BUILDING AND SUSTAINING GRENADA DIASPORA INITIATIVES IN CANADA

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BACKGROUND

Grenadians in Canada have a profound interest in ongoing engagement with their nation of origin. The promise by the Government of Grenada to establish an Office on Diaspora Affairs is a positive intended policy.

Current indicators have confirmed that Grenadian residents in various parts of the United Kingdom, the United States and at least two Provinces in Canada have begun to facilitate dialogue on Diaspora issues.

  A small group of Grenadian residents in the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario have

rallied to the Diaspora initiative, there is need to broaden the dialogue in Canada by ensuring that there is a credible non- partisan vehicle that will encourage and sustain a more broad based dialogue that extend beyond the boundaries of Ontario and Quebec.

To date, Diaspora initiatives in Canada have been focused in Toronto and Montreal through meetings and a visit to Toronto by former Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter David. Recently, a forum was convened in Montreal and attended by Grenadians from the Toronto and Montreal area..

In essence, Diaspora initiatives in Canada has moved slowly given specific concerns expresses about the partisan nature of the initiative and several important clarifications sought from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Grenada which remain unanswered. The failure of Grenada to respond in a timely manner raises many speculations about the policy itself and the assumption that it is only a further characterization of the Government’s weakness and lack of vision.

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PROFILE OF GRENADIANS IN CANADA: Reliable indicators from Statistics Canada estimates that there are about

65,000 Canadians of Grenadian Heritage dispersed across the Nation with Ontario and Quebec being their prime residence.

Grenadians in Canada still maintain an affinity with their land of birth33 bolstered and sustained by their constitutional rights to maintain dual citizenship.

Over the last ten years, the presence and vibrancy of the Canadian Grenadian community has been felt in many organized events such as the Grenada Day Celebrations; the Annual Independence celebrations hosted by diverse organizations across the Nation and the Annual Brunch of the Grenada Boys Secondary School Toronto Alumni Association.

Canadian Grenadians have also demonstrated a strong presence in civic engagement initiatives through federal and municipal politics, the judiciary and public service.

Canadian Grenadians can make a valuable contribution to strengthen the social, cultural and economic fabric in Grenada. Canadian Grenadians must be encouraged to become engaged in Diaspora initiatives.

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HOW CAN CANADIAN GRENADIANS BECOME ENGAGED IN GRENADIAN DIASPORA INITIATIVES?

Become engaged in civic and other participatory initiatives in main stream Canadian institutions and ensure that Grenada is always focused in the institution’s global initiatives

Participate, promote and support Canadian Grenadian initiatives sponsored by locally based Canadian Grenadian Associations

Build and strengthen your knowledge base on critical Grenadian issues such as disaster preparedness planning, trade and investment enhancement; youth collaborative initiatives; cultural exchanges and tourism promotion.

Institutions and individuals in Grenada interested in Diaspora initiatives must recognize, respect the efforts of Canadian Grenadians, establish and maintain timely and effective communications protocol.

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THE GOALS OF AN EFFECTIVE GRENADIAN DIASPORA INITIATIVE IN CANADA:

Work effectively at all institutional levels in Canada to promote and encourage sustainable partnerships between Canada and Grenada;

Promote and encourage cultural collaboration between Canadian-Grenadian communities and those in Grenada with a focus on rural communities;

Facilitate innovative initiatives between the Diaspora organization and diverse private, public and voluntary sector institutions that have recognized the Grenadian Diaspora in Canada and embraces the notion of institutional collaboration.

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WHAT SHOULD BE THE VISION OF A GRENADA DIASPORA INITIATIVE IN

CANADA: Development and Sustainability of a broad based Canadian-

Grenadian institutional vehicle that is sensitive and responsive to the social, cultural and economic needs of Grenada;

An institution that is proactive, analytical, visionary and forward looking that can effectively contribute to Grenada’s growth and advancement as a Least Developed Country {LDC}.

 An institutional vehicle that allows for diverse views, accept constructive criticism, transparent, accountable and maintains a learning and knowledge environment

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THE PROPOSED MISSION STATEMENT OF A GRENADA DIASPORA INITIATIVE IN

CANADA:

To develop and sustain an independent and non-partisan institution in Canada that will encourage Canadian-Grenadian organizations and individuals to work collectively and nationally with diverse Canadian and other global institutions to develop and implement initiatives that enhance the social, economic and cultural fabric in Grenada..

 

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HOW DO WE IMPLEMENT A DIASPORA STRATEGY IN CANADA?

The Strategy must be non-partisan, free from government dominance , independent, forward looking and driven by Canadian-Grenadians.

Recognition that a successful and sustainable strategy must extend beyond Toronto and Montreal to ensure the inclusion of Canadian-Grenadians from other Provinces thus allowing for a credible and effective Pan-Canadian strategy.

Maintain a strong communication and public information strategy that facilitate timely and qualitative information sharing mechanisms between Grenada and the Diaspora institution in Canada.

Development and application of various tools and resources to ensure that Diaspora initiatives are meaningful, constructive and recognized by those who seek the contribution and participation of Canadian-Grenadians in the process.

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DESIGNING AND SUSTAINING AN EFFECTIVE DIASPORA ORGANIZATIONAL

MODEL IN CANADA

Formation of a non-profit incorporated organization under the Canada Corporations Act. This allows for activities in each Province.

Allows for individual and institutional membership with clearly defined participatory guidelines;

Cohesive, disciplined and focused on the principles of superb managerial responsibilities;

Ensure inclusive participation of all Canadian-Grenadians and demonstrate sound corporate planning and decisions making

Build the model from the ground in order to reach the top. An effective model cannot start from the top to reach the ground. It will crumble.

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THE IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Grenada should make a one time grant to the Consulate-General of Toronto that will facilitate the hosting of a national workshop so Canadian-Grenadians can participate in the discussion and formulation of an effective strategy in Canada . The outcome of this initiative will be the formation of a national steering committee that a) extend beyond Toronto and Montreal and b) to lay the impetus and groundwork for the formation of a non-partisan institution in Canada;

Ensure the participation of Montreal representation in the planning and implementation of the proposed national workshop;

The development, production and distribution of a central working document that define the Grenadian Diaspora in Canada and a proposed action plan that will be fully discussed at the workshop .

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CONTACT:

IAN A

.FRANCIS

, EXECUTI

VE COORDIN

ATOR,

VISMIN

CONSULTANCY.C

A

19 TEAGARDEN C

OURT, W

HITBY,

ONTA

RIO L1

R 2H9

TEL (

647) 857 –

7928

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ATIO

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ANIPULA

TION A

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NE FULL

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