Ambassador Gordon Shirley, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States visits South Florida community
Professor Gordon Shirley, Jamaican Ambassador to the United States said that this is an important juncture for Jamaica as it was set for growth and told his audience that the Diaspora has a fundamental role to play in the process of change.
The Ambassador was speaking at a reception in his honor, at the Westin Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood when he paid a visit to South Florida on Thursday, February 24.
Addressing Jamaican nationals, friends and supporters of the diaspora, Ambassador Shirley cited areas in the Jamaican economy where significant growth was taking place namely tourism, mining and technology, and also efforts in the supply of natural gas. In this regard, he noted that Jamaicans must be involved in that evolution process to make “our country fulfill its role and full potential” in the global arena.
Referring to the recent Jamaica/China Trade meet in Kingston, Ambassador Shirley also indicated that there would be rapid expansion in alumina with the expected demands from China.
He also spoke of the several projects regarding health, education, social welfare and production. While these were designed to improve the standards and quality of living for all Jamaicans, the Ambassador also pointed out that those projects were also intended to create new opportunities for job creation.
In expressing appreciation to the South Florida community for their continued commitment to Jamaica’s national development, Professor Shirley encouraged the community to support the mission of the Jamaica Diaspora Foundation in uniting the efforts of the overseas community as “we continue to support our homeland.”
Also addressing the audience was the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Senator Delano Franklyn, who also echoed appreciation to the Florida community for their ongoing support and commitment to Jamaica’s national development.
Advisory board member to the Jamaica Diaspora Foundation, and Florida attorney, Ms. Dahlia Walker-Huntington, told the audience that the united efforts of the Diaspora would continue to create new opportunities and challenges for Jamaicans to unleash their potential positively impacting the country’s national development as well as their own communities.
She cited several projects chaired by volunteers in which more Jamaicans could actively participate in a process that would create a mechanism to facilitate continuous contributions more effectively.
In calling for full participation and support from the wider community, she said that this was time to embrace and organize our community in an effort to impact policy at home and abroad.
Welcoming guests to the event, Jamaica’s Consul General, Mr. Ricardo Allicock told the gathering that Jamaica continues to benefit from the tremendous goodwill it enjoys as a result of the significant and positive impact Jamaican nationals continue to make upon their host countries abroad.
While he commended the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for convening of the first Jamaican Diaspora Conference in Kingston, last June, the Consul General said that such and effort was a successful attempt at engaging the Diaspora for the sake of galvanizing overseas Jamaican communities while examining measures to drive Jamaica’s growth through cooperation.
He praised the South Florida community for the dedication and commitment and overwhelming support from the community as they rallied to the recovery efforts from the effects of Hurricane Ivan.
