Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen says that the most critical point of intervention for Jamaica by the Diaspora at this time, lies in the support that can be given to the youth of our country. “The great need that Jamaica has today is not with governance structures and institutional capacity building. But more than ever we need enhancement of our human capital and engagement with our millennials,” The Governor-General stated.
He was speaking at the opening of the Jamaica55 Diaspora Conference held on Sunday July 23, 2017 where six Jamaicans from the three main Diaspora regions of Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America were presented with The Governor-General’s Diaspora Award (GGAA).
Noting that young people hold the key to a prosperous and secure future, The Governor-General stated that they should be deliberately and purposefully nurtured and trained and their potential for activism encouraged, as they are ready for the transformative role which the nation needs.
“I have seen at close quarters the potential and the activism of our young people, I know that they are ready for the transformative role which the nation needs. Let us not frustrate them, but bring them into the process. This is what the GGAA and the I Believe Initiative (IBI) are about,” Sir Patrick Allen said.
He commended the six GGAA Diaspora awardees, citing their hard work and contribution as their way of preserving the Jamaican character of enterprise, energy, creativity and cooperative endeavour. The recipients are Miss Donika Jones and Bishop Glenroy Duffus from Canada and Mrs. Tanesha Westcarr and Mr. Vendrys Henry from the United Kingdom. Miss Erin Lue-Hing and Miss Joan Pinnock from the United States of America complete the list of awardees.
The Governor-General’s Diaspora Award is sponsored by The Gleaner Company (Media) Limited, Jamaica National Group, Victoria Mutual Building Society, Scotia Jamaica Building Society, Jamaica Broilers Group of Companies and FLOW.