21st and 22nd of June, 2016

Consulate General of Mexico in New York holds Workshop on Best Practices for Diaspora Engagement and Services Mexico–Guyana

• The Consulate General of Mexico in New York received three representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana on Tuesday June 21st and Wednesday the 22nd, to conduct a workshop on best practices for diaspora engagement and services.

• The Guyanese officials had the opportunity to learn firsthand the consular operation and about various programs and the work of organizations that provide services to the immigrant community.

As a result of the first official visit of Prime Minister of Guyana, Moses Nagamootoo, to Mexico in 2015 it was agreed to strengthen the cooperation for diaspora engagement and services between both countries. In 2011, the Republic of Guyana established the Guyana Diaspora Unit, which estimates that 700,000 Guyanese nationals live abroad, mainly in New York City and Toronto. They also highlighted that it’s the first official approach of Guyana, with a foreign government to exchange good practices in this area.

During their visit a series of meetings were facilitated with consular officials, authorities, representatives of community organizations, youth leaders, entrepreneurs and academics in order to learn about the policy of the Government of Mexico to benefit their nationals abroad and the programs that have been successful.

In this regard, the range of services offered by the Consulate were explained: documentation, protection, civil registry, engagement with communities, political and economic affairs. Furthermore, information on the innovative model of the windows for health, financial education and educational opportunities was provided. In this sense, the Guyanese delegation acknowledged the work of consulates, particularly in the efficiency to issue passports and consular registration.

Also, visits where conducted to areas where there is a high concentration of Mexicans, especially in Passaic, New Jersey and the Bronx in New York City. An array of meetings were held with directors of organizations that provide services to the Mexican community such as Mi Casa is Puebla –official representation of the Government of Puebla– MASA, St. Jerome H.A.N.D.S. Community Center and Mixteca Organization. Additionally, a meeting was held with representatives of the Jaime Lucero Institute of Mexican Studies and beneficiaries of their programs. The Guyanese delegation expressed interest in collaborating with institutions of higher education and establishing programs to strengthen ties and identity of young Guyanese abroad with their country of origin.

The Guyanese delegation was integrated by Choo Anyin, Head of the Diaspora Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana, Jacquelyn Hamer, Deputy Consul of the Consulate General of Guyana in New York, and Tondicka Austin, of the Protocol Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana. Finally, it was agreed that this was an initial step in the cooperation within our countries and that collaboration in this area will be a pillar of the bilateral relationship.