Diaspora Convention starts today

Livern Barrett, Gleaner Writer

The fourth biennial Diaspora Convention gets under way today, with some participants suggesting that the focus be placed on critical issues such as crime and health care.

Despite a sharp decline in major crimes in recent months, Philip Mascoll, president of the Jamaica Diaspora - Canada Foundation, said fears about personal security remain a concern among Jamaicans in that country.

Mascoll said this was a major deterrent to many persons who wanted to invest some of their savings in the communities where they were born.

"We don't have to have a $100 million from two people when we can get the same from 200 Jamaicans who want to come here with their savings," he reasoned.

"The greatest barrier to that right now, in the way of thinking for a lot of Jamaicans in Canada, is personal security," he added.

Mascoll said the convention, to be held at the Sunset Jamaica Grande hotel in Ocho Rios, St Ann, has to discuss concrete proposals to foster greater cooperation between the diaspora and law-enforcement professionals here.

"What we need to hear concretely, not from the politicians, but from the security professionals, is how we can help the process of trying to eliminate crime in Jamaica," he told The Gleaner.

Mascoll also suggested that the convention give consideration to the creation of a central agency in Jamaica to coordinate health-care projects initiated by those in the diaspora.

This, he explained, would help to ensure that medical equipment donated to Jamaica every year is directed to the areas of greatest need.

"We need to discuss how we assist in the health-care area, especially in relation to mental health," he said.

"A lot of Jamaicans overseas are involved in that area. Let us hear what they need from us and let us tell them what we have to offer," he reasoned.

focus on disasters

Irwin Clare, managing director of Caribbean Immigration Services, and talk-show host in New York, wants the convention to discuss ways to get the diaspora involved in disaster-preparedness activities in Jamaica.

These discussions, Clare suggested, should explore the role of community-based groups in the diaspora that want to provide relief assistance in Jamaica.

"We are good responders. A disaster hits Jamaica and everybody says, 'Hey, send down this, send down that,'" Clare said.

The convention, which ends on Friday, has attracted hundreds of Jamaicans from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.