“Deepening Engagement Impetus with all our Partners,” Honourable Leslie Campbell meets with the Jamaican Diaspora Community

BY PAUL JUNOR

Ever since he took over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in 2020 Honourable Leslie Campbell has been very busy fulfilling the mission of MFAFT.

MFAFT is the ministry responsible for handling Jamaica’s external relations and foreign trade. There are three specific areas that the Ministry is responsible for:

1. The implementation of Jamaica’s foreign policy
2. The management of Jamaica’s international relations
3. The promotion of its interests overseas

The Director of MFAFT is Senator Kamina Johnson Smith who serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Honourable Leslie Campbell is the state minister.

According to the website: jis.gov.jm, “The Ministry is committed to promoting friendship and cooperation between Jamaica and other countries around the world, through political and diplomatic channels; providing effective representation of the Government of Jamaica overseas through resident diplomatic missions and consular posts and creating opportunities for foreign trade, investment, and tourism.”

I interviewed the Honourable Leslie Campbell on Friday, December 9^th, 2022, at the Consulate General of Jamaica which is located on Eglinton Avenue in Toronto. My interview covered a wide range of topics including: crime, healthcare, education, technology, and education. It was on June 22^nd, 2020, that the British-trained barrister and attorney at law, who happens to also be an MP for St. Catherine North Eastern was appointed as Minister without portfolio. The Minster has been very busy in his role attending to a diverse range of: international, local, and regional meetings to explore trading relationships with other countries.

Minister Campbell believes in the importance of data as a driving force in implementing changes in the agricultural sector. He reiterates that a data-driven solution is the way to ensure that practical strategies are implemented. He told me that in the 2030 Vision Plan for Jamaica, there is an anticipated goal of reducing its dependence on fossil fuels between 60-70%. There is much optimism and hope as he looks ahead to 2023.

One of the initiatives that Honourable Campbell has been involved in was the 9^th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, which was held on June 14^th-16^th, 2022. In his Jamaica 60 Diaspora Independence Day message he highlighted the importance of digital transformation in the new era. He states, “The focus on digital transformation and innovation ought to capitalize on the engagement opportunities offered by new and emerging technologies, and the cultural affinity of the Diaspora to Jamaica, as we strive to deepen our engagement impetus with all our partners. We encourage you to join the digital transformation effort which will greatly enhance the efficiency of our engagement strategies.”

The Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC) established in January 2020 succeeds the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board (DAB) and has adopted the National Diaspora Policy. The MFAFT seeks to ensure that the goals, pillars, and focus areas of the policy are a priority.

Anyone interested in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade can check:

Website:www.//mfaft.gov.jm

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