtures of various overseas Jamaicans who wanted to assist the country to develop and grow.
Franklin said participation from the Diaspora is important. "The convening of the Jamaican Diaspora Conference in June this year was an effort to show we're interested in the economic and other aspects of Jamaicans all over the world."
He said there was an election of an advisory board to the Minister on policy matters pertaining to overseas committees. Jamaican Diaspora Day will be observed on June 16.
The guest speaker for the night's event was Bishop Peter Morgan, who had also journeyed to Canada from Jamaica to lend his support to the Foundation.
NEED A RENAISSANCE
"It is my view that we need a renaissance. If we do not engage the challenge of rebirth -we will die in our blood, in our poverty and in our arrogance. In the words of Bob Marley, we must become our own liberators, none other can liberate us-we must convince ourselves that we have the capacity to throw off the struggles of the past and to engage a new beginning," he said.
The new Jamaica requires the birth of new Jamaicans whose thinking is being shaped by the Diaspora, the world over. Our motto says 'Out of many one people', but which one? Does it mean the melting down of everyone to the least denominator of all? The Diaspora will give rise to the best elements of each," Mr. Morgan said.
KEY AREAS
He outlined a number of key areas in which it was necessary to engage dialogue and formulate policy:
Self-examination and honest confession,forgiveness and reconciliation. Morgan says this releases a people to become a new people with a sense of self- worth to understand and crystallise a new vision together. He said we must engage in a process of personal introspection to arrive at corporate resolutions.
Development of a common cultural identity. Ethnic and cultural diversity gives us the ability to identify with almost everyone in the world, he said.
Giving attention to the socio-judicial contract recognise the right of each individual for self-actualisation. The social contract must benefit all.
Geo-economic enterprise share wealth of resources of the land must happen. We must become a productive people and everyone must benefit for wealth does not belong to any individual, it belongs to the nation.
He also called for what he dubbed a 'Charter of moral imperatives'.
"All of these points must be undergirded by moral imperatives based on the word of God. We have to determine the norms by which we as a people must conduct ourselves in private and public," Bishop Morgan said.
