Athaliah Reynolds, Staff Reporter

Fiery speeches, energetic discussions and packed action plans dominated the final day of the Third Biennial Jamaican Diaspora Conference, held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston yesterday.

Senator Dr Ronald Robinson, minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, in making his closing address at the conclusion of the two-day event, said he was quite impressed at the high level of participation from the delegates.

Still work to be done

He said, however, that there was still work to be done, as it would take much effort to refine the proposed action plans into tangible and measurable goals to be pursued in time for the 2010 conference.

Among the goals coming out of this year's discussions were the establishment of a diaspora institute and a diaspora bond, which is to be used to finance several initiatives to be put forward by the Jamaican diaspora.

"I have a deadline of next year to make sure that the bond is ready," acknowledged Robinson. He said a significant portion of whatever is raised from the bond issue would also be used to fund the establishment of an education trust fund.

It was yesterday proposed that the formation of an education trust fund would be used to facilitate the provision of well-needed school infrastructure, the funding of scholarships and bursaries for all levels of education locally.

In his presentation, Robinson also made special mention of this year's youth delegation, pointing out the group's enthusiasm and outstanding leadership.

athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com