Diaspora Conference organisers hoping to attract 1,000
Published:Friday | April 5, 2024 | 12:09 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
Members of the Jamaican diaspora have been given all of 10 reasons to register and participate in the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, slated for June 16 to June 19 in Montego Bay, St James.
The theme for this year’s conference is ‘United for Jamaica’s Transformation: Fostering Peace, Productivity and Youth Empowerment’.
Speaking at the official launch of the conference, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade yesterday, conference chair Courtney Campbell gave “10 compelling reasons” for diasporans to make the trip to their native land to attend the conference.
“I am saying to those of us overseas, the programme has been carefully designed with strong input from Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica within the diaspora. For this conference, we will intentionally dedicate more time and space to exploring how you who live abroad can ... derive tangible benefits from active participation in the global Jamaican community,” the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the VM Group said.
Some of the more notable reasons Campbell shared included an exposure individuals would receive when showcasing their businesses in the diasporan marketplace with its 50 available spaces; being able to visit new and developing properties for potential investment; forging stronger network connections; engaging in a diverse conference agenda and having the opportunity to re-experience authentic Jamaican foods.
For his part, Alando Terrelonge, state minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, revealed that the organisers were hoping to attract up to 1, 000 participants at the Montego Bay Convention Centre where the conference will be held.
An event to remember
The first staging of this biennial conference was held in 2004 and Terrelonge promised that 20 years later, 2024 would provide “an event to remember” and that it would “set the tone that all Jamaicans belong”.
Continuing, he said negotiations to secure favourable hotel rates with Ocean Coral Spring and Ocean Eden Bay Hotels were in an advanced stage.
Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, in referencing the selected theme of the conference, noted that it helps to “affirm the importance that we place on coming together to craft our future, to focus on the pillars of transformation and to overcome the most difficult challenges of our time”.
Placing much emphasis on unity, Johnson Smith continued that “in a world that is as fractured and divided as it is right now, working intentionally for unity – to be united in building towards even greater and more inclusive growth and sustainable development, the embrace, the engagement, the empowerment, the inspiration, the coming together of our diaspora is of critical importance to this process”.
Don Wehby, CEO of GraceKennedy Limited, said the conference would serve as a platform for Jamaicans “to harness the power of unity and collective action in driving positive change across our beloved nation”.
He expressed gratitude to diasporans for their continued contributions towards peace, productivity and youth empowerment in their home country.
“You play a crucial role in advancing these goals. The unwavering commitment, expertise and passion of our diaspora has been instrumental in driving positive change and advancing Jamaica’s interest on the global stage,” he added.
Wehby went a step further to spotlight digital innovation and the agriculture/agro-processing industry as two of Jamaica’s fastest-growing sectors which the diaspora should consider to pump investments in, dubbing it a “win win win” outcome for all.
He further encouraged diasporans to help pave the way for “a more prosperous, peaceful and empowered Jamaica”, by building its resilience and sharing in wisdom.