Diaspora Conference Kicks Off Sunday with Worship Service

The 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference gets underway tomorrow (June 16) with a thanksgiving worship service at Burchell Memorial Baptist Church in Montego Bay.

A shuttle service to and from the venue has been provided for Diaspora members from partner hotels Iberostar, Ocean Coral Springs and the Holiday Inn Resort.

The service, under the theme: ‘United for Jamaica’s Transformation: Fostering Peace, Productivity and Youth Empowerment,’ will usher in four days of activities at the Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC) in St. James.

Attendees are expected from countries in Asia, including the Middle East, Africa and traditional areas such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada as well as the Caribbean.

Pre-Conference registration is ongoing at the MBCC, Block C, Main Office 1 and continues on Sunday and during the conference.

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, will host a welcome reception for attendees on Sunday at the Ocean Terrace, MBCC, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith and State Minister, Hon. Alando Terrelonge will bring remarks.

Other speakers will include the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), VM Group and Conference chair, Courtney Campbell and representatives of GraceKennedy Group and JN Group.

Entertainment will be provided by multi-time festival song winner, Roy Rayon.

Mr. Terrelonge, who is responsible for Diaspora Affairs, said that the Conference will feature Riverside Chats, break-out sessions and panel discussions on a range of issues impacting the Diaspora and Jamaica.

“The Conference offers the space to build connections both across Jamaica and in the Diaspora, to share ideas and projects, and to offer perspectives and insights to further drive Diaspora welfare and Jamaica’s growth,” he said.

This will be the first in-person Conference since the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event also commemorates 20 years since the first Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference was held in Kingston in 2004, marking two decades of meaningful engagement among the Government, private sector and the Diaspora.

June 16 is Jamaica Diaspora Day, an annual observation that emerged from the 2004 conference.