11th Diaspora Conference Declared the ‘Greatest Homecoming Experience’- Jarrett

Chairman of the 11^th Jamaica Diaspora Conference, Earl Jarrett, Chief Executive Officer of The Jamaica National Group, has described its culmination as the “greatest homecoming experience” for Jamaicans overseas, characterisng their support for the country as a “movement.”    

The 11th biennial event has etched its place in the 22-year history of the event as the largest, with more than 1,000 Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica from 15 countries attending and participating. It was staged under the theme, ‘Diaspora Partnerships: Rebuilding a More Resilient Jamaica’ at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, June 14-18.

Discussions at the conference, which explored several topics that included investment, diaspora repatriation, agriculture, education, philanthropy, technology, security, youth engagement and disaster response and climate resilience, were enriched by direct engagement of the delegates Mr Jarrett outlined, pointing out that that the programme was informed by feedback received from diasporans through a survey to ensure that discussions addressed issues they considered important.

The conference chairman, said the record turnout reflects the deep commitment of Jamaicans overseas to national development and resilience, noting that the diaspora has become more than families abroad supporting family and friends in Jamaica- it has become a movement. He said this was especially demonstrated in the diaspora’s response to the category five storm, Hurricane Melissa, which devastated the country in October 2025.

“You have all organically created these institutions abroad in support of your schools, communities, families, and Jamaica itself,” he said, praising the diaspora’s philanthropy.

“Those many containers and others that were received was because of your own efforts. And when I saw videos of persons who came to donate, it wasn’t just you, but also your friends and neighbours. Those are the friends of Jamaica who, I would say, are a part of the diaspora movement, and if we were to incorporate all of them, we would have a really really massive movement,” he emphasised, pointing out that, along with its diaspora, Jamaica is 6 million people strong.

Commending the government and all stakeholders for their part in staging a successful conference, he said the true success of the event is about “what happens next.”

“It’s not just about coming here together, which is a good thing too, because it’s good to convene,” he said. It is about finding solutions to the issues raised, he emphasised, pointing to the government’s efforts to improve bureaucratic processes over the years based on issues raised in past conferences. 

Mr Jarrett’s call to advance the dialogue was supported by Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge, who maintains responsibility for diaspora affairs. Closing the conference, he declared that “the true value of our discussions will be measured not by the quality of the conversations alone, but by the actions we take in the weeks, months, and years ahead.”

He pointed to various tangible results that have already emerged from the conference, including new investment opportunities, business partnerships, and efforts to launch a British Jamaican Chamber of Commerce aimed at further strengthening trade relations between Jamaica and the United Kingdom.

“These discussions were not merely theoretical,” he underscored. “New investment conversations have begun. Business relationships have been formed, and practical solutions have been proposed,” he emphasised.

He said the Conference Declaration, which will be informed by the discussions and recommendations made, will guide the country’s future collaboration with the diaspora.

Affirming the success of the conference, he underscored that its achievements were especially commendable given the damage to the Montego Bay Convention Centre by Hurricane Melissa.

“Four months ago, this space was not looking anything like this. Through collaboration and determination, we were able to get the convention centre ready for the conference,” he said congratulating the organising team.

JN Group

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