Gov’t to engage diaspora in talks on climate-change solutions

Lloyd Wilks, senior director, Diaspora Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT) has signalled the government’s commitment to integrating diaspora engagement into national climate strategies.

He was speaking at a session in the Jamaica National Dialogue of the Diaspora 4 Climate Action (D4C) project which was held at the Courtleigh Hotel in Kingston, recently.

He explained, “The D4C Initiative exemplifies our proactive stance in addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time. We shall explore case studies, map priorities, and engage in robust discussions that will shape the trajectory of our nation’s climate resilience, and sustainable growth”.

The hybrid event brought together senior officials in the MFAFT, the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), the Ministry of Agriculture and other government officials, the Jamaica High Commission in the UK, members of the Jamaican diaspora, Diaspora Policy consultant Dr Natalie Deitrich Jones, and a range of national stakeholders to forge a collaborative path toward more effective climate action, embracing the crucial role of the Jamaican diaspora, a release outlined.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) facilitated the multi-stakeholder event.

The collaborative National Dialogue provided feedback to an initiative proposed under D4C, to create a climate action-focused module as part of the Jamaica Diaspora Engagement Model ( https://jadiasporaengage.mfaft.gov.jm/), a virtual platform launched at the recent Biennial Diaspora Conference.

Elizabeth Mullings-Smith, a D4C Diaspora Climate Champion, reflected on the opportunity the newly created platform presents for showing Jamaica’s leadership in climate action, involving the whole of “team Jamaica” at home and abroad.

The Dialogue also allowed for discussion of the government’s initiatives to combat climate change. Stakeholders agreed on the importance of utilising and building on existing platforms to facilitate local-diaspora collaboration and development initiatives, and increased communication of areas of opportunity for investment and research and development.

SUGGESTIONS

Participants also provided suggestions on how the Jamaican diaspora could directly contribute to national and local capacity to address climate change.

IOM has been working along with the government, with funding from IOM’s Development Fund (IDF) to move this D4C initiative forward. National Programme Officer, Krystal Lofters, expressed enthusiasm about the potential outcomes of the day’s discussions and the lasting impact of the partnership.

The meeting emphasised the importance of collaboration, resilience, and adaptation in addressing climate change, and highlighted the potential for leveraging diaspora expertise and investments in green initiatives. A key focus of the discussion was on the importance of strengthening awareness around the impacts of climate change in Jamaica, among local and diaspora communities. The need for effective and inclusive communication around policy efforts and developments, and existing tools and opportunities for diaspora engagement, was highlighted.