Fusion Project to counter JA brain drain

LONDON:

Young persons of Jamaican heritage living in the United Kingdom are being invited to participate in a cultural-exchange scheme on the Caribbean island.

The Fusion Project, launched by Jamaican Diaspora UK (JD UK), is a two-week programme, which will begin in July 2024. The pilot initiative is accepting applicants as of February 23.

Under the programme, individuals of Jamaican heritage between the ages of 20 and 40 years will visit the island and will be exposed to study, investment, business, and real estate opportunities. They will also learn of charitable causes they can support.

Leader of the Fusion initiative, businesswoman Dr Cheron Shakespeare, said she was motivated to participate in the project after becoming a member of the West Midlands branch of Jamaica Diaspora UK (JDU) in October 2022. Shakespeare said her joining the JDU coincided with the visit of the Jamaica parliamentary opposition party to England.

During talks with the People’s National Party (PNP), the West Midland’s branch of the JDU was asked to present key policies that Jamaica needed to address.

Shakespeare said: “We discovered the diaspora in the UK is decreasing in numbers and there is a lack of connection among the generations after the original settlers who came to England during the 1950s and 1960s. They know little about Jamaica.

“As a result of our research, it was felt the Fusion Project could help to alleviate the brain drain in Jamaica and offset the potential negative impact on the economy of dwindling remittances.”

Jamaica is ranked second out of 177 countries on the 2023 edition of the human flight and brain drain index.

The ranking, which is compiled by the business and economics website the GlobalEcomomy.com, assesses the economic impact of human displacement (for economic or political reasons) and the consequences this may have on a country’s development.

Jamaica currently has a human flight and brain drain index score of 9.5, compared to 9.1 in 2022.

RECONNECT WITH HERITAGE

Prime Minister Andrew Holness commenting recently on the issue of migration and its negative impact on the island, said young people are increasingly frustrated by the lack of opportunities and proper housing in Jamaica and are viewing migration to developed countries as a positive option.

Holness said: “Somehow, they [young persons] look at other countries, they see what is happening in other countries, and they say, ‘Why can’t it happen here? Why do we have all the problems that we have?’ “It is infuriating to many of them, and when we talk to them, particularly the millennials, they just want to leave. They want to just go overseas and enjoy the benefits that are existing in other developed countries.”

Remittance data recently released by the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) indicate that credit inflows to Jamaica amounted to US$3.06 billion between January and November 2023.

The 2023 statistics represent a decline of 1.6 per cent relative to the period January to November 2022.

The Fusion Project’s pilot scheme is expected to send up to 12 individuals to Jamaica in July. There are plans to roll out the initiative across the United States and Canada during 2025.

Commenting on the project, Shakespeare said: “I have a real passion for young people who have a willingness to explore how they can reconnect with their Jamaican heritage.

“It’s all about connecting. One’s heritage and history are important, but often, the younger generation do not know enough about their culture and how to reconnect.

“There are a lot of opportunities in Jamaica, but often, the younger generation don’t know about them. By participating in the Fusion Project, they will benefit themselves and Jamaica.”

The Fusion Project is being launched in collaboration with the University of West Indies. Participants will be given accommodation across the university’s campuses between Kingston and Montego Bay.

Individuals interested in the Fusion Project may send an email to fusionprojectUK@gmail.com.