Chapter 5 Recommendations and Conclusion
5.2 Conclusion
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5.2 Conclusion
In presenting the topic of “Diaspora diplomacy and Capacity Building between
CARICOM and Taiwan”, the opportunity to expand this research to include the rest of the Asia-Pacific arises. What lacks is the abundance of information of specific nature to this thesis to be compiled, analyzed and utilized. This does not imply that the current thesis in its structure and content is complete. By acknowledging the weaknesses of this novel study, there is reason to encourage further research into this subject area through the (i) analysis of additional case studies, and the (ii) inclusion of added discourse and assessment of the conceptual and factual models employed for the development of a diaspora engagement framework.
Embassies of CARICOM states present throughout the Asia-Pacific region should also not be overlooked, with countries like Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Haiti and Belize having established more than two missions within one country. The opportunity for networking among the various embassies and diaspora in the Asia-Pacific is evident. For diaspora initiatives, the embassies serve as sources of support in ways that can range from the provision of material to showcase at regional and international expos, to funding forums that unite diaspora communities throughout the Asia-Pacific in dialogue on diaspora issues and issues affecting CARICOM and the larger Caribbean region.
There is undoubtedly potential present in the form of the diaspora abroad. The contributions they can make as part of a joint initiative supported by CARICOM are numerous, but must be harnessed properly in order to produce the desired results. This thesis—with its limitations—forms part of literature in a comparatively lesser explored area. In so doing, it is hoped that more extensive research will be conducted.
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Questions for the Embassies of CARICOM Member States in Taiwan (Belize)
1. Is it possible to pursue a collective regional initiative (as CARICOM) nations with regards to implementing a diaspora diplomacy strategy in Taiwan (and by extension in East Asia?)
2. What sort of policies would a united CARICOM foreign strategy in East Asia involve?
What would be the costs and benefits of such schemes?
3. In what ways do/can Missions of CARICOM states abroad enact their countries’ objectives abroad?
4. Is it the responsibility of the overseas mission (as the established representative body in Taiwan) to spur activism among the Belizean community with regards to spreading cultural awareness about Belize within Taiwan? Or is it largely the responsibility of the members of the diaspora present to take the incentive?
5. What are the main objectives of the diaspora policy of Belize?
6. What are some of policy’s main strengths and weaknesses and have these strategies particularly involved students abroad? In what ways?
7. In what ways can CARICOM nationals in Taiwan be empowered and equipped for the role of being citizen diplomats? What role do missions of CARICOM states play in this process?
8. What are the obstacles that have hindered such efforts at diaspora diplomacy or diaspora engagement in the past? Or what factors do you think would impact the success of such efforts?
9. In your opinion, what sort of structures or institutions on the home front can be utilized in building capable members of the CARICOM’s civil society abroad, especially with regards to East Asia?
10. Do you think that diaspora diplomacy can alleviate the developmental challenges facing the CARICOM community itself?
11. The CARICOM Secretariat recently issued a revised 4-year Strategic Plan that
emphasized the need for coordinated foreign policy and a “people-centeredness approach”.
What steps have been taken to ensure the effectiveness of this approach?
12. Have there been any formal or informal attempts at civic engagement with nationals from Belize in Taiwan regarding the promotion of the country and its culture?
13. Do you believe that the diaspora in Taiwan could do more to help boost the region’s
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profile? In what ways do you think the diaspora can further be maximized and mobilized for the benefit of CARICOM and Taiwan?
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Summary of interview with Ambassador Cherie Nisbet (Embassy of Belize to Taiwan R.O.C.)
7th May, 2015 Thesis Topic:
Diaspora Diplomacy and Capacity Building
between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Taiwan
1. Is it possible to pursue a collective regional initiative (as CARICOM) nations with regards to implementing a diaspora diplomacy strategy in Taiwan (and by extension in East Asia?)
Yes. Though it would be good, it would be limited since it would mostly involve students.
Diaspora in Belize is mostly students. We used to have an economic citizens program whereby Taiwanese coming to Belize for economic investment were given Belizean citizenship status and passports Belizean Taiwanese due to passports but have not made contributions.
2. What sort of policies would a united CARICOM foreign strategy in East Asia involve? What would be the costs and benefits of such schemes?
Culture based.
Definitely. Advantage is language especially through language exchange. The Embassy of Belize focuses on getting investment. Unfortunately, trade with Taiwan is low because trade tariffs are high.
3. In what ways do/can missions of CARICOM states abroad enact country’s public diplomacy plans abroad?
Through investment
5. What are the main objectives of Belize’s diaspora policy?
Just had its diaspora program; specialized educated diaspora, bring them back home to live, to help develop in their expertise. Try to get diaspora to return with benefits, reduced tax.
6. What are some of policy’s main strengths and weaknesses and have these strategies particularly involved students abroad? In what ways?
Strengths outweigh the weaknesses; inability of reaching out to the diaspora effectively.
Interest vs. non-interest. Questionnaires directed to Belizean Diaspora.
7. In what ways can CARICOM nationals in Taiwan be empowered and equipped for the role of being citizen diplomats? What role do missions of CARICOM states play in this process?
Country pride/ patriotism, keeping abreast with the news in Belize, visiting the embassy, Belize-Guatemala issue, culture, differences and similarities, develop a broad sense of the country.
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8. What are the obstacles that have hindered such efforts at diaspora diplomacy or diaspora engagement in the past? Or what factors do you think would impact the success of such efforts?
Size of diaspora, expectations of the diaspora, coming back, “What can the government do for me?” mentality, education, Why do we need you back home?.
10. Do you think that diaspora diplomacy can alleviate the developmental challenges facing the CARICOM community itself?
I don’t think it can alleviate, but it would help. Soft Power Diplomacy. There may be a possibility of alleviation in the long run. Young professionals can be a bridge for the region. CARICOM is thriving.
11. Have there been any formal or informal attempts at civic engagement with Belizean nationals in Taiwan regarding the promotion of Belize and Belizean culture in Taiwan?
Yes, do it through students a lot. Support is given (depending on what the embassy needed. Trade shows, food shows, we try to do it.
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Questions for Director Matt Van Pelt of Global Exchange Division at Quanta 1. In what ways does the international community in Taiwan play into Quanta’s
objectives?
2. Have there been any events that Quanta has done in collaboration with other organizations or even with government units?
3. Are programs targeted only to international students or to young professionals as well?
4. What programs or events hosted and promoted by Quanta have been particularly successful in aiding to promote global and cultural awareness in Taiwan?
5. What is your opinion on the level of global and cultural awareness of the Taiwanese community? On average how many international students apply to participate in Quanta’s programs?
6. What is your opinion on Quanta’s outreach into the local Taiwanese community?
7. Are Quanta’s projects primarily aimed at junior-high and high schools in Taiwan?
8. How is information about events and programs disseminated to the international student community in Taiwan?
9. What model or models has Quanta sought inspiration from with regards to its mission and the planning of its subsequent cross-cultural projects.
10. How does Quanta assess the impact of its projects and programs on the local Taiwanese community that you specifically target?
11. Are there a lot of students from the Caribbean region who participate in Quanta’s programs and projects?
12. With regards to activities and programs such as the Global Ambassador program, what is the demographic of international students who typically apply? Do you receive more applicants from certain countries? Are there countries that are not as represented as others and that you would like to reach out to?
13. How are students prepared/ trained to participate in the cross-cultural activities that Quanta offers?
14. In what other ways does Quanta engage the international student community in Taiwan aside from cross-cultural presentations and other activities that you mentioned?
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Summary of interview with Director Matt van Pelt (Global Exchange Division at Quanta)
21st May, 2015 (1hr 24mins) Thesis Topic:
Diaspora Diplomacy and Capacity Building
between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Taiwan
1. In what ways do the international community in Taiwan play into Quanta’s objectives? The international community plays two important roles. We’re hoping to bridge the cultural gap (Cultural ambassadors) as a facilitator for innovation in education, we engage educators from around the world finding out how what they are doing in areas that Quanta has expertise and has interest in. We should not just include the international community in Taiwan; we need to reach out to the global community abroad as well. Become a bridge of culture across time and space; help people living in the now understand cultures all over. My unit is specialized with creating projects. Some of the projects have proposed haven’t really left the table. However those we have launched and have tried to implement (particularly international one) have been very successful. I’m not particularly knowledgeable about the programs that are specifically going on throughout Taiwanese schools, but in generally are successful. Immerse in Creativity has been going on for about 10 years. It was a project that was developed to meet the board’s requests, but overtime, Quanta’s mission has expanded so there are opportunities to be taken advantage of.
2. Have there been any events that Quanta has done in collaboration with other organizations or even with government units?
We don’t function in a vacuum. We work alongside schools, museums,
exhibitions, the Board of Education of New Taipei City, Ministry of Education
3. What programs or events hosted and promoted by Quanta have been
particularly successful in aiding to promote global and cultural awareness in Taiwan?
Immerse in Creativity in itself is cultural awareness program. We take a themed art exhibition of some kind, we build an exhibition around it and schools are encouraged to apply the curriculum into that exhibition. So, even though the exhibition may discuss Picasso, there are also cultural components in it. There’s another program called Take your Planet, make the change. IN terms of
environmental awareness it has been wildly successful. In terms of what Quanta
environmental awareness it has been wildly successful. In terms of what Quanta