Special Focus on Health and Education During Diaspora Conference

Health and education will be given special attention during the 10th Biennial Diaspora Conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, slated for June 16 to 19.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, told a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ that there will be dedicated sessions facilitating discussions on healthcare and education.

The session on health, dubbed ‘Transforming Jamaica’s Health System in Partnership with the Diaspora’, will delve into innovative approaches, technology integration and capacity-building initiatives to address healthcare challenges and promote wellness for all Jamaicans.

The forum will also look at how partnerships can be catalysed leveraging diaspora expertise, resources and networks to strengthen Jamaica’s health system in alignment with national goals and global standards.

“We’ll be having senior medical persons from across the diaspora who will be a part of [the] panel [focusing on healthcare] as well as senior medical individuals here in Jamaica, so you get that flow between the diaspora and Jamaica,” Mr. Terrelonge said.

Meanwhile, the plenary session on education will bring together educators, industry leaders, policymakers, and members of the diaspora.

It will explore strategies, challenges and collaborative efforts to integrate digital tools, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) curricula, and experiential learning approaches into Jamaica’s education system.

Additionally, a breakout session titled ‘Customs and You’ will focus on how diasporans can make charitable donations of supplies to the health and education sectors.

“Within that special segment, we’ll be speaking to members from the National Education Trust (NET) and also from the Healthcare Enhancement Foundation about how to get your goods and services to charitable organisations. NET will also tell you how to get those goods and items into Jamaica, looking at certain waivers that Jamaica Customs will offer,” Mr. Terrelonge said.