Outstanding Saint Lucians residing overseas will be awarded during Homecoming 2010

ST. LUCIA – On the heels of the 2010 Independence Awards, Prime Minister Honourable Stephenson King, in an exclusive interview with the GIS, says special awards will be bestowed on outstanding Saint Lucian citizens residing abroad, during the Saint Lucian Homecoming 2010, in July.

The prime minister says, there are many Saint Lucians residing overseas who are continuing to make their mark in various spheres, helping to shape the landscape of developed countries.

“The Office of the Diaspora, headed by Dr. June Soomer, was established to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is supported by policies and programmes that will extend a hand to Saint Lucians overseas, to give recognition and at the same time create an atmosphere for them to make their contributions towards the continuous development of the country.”

He says homecoming is more than a great party; it is an opportunity for Saint Lucians to recognize their true potential.

“You see homecoming is expected to give Saint Lucians the encouragement to travel, to go overseas to broaden their horizon to make a contribution overseas, but return and make their own contribution to Saint Lucia one way or the other and that is the way we believe we could build our people and build our country, give them hope beyond our shoes.”

The Saint Lucian Homecoming 2010 is being organized by the Homecoming Committee and the Saint Lucia International Association. This event coincides with the 14th Biennial Convention of the Union of Saint Lucian Overseas Associations in July 2010. The major activities are scheduled for the last week in July, however, there will be other activities held throughout the year.