Howard Campbell, Gleaner WriterEVEN BEFORE the crime situation session at the Jamaica Diaspora Conference began at the Jamaica Conference Centre, in downtown Kingston, Thursday, delegates from Canada, the United States and Great Britain made their feelings known as to what was the biggest obstacle to their returning home.
Crime, which analysts and politicians consider a perennial hindrance to economic growth in the country, was high on the agendas of several persons who came down for the two-day conference that ended yesterday.
"I've been away for 40 years which is longer than I want to be," said Audrey Dehaney, a delegate from Surrey in south London. "But some things need to be turned around and I don't have to mention the crime because that's foremost in everybody's mind."
VISITS JAMAICA REGULARLY
Mrs. Dehaney, who was born in Kingston, said she visits Jamaica regularly.
While her two adult children have no problems with her coming back to her homeland, she told The Gleaner that her husband was not keen on the idea.
"I love to come on holidays but the problem when I come is the freedom to move around," she said.
Jose Richards has also lived abroad (in Queens, New York) for over four decades. He too dreams of re-settling permanently in Jamaica. He was part of a large delegation from New York City that came to hear what plans the Government and the private sector have in place to attract potential 'returnees'.
"When I look and see Century 21 and all those companies down here I say, 'Hey, the floodgates are open', but I am concerned about the crime," said Mr. Richards, who works as an engineer in a nursing home. "If you don't temper it with some social programmes then you can't temper it."
PREPARED TO INVEST
Despite the fears of some, Dr. Basil K. Bryan, Jamaica's Consul General in New York, said the attendance at the conference compared to the inaugural event two years ago was evidence that Jamaicans overseas are interested in returning home or are prepared to invest in their country.
The security session was addressed by National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips. Delegates were also scheduled to hear from a panel that included Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas and G. Peter Abrahams, a human rights lawyer from Canada.
The media, however, were barred from the session.
