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NEWSLETTER

Jamaican High Commission, London

MAY, 2013

Welcome to the revamped Jamaican High

Commission Newsletter. We propose to

publish a newsletter quarterly, as part of our

mandate to keep the Jamaican community

informed and up-to-date with information on

developments within the High Commission,

from Jamaica and from across our communities

in the United Kingdom.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you

all for the support you have given me and my

staff over the past year. I welcome the

opportunity to build on this collaboration as

together we work to support our beloved

country, Jamaica. As you have heard me state

in the past, there are tremendous opportunities

for us to promote the country’s growth and

development with numerous trade and

investment opportunities in a variety of sectors.

I expect that the Diaspora will continue to play

its part in this wider objective.

I want to specially express deep appreciation

for the generous response from all of you to the

Hurricane Sandy Appeal that was started last

November. I am pleased to report that we have

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received over £7500 in contributions that have

been sent to Jamaica to support the relief

efforts there.

As we look to the future, the Mission will

continue to work to improve its services to the

Jamaican community here in the UK. To this

end, we will be hosting and supporting a range

of initiatives and events throughout the year

aimed at ensuring that you are able to avail

yourselves of the various opportunities that

exist in the UK.

A major feature of our calendar is the 5th

Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference

scheduled for June 16 to 19 in Montego Bay,

Jamaica. Many of you would have heard about

all the important issues that will be discussed at

the Conference when the Minister of State,

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade,

Hon. Arnaldo Brown, visited the UK from 18th to

21st March 2013 to officially launch the

Conference. It is important that a strong

delegation from the UK attends and participates

in this conference.

We welcome feedback and updates on

community activities, initiatives, celebrations

and developments for publication in further

issues of the newsletter. So please keep us

informed.

Aloun Ndombet-Assamba

High Commissioner

Jamaica Diaspora Conference 2013

The Biennial Diaspora Conference is set for

Montego Bay, Jamaica from June 16-19, 2013.

The Conference is convened by the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and it is the

global forum that connects Jamaicans from all

over the world with Jamaicans in the home

country every two years. The event seeks to

strengthen existing linkages and networks, and

to build alliances for Jamaica’s development

and standing in the world.

This year’s re-branded and totally revamped

global forum places special focus on Trade and

Investment. It will seek to build on the legacy of

the celebratory period of Jamaica’s 50th

Anniversary of Independence by exploring

specific opportunities for the Diaspora to

expand their business interests in Jamaica. In

addition to business, trade and investment, the

Conference has been recalibrated to focus on

philanthropy, social investment and Diaspora

diplomacy. Consequently, participants will

engage in discussions about ways to expand

the Diaspora’s contribution to such key sectors

as Health and Education in Jamaica, both as

individuals and organized groups. The Ministry

of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade will unveil

a new Diaspora Policy.Conference 2013 will be

Exciting, Enterprising, Educational, and

Energising! For more information please visit

conference website:

www.jamaicandiaspora.gov.jm Or the Jamaican

High Commission’s website: www.jhcuk.org

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RARE PHOTOGRAPH OF MARY SEACOLE SHOWN AT THE

JAMAICAN HIGH COMMISSION

A photograph, thought to be only the second

original picture of Mary Seacole, was displayed

during a Panel Discussion hosted by the Jamaican

High Commission in London to commemorate the

life of the Jamaican-born Crimean War Heroine.

The photograph was contained in a scrap book

which was found in one of the libraries of the

prestigious Winchester College in England. It was

compiled by a former student Ely Duodecimus

Wigram who was a British army officer in the

1800’s. It was found by the College’s Fellows’ and

Eccles Librarian, Dr. George Day.

The Panel Discussion, which was held on the

eve of the anniversary of Mary Seacole’s death

on May 14, 1881, was told that the statute that

is to be erected in her honour could be unveiled

in 2015 as the fund raising effort had now

passed the £400,000 mark.

Chair of the Trustees of the Mary Seacole

Memorial Statue Appeal, Lord Soley, who was

one of the Panellists, said the statue would be

the first to honour a named black woman in the

United Kingdom.

Lord Soley also said that is was unfair that Mary

Secole was “ whitewashed “ from the history of the

Crimean War and was not recognised when a

special memorial to the war was erected.

The Panel Discussion was chaired by Dr.

Simon Woolley, Chair of Operation Black Vote,

who initiated a campaign to stop the British

education authorities from removing Mary

Seacole from the curriculum of British Schools.

The other Panellists were Royal College of

Nursing (RCN) Regional Director, Bernell

Bussue, and Senior Research Fellow in North

East London Mental Health Trust and the

Faculty of Health at South Bank University,

Professor Tony Leiba.

All spoke of the tremendous impact of Mary

Seacole on British society and the nursing

profession. They all called for more formal and

in-depth research into Britain’s black history

and for more of this history to be integrated into

the school’s curriculum.

The panel discussion began with High

Commissioner, Her Excellency, Aloun Ndombet-

Assamba, highlighting the work of Mary Seacole.

‘You cannot exaggerate what a pioneer she

really was, as a healer, as an entrepreneur and

as an individual. She was well aware that there

were many obstacles in her path, but she had

no intention of letting other people's limits stand

in her way. Mary Seacole was an excellent

example of the long tradition of Jamaican

women, who had forged ahead in the face of

adversity to make their own way in the world,”

the High Commissioner said.

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One of the Highlights of the evening was the

showing of ‘The Doctress’, a dramatisation of the

life of Mary Seacole, which was produced by

Videos for Change in Jamaica.

*********

Photo Shows:

Jamaican High Commissioner , Her Excellency

Aloun Ndombet-Assamba, Deputy High

Commissioner Diedre Mills (centre) showing the

recently discovered photograph and signature of

Mary Seacole, with (from Left) Dr. Geoffrey Day of

Winchester College; Professor Tony Leiba, Senior

Research Fellow at the South Bank University in

London; Lord Clive Solely, Chair of the Mary

Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal; Dr. Simon

Woolley, Chair of Operation Black Vote and Bernell

Bussue Regional Director of the Royal College of

Nursing (RCN).

HIGH LEVEL TEAM FROM NATIONAL LAND AGENCY AND ADMINISTRATOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT TO TOUR THE UK

A high level team from the National Land

Agency (NLA) and the Administrator General’s

Department from Jamaica will participate in a

four city tour of the United Kingdom as part of

an outreach programme hosted by the

Jamaican High Commission.

The delegations will be headed by the Chief

Executive Officers of both agencies, Miss

Elizabeth Stair of the NLA and Mrs Lona Brown

of the Administrator General’s Department. The

cities to be visited are: Manchester on 28th

May; Birmingham on 30th May; Nottingham on

31st; and London on 3rd June.

The UK tour will give both Agencies an

opportunity to give first hand information and

answers to a range of questions on issues

relating to land ownership in Jamaica and

intestacy, wills and inheritances. Visit our

website www.jhcuk.org for more information.

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MOU SIGNED IN GLASGOW

Jamaican High Commissioner to the United

Kingdom, Her Excellency Mrs. Aloun Ndombet-

Assamba, participated in the historic March 26th

signing of the Memorandum of Understanding

(MOU) between Jamaica and the Scottish city

of Glasgow.

The MOU, which was signed by the

Government of Jamaica’s Trade and

Investment Promotions Agency, JAMPRO, with

the Glasgow City Council (GCC), the Glasgow

Chamber of Commerce and the Scottish

Council for Development and Industry (SCDI),

is aimed at promoting trade and investment

between Jamaica and Glasgow, which will host

the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, High

Commissioner Ndombet-Assamba said that

Jamaica was keen to see increased trade

between the two countries - “Based on what I

have seen, the city of Glasgow will effectively

host a euphoric Commonwealth Games. It is

our intention to realise new investment and

trading relationships leading up to the

Commonwealth Games with a view to using the

Games as a platform to promote our

achievement and generate increased

awareness of the opportunities between our

two great countries.” High Commissioner

Ndombet–Assamba also noted that the MOU

was of significant importance because it will

foster the growth of commerce between

Jamaica and Scotland creating wealth and

prosperity for all.

“I envision smoked salmon and whiskey being

shipped to Jamaica for sale throughout the

Caribbean and smoked marlin and rum being

shipped to Scotland for sale throughout the

European Union. The possibilities are endless”,

she added.

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The MOU was signed by JAMPRO’s European

Regional Manager, Mr. Laurence Jones;

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of the

Glasgow City Council; Mr. Stuart Patrick, Chief

Executive of the Glasgow Chamber of

Commerce; and Dr Leslie Sawers, Chief

Executive of Scottish Council for Development

and Industry. The ceremony was also attended

by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor

Sadie Docherty.

JHC LONDON MARKS COMMONWEALTH WEEK 2013

To mark Commonwealth Week 2013, the

Jamaican High Commission mounted an

Exhibition showcasing Jamaica’s relationship

with the Commonwealth and the 2013

Commonwealth Theme of “Opportunities

through Enterprise”.

The launch took place on 13th March 2013 and

was attended by officials and staff of the

Commonwealth Secretariat and the High

Commissioners or their representatives from

several Commonwealth countries.

Commonwealth Secretary General, H.E.

Kamalesh Sharma, brought remarks and joined

H.E. Mrs. Aloun Ndombet-Assamba in

declaring the Exhibition open. In an effort to

increase the awareness of the public about the

Commonwealth and Jamaica’s role in the

Organization, a smaller version of the

Exhibition was subsequently mounted and

remains on display in the waiting area of the

Mission’s Consular Section.

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MUSICAL EVENING TO CELEBRATE

MARLEY'S 68th BIRTHDAY

A special musical evening to celebrate the 68th

birthday of the late Right Honourable Robert

Nesta (Bob) Marley was hosted by the High

Commission on Wednesday, 6th February.

The evening featured 18 acts, with all of them

performing many of Marley’s songs in various

musical styles, ranging from reggae to pop,

rock and jazz.

The event was organised by Mr. John Downie,

Chief Executive Officer of the London-based

performing arts charity, SABA.

According to Mr. Downie, the event took just

over two weeks to put together and initially he

was looking at 12 acts, but the respect was so

overwhelming that it was increased to 18 acts.

“We got involved following a meeting with the

High Commissioner to talk about my project,

Song for Jamaica. She understood that I did a

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lot with young people and with music. She told

me that there was an opportunity for the young

people to express themselves through their

interpretation of Bob Marley’s music,” he said.

Singer Teejah Preyze, who was the Master of

Ceremonies and performed Marley’s

Redemption Song, said the tribute was the

event of the year for her.

Guitarist Ciyo Brown, who performed a jazz

style version of Concrete Jungle and Natural

Mystic, said the event made him proud to be

Jamaican. He told the audience that the event

was amazing, uplifting and magical, as music

raised the spirit of everyone and gave them

hope.

19 UK BASED REGGAE AMBASSADORS HONOURED

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Silver Musgrave Medallist, Emmanuel ‘Rico’

Rodriquez,’ was among 19 United Kingdom

based ‘Reggae Ambassadors’ honoured by the

High Commission, at a special ceremony to

mark the end of Reggae Month on Thursday,

28th February.

Mr. Rodriquez was officially presented with the

Silver Musgrave Medal awarded to him last

October by the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ). The

medals are awarded to select persons for

achievements in the fields of literature, the arts

and science and they date back to 1897.

“We were asked by the Jamaican government

to make a presentation of the Silver Musgrave

medal to Rico Rodriquez, and we thought that it

would be fitting for us to wrap that presentation

around a significant event. We thought that this

February 2013, which is celebrated as Reggae

Month, it would be good for us to recognise the

stalwarts of the Jamaican music industry here

in the United Kingdom,” High Commissioner,

Her Excellency, Mrs. Aloun Ndombet- Assamba

said.

She told the honourees that they had helped to

bring Jamaica and Jamaican music to the

world.

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The IOJ citation to Mr. Rodriquez noted that his

contribution to developing Jamaican music

warranted the gratitude of the nation.

“Along with a select few of his contemporaries,

Rico Rodriquez’s inventive fusion of jazz

techniques, pop accessibility and his

Rastafarian affinity with the African soul,

imagined a popular music form that Jamaicans

could claim as their own. Both his solo efforts

and his extensive contribution to many of

Jamaica’s formative music groups, warranted

the gratitude and recognition of his homeland,”

the citation read in part.

Mr. Rodriquez expressed his gratitude for the

award and thanked the High Commission for

organising the special presentation, as he was

unable to travel to Jamaica for the ceremony

last year. He was also the recipient of

a MBE (Member of the Order of the British

Empire) in 2007, for services to music.

Singer Count Prince Miller, who spoke on

behalf of the honourees, acknowledged the

High Commissioner for paying special tribute to

the music pioneers.

He noted that the recognition was significant,

coming so soon after the celebration of

Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence.

He said that many of the musicians, singers,

promoters and sound system operators, have

been based in the UK prior to Independence

and are happy to be recognised.

There was also special praise for the Alpha

Boy’s School in Kingston and its former head,

Sister Ignatius. The school was the early

training ground for many of the honourees.

SPECIAL FORUM ON THE CCJ

The High Commission on 15th January 2013

hosted a special forum on “The Caribbean

Court of Justice: role, function and operations

since inception.” The Guest Speaker was the

Honourable Mr. Justice Winston Anderson,

Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice, former

Professor of Law (University of the West Indies)

and former General Counsel (CARICOM). The

Forum was attended by representatives from

across the UK and the Caribbean.

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JAMAICAN BORN POTENTIAL MEP CANDIDATE PAYS

COURTESY CALL ON HIGH COMMISSIONER

Jamaican born Sanchia Alasia, who is

campaigning to be one of the British Labour

Party’s candidates for the European

Parliament, paid a courtesy call on Her

Excellency, Mrs. Aloun Ndombet-Assamba, on

22nd April. If she is elected as a Member of the

European Parliament, she will be the first black

woman to do so.

Ms. Alasia is a Labour Councillor for Albion

Ward in Barking and Dagenham in East

London, and she used her visit to update the

High Commissioner on her campaign. She also

outlined the selection process for candidates

for the European Parliament.

High Commissioner Ndombet-Assamba

congratulated Ms Alasia on her selection and

wished her well in her campaign.

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JAMAICAN FENCER VISITS HIGH COMMISSIONER

Thirteen year old UK born, Tia Simms-Lymn,

along with her mother Rose and Brother Jay,

paid a courtesy call on Jamaican High

Commissioner, Her Excellency Mrs. Aloun

Ndombet-Assamba on Tuesday, 16th April to

update the High Commissioner on her quest to

represent Jamaica in Fencing at the 2016

Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

High Commissioner Assamba congratulated

Tia and her family on her dedication and

progress, and also wished her well in her

upcoming competitions.

Tia, who has been fencing since her was seven

years old, is the reigning under 14 British

fencing champion in the Epee discipline.

Tia is currently the only international fencer for

Jamaica and the recently formed Jamaica

Fencing Association. She has represented the

island in youth tournaments in Bratislava,

Slovakia and Gothenburg, Sweden.

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NO NEW TAXES FOR JAMAICA’S 2013/14 BUDGET

The Government will not be introducing any

new taxes this year, but will instead focus on

improving inflows from existing taxes to finance

the $520.9 billion budget for the 2013/14 fiscal

year.

Making the announcement while opening the

2013/14 Budget Debate in the House of

Representatives on Thursday, April 18, Finance

and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter

Phillips, said of the figure, $407.2 billion is

projected to be derived from revenue inflows;

$103.3 billion from loan receipts; and $10.4

billion from cash balance draw downs.

He explained that of the $407.2 billion in

projected revenue, some $360.5 billion is

expected to come from taxes, representing a

12.7 per cent increase over the figure for

2012/13. This, he pointed out, includes a full

year estimate of the two tax packages

announced during the 2012/13 fiscal year.

“The revenue take is almost evenly distributed

across the three main tax types: income and

profits; production and consumption; and

international trade. In this fiscal year, we will

concentrate on collecting taxes already

imposed. Our compliance rate is well below

acceptable standards and must be improved if

we are to get out of this debt trap. We will also

be streamlining measures previously

announced to remove inefficiencies and

distortions,” the Minister noted.

Minister Phillips says the ultimate objective of

the country’s economic reform agenda is to

reverse the long term trend of low growth and

declining productivity.

“The challenge for us as a Government, with

the support of the Jamaican people, is to go

beyond the strict confines of the Extended

Fund Facility (with the International Monetary

Fund) to create an economic and social

environment, which encourages and facilitates

investment and induces long term innovation

and productivity gains,” the Minister said

You can read more at

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//www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/33620

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High Commission to Host Citizenship Ceremonies

Special ceremonies are being planned by the

Jamaican High Commission in London to

recognise UK-born persons of Jamaican

heritage, who take up Jamaican citizenship.

High Commissioner, Her Excellency Aloun

Ndombet Assamba, said the Mission has been

encouraging the second, third and fourth

generation UK-born Jamaicans to recognise

their “Jamaicaness”.

Mrs. Ndombet Assamba told meeting of UK-

based Jamaican community members and

business leaders in February that the special

ceremonies will help to strengthen the bonds

with UK born Jamaicans.

“We have the certificates and I feel that

although we don’t have it (the ceremony)

formally as part of the process, the recognition

is important. We have decided that at least

twice a year, we are going to have a

recognition ceremony at which those people

who become citizens will be acknowledged,”

she added.

The High Commission receives up to 15

citizenship applications each week.

Community News

Over the past few months we have said farewell to the Late Norma Mesquito of Lignum Vitae and offer

our condolences to Mr Dudley and Mrs Winifred Smikle who lost their son; to Mr. Gladstone Afflick who

lost his wife and to Mr. Wallen Matthie who lost his father.