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Diaspora welcomes Ambassador Marks

Published:Friday | October 8, 2010 | 12:00 AM
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Ambassador Audrey Marks addresses Jamaicans at a reception held in her honour and hosted at Dorel Callendar's residence in White Oaks, Alexandria, Virginia, last Saturday. - Contributed photos
Jamaica's ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks (left), is welcomed by Dorel Callendar (second right) to a reception she hosted at her residence in White Oaks, Alexandria, Virginia, in honor of Ambassador Marks last Saturday. Sharing the moment are Garnett Woodham and owner of Negril restaurant and catering, Margaret Chin. More than 75 Jamaicans attended the reception.
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The Jamaican community in the Washington metropolitan area continues to host a number of welcome receptions in honour of Her Excellency Audrey P. Marks. Last Saturday, Ambassador Marks was hosted in Virginia by Dorel Callendar and Margaret Chin. It was a mixed gathering of varying age groups, as well as first- and second-generation Jamaicans. Guests got the opportunity to engage in a question-and-answer session with the ambassador.

In her introductory remarks, Ambassador Marks outlined her mandate for assignment to the United States. The enhancement of the historically excellent relationship between Jamaica and the United States, elevation of Jamaica's profile among the citizenry, securing greater investments for the country and harnessing the human and financial resources of the diaspora were among them. She is also ambassador and permanent representative to the Organisation of the American States (OAS).

Issues resolved

Ambassador Marks gave a synopsis of the events which led to an outbreak of violence in May of this year, which had caused so much concern in the diaspora, and assured the gathering that the relationship between Jamaica and the US is excellent, and that the issues which gave the perception of a strain in the relationship have been resolved.

She outlined the importance of the diaspora to the development of Jamaica and welcomed proposals/suggestions on ways the embassy could support in efforts to participate in Jamaica's development. She also advised that the embassy would be communicating further on major development projects that the Government of Jamaica is spearheading and which would require their involvement.

Guests expressed satisfaction that the Jamaica-US relationship was progressing in the right direction and fielded questions on the Government's plans for restructuring of the education sector, the general direction of the economy, crime, green-energy development, encouragement of entrepreneurial and philanthropic activities,

Ambassador Marks spoke about the national renewable-energy policy, the education-transformation process being undertaken, improvement of the fiscal situation, with the Jamaica Debt Exchange that has now been seen as a model for debt restructuring, improvement in the fight against crime, and promised the group the policy document for bringing charitable goods into Jamaica. The ambassador also made a commitment to sensitise various government agencies, responsible for clearing and receiving charitable goods, of the sometimes perceived unnecessary delay in getting them to intended persons or organisations.