by Linda Straker
- Derrick James is no longer Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs and Consul General in Toronto
- Diaspora policy was developed as a partnership with International Organisation for Migration
- Office is in building which houses Grenada National Museum
Derrick James is no longer Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs and Consul General in Toronto, because he has since taken up the job of Head of the Office of Diaspora Affairs in Grenada.
One of his key tasks will be implementing the Diaspora Policy.
“This policy is not just a policy for the Government of Grenada even if the Government of Grenada has the ownership, this policy will be a policy for the entire diaspora and the people here in Grenada,” James said at a ceremony to commission the opening of the office, and launch the policy which was developed as a partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The IOM is an intergovernmental organisation that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants, including internally displaced persons, refugees, and migrant workers. In September 2016, IOM became a related organisation of the United Nations.
James said that the policy seeks to have a few main objectives and they include diaspora engagement; diaspora direct investment and trade; increase in remittances, diaspora philanthropy and human development; human capital transfer; governance and administration; monitoring and evaluation process
“The Office of Diaspora Affairs has given the role to operate as an information centre for the Grenadian community abroad. It also gives the ability to mobilise the Grenadians abroad to assist in national development of their homeland through coordinated efforts,” he said. The launch was broadcast via social media platforms including You Tube.
The objective of the Policy is to effectively mobilise and organise the Grenadian community at home and abroad to maximise national development potential through efficient deployment and use of collective resources for a resilient nation.
The vision is to achieve an inclusive and participatory Grenadian society where every Grenadian contributes to national development and shares in the benefits thereof notwithstanding place of residency.
The office is currently located in a section of the building which houses the Grenada National Museum on Young Street, St George’s.
Exactly, they want to “tap” the diaspora’s collective finances but have no idea how to do it. State capture of the national museum is not encouraging.
We worry that this sales job is about the same subject that prior years Pedro tried to say; ” skimming off the top of family foreign wire transfers coming into Grenada to help out our families and relatives. This is wrong and this will be illegal.
This will be met with fierce opposition and legal action.
Time for Derrick James to surely Retire; not wanna place his hands in our pockets in the Diaspora.
I missed that …you are quite right….its all about the money.
The Government recently organised some conference looking to tax the little Remittance money people send back to help feed and clothe their family.
For a small place Grenada have way too much Government and Political busy bodies and busy bullies sticking their nose in what dont concern them hungry for tax money.
A Diaspora is Grassroots and Natural diverse association. Its should not be an artifical astroturf government and politicians agenda driven club.
Government and politicians are like a cancer that want to take over everything.
Diaspora is normally a Holistic natural non Governmental association of Independent like minded individuals who wish maintain links with their Heritage country.
Why do the Government have to appropriate this Diaspora Independence and try to control it.
Set up a Department of Foreign Affairs that deal with migrants, refugees and what ever else but dont try to be a Government body for what should be Independent from any Government.
Organising and controlling are two different concepts to me.
I’m not sure why exploring organising the Diaspora is being equated with controlling it here?
You must really trust Government and Politicians, but based on past bitter experiences…….I certainly do not.
These Politicians actually look at Taxation as income and not theft from hardworking people.
Just wait until they start telling you…the Diaspora wishes are to pay taxes on Remittances.
Yes the little bit of money people send back to help their family survive in over priced Grenada, the Government want a peice of that too.
The only reason they care about any Diaspora, is the same as always, money and power.