The GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Programme has as soon as once more been praised for its very important function in fostering cultural connection {and professional} improvement amongst younger members of the Jamaican Diaspora.
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The five-week cultural {and professional} internship is tailor-made for second- and third-generation Jamaican college college students from america, Canada, and the UK. The 2025 version formally wrapped up on Friday, July 25, with a closing ceremony held at GraceKennedy’s company workplace in downtown Kingston.
Individuals spent the summer time gaining hands-on expertise at GraceKennedy subsidiaries matched to their educational pursuits, whereas additionally partaking in heritage excursions, cultural actions, and mentorship periods that immersed them in Jamaican life.
Talking on the ceremony, Minister of Overseas Affairs and Overseas Commerce, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, lauded the initiative for bridging the hole between Jamaica and its Diaspora youth.
“Throughout generations and throughout leaderships, it has remained a crucial pillar. For that, we have a good time, given its unquestioned strengthening of affinity between our Jamaican group, significantly… second- and third-generation Jamaicans, and Jamaica,” the Minister mentioned.
She emphasised that significant Diaspora engagement stays central to Jamaica’s overseas coverage technique. “Our Diaspora—together with our younger individuals like our Birthright interns—possesses a lot information, abilities, perspective, ardour, drive, and different quintessential components that make us so particular as a individuals,” she mentioned.
The GraceKennedy model has lengthy loved sturdy assist and loyalty from the Diaspora, lots of whom see the corporate as a trusted image of dwelling and heritage.
4 college students had been chosen for the 2025 cohort, which started on June 23—two from the U.S., one from Canada, and one from the U.Okay. Their time in Jamaica was marked by each skilled progress and cultural reconnection, underscoring the programme’s broader intention of strengthening world ties inside the Jamaican household.
