N E W S   Last updated: Sunday, July 19th, 2009 12:01pm EST

Jamaica's Ambassador Anthony Johnson (center) chairs the first in a series of regular, quarterly meetings to provide updates on developments in Jamaica with heads of various Jamaican organizations in the Baltimore-Washington-Northern Virginia area at the Embassy of Jamaica, Washington, DC.

The first meeting which was held at the Embassy of Jamaica on Tuesday, July 14, 2009, brought together heads of various Jamaican organizations from Philadelphia, PA, Baltimore, MD, Richmond, VA, and the Washington, DC metropolitan area and was chaired by Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States, Anthony Johnson.. 

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Johnson lauded the various Jamaican organizations for the outstanding work they have been doing in their various communities and the tremendous contribution that they continue to make to their homeland.

Ambassador Johnson said that the organizations play a very important role in the diaspora as they are the ones that continue to keep the Jamaican culture and the various Jamaican communities together.

He added that Jamaica benefitted tremendously from numerous contributions and encouraged them to continue to assist their homeland.

Ambassador Johnson pointed out that this meeting of heads of various Jamaican organizations is important as it provides an opportunity for mutual dialogue and sharing of ideas.  He told them that the Embassy is always open to their organizations and hope they can work together for the common good of Jamaica.

In updating the organization heads on a number of issues in Jamaica, the Ambassador said that Jamaica like the rest of the world is feeling the effects of the economic downturn.

However, he assured them that the government was doing all it can to address the situation..  He said that efforts were being made to improve education and to address crime and violence which is a serious problem on the island.

He further informed them that despite the economic downturn, the tourism sector was doing well.  He informed them that there are number of investment opportunities available in the country and pointed to a number of large scale developments which have taken place.

The organization's representatives were brought up-to-date on various activities that are being planned by the Embassy.  These include the 47th Independence Thanksgiving Church Service in Sunday, August 9, 2009 at Howard University's Dumbarton Chapel, the Independence Reception at the Organization of American States (OAS), the Future Leaders Conference in Jamaica, and the Jamaica US Diaspora Conference set for October 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

The various heads of the organizations gave an update on the activities that their organizations are pursuing. 
Among those attending the meeting were Mrs. Sharon Miller, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Jamaica, Mrs. Natalie Campbell-Rodriques, Community Relations Attache, Embassy of Jamaica, Dr. Alston Meade, Jamaica's Honorary Consul to Philadelphia, PA, Ms. Jean Raimey, the Founding President of Caribbean - American Intercultural Organization (CAIO), a 50 year old organization, and Rick Nugent, President of Jamaica Association of Maryland (JAM).  There are 17 Jamaican organizations within the Baltimore-Washington-Northern Virginia area.