Jamaicans abroad to attend conference in Kingston in July

Kamina Johnson Smith

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaicans overseas will be welcomed home later this year for the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference, which will be held from July 23-26, 2017, the foreign ministry has announced.

The conference, which will return to the Jamaica Conference Centre in the capital city for the first time in nine years, will focus on consolidation and expansion of partnerships between the diaspora and Jamaica, said Foreign Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith.

“The immense value of our diaspora makes it important for us to embrace their creativity and expertise, and enhance our collaborative efforts to further Jamaica’s growth and development,” Senator Johnson Smith said.

“This will be an opportunity for us to celebrate our diaspora, and to celebrate with our diaspora. We encourage our Jamaicans overseas to come home as we celebrate our country’s achievements over the past 55 years, and to partner with us in shaping our future,” she added.

Jamaica, a  former British colony, will celebrate the 55th anniversary of its independence this year..