Campbell

A young leader of the Jamaican diaspora in Canada has implored his peers to position themselves for leadership, despite the associated challenges.

Leo Campbell, a marketing and communications specialist, was speaking on the topic 'Strategic leadership' at the Third Biennial Jamaican Diaspora Conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, on Tuesday.

"Step up to the challenge and take your rightful role as we are the future leaders," Campbell told the room of young people.

Dismantle barriers

He later told The Gleaner that young people who are members of leadership groups want to contribute mean-ingfully to national development.

"Youth want to get engaged," said Cam-pbell, who at age five, moved with his mother to Canada. "The only apprehension is: 'Am I going to be boxed in someone else's voice? Is my voice going to be heard?' "

Campbell said these barriers must be dismantled. Additionally, the director of the Future Leaders group of the Jamaican Diaspora Canada Foundation said this would help in highlighting positive, young role models for other youth.

He also implored Jamai-can youth to assist with the development of their country and not to think of migrating to a first-world nation.

"Many Jamaican youth may think that life is easy for us who live abroad, but that's a misconception," said Campbell. "Don't look at the other side and think the grass is greener. Do your best where you are."

The two-day third biennial Jamaican Diaspora Conference concluded last Tuesday evening.

Persons from the Jamaican diaspora, in at least five countries, participated at the conference.