Jamaica 50 Launched in Toronto

TORONTO — Consul General to Toronto, Seth George Ramocan, says activities in the city to celebrate Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence next year, will showcase the best of the island.

He was speaking at the annual JAMBANA Festival at Downsview Park in Toronto, where the community launch of Jamaica 50 in Toronto and Jamaica Homecoming took place.

Mr. Ramocan told the approximately 30,000 spectators that the planning committee has been working assiduously to ensure that the celebration is memorable.

“A great team of dedicated and community spirited individuals have been working here in Toronto for more than one year now, to ensure that our 50th anniversary is celebrated in a manner that is not only enjoyable, but will leave a legacy to benefit generations of Jamaicans to come,” he stated.

The anniversary, he said, will showcase Jamaica's culture through dance, music and words, and there are plans for the staging of a major gala. He said the 50th anniversary celebration will leave a lasting legacy through the creation of a Future Leaders Institute, which will train young people to become great leaders.

The achievements of Jamaican/Canadians and their contribution to Canada will be captured in a book to be published. “You will be able to read about Jamaicans in different fields, in health, politics, education, law and justice, entertainment and sports,” Mr. Ramocan informed, while inviting persons to submit suggestions for the title.

Turning to the grand Jamaica Homecoming Mr. Ramocan noted that hundreds of thousands of nationals from Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, Latin America and the Caribbean, are expected to be in the island for the 50th anniversary celebrations.

He encouraged persons, who will be returning home, to "organise with the people you know who come from your parish and plan to do something for your community and your parish in 2012."

“Start planning a homecoming family reunion, a church reunion, a school reunion, domino reunion, golf trips or an amazing adventure tour to Jamaica,” he suggested.

Grub Cooper has written and produced a theme song celebrating all things Jamaica and inviting Jamaicans to come home for the grand Jamaica Homecoming.

The Consul General introduced the co-chair of the Jamaica 50 Steering Committee, Judge Pamela Appelt, and the co-chairs of the Jamaica Homecoming team, Cynthia Reyes, Donnette Chin Loy and Toni Spooner.

Jamaicans living in Toronto can register their activities to celebrate Jamaica 50 at www.jamaica50.ca and to get information on the homecoming go to www.comehomejamica.com.

Jamaicans in other Canadian cities, such as Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Edmonton, are busy planning similar Jamaica 50 activities in their area.

By CAROLYN GOULBOURNE-WARREN, JIS Reporter