Special G-G Awards for Jamaicans Overseas

Several Jamaicans overseas will be presented with special Governor-General’s Awards at the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference, slated for July 23 to 27 under the theme ‘Partnering for Growth’.

The five-day conference, scheduled to take place at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston, is being organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, in collaboration with the private sector, key sponsors of the event. It is one of the main events to mark Jamaica’s 55th anniversary of Independence.

Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’, held yesterday (June 6) at the agency’s head office in Kingston, Chairman of the Jamaica Diaspora Conference 2017, Earl Jarrett, said the awards will be presented at the opening ceremony.

“The Governor-General will be recognising Jamaicans from the diaspora who have excelled, who have moved their own lives significantly from one place to the other within that space,” he said.

Mr. Jarrett said the ceremony will also feature the keynote address by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.

Giving an overview of the conference, Mr. Jarrett said it is framed around the growth agenda for Jamaica and is expected to develop networks for creating opportunities.

He said the conference will also deal with health issues and how the diaspora community can support the continued improvement in the health outcomes of the people.

“Even as I speak, I believe there is a delegation of doctors in Jamaica from overseas who are supporting health facilities across the island. Many Jamaicans contribute supplies and their network to support the objectives in Jamaica,” he said.

Mr. Jarrett said the conference will bring together Jamaicans living overseas and at home to look at the role of the diaspora and how it can achieve the long-term objectives of Jamaica, “which is economic growth, improvement in living standards and for Jamaica to take its full place in the global environment”.

Undersecretary for Diaspora Protocol and Consular Affairs of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ambassador Sharon Saunders, said all Jamaicans are welcome to attend the conference. She said persons can register on the Ministry’s website: www.mfaft.gov.jm/conference/registration

Ambassador Saunders said the early-bird registration rate, which is $18,000 for a full conference package, will be available until June 22.

“Anyone interested should try to register early. After that, the rate goes up to $22,000 for the full conference package,” she added.

Ambassador Saunders noted that there are five payment options for registering using GraceKennedy’s Bill Express online payment portal.

“And, all of that is available on the Ministry’s website, so anybody, locally or abroad, can register for the conference,” she said.