Diaspora Members Unite in Worship to Open 10th Biennial Conference
By: , June 16, 2024
Photo: Okoye Henry
Members of the Government and Opposition, Senators, Councillors and other officials share a photo opportunity during the thanksgiving worship service held at Burchell Memorial Baptist Church in Montego Bay, St. James on Sunday (June 16), to commence the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference. In front are Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang (second right); Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (centre); Minister of State in the Ministry, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (second left); Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister (West), Hon. Homer Davis (right); and Opposition Spokesperson for Foreign & Regional Affairs, Dr. Angela Brown Burke.
Photo: Okoye Henry
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (centre), interacts with members of the diaspora during a thanksgiving worship service held at Burchell Memorial Baptist Church in Montego Bay, St. James on Sunday (June 16). The service commences the start of the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference from June 16 to 19 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.
Photo: Okoye Henry
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (right), and Minister of State, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (left), present a plaque to Pastor of the Burchell Memorial Baptist Church, Rev. Davewin C. Thomas, during the thanksgiving worship service held at the church in Montego Bay, St. James, on Sunday (June 16), to kickstart the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference.
Photo: Okoye Henry
Diaspora members worship at the Burchell Memorial Baptist Church in Montego Bay, St. James on Sunday (June 16), to kickstart the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference.The Full Story
Diaspora members came together in worship and thanksgiving at the Burchell Memorial Baptist Church in Montego Bay, St. James on Sunday (June 16), as the 10th Biennial Conference got underway.
The conference, scheduled to run until June 19 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, brings together Jamaicans from over 15 countries to discuss matters concerned with national development and societal progress. Over 1100 persons have registered for the event.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, in welcoming the attendees, expressed gratitude to the diaspora members for their participation and contribution.
She encouraged them to make the most of the opportunities presented during the conference and thanked them for making the opening service a “special and inspiring” event.
State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, who has responsibility for Diaspora matters, emphasised the importance of unity between Jamaicans at home and abroad, describing the conference as the “spirit of one Jamaica.”
He pointed out that many persons, who would have left the island decades ago, are coming home at a time when the country is experiencing unprecedented levels of growth and development and they have a key role to play in Jamaica’s continued progress.
“The diaspora is coming home as thought leaders and industry players to not only play their part in national development but also to capitalise on great investment opportunities as well,” Mr. Terrelonge said.
“I want you to all continue to focus on that strong positive energy [and] today, you are seeing the strength of the diaspora here to support the [country],” he added.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, in his remarks, underscored the global strength and character of the Jamaican diaspora, which he credited with enhancing the reputation of “brand Jamaica.”
The 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference is being held under the theme: ‘United for Jamaica’s Transformation: Fostering Peace, Productivity and Youth Empowerment’.
The event aims to engage members of the Diaspora, stakeholders from various sectors, and local leaders to explore synergistic strategies that address key challenges, and harness opportunities for transformative change.