THREE JAMAICAN corpo-rate entities, in association with The University of the West Indies (UWI), have joined forces to host a ground-breaking one-day think tank session on 'Enhancing the Political and Economic Welfare of the Jamaican United Kingdom (UK) Diaspora'.

The think tank will be held at Chandos House, Royal Society of Medicine, in London, England, on September 11 from 9 a.m-5 p.m.

The think tank session targets top business leaders in the UK and Jamaica, members of the Jamaican expatriate community and persons with economic, academic and political backgrounds related to the diaspora.

Historic venture

Earl Jarrett, general manager of Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), said his organisation would be spearheading this historic venture in concert with Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS) and GraceKennedy, to "foster a more progressive business environment between the UK and Jamaica".

"We firmly believe that the climate exists in which we can facilitate dialogue with Jamaicans and our friends in the diaspora, to encourage debate on specific issues that can further develop the influence of the diaspora in Jamaica and the UK," Jarrett stated.

He pointed out that the Jamaican building societies and company had pursued numerous separate mar-keting and social interventions in the UK over the years; however, this unified initiative, in collaboration with the UWI, to dialogue with Jamaicans in the diaspora showed maturity and a willingness to pool their strengths for a common cause.

One of the main presenters at the Think Tank will be Senator Ronald Robinson, minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Lord Bill Morris of Handsworth, a director of JN Money Services, will deliver opening remarks.

Welcome initiative

In addition, papers focusing on integration, economic and social life, political influence and immigration, among other subjects, will be presented by Dame Karlene Davis, retired general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives; Cordella Bart-Stewart, an immigration judge; Professor Carol Baxter; Michael Ranglin, deputy CEO of GK Foods; Joy Nichols, MBE, and founder of Nichols Employ-ment Agency; David Jessop, Caribbean Council director and Dr Tony Sewell, director, of Generating Genius.

"This diaspora dialogue is a welcome initiative as we continue to explore those issues that are relevant and vital to the social, economic and political growth of our people abroad," said Douglas Orane, chairman and chief executive officer of GraceKennedy.

As an organisation with subsi-diaries and associated companies located across the United Kingdom, the Caribbean as well as North and Central America, he said Grace-Kennedy had a special interest in addressing matters of concern to Jamaicans in the diaspora.

Satisfying unmet needs

"At GraceKennedy, we have decided to link our future growth and development to the task of satisfying the unmet needs of this community," Orane said.

At the same time, VMBS Presi-dent Richard Powell noted that "Victoria Mutual has had a long-standing relationship with Jamai-cans in the UK diaspora and this think tank is an opportunity for us to strengthen that relationship and explore ways in which we can promote their interest and well-being".

Corporate displays are to be mounted to showcase the products and services being offered to members of the diaspora community in the UK as an integral part of the one-day think tank.