Caricom Chair Patterson urges unity between Caribbean nationals in the region and the diaspora

By Felicia Persaud

Caricom Chair Mr. P.J. Patterson

Friday, October 3, 2003

BROOKLYN, New York: Jamaica's Prime Minister and Chairman of Caricom, Mr. P.J. Patterson, came to Brooklyn last night with a call for Caribbean nationals in the diaspora as well as those in the region "to work together."

Mr. Patterson, in an-hour long speech for the 'Caricom 30th Anniversary Lecture Series,' told Caribbean-Americans at Brooklyn's Medgar Evers College, that he hoped they would express a strong abiding interest in the development of the Caricom region.

Citing the economic contribution of Caribbean Americans to the region, though foreign currency deposits, remittances and barrels, Mr. Patterson noted that such contributions have played a great part in stimulating various sectors of the regional economies.

"The already existing levels and intensity of disapora engagement are indeed encouraging. But I am convinced that we can build on the currently prevailing patterns to move to even greater and more exciting possibilities," said Mr. Patterson.

"As Caricom countries intensify their drive to constitute themselves into a true community, we want the people of the West Indian diaspora to see themselves as belonging to this community," said the PM to applause from the over three hundred Caribbeans gathered in the college's Founder's Auditorium. "The West Indian diaspora communities constitute a formidable force for the advancement of Caribbean interests in their host countries."

And he urged nationals in the U.S. not to feel "that they are doing a disservice to their host societies if they defend Caribbean interests in the political systems of their host countries."

"After all, the Caribbean is for the United States its Third Border," said Mr. Patterson. "We therefore encourage national groupings in the West Indian diaspora to come together to advance concerns that are of common interest to all Caricom countries (especially) concerns relating to key trade and investment issues, concerns over developments in U.S. immigration policy, concerns touching on vital security matters arising from the U.S.-based nexus of the narcotics trade, gun smuggling and criminal deportees."

He proposed that a symposium or a series of symposia and a business conference be undertaken to discuss sustaining a connection between Caribbeans here as well as in the region. Such a conference, Mr. Patterson said, "… would certainly provide the diaspora with opportunities for expressing their ideas and providing inputs to policy development within Caricom."

And he proposed the reform of the Assembly of Caribbean Community Parliamentarians, which can admit disapora representatives.

The Caricom Chair also had a message for young Caribbeans, many of whom are second and third generation nationals. "I perceive of a diaspora that will persist through time, well after the replenishment though new migrant arrivals will have dwindled," said Mr. Patterson.

He especially urged young people to become involved in the field of arts and music so that a flow of talent can be two-ways. 
"The future of the diaspora with our Caricom home is pregnant with rich possibilities, and beckons us with exciting promise," added Mr. Patterson. "We must use the existing interaction between both sides as a springboard to propel the connection to a greater level of maturity where we are all mutually enriched in a milieu of stronger unity."

Touching on the issues of the Caribbean Single Market, the Cancun conference and the Caribbean Court of Justice, Mr. Patterson said it is integral that Caricom nations now unite as one region to battle globalization, which is the reverse of Robin Hood stealing from the rich to give to the poor.

"We invite you in the diaspora to share this vision of our evolving Caribbean Community and participate in its construction…," added the Caricom Chair. "….I assert that the job of building the kind of Caribbean society we desire is not restricted to those who are physically located within the geographic confines of the Caribbean sea. So whether African, Caucasian, Indian, Chinese, Lebanese, Jew or the various mixtures which exist, 'all a we is one."

The event was co-sponsored by the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

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