'The diaspora is a crucial segment of the Jamaican population'

"There are numerous opportunities to make a real impact in Jamaica, whether as future leaders of the diaspora or by living in Jamaica and directly contributing to the growth of our country," said Stephen Price, managing director of FLOW, while speaking to the 2018 participants in the GraceKennedy Birthright Internship Programme during their recent courtesy call on the Flow corporate office.

The interns, ranging from 18 to 25 years, hail from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Each is a second- or third-generation Jamaican who has never lived on the island. Through the GraceKennedy Birthright Internship Programme, they are immersed into Jamaica's social, entertainment and corporate culture in a bid to anchor their roots in Jamaica.

"The diaspora is a crucial segment of the Jamaican population. Therefore, engaging its next generation of leaders through this internship programme is essential to strengthening their connection and affinity to their homeland," said Price, when commenting on the importance of the programme and the rationale for Flow's involvement.

During the courtesy call, the interns and senior executives at Flow enjoyed a healthy discourse on technology, business, international politics and the Jamaican economy, and drew parallels with realities experienced in their home countries.

A visit to the FLOW retail store at Carlton, also exposed the interns to the day-to-day operations of a telecommunications company and the work that goes into bringing products to life for consumers.

"This courtesy call has given me incredible insight into the telecommunications industry and a better understanding of where Jamaica is going economically," stated Joshua Tulloch, a second-generation Jamaican studying at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

FLOW Jamaica is the telecommunications partner for the GraceKennedy Birthright Internship Programme.