Engaging the Caribbean diaspora

22.JUN.07

Caribbean people, at home and abroad, are following with keen interest events in Washington this week where Caribbean leaders have been engaging their US counterparts in discussions pertinent to relations between the respective regions. Even if there is no major dramatic outcome, the very fact that such a CARICOM delegation, led by current Chairman Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, has been on Capitol Hill is bound to take Caribbean issues out of the shade and bring them to the attention of a wider group of US policy-makers.{{more}} That provides an opportunity for deepening dialogue and follow-up action.

There have been criticisms, not entirely unfounded, that on many issues relevant to US/Caribbean relations, CARICOM nations have not been as pro-active where, follow-up actions is concerned. One such area seemed to be the United States Department of Homeland Security insistence on US citizens having passports for visiting the Caribbean, an act which could seriously damage the tourism industry in the region. Fortunately this deadline looks likely to be postponed by Congressional vote. However some critics charge that CARICOM has not done enough in terms of tapping potential allies within the USA on this issue.

It is therefore heartening to note that besides meeting President Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other leading members of the US administration the CARICOM leadership is meeting with prominent members of Congress including members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Even more encouraging is that the Caribbean leaders have made time to meet with representatives of the Caribbean diaspora. This is a precious resource which we have not been able to tap as effectively as we should. Given the traditional migration to the north and the immigrant community seizing on educational and economic opportunities available, the Caribbean diaspora has a tremendous potential to help to spur socio-economic development in the lands of their origin.

Unfortunately few Caribbean countries, if any, have been able to even document what resources are available there, much less attempt to mobilize them for development purposes. Part of the blame for this lies in our inability to grasp fully the concept of development in its totality, embracing the diaspora as a vital part of it. Consequently our missions and embassies abroad often cannot see their role in mobilizing this precious resource as central to their work. It means being cognizant of what human and financial resources reside in the immigrant community first and foremost and to be able to harness them as agents for change.

It is to be hoped that the face-to-face engagement, as CARICOM leaders and not mere political leaders seeking financing or political support from the diaspora, can begin to put the dialogue and exchange on a higher level and set the tone for a deeper level of engagement and involvement on both sides.