Diaspora Conference to cost $30 million

The Jamaica Diaspora Conference to be held from June 14-16 this year is estimated to cost $30 million.

The price tag was disclosed by Undersecretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Franz Hall, during a virtual meeting with members of the United States Northeast Diaspora to update the community on preparation for the conference.

Hall said that the majority of the funds will be channelled towards offsetting the cost for the portals to be used in hosting the conference.

The conference will be hybrid and is anticipated to attract some 5,000 participants from across the globe.

He said that there will be 100 in-person participants while the majority of attendees will use various social-media platforms.

The undersecretary said that a number of factors led to the conference being hybrid.

COVID is still a factor, and businesses were still recovering from a downturn and so could not be counted on to assist funding the conference staging.

He further noted that the conference this year has only three Legacy Partners instead of the usual four.

The conference is being held under the theme ‘Reigniting A Nation for Greatness’ and will form part of the celebration of Jamaica’s 60th anniversary of Independence.

Global Jamaican Diaspora Council member for the US Northeast Region, Dr Karren Dunkley, said that the region is excited to contribute to, and participate in, the Jamaica Diamond Jubilee Diaspora Conference.

“COVID-19 has given rise to a borderless diaspora, providing an opportunity for re-energisation, reflection, and innovation. We now have the perfect opportunity to collaborate in a positive global shift that will reignite the greatness in Jamaicans at home and abroad,” she said.

As in conferences past, a group of passionate expatriates will converge in Jamaica and online to collaborate on the promotion of economic, social, and educational transformation.

“This year’s theme signifies a call to action to recommit to Jamaica’s greatness. The Diaspora Conference provides a platform and space that supports the incubation of thoughts and affirms individual and collective commitment toward national development. The USA Northeast believes that now is an opportune time to sustain further diaspora engagement by appointing diaspora members to the public boards,” she said.

The Global Jamaica Diaspora Council member for the Southern US Region, Dr Allan Cunningham, said that the 10th Diaspora Conference is a moment of celebration and provides the pillars for building sustainable strategies.

Noting the theme of the conference, Cunningham said it speaks volumes to the country’s resilience and resolve.

“This is our space, our time, and our table to discuss all issues that relates to us as Jamaicans,” he said.

Hall said that preparations for the conference are under way and that the Government was looking forward to a dynamic conference.

editorial@gleanerjm.com