Old Jersey Meets New

As the Assistant Minister for External Relations, responsible for strengthening Jersey’s ties with the state of New Jersey, the minister has just returned from a highly productive first official visit.

One of the key highlights was a meeting with the Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, during which they discussed ways to enhance the relationship between Jersey and New Jersey. This marked the first time a representative of the ‘original’ Jersey had met with one of the 50 elected officials responsible for governing the American states. The minister was delighted by the warm welcome received and the governor’s support in fostering stronger ties. It is hoped that Governor Murphy will visit the Island on his next trip across the Atlantic.

The meeting took place at the 109th annual New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference, an event that brings together all 564 municipalities of New Jersey. This is the largest gathering of its kind in the US and marked the first time a Government of Jersey minister had attended.

The visit involved a packed schedule, including meetings with representatives from across the state. The minister delivered a speech to New Jersey mayors, discussing the historic ties between Jersey and New Jersey, as well as the desire to strengthen commercial, social, and cultural connections in the future.

Additionally, the minister gave an interview to US cable channel Comcast to amplify these messages and participated in a thought-provoking panel discussion on the experience of being a woman in government. The panel was chaired by Mayor Janice Kovach of Clinton, New Jersey.

A visit to Princeton University, one of the world’s most prestigious institutions, was also a significant part of the trip. Discussions with the university’s International Internship Program Team explored how Jersey could provide placements for Princeton students, while also considering reciprocal opportunities for Jersey students interested in applying to Princeton. Further discussions were held with the School of Public and International Affairs regarding potential collaborations.

The minister also visited Trenton, where meetings took place with officials from the administration of Mayor Reed Gusciora, a long-standing friend of Jersey who has attended the Island’s Liberation Day celebrations on multiple occasions. Discussions focused on expanding the twinning agreement through an educational partnership, and an invitation was extended to Mayor Gusciora and his delegation to visit Jersey in 2025 for the 80th Liberation Day celebration or the Battle of Flowers in August.

Given that St. Helier is twinned with Trenton, the capital of New Jersey, the minister expressed the belief that similar relationships could be fostered with other parishes to build regional bonds benefiting communities both in Jersey and the Garden State.

Beyond engagements in New Jersey, the minister also took the opportunity to further work in the role as Minister for International Development and Chair of Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA). Jersey serves as an example to other small and sub-sovereign jurisdictions in providing aid while contributing to global discussions on financial inclusion. Meetings were held with long-standing JOA partners, including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and CGAP, an organization that supports those living in poverty through inclusive finance. Discussions with Joyce Msuya, Assistant Under-Secretary General of UN OCHA, and Sophie Sirtaine, CEO of CGAP, were particularly valuable. With new leadership in place at UN OCHA, opportunities for further collaboration and information-sharing have been opened.

Throughout the visit, discussions also covered the ongoing Island Identity project and the launch of Jersey Connections. Given the strong interest in Jersey’s historical links, it is expected that many of those met during the visit will register on the platform.

The Government of Jersey plays a vital role in facilitating relationship-building and creating opportunities for young people, local organizations, and businesses to prosper both in America and beyond. This visit marked the minister’s first official trip to the US in this capacity and forms part of a broader effort to expand international ties. The enthusiasm from those met during the visit was evident, with a range of ideas proposed for strengthening relationships, which the minister looks forward to developing further