Knowledge Networks for Connecting Jamaica and its Diaspora
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Brief description of the initiative
The main objective was to create Sustainable Networks between Jamaica and the Diaspora in order to promote the Diaspora’s structured and sustained engagement in policymaking, development planning and implementation of projects in Jamaica.
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Main objectives
The main objective was to create Sustainable Networks between Jamaica and the Diaspora in order to promote the Diaspora’s structured and sustained engagement in policymaking, development planning and implementation of projects in Jamaica.
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Main activities
It integrated the use of ICTs to achieve this through the development of a web portal pulling together existing online communities and creating an online environment/presence for offline communities through the development of websites and web pages.
Main beneficiaries
CBOs, schools and universities who intend to benefit from increased contributions of skills, services and financial support from the diaspora; diaspora organizations and groups in the UK; policymakers in Jamaica and in the UK; development agencies in Jamaica.
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This Needs Assessment Study one of the activities of the project : Knowledge Networks for Connecting Jamaica and its Diaspora.
The Needs Asessment was done for 45 community-based projects, 11 sponsoring organizations and 6 Tertiary Level Insitutions. Profiles for these have been developed and will be posted on a Web Portal which is being developed under the project. The aim is for members of the Jamaican Diaspora to view these profiles on the web portal and select those that they would like to support through funding, equipment , materials or personal services.
A summary of the methodology and results will be available at a later date. -
The Web Portal developed under the EC- UN JM&DI Project Knowledge Networks for Connecting Jamaica and its Diaspora was launched in London on September 22, 2010.
The launch was hosted by the Jamaican High Commission and with the endorsement and support of Jamaica’s High Commissioner for the UK, His Excellency Anthony Johnson.
Overwhelming interest and enthusiasm were evident at the launch by members of the Jamaican Diaspora from the UK who were present and a promise for promoting it and encouraging persons to register and join and use the portal. -
Each Jamaican Diaspora location has a diversity of groups and associations. These include alumni associations, interest groups in healthcare, education, business as well as social clubs ranging from cricket to domino clubs. These groups could be considered to serve specific needs of their members and these members tend to have strong affinity to them.
The challenge is to find a governance and operational structure that will strengthen and sustain the involvement and contributions of these diverse groups while transforming the Jamaican Diaspora Movement into a prominent international body with strong influence on policy and support actions for development of Diaspora communities and Jamaica.
Through research conducted under the EC-UN JM&DI Project: Knowledge Networks for Connecting Jamaica and its Diaspora to complete the Landscape Assessment, the project team was able to develop this Governance Report, which will assist the Government of Jamaica's approach to Diaspora Governance..