A new initiative called Flag Up Scotland Jamaica was launched at the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce during the Commonwealth Games on 1 August 2014. The project is building on previous initiatives, such as the Memorandum of Understanding between Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce in March 2013. The initiative is seeking innovative ways to develop a closer partnership between Scotland and Jamaica, which will benefit both nations.
The project has received widespread support, including endorsement from the historian Sir Tom Devine, Hon Mrs Aloun Assamba, Jamaica’s High Commissioner in UK, Sir Geoff Palmer of Heriot Watt University and Anne McLaughlin MP. The project has encouraged schools partnerships and through a Big Lottery Grant was able to bring two Jamaican artists, Yasus Afari and Claudius England to take part in the Glasgow MELA Festival and to visit schools, churches and prisons.
We have sought and gained the support of numerous MSPs. On 18 August 2014, Margaret Mitchell lodged Motion S4M-10824 to support the launch of this campaign and raise awareness of its aims. We have worked with William McGhie's son in forming our campaign. As such, on 21 November 2014, John Mason MSP lodged Motion S4M-11652 to commemorate the centenary of William McGhie's contribution as an example of the important links between Jamaica and Scotland and to acknowledge our work in promoting this. On 31 July 2015, Kenneth Gibson MSP lodged Motion S4M-13867 to recognise the achievements of this campaign and to show cross-party support for it in the Parliament.