Yesterday, The Gleaner spoke with delegates attending the Third Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference and asked, "How have the diaspora conferences been effective over the years?"
Phillip Mascoll, Canada
I have seen at least 60 or 70 people from the United Kingdom alumnis who I have exchanged emails with and that alone happened before the first conference and that alone, in itself, is an achievement and the workshops that we have put here will allow for solid effects. The process may be slow but you can see the changes.
Obaaye Abisogbo, United States
I think it has brought Jamaicans together better and will inspire us to be supportive of each other in Jamaica and will bring us together much closer in networking to build a better relationship that will last and inspire more of us to come to Jamaica and see what we can do.
Elaine Coleman, United States
I was here in 2006 and I think over the last few years, I see the effectiveness in education as I myself am involved with an organisation that does development for the libraries here by getting computers and now we are trying to focus on basic schools to prepare them so that they will be ready when they continue their education. Education is my point of interest. The diaspora could be more effective if people would follow through with what they plan to do.
Josephine Williams, United Kingdom
This is my third conference and I think it is a worthwhile cause for us Jamaicans who live outside of Jamaica to be able to have an input in what goes on in Jamaica and I think more young people need to get involved. (For example) I fund-raise for a basic school in Jamaica.
Winston Gordon, United States
This is my second conference visit. Some of the initiatives started in previous years have set the foundation. This year is intended to come up with more effective plans where direct contact can be made between Jamaicans to impact on the development through investments, financial and social.
Valzie Peterkin,United States
This is my first conference but I feel there is a need for it. We've always been looking for methods to connect with associations here and I'm hoping that this will be one way we can do that.
Dianne Regisford-Gueye, South Africa
We all gathered together in focused discussion, but what is more important is the establishment of this institute with the Diaspora Foundation, which we heard earlier will act as a monitoring arm for the implementation process.
