MIAMI – In preparation for the second National Diaspora Conference to be held in Kingston, June 15 and 16, a meeting of delegates from Southeast USA was held last Saturday (May 13) in Lauderhill, to discuss issues on the Conference agenda as they related to Florida.
While praising Jamaicans for their commitment to the nation’s economic development, Consul General, Ricardo Allicock, urged delegates to work for the good of the country abroad, at the same time ensuring that the Jamaican Diaspora is empowered.
The make-up of the fifty delegates expected to attend the two-day summit from the Southeast region, according to the Consul General, included a representation of community organization affiliation, the business community, public service, media, clergy, academia and student bodies.
In outlining the agenda for the upcoming two-day conference, beginning Thursday, June 15, the Diaspora Advisory member, Ms. Dahlia Walker-Huntington also encouraged delegates to participate and collaborate in the panel discussions designed to dialog about the interests of Jamaica and within the Diaspora.
The main objective of the Conference themed “The Jamaica Diaspora: Unleashing the Potential” will continue to enhance ways in which the Jamaican government could strengthen ties with the Jamaican overseas communities.
The delegates raised several issues for further discussion on the conference agenda. These included matters relating to crime as it affects education, continued efforts to advance the island’s rich heritage and culture overseas, and mobilization of the Diaspora through inclusiveness and partnering with corporations and associations in an effort to broaden the Diaspora Foundation movement in the overseas communities.
There was also expressed interest for the strengthening of projects to include the partnering of the Jamaican youth with their peers overseas to create linkages in areas of interest such as culture and heritage, education and career opportunities.
Recommendations for trade and investment opportunities for Jamaican nationals were also raised for discussion on the agenda.
In commending the selected delegates to the conference, the Consul General encouraged their participation with the broader Jamaican community in an effort to effect changes in the long term.
The Consul General also praised the efforts of Mrs. Dahlia Walker-Huntington, the first elected board member of the Jamaica Advisory Board with responsibility for the Southeast USA. He lauded her commitment and efforts in starting the process to galvanize the Jamaican community with lack of resources and severe limitations.
Ms. Walker-Huntington, a South Florida-based attorney was among the seven elected board members from the overseas Jamaican communities, appointed at the historical launch of the National Diaspora Conference in June 2004.
Those members were charged with the responsibility of liaising with the Diaspora and Consular Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade on Diasporic matters as it related to the specific communities abroad.
Participation at the second National Diaspora Conference would include nearly 500 delegates. Nearly 400 persons are expected to attend from the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom while the remaining number will be local participants.
