KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner – Deputy Leader and Opposition Spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Investment, Dr Christopher Tufton, is pushing for Jamaica to conduct a comprehensive examination of the economic and social impact of its large and growing diaspora community to inform the country's policy strategy on diaspora affairs. Addressing a G2K function in the Bronx, New York, earlier this week, Tufton argued that efforts up to this point by the Jamaican Government have been based on anecdotal evidence and, as a consequence, have been very difficult to assess for success or failure. He said this was because no methodical examination has been done to determine the contribution of the diaspora community to their home and host countries, and how that contribution can be enhanced in the interests of members of that group and Jamaica.
