Montego Bay, St James, 22 June 2026
Young Jamaicans at home and abroad must be given real room to help shape national policy, not simply be consulted, State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando Terrelonge told last week’s diaspora conference in Montego Bay.
Speaking at the opening session of the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Monday, 15 June, Mr Terrelonge said he was encouraged by the number of young professionals, students and emerging leaders in attendance.
From consultation to decision-making
The State Minister said young people bring the creativity, energy and fresh thinking needed to tackle some of the most pressing problems facing Jamaica and the wider world.
He argued that more avenues must be created for young people, locally and across the diaspora, to contribute to policymaking, innovation, entrepreneurship and national development. “The future we seek to build belongs to you,” he told them.
Mr Terrelonge added that youth involvement should not stop at being heard, but should see their views built into the decisions that affect them.
A forum for networking
He described gatherings such as the diaspora conference as valuable chances for young leaders to meet policymakers, business figures, innovators and development specialists from around the world, and urged participants to make full use of the workshops, discussions and networking sessions.
Exposure to different perspectives, he said, can help young people build the skills and contacts they need. Empowering the next generation was essential if Jamaica is to stay resilient, competitive and innovative.
The conference ran from 15 to 18 June under the theme of diaspora partnerships for a more climate-resilient Jamaica, bringing together overseas Jamaicans, government officials, private-sector representatives and development partners.
Why it matters
Many of the decisions that will shape Jamaica over the next generation concern housing, land use, infrastructure and climate adaptation. Young people are the ones who will be buying first homes, renting and raising families under those policies.
Giving them a genuine voice in how communities are planned and rebuilt could help ensure that housing and development plans reflect what younger Jamaicans can afford and need.
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