By Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter 
Senator Delano Franklyn, State Minister in the ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (centre), converses with Lascelles Anderson, a member of the U.S National Advisory board, Jamaican Diaspora (right) while U.K representave Paulette Simpson looks on just before the start of the Diaspora meeting yesterday. The venue was the Pegasus Hotel in St. Andrew. - Norman Grindley/ Deputy Chief Photographer
"POSITIVE." THAT was the word from Senator Delano Franklyn, state minister in the ministry of foreign affairs, about yesterday's second meeting of the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.
Among the issues discussed were mechanisms to facilitate the work of the board. The minister updated the body of developments since a diaspora conference was held last June. He also advised the board of plans to establish the Jamaican Diaspora Foundation, Jamaican Diaspora Day and website.
Other issues discussed included the relationship between the Diaspora bodies the Jamaican Missions and the ministry of foreign affairs; improved communication; organisational structure; and the sending of donations from the diaspora to Jamaica.
The Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board was formed after last year's first Jamaican Diaspora Conference in June, last year. It has the primary function to advise the minister on issues relating to the diaspora. It is also required to interface with community groups in the respective countries to obtain a clear understanding of the issues, interests and concerns in the Jamaican community.
