Chapter 3 Introduction to Case Studies
3.1.3 Saint Lucia’s National Diaspora Policy
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expertise in systems security management and imparting the culture and language of Taiwan through people-to-people exchanges. As part of the Taiwanese diaspora abroad, Taiwanese nationals in CARICOM countries offer yet another example of how
transnational communities can contribute to their host countries.
3.1.3 Saint Lucia’s National Diaspora Policy
In 2014, the Government of Saint Lucia presented the second draft of its National
Diaspora Policy. The goals of the Diaspora Policy revolve around fellowship, cooperation and instilling national pride among Saint Lucians at home and abroad. Yet most dialogue with the Saint Lucian diaspora is done through consulates and diplomatic missions abroad. The policy detailsspecific ways in which the Government of Saint Lucia and the diaspora can collaborate in the public and private sectors. Saint Lucia's diaspora have formed themselves into associations which usually take the form of regional or district fractions as well as general national groups with social, cultural and political functions.
The Union of Saint Lucia Associations (USLOA) was designated as the umbrella unit for the majority of Saint Lucian associations abroad. As of 2014, the USLOA, recognized a total of 15 diaspora organizations abroad; the majority being in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom15.
Policies aimed at encouraging Saint Lucians to return to their countries have been tailored to assist them in easily transitioning to their homeland, with added benefits to prompt them to invest. The government of Saint Lucia has recognized the importance of the country’s consulates and diplomatic missions abroad to the diaspora by enforcing functions such as: (i) serving as a platform to receive and address diaspora issues; (ii) being points of engagement and diaspora mobilization; and (iii) being collection of diaspora demographics and information
Policy recommendations with regards to the diaspora are focused on economic growth,
15 Government of Saint Lucia Diaspora Policy (second draft), 2014, http://saintluciaconsulateny.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lc_Second-Draft-Diaspora-Policy1.pdf
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poverty reduction, good governance and capacity building. It is meant to be an all-inclusive attempt to engage Saint Lucian nationals abroad while addressing rights and issues faced by the diaspora in their host countries.
The Government of Saint Lucia recognized the need to transform its brain drain into brain gain. Strategies have thus been developed that seek to utilize the intellectual and technical skills of the diaspora. With pertinence to reaching out to the CARICOM diaspora in Taiwan, The Caribbean Community’s initiative could include the following schemes:
“…c. Establish a Diaspora Volunteer Programme that provides an avenue through which they donate their time and expertise towards worthy causes on the island.
h. Ensure that Diaspora individuals and companies will be given due consideration consistent with regional and international obligations i. Facilitate the establishment of structured technical networks to facilitate ongoing technical consultations between Diaspora and resident technicians in fields such as education, health, tourism, agriculture, trade, science and technology.
j. Facilitate the participation of skilled and professional non-resident nationals in capacity building programmes at the national level k. Work with regional bodies, OECS and CARICOM to establish databases with the assistance of key international agencies for the recruitment of qualified members of the Caribbean Diaspora.”16
Saint Lucia’s diaspora policy distinctly states areas where the Government of Saint Lucia has pledged to support the diaspora such as culture, arts and exportation of cultural products, adding that “diaspora communities thrive on the principle of a common identity…[and] collective consciousness.” With regards to the diaspora in Taiwan, the following opportunities hint to where CARICOM as a unit can invest in
16 Government of Saint Lucia Diaspora Policy (second draft), 2014, http://saintluciaconsulateny.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lc_Second-Draft-Diaspora-Policy1.pdf
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“Encourage residents abroad to take appropriate action to retain and promote aspects of our traditional heritage in the host countries.”17
This can be done through the governing body for ministries of culture throughout CARICOM states and their combined effort to design and produce bilingual or
multilingual promotional material. Translations could be a joint effort between alumni associations of CARICOM students who have studied in Taiwan along with members of the Taiwanese Overseas Volunteers and Youth Ambassadors. Additionally, local
businesses can be pinpointed based on their reputation for producing quality products to help provide items that can be made available for prospective trade shows and other events in Taiwan. A list of trade shows separated by countries in the Asia-Pacific can be compiled and updated with the help of the diaspora in those host countries.
“Encourage more cultural exchanges between schools and cultural groups in Saint Lucia and the diaspora.”
To offset the cost of travel, virtual classrooms serve as ideal channels for facilitating cross-cultural exchanges. Cost would arise depending on the condition of ICT channels and internet hubs. A pen pal system can also be started between schools in Taiwan and those in CARICOM member states. Schools in Taiwan can have the option of practicing English and interacting with students from across the Caribbean Community in a series of virtual classroom interactions.
Additionally, experts in topics such as regional integration, sustainable development, cultural preservation, economic theories, international affairs, health and entrepreneurship can be exchanged. Symposiums and conferences that invite innovative minds in these areas from CARICOM and Taiwan can be hosted. Current regional projects can be presented for discussion on feasible and effective approaches on how they should be
17 Government of Saint Lucia Diaspora Policy (second draft), 2014, http://saintluciaconsulateny.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lc_Second-Draft-Diaspora-Policy1.pdf
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In the area of capacity building, CARICOM can issue regional seminars uniting returnees from Taiwan around the region to participate in skills transfer projects. For example, CARICOM nationals, who studied in areas such as agronomy, can collectively meet with representatives to offer insight and suggestions for regional policy formation. This can also be applied in the areas of health and technology among others Students who have studied business and trade can be sought after to provide perception of the market environment in Taiwan. As attaches, these students can serve as a bridge connecting potential investors interested in regional and national projects, while giving local
investors much need perspective as to business etiquette and prospective niche markets.