Courtney Campbell, VM Group president and chairman of the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, made a vibrant pitch to members of the diaspora yesterday (April 4) to attend the event this June, urging them to take advantage of the opportunities available for transformational partnerships and collaborations.
Speaking at the conference’s global launch, held at the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade in downtown Kingston, Campbell emphasised that the planning of the conference was strongly influenced by feedback from representatives of the diaspora, giving those who travel to Jamaica for this year’s staging, an unprecedented chance to experience real benefits.
“The conference agenda includes diverse, interesting topics. In the spirit of partnership, the programme has been carefully designed with significant input from Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica in the diaspora. We expect the engagement to be mutually beneficial,” said Campbell.
“We will intentionally dedicate more time and space to exploring how Jamaicans who live abroad can derive tangible benefits from active participation in the global Jamaican community.”
Campbell enlivened the audience at the launch event by listing “ten compelling reasons” for Jamaicans living overseas to book their trips to attend the Conference which will be held in Montego Bay, St James June 16-19, 2024.
Among the many reasons that Campbell listed, and which prompted hoots and applause from the gathering, was the opportunity for Jamaicans who live abroad to nurture stronger connections with their homeland.
“Rekindle your connections while here,” he said. “This can mean walking the streets your parents and grandparents did; showing your children your old school; or even having conversations with extended family and longtime friends. Jamaica is where your heart is and now might just be the time to forge stronger bonds.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith thanked Campbell for giving “yeoman’s service” so far in his tenure as conference chair.
