Georgetown to utilize NY diasporans’ skills

Consul General of Guyana to New York Ambassador Michael E. Brotherson, during a recent diaspora outreach in Queens, announced that his office had engaged the International Organization for Migration, ((IOM) on a diaspora project which will take professionals from the Tri-state area to lend their skills in Guyana, and to learn more of the Republic during an upcoming mission.

The program, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Minister Hugh Todd, will welcome professionals working in technology and construction, among other areas, to share their skills, conduct field studies, and provide training. The project would allow the team to travel across the Republic, in keeping with the government’s diaspora engagement strategy aimed at harnessing the expertise of diasporas, said CG Brotherson.

The diplomat, who has been the topic of a recent “letter to the editor” article, commending his distinguished leadership at the Guyana Consulate New York for transforming the diplomatic office into a people-oriented, people-centered organization reflecting the philosophy of the government’s “One Guyana“ doctrine, told this reporter that it’s not about him, but working with an excellent staff to provide efficient services to Guyanese, and “good diasporans like yourself who assist the work of the consulate.“

“We can call on any of you many times to be a part of what we do. We apply the rules, and even though we get assistance from the diaspora, it is always within the confines, and what is permissible,” said the diplomat.

The article applauded the envoy for his engagement with the Guyanese communities in the Greater New York region, fulfilling a powerful mechanism of inclusivity, a comment that CG Brotherson attributed to the staff work ethic that drives the success of the consulate.

The first series of outreaches started in 2023, and the first in a series that began earlier in 2024, in Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey, Schenectady, Connecticut, and continued Saturday, Oct. 12, 19, 26, and Nov. 2, the same diasporic communities, that GC Brotherson said, is a direct mandate from President Irfaan Ali.

“It’s not that we haven’t had outreaches before, but this time around, the focus has been on promoting unity within the diaspora, and President Ali’s One Guyana concept, and his belief that people should come together and serve each other well. Coming out to communities helps in that regard, where persons can interact with us, apart from the office, share their concerns, and be served then on the spot, which is necessary.“

“I can‘t help but emphasize how much President Ali has been involved, at his level, to know that his people are served efficiently, and the Ministry headed by our Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd who has also been very supportive. Every time he visits New York, he gives us guidance that helps in the process.”

The CG said that interest in Guyana is increasing daily. President Ali mentioned on his last visit that the number of passport applications we reported back home had increased.

“It shows in a broader sense interest that nationals are having in our country. Not necessary always to return to live, but to be a part of what is happening, to contribute to the development trajectory of the country. The government is always keen on that, to have you diasporans come and be a part of what is happening in Guyana.“

He said the government’s diaspora engagement strategy, which is aimed at harnessing our diaspora, is not only about remittances; it is much wider than that. There are skills, human services, philanthropy, medical outreach programs, and free services offered by alumni associations.

“Our young people are an integral part of the diaspora. They don’t see the diaspora as a thing of the past,“ he added.

“The consulate was faced with turning away the third generation of Guyanese in the diaspora who are requesting passports. Unfortunately, the law only allows up to a second generation to be passport holders,” he said.

“It shows again the interest and how connected the diaspora is with the capital. We have never had this influx of young people wanting to be a part of Guyana. And this has nothing to do with oil; it has to do with how the country is positioned and branded, in addition to the progressive leadership.“

“Generally, it’s because of developments that are taking place, and people want to be associated with that. Not necessary for personal development, but pride.”

Everything is not perfect, he reasoned, “but when you look around, you see development. Every time I go home, I see something different. All these things are critical, apart from the services that we provide.

CG Brotherson praised elected officials at home who are available to speak to diasporans. “Of course, it’s not a case of walking into an office, but yes, we are very accommodating. When our president and vice president, the prime minister visit, they meet with nationals. There is no disconnect. All we can do is build on that.“

He says the outreaches have been bombarded with requests for passports, National Insurance Scheme benefits, birth certificates, registration of overseas births, notarization of powers of attorney, and travel documents, which are some of the services delivered to thousands of nationals across the outreach areas to conduct business in the homeland.

The diplomat thanked this reporter and Caribbean Life for reporting on the work the consulate is doing to promote Guyana’s work in the diaspora. “I want to thank you,“ he said, noting that his three decades bring to bear the work being done at the consulate.

“Looking after our nationals abroad is a key foreign policy objective inculcated by the government, so we are aware that we must treat our people in the diaspora with courtesy and decorum. We address their matters so they feel comfortable knowing the representative they have is of the quality that the country deserves, said Ambassador Brotherson.

Consulate staff include Indranie Persaud, Donna Christophe, Vanessa Ward, Kwesi Smith, Nacifa Watson, Akilah Huntley-Olius, Joe Yussuff, Naraine Lutchman, Jeff McNaughton, Michael Brotherson, Leanna Paul, Karen Persaud, Daby Sukhandan, and Fazia Khusial.