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More than 60 UK delegates for Diaspora Conference

June 9, 2011

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LONDON — More than 60 delegates from the United Kingdom (UK) are scheduled to participate in this year’s Jamaica Diaspora Conference to be held in Ocho Rios, next week.

UK Diaspora Advisory Board representative, Celia Grandison Markey, told JIS news that while the cost of travelling and accommodation for the conference was a concern to UK Jamaicans, more than 60 have so far registered to attend.

“The key thing this year is that funding is affecting the response of the UK (delegates), and this is indicative of the economic climate. However, there will be about 65 of us attending the conference this year,” she said.

She stated that, in preparation for the conference, the UK Diaspora have hosted workshops, where individuals and organisations were consulted and their comments and suggestions fed back to Jamaica. A big concern for the UK delegation was how to engage the Future Leaders, the youth arm of the Diaspora, and how they themselves will feature into the actual conference.

The UK Diaspora also met a few weeks ago with the Minister of State with responsibility for Diaspora Affairs, Senator Marlene Malahoo-Forte.

The UK Diaspora, at its April Conference, elected its Advisory Board members, with Mrs. Markey re-elected to represent London and the South and Carole Cooper elected to represent the Midlands and the North.

The conference also elected a management board chaired by Ben Cummingham from the Midlands and the North. The Vice Chairman is Mutondo Mukulu, representing London. Treasurer is Richard Edwards from Birmingham. Washington Alcott from the Midlands and the North was elected the secretary.

The management board will also include the UK Advisory Board representatives, regional coordinators and representatives of the Future Leaders Group. The first board meeting will be held following the Jamaica conference.

Jamaicans from the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, will meet for the 2011 Conference at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort, Ocho Rios, June 15 to 17.

Key topics will include governance and operational structure of the Diaspora, engaging Future Leaders, as well as national economic and social initiatives and the Diaspora contributions.

                                                  

By Vivienne Siva, JIS Reporter

Last Updated: August 8, 2013