The University of Guyana (UG) will host its inaugural Diaspora Engagement Conference from July 23-28, 2017 under the theme ‘Dreaming Diaspora Engagement, Doing Diaspora Engagement’.
According to a press release from the University of Guyana, the Conference would provide the platform to develop a diaspora engagement strategy that would inform the work of the first Caribbean Diaspora Engagement Centre which will be launched during the conference.
According to UG’s Tenth Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, “the Conference will contribute to the development of diaspora policy and a framework to effectively attract direct diaspora investment and engage the diaspora in nation building,” the release said.
According to the release, the conference has three components – an academic symposium, a business forum and community engagement.
The release stated that the community engagement dimension will focus on building relationships with key stakeholders such as diaspora community leaders, governments and hometown associations. In this context, the release noted, delegates have an opportunity to participate in a Give Back Market Place where there would be various opportunities to volunteer time and resources to community development projects. The Business Forum will consider the processes for facilitating investment, trade and enterprise development. Members of the government and the private sector will present opportunities and policy initiatives to potential investors.
Members of the Caribbean diaspora in New York, Canada and the UK are expected to attend and provide partnerships.
