THE MONTHLY GLEANER | APRIL 11 - MAY 11, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 3 Neil Armstrong/Gleaner Writer TORONTO: JAMAICA’S HIGH Commissioner to Canada, Marsha Coore Lobban, is encouraging persons in the diaspora to support the biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference as it allows them a voice on issues of national importance, and provides an opportunity for the Jamaican government to support diasporans. She was speaking with the Gleaner ahead of the April 4 global launch of the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from June 16-19, under the theme, “United for Jamaica’s Transformation: Fostering Peace, Productivity, and Youth Empowerment.” The Diaspora Day of Service will be held on June 20. “The diaspora conference allows for us to engage, hear from diasporans to see how we can work together, how we can strengthen the alliance,” she said, noting that many Jamaicans abroad have a keen interest in what happens there. Hosted by the government, the biennial conference which has been happening for 20 years allows Jamaicans to return to engage on issues of importance and share their concerns. Coore Lobban said there are Jamaicans who have migrated and are grappling with the settling process, so the strategy has been to have the biennial conference in Jamaica and the regional conference, which is held every other year in the respective regions, “which is to allow the Jamaican diasporans there in the respective communities to say how do we address the challenges confronting us here in these respective jurisdictions.” She said it is a two-pronged approach to make sure that a conversation is held on matters in Canada and in Jamaica. “It’s based on these conferences that the government has actually developed a Diaspora Policy which has been passed and is now to be implemented. It allows your voice to be heard.” MORE EXTENSIVE EXCHANGES Coore Lobban said the conference is like a reunion and there will be a marketplace running parallel to the discussions which allows individuals a one stop opportunity to renew their passport, apply for citizenship, pay their property tax, or have their NHT ATLANTA, GEORGIA: THE JAMAICAN Museum and Cultural Centre (JMCC), was among several organisations and individuals recognised for outstanding community service, by the Atlanta Caribbean Community Committee (ACCC), earlier this month. President Dr. Apollone Reid commended the JMCC’s full team, noting, “this recognition would not have been possible without the hard work of the members of the Board, in bringing community awareness to the achievements of women during International Women’s Month.” VP Christine Marzouca said, “The JMCC is humbled by this recognition and wishes to congratulate all the other awardees for their philanthropic work and outstanding achievements.” On hand to accept the award were President Reid, Vice President Marzouca, Communications Director Laurel Wong, and Resource Director Dr Glen Laman. The group emphasised the the JMCC’s mission ‘to bring global awareness to the rich Jamaican traditions that renowned Atlanta civil rights leader, Reverend Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, embraced and desired to see exist in the United States (USA) as he saw lived out in Jamaica’. The organisation recently completed another of its targeted school projects on green banana and is soon to outline plans in celebration of its fifth anniversary. Jamaican Cultural Centre honoured for work in Atlanta community Conference call High commissioner underscores importance of biennial diaspora conference From left: Dr Apollone Reid, president of the Jamaica Museum & Cultural Center, Christine Marzouca, vice president, and Laurel Wong, communications director, display the award received from the Atlanta Caribbean Community Committee. CONTRIBUTED Please see DIASPORA, 4
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