Our Abiding Principles
Mission
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Create an environment in France to highlight and heighten Jamaica’s profile through cultural, sports, entrepreneurial and educational programmes and exchanges between both countries.
Vision
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Bring together Jamaicans and Friends of Jamaica in fellowship and in service for the greater good of Jamaica and Jamaicans in France and elsewhere.
Objectives
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Monitor matters of relevance and importance to members of the Jamaican Diaspora community and share related information with them.
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Provide referrals of sources of assistance to members of the Jamaican Diaspora community for the resolution of issues they may face from time to time.
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Bring elements of Jamaican culture to France to keep the Diaspora united and connected with Jamaica, and to introduce it to Friends of Jamaica
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Be the go-to group for resources and guidance for Jamaicans coming to France
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Be a repository of information on the skill-sets of Jamaicans in France to help them find opportunities for employment, or volunteering or bartering their services
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Serve as a conduit to help Jamaicans purchase Jamaican paraphernalia and related items
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Assist in exploring, developing and implementing programs to aid in the economic development of Jamaica
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Forge alliances with other associations for mutually beneficial synergies
Core Values
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Integrity: We maintain the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior through honesty and transparency in all our actions.
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Accountability: We uphold the quality of our work and honor our commitments to our members, our sponsors and other partners.
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Respect: We value the diversity and uniqueness of the skills and perspectives of everyone, and treat each other with dignity, sensitivity and respect.
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Creativity: We complement convention with innovation and steadfastness to ensure the achievement of our programs’ objectives.
Our Leadership Team
Marcia Bernard
President
Marcia migrated from Jamaica to France 38 years ago. She is from the parish of Hanover. With a minimum grasp of the French language upon arrival in Paris, she pursued language studies for a few years, and then ventured into the hotel industry, where she still is today.
Her passion is trying to make everyone feel at home away from home, no matter their origin. For her, the association is long overdue. It will allow her and her fellow Jamaicans to share the Jamaican culture with the French.
Chrisan Blake
Secretary
Chrisan lives in Paris and is originally from Jamaica. She is a trained translator and teacher who currently teaches English at the Paris Nanterre University. She is passionate about languages and enjoys interactions with others. She has a very engaging and warm personality. She uses her skills and talents for the betterment of her fellowmen.
A blogger, she shares her experiences to encourage others and to give insight into different aspects of society. She is currently a Ph.D. student, focusing on the reception of French Caribbean Literature in Europe.
Peter Smith
Vice President
Peter is from the parish of St. Thomas, Jamaica, and currently lives in Florida, USA. Although being miles away from France, he still has a close connection with the country and the Jamaican Diaspora there, stemming from his days as a student at the Université de Grenoble (now Université Grenoble Alpes).
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After studying in France, he worked at the Embassy of Jamaica in Brussels, and at the Jamaican High Commission in London. He currently works in the Fintech world with a large, multinational company out of their Miami Office.
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A world citizen, he welcomes the opportunity to assist in bridging the gaps that may exist between countries and their peoples, focusing now on France and Jamaica.
Renay Foster
Jamaican Ambassador
Renay currently resides in St. Catherine, Jamaica, the parish of her birth. She has come full circle, after having spent some time in the United States and the United Kingdom.
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She is a United Nations ambassador, international chaplain, author, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker, among other vocations.
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Renay exudes a passion for life and service, and is JaDiF's arm in Jamaica. She is the driving force behind making and cementing the links in Jamaica with partners that are key in helping the association fulfill its mandates.
Kerri-Ann Kerlew
Media Co-ordinator
Kerrian migrated from Montego Bay, Jamaica to France in her second year of high school where she studied at the Ecole Active Bilingue. She continued her studies in London, where she currently lives. She is passionate about Graphic Design, which she now pursues as a career.
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She is happy to be working with the JaDiF family to promote Jamaica's strong culture and heritage in and around the Diaspora.