The inaugural virtual Diaspora conference, which is the latest in a series of engagements by the Foreign Ministry seeking to coax the Diaspora back to Guyana one way or another, will be a very important one for the Government.
During a virtual press conference on Monday, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud was asked what the conference would set out to achieve, that other engagements hadn’t. But according to Persaud, the results of the conference will play an important role in guiding Government policy.
“Regarding the conference, I think that many of us have gotten conference fatigue. But we don’t want this to be another conference. The fact that you have the President, Vice President, several Ministers of Government addressing key topics pertinent to the Diaspora, is intended to have specific outcomes. And one that will inform Government policy and interactions,” he said.
“So, it is to bring all of that to within a framework, to be able to inform the work of the Diaspora Unit. The fact that we now have a Diaspora Unit, the fact that you now have a budgetary allocation to support the work of the Diaspora Unit, I think this conference is about ensuring they’re sustained to long term results.”
It was further explained that prior to the virtual conference, the Diaspora Unit had done extensive groundwork with the Diaspora. There were outreach meetings, with ideas pouring in on how to collaborate. According to the Foreign Secretary, concrete steps have been taken to ensure that the foreign missions are capable of bridging the gap between Guyana and the Diaspora.
“Our missions have been given a mandate to be much more proactive and much more engaged with the Diaspora. Take for example, we’ve appointed an advisor on Diaspora and investment matters in New York, Fazil Youssef. And all the missions will be tasked in terms of having that focused approach and to ensure that there are meaningful engagements.”
The virtual Diaspora conference is scheduled for May 22, 2021. It is expected that President Dr Irfaan Ali will make a feature address at the conference. Additionally, a number of Ministries and Government agencies will be taking part, with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Foreign Minister Hugh Todd billed to appear.
The conference is aimed at engaging the Diaspora on ways they can play a more active role and invest in Guyana. In attracting the Guyanese Diaspora community to return and grasp the slew of imminent opportunities within the country, Government has been targeting second and third generations from these families abroad.
Persaud had previously disclosed that Government is partnering with the International Organisation for Migration to target this younger population and fill the demands in several sectors.
“One project that we’re working on the IOM, which is a very innovative project, is to target young people, meaning the second and third generation living in the Diaspora for them to come back, to serve, volunteer; work with both the Government; Private Sector, civil society, NGOs and groups that are in need of special care, attention and support,” Persaud had shared.
These efforts, pegged at some $38 million, are geared at ensuring that there is continued interest in development and also mobilising skillset or capital which the Diaspora can inject into the country. (G3)
