AnnouncementDominica-Diaspora Draft Policy Paper - Implementation Update
The following are excerpts, in chronological order, to inform the membership, affiliates and friends of the progress of Government's implementation of the DA-Diaspora Policy Paper initiative:
Jun. 28/2004 - Following suggestions from the Ministry of Finance and Planning for a Clear Policy on the Dominica Diaspora, the PM endorsed a request to DAAS to prepare a draft policy document for Government's consideration.
Oct. 18/2004 - DAAS submitted the Draft Dominica-Diaspora Policy Paper to the Government. The Draft Policy Paper covers a wide range of subjects including, among others, guidelines for returnees, representation abroad/consular services, dual citizenship issues, absentee balloting, repatriation process, economic development, police and judiciary, education, health, culture.
Nov. 2/2004 - Leroy Mitchell and Clayton Shillingford met with Leader of the Opposition Edison James, member Carbon and Brian Linton. The broad thrust of the document was discussed without any specific details and recommendations pending reaction from the PM and his cabinet. The meeting was congenial and our presentation well received. The group were forceful re their position on the international airport pointing out that absent that facility that Dominica's tourism and business development would be constrained.
Nov. 5/2004 - Leroy Mitchell and Clayton Shillingford met with the Prime Minister for 1 hr. The PM had a hard copy of the document that was electronically transmitted, had sent copies to his Cabinet colleagues for review. He was presented with the bound copy which was prepared here and was walked through the key points of the preparation process, analysis and recommendations in the document, some of which he had already read. He was extremely supportive of the effort and the key recommendations ..the interministerial unit; upgrading consular functions; returnee policy; streamlining philantrophy processes; etc. He gave an undertaking to provide feedback soon and the actions that could be implemented in short, medium and longer term. He encouraged participation in the DSC especially during the summer break and would move to create honorary consuls in areas where there was significant population of Dominicans etc
Dec. 10/2004 - The Draft Paper was sent to the Financial Secretary for review. It was understood that the PM and the Cabinet would review the proposals and provide feedback to the DAAS so we could then move to the implemention phase on agreed recommendations and discuss/negotiate where there was not agreement.
Jan. 17/2005 - A recommendation by the Ministry of Finance and Planning was made to the PM to establish a Task Force to advise Gov’t on shaping a Diaspora Policy using the Draft Policy Paper as a point of departure. It was advised that the PM should be the one to formally establish it.
Jan. 18/2005 - Ministry of Finance and Planning advised that the Policy Paper was scheduled to be discussed with Foreign Affairs Wednesday and NDC Thursday.
Feb. 10/2005 - The Draft Paper was released to Dominicans at home and abroad with a request for comments, which will be posted on our Review Page.
May 22/2005 - Eisenhower Douglas of the Ministry of Finance (the coordinating Ministry) informed DAAS that a status report on the Diaspora Policy Paper was provided to Prime Minister Skerrit incorporating feedback from several Government departments, along with suggestions from the Ministry of Finance on the way forward. Finance now awaits feedback from the Prime Minister as a basis for moving the process along. The Prime Minister in the recently elected Government has taken responsibility for Overseas Nationals affairs.
July 22/2005 - A meeting was held between representatives of DAAS and Government at the office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Present at this meeting were: His Excellency Dr. Liverpool - President, Hon Rosevelt Skerrit - Prime Minister, Hon R. Blackmore - Junior Minister, Office of the Prime Minister; and representing DAAS were: Dr. Thomson Fontaine - DAAS Treasurer, Gabriel Christian - DAAS Vice President, and Lynton Scotland, member. The meeting focused on the role of overseas based Dominicans in the development of the country. The Prime Minister noted that the Diaspora Policy Paper will be tabled before Cabinet and will form the basis for the official government policy on its dealings with overseas Dominicans. Specific topics discussed included the following: training, enhancement of communication with Oversees Dominicans, creation of a Dominican Bank with Diaspora funding, appointment of Honorary Consuls and Special Envoys, energy, housing, and the Dominica Cadet Corps.
July 27/2005 - The Prime Minister, in his Budget speech, reiterated his commitment to resolving Diaspora issues raised in the Diaspora Report, including providing information guidelines for returning residents, making overseas offices more sensitive to the needs of the Dominican Diaspora, developing a portfolio identifying Diasporans who can be engaged to attract investment to Dominica and promote the island, working with Dominicans in the Diaspora in the fields of energy, small business development, housing and information technology, and ensuring that information is available to them on opportunities that arise in these areas. The Prime Minister also emphasized that Dominicans should dissociate themselves completely from any attempt to categorise nationals who reside overseas as ‘foreigners’. All Dominicans, no matter in which country they reside, have a part to play in the development of their country. He said he will go out of his way to ensure that their contributions to Dominica will be met with just rewards.
November 5/2005 - The Chronicle published a letter to the Editor under the caption, "Diaspora Policy - yet another avenue to move Dominica significantly forward". The letter pointed out that the primary beneficiaries of an effective, modern Diaspora Policy are the resident Dominicans themselves. This occurs as Dominica moves from a primarily export agriculture economy to a more dynamic people importing (tourist) economy, and as more new ideas for growth and development are introduced by the increased flow of visitors - processes that an effective Diaspora Policy would substantially accelerate.
May 9/2006 - At a meeting with the Prime Minister today, DAAS President Dr. Clayton Shillingford reported that the P.M. Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, is considering the formation of a Diaspora Advisory Commission. He plans to implement the short term recommendations of the Draft DA-Diaspora Draft Policy Paper, including overseas special envoys, encouraging investments in homes, and setting up a special office to deal with Diaspora Affairs. He also revealed plans to set up a P.M Office website and to consider awards for Diaspora individuals and/or institutions at the 2006 Independence Celebrations. The overseas vote issue will be a longer term consideration.
September 05/2006 - Notes of meeting held on Tuesday September 05, 2006 between the President of the Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences Inc [DAAS], Dr. Clayton Shillingford and Ms Mandra Fagan - appointed by the Honourable Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica as the representative/coordinator of Diaspora Affairs. (See Notes)
November 26/2014 - The UWP Team Dominica 2014 Manifesto, page 52, declares as follows:
"The Diaspora policy developed by Dominican patriots and presented to the DLP government many years ago will be reviewed and implemented to ensure that the diaspora is engaged in national development in a meaningful manner".