The Jamaican High Commission London - Newsletter Year in Review MESSAGE FROM THE HIGH COMMISSIONER, H.E. MRS. ALOUN NDOMBET-ASSAMBA ingly popular Citizenship Ceremo- ment of the Jamaica Education nies and other outreach activities Taskforce UK (JET UK) and the were successfully undertaken International Health Group UK, and we expect to build on what both of which have been doing was achieved over the past year. extensive work. We had our usual events to mark significant milestones both here As a Mission, we are proud that and in Jamaica, and introduced we were able to have done so new initiatives like our inaugural much, notwithstanding our limited Literary Evening, which was held resources. We could not have in September. done so without your continued support and cooperation – thank The High Commission also con- you. e have come to the end tinued to participate extensively in of another hectic year at discussions with bilateral, multilat- I close by reassuring you of the the High Commission. eral and business partners both High Commission’s continued W here and in the UK, as well as in commitment to working with you We had a number of Ministerial visits over the period, witnessed the countries to which I am con- all in 2015. the launch of the Diaspora Map- currently accredited as Ambas- ping Project and supported as sador (Finland, Ireland, Norway, We expect that it will be an even well as participated in countless Denmark, Sweden and Cyprus). more exciting but challenging events put on by the Diaspora year but with your support and across the length and breadth of 2014 was also a year of important partnership, we will be able to the United Kingdom. Our increas- developments in the Diaspora, a build on the progress realised particularly with the establish- thus far. HIGH COMMISSION EVENTS REGGAE MONTH have also celebrated his birthday INTERNATIONAL FASHION on February 6. SHOWCASE (IFS) Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs. Diedre Mills, who gave the official welcome, said Bob Marley blazed a trail that very few could have conceived for a youngster born in Nine Miles, St. Ann. To stage, the event the High Commission collaborated once cores of music lovers braved again with the London-based the London Underground performing arts charity, UK UN- Jamaican’s participation in the Sstrike and bad weather to SIGNED, headed by Mr. John International Fashion Showcase celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday at Downie. There were performanc- (IFS) in London was formally the High Commission on February es from singer GI Joe; the poet, launched on February 12 at a glit- 6. Miraculous; saxophonist Lacelles tering reception and fashion show James; the trio, True Identity; Ay- at the High Commission. The event also paid tribute to late sha Loren; John McLean; Teejah singer Dennis Brown, whose birth- Prayze and the SLV Choir; Keith day was on February 1. A minute’s Mindlink; Cutty Williams and the Entitled ‘Threadbare,’ it fea- silence was observed for the late Ciyo Brown Trio. tured the works of five Jamaican William ‘Bunny Rugs’ Clarke of designers. The designers and the band, Third World, who would the management team from the HIGH COMMISSION’S EVENTS CONTINUED Jamaica Business Development COMMONWEALTH DAY Among those in attendance were Corporation, including Chief Exec- COMMEMORATION officers from the Secretariat, utive Officer, Ms. Valerie Veira and On March 13, the High Commission including the Deputy Secretary Ms. Marie Casserly, Project Devel- hosted a “Discussion on the Com- General for Economic and Social opment and Implementation, also monwealth” to mark Commonwealth Development, as well as a cross hosted and participated in a series Week 2014. The keynote speaker section of High Commissioners and of workshops and seminars. was Mrs Patsy Robertson, a Jamai- staff from Commonwealth missions, can national who not only served at the Foreign and Commonwealth Of- the High Commission when it was fice, the Commonwealth Countries set up in 1962, but who was a League (organisers of the annual former Director of Information and Commonwealth Fair) and members Commonwealth Spokesperson for of the Jamaican community. many years. Currently the Chair of the Ramphal Institute, Mrs Rob- ertson reflected on the theme for Commonwealth Week 2014 - “Team Commonwealth.” The High Commissioner, who officially launched the event, said Jamaican’s participation in the International Fashion Showcase was a wonderful platform for Brand Jamaica. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY The High Commission paid special tribute to five pioneering Jamaican women, in keeping with the theme Among other things, Mrs Robertson INDEPENDENCE CHURCH of this year’s international Women’s made reference to the tumultuous SERVICE Day – ‘Inspiring Change’. discussions in the Commonwealth Nearly one thousand Jamaicans regarding apartheid and South and Friends of Jamaica attended Africa and the leadership role that the annual Service of Praise and the Commonwealth has always Thanksgiving held to commemo- played in championing issues of rate the island’s 52nd Anniversary concern to small states. She under- of Independence on July 26 at the scored the value of the camaraderie Emmanuel Centre in Westminster, among the Heads of yesteryear London. In a special message for and, with an eye on the future, chal- the service, which was read by the lenged the Commonwealth to tackle High Commissioner, Prime Minister, big international issues which will the Most Hon. Portia Simpson-Mill- resonate outside the Organization. er, ON, MP, assured Jamaicans in The women featured during a the United Kingdom (UK) of the special exhibition put on by the High In addition to High Commissioner Government’s commitment to Commission were Shirley Graham Ndombet-Assamba, His Excellen- strengthening ties with the Dias- Paul of Reading; Hartnell Camp- cy, Dr Carl B. W. Roberts, CMG, pora as part of the nation building bell of London; Councillor Norma former High Commissioner for An- process. Hutchinson of Leeds; Connie Mark tigua and Barbuda and immediate of London and Louise DaCocordia past Chair of the Commonwealth The High Commissioner, for her of Manchester. Board of Governors, also brought part, praised the UK Diaspora for remarks. The programme for the their hard work and continued dedi- evening also included the reading cation to Jamaica. of a poem entitled “Together - We March...”, penned by Ms Angela The service also acknowledged the Edwards of the High centenary of World War I and the Commission and read by Ms 70th anniversary of D-Day. There was a special performance of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” by the group True Identity, and a spe- cial dance of praise choreographed by Jackie Guy, MBE. The event also featured a per- The flag bearers were members formance by Birmingham based of the Jamaica Ex-Soldiers Asso- internationally renowned singer, Jaki ciation, while the officiating clergy Graham, who had the large audi- Omoyele Rosenior-Patten a 16 year were Senior Pastor Peter Loo 2 ence rocking to some of her best old secondary school student of from the Emmanuel Evangelical known songs including “Could It Be Jamaican and Sierra Leonean Church; Chaplain to the Speaker I’m Falling in Love.” parentage. of the House of Representatives PAGE PAGE and to Her Majesty the Queen, the GRACE UKS_No1_vrs2.indd 1 10/07/2014 10:13 Rev. Rose Hudson Wilkin; General of the Diaspora at a presentation at Ellis, Universal Records Licensing Secretary of the Assembly of the the High Commission on Novem- Department; and Kwaku, Editor of First Born, Rev. Errol Vassell and ber 25 as well as in Birmingham on British Black Music.com . The Guest the Rt. Rev. Delroy Powell, National November 26. contributor was Leanne Brackett Presiding Bishop of the New Testa- A self-confessed ‘musicologist’, Min- of www.promosetgo.com, who is a ment Assembly, who delivered the ister Davies believes that Jamaica’s young Social Networking promotion- sermon. popular music, perhaps more than al expert. any other aspect of what the country has achieved, has established the JHC HOSTS FAREWELL island as ‘a super power’ despite its FUNCTION FOR size and economic status. COMMONWEALTH HIGH COMMISSIONERS “The social commentary contained On August 21, Her Excellency Aloun in the lyrics of many of the songs, Ndombet-Assamba hosted a Fare- particularly those written and re- well Reception at the High Commis- corded in the late 1960s and 70s, sion for the outgoing High Commis- have found resonance in many oth- sioner of Antigua and Barbuda, H.E. INDEPENDENCE DIPLOMATIC er countries which have, ostensible, Dr. Carl B. W. Roberts, CMG, the RECEPTION very few links with Jamaica,” said High Commissioner of the Republic The Marshall of the Diplomatic Dr Davies. “As such, people ranging of Singapore, H. E. Mr Thamby- Corps, Representatives of the from guerrilla fighters in Africa to nathan Jasudasen, and the Acting Foreign and Commonwealth inner city residents in South Ameri- High Commissioner of Barbados, Office, members of the Diplomatic ca and Asia, have all identified with Mr Donville Johnson. High Corps and scores of Jamaicans the lyrics written about oppressive Commissioner hosted her outgoing and Friends of Jamaica joined the social conditions in Jamaica. While counterpart, H.E. Mr. Garvin High Commissioner in celebrating for those living outside the island in Nicholas, High Commissioner, Jamaica’s 52nd anniversary of Inde- the Jamaican Diaspora – the US, Trinidad & Tobago, at a special pendence at a reception at the High Canada and Britain – the music dinner in March. Commission on August 5. has bonded them over the years at Cricket Legend Hon. Michael Hold- social gatherings.” CITIZENSHIP CEREMONIES ing and Actress Donna Croll were The High Commission hosted two also among the guests in attend- The Minister embarked on the citizenship ceremonies in 2014. The ance. High Commissioner, H.E.