Latouche

Though crime has been atop its agenda since its first staging in 2004, there has not been much consensus on the issue at the Biennial Jamaican Diaspora Conference.

Violence will again be the main focus of the two-day event, which starts today, and some participants are hoping for more solid resolutions.

Philip Mascoll, president of the Jamaican Diaspora - Canada Foun-dation, said he would be pushing for a technology boost to enable the police to more effectively track the movement of criminals.

Investment needed

President of the Returning Residents' Association, Percival LaTouche, also expressed dis-appointment that past conferences have not been able to halt Jamaica's crime scourge, and inevitably to encourage Jamaicans overseas to return home.

"They are not just returning residents, they are investors. They invest in this country," he argued.

The diaspora conference does have some achievements to its credit.

Positives

Three trade councils have been established as a result of resolutions in past conferences. The councils were established in New Jersey, Los Angeles and Minnesota. The purpose of the trade council is to promote, within diaspora communities, trade and investment opportunities in Jamaica.

A Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board was also established. The board advises the minister with responsibility for diaspora affairs.