diaspora engagement conference

Guyana trip July 2017 I: Diaspora Engagement Conference

Reluctant Participant

The theme ‘Dreaming Diaspora: Doing Diaspora’ sounded fluffy. This wasn't the reason I didn’t initially want to go to the conference. I knew I couldn’t afford it! From the outset, I understood that it would have to be self-funded, given that I’m not attached to an academic institution, but am independent, based in the UK, where average travel fare to Guyana would cost £700. But in July! Double that. I decided I wouldn’t go. It kept pushing me to attend, however, and finally, I agreed I’d find the funds and go. My decision to finally go was due in part to a sense that there would be few if any presentations on culture. I was right. Even so, what could I really contribute? When the current administration took office, ‘business’ for developing the economy was its focus; our High Commissioner here in the UK was formerly in business. I saw a future in which the arts and culture were forced off centre as the poor cousin of advancing the nation’s economy. My paper/presentation would highlight that culture is the bedrock of societies and should not be sidelined since it is issued from the peoples that make up our communities and societies. What culture needs in order to contribute effectively to economies is for the government to institutionalise processes for creative industries to develop and thrive. As they do in the UK and elsewhere, ‘inward investment’ is necessary, along with securing music (where we at with copyrights?) and consistent education programmes.

Active Participant

The conference opened on Sunday 23rd July with a reception. Some anxieties about feeling out of place among the suits and business people dominated. One of the first people I met, who settled some of my misgivings was my cousin, Michael Brotherson. He works in the Foreign Office, headed by Karl Greenidge, the Minister of Foreign Affairs whose absence did not go unnoticed. I was surprised but had no choice but to rise to it, when Vice Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith asked me along with others to say a few words about the conference. I waited my turn, all the while styling anxieties about what I’d say. I was the last to speak. Thankfully the speaker before me, Paul Tennassee (University of the District of Columbia) had closed his remarks by introducing a young poet called Keon Heywood, who performed a wonderful piece about Guyana. The springboard was easy; he’d allowed me to highlight the importance of culture and arts in all our engagement about how to develop Guyana, to remember that culture too is business and key to our humanity. Professor Griffith did an intriguing thing giving me that momentary platform, totally unprepared as I was. After I spoke, he was able to confirm that as well as the newly developed Business/Enterprise Unit at the university there were plans too for developing the Arts. I knew of this in any case from previous conversations with the Vice Chancellor. I would embrace the conference with confidence now and appreciate that I had a place there. 

The Papers and Presentations

It was impossible to attend most as I’d hoped but that’s the nature of conferences. I read a sour note on FaceBook that some of the presenters sounded as though they’d swallowed a dictionary. It was perhaps difficult for this observer to appreciate the quality of the papers and that it was a conference initiated by the University where one would expect the calibre of contributions I saw. What was lacking was sufficient time for us to digest and question the presenters and also better rooms to better facilitate the PowerPoint slides. We ran way over time the first day of the conference, which was due in part to the opening formalities that included a Keynote address by President David Granger. The fact that the University had sought to include the government as well as opposition leaders marked its intention to have far reaching inclusion and obviously to highlight the important role each need to play to engage the diaspora effectively if we are serious about development. 

There were excellent, if hurried papers from the Theme: ‘Engaging the Diaspora’ – which included methods relating to policy development to utilise the potential of the diaspora; entrepreneurship and investment possibilities that move beyond remittances and establishing a methodology for researching the diaspora; Building Partnerships with the Diaspora Theme saw papers on creating a ‘multi-dimensional Process for engaging the Diaspora’ and exploring the reality of the resources (skills based and financial) of the diaspora. A paper I enjoyed was on the government Green State initiative, pushing for us to explore and implement renewable energy as an industry, delivered by Gary Best. It’s a commendable initiative but my misgivings about the oil exploration and development make it difficult to be convinced about how the two will mesh. I caught only an enticing tail end of ‘Mimicry and Fantasy in the Diaspora: the view from Richmond Hill in New York’ by Dr Dhanpaul Narine but others said it was a treat.

My presentation was titled 'Embedding Guyanese Culture' and showcased a few organisations/initiatives based in the UK, Bogle L’Ouverture Publications, Huntley Conference, Guyana UK Sports and Development Association, Way Wive Wordz and 'Guyana Speaks!' It emphasised the need to institutionalise/embed culture for it to effectively matter in development strategies. It was well received, though time didn't allow for any questions following.

It was several times noted that the Diaspora contributed around $US450 Million in remittances, with the majority of Guyanese located in the USA. Although the US based Guyanese dominated, I was actually really impressed by the enthusiasm, initiatives (educational as well as business related investments) and experience they amass. For example, Dr Vincent Adams, one of the appointed Education Ambassadors has 30 odd years’ experience in oil and gas. He will be lending his skills in a mentoring role from the University. 

There were, at times tiring rounds and key notes by government Ministers and representatives. Gerry Goveia, buoyant but for me exuding a businessy arrogance that grated, was there to speak on behalf of the Private Sector. He said some things about the business community going and demanding x and y from the government, forcefully it seemed. Gail Texeira represented the opposition and seemed to be citing statistics about increased migration, as though this was consequential to the new administration and not a process inherent to Guyana’s progress (or lack thereof) throughout its nationhood. I didn’t hear connections being made here either with the zealous dishing out of 10 year Visas by the US Embassy. 
The Foreign Office was tasked with serious questions from the floor following a presentation by Michael Brotherson, who was there in place of Karl Greenidge. The Diaspora Development Policy document or strategic document was the issue. It seemed this had been ‘in process’ for far too long, wide consultation with the diaspora missing; the possibility that Mr Brotherson, responsible for its advancement hadn’t clapped eyes on it. I felt it for him; those US delegates were not letting up. And rightly so. 

I wish I could say something about the Minister for Education’s presentation. Either by this point in the day I was tired or it was flat and unimpressionable. Words were said, lots of graphs and seemingly well-organised charts and things but I can’t speak to the substance of Minister Nicollette Henry’s discussion, which was unfortunate. On the other hand Cathy Hughes, now Minister for Technology (the title might not be totally accurate) was vibrant, acknowledging some of what our young people are developing, discovering and needing investment for. Animation seems to be big. There is a Guyana Animation Network, which collaborates with Trinidad and Suriname. Ms Hughes noted that Animation could be done more cost effectively in Guyana than some of our neighbouring countries. I can’t verify this but think the opportunity worthwhile to bear in mind. 

Ambassadors from Mexico, China and India attended the conference and presented on their respective country’s success at engaging its respective diaspora. Again the policy issue crept up because countries like Jamaica and Haiti all have one – Jamaica particularly, we were told say the ‘diaspora is an extension of itself?’ All this to beg the seriousness of the Guyana government in making use of its diaspora. David Lammy, our MP for Tottenham flew in to give a keynote. He did so with the use of charm and some comedy but seriously noting that if the Guyana government was serious about development with its diaspora’s contribution it should consider why children born to Guyanese parents outside of the country aren’t automatically Guyanese too, as they would elsewhere be regarded citizens through heritage. 

In fact, a bug bear of one of the delegates was our use of the term ‘diaspora.’ He was suggesting we switched to the term ‘Persons Of Guyanese Origin’ (POG) which might be less confusing to Guyanese generally and broadens identities linked to Guyana. ‘Come backee’ was also questioned as to its appropriateness, despite being culturally in circulation a while. 

On the question of oil

I don’t remember when exactly the oil discussion took place – though one of the papers was on this – but someone asked about the contract. They wanted to know where we could find it. I confess I’m not in favour of the oil industry development. There have been too many instances in my life time where this has proven to be a nightmare and destructive force to small countries forced to give unfavourable terms to multi-national corporations that have more wealth than those resource rich countries they exploit. What undeniably happens, as I recently read in the case of the small African nation of Equatorial Guinea (though what kind of ‘small’ we mean is another discussion) is that sickening, corrupt contracts are made with the so-called leaders whom the corporations give whatever revenues are yielded to directly whilst the mass of the population starves, the country continues in underdevelopment. Why should Guyana be different? In the Equatorial Guinea example, this disgusting deal was made with Exxon Mobil who directly paid money into the President’s bank account. Why does our government have faith that Exxon Mobil would grow moral fibres just for Guyana? Okay, so it wasn’t this administration with whom the contract was made. We were told at the conference that the contract was made with Janet Jagon in 1999, during her brief term as President. When administration changed in May 2015, British lawyers advised the government that owing to our border dispute with Venezuela it should be cautious about what goes out to the public. This is shocking – that Guyanese actually don’t know what’s in the contract. Further, former President Bharrat Jagdeo in 1997 added a non-disclosure clause in the petroleum Act. And something I didn’t catch properly about the ‘licensee being the one to give permission for disclosure.’ Someone who was there can authenticate the correct note. None of it should sit well with us. Put simply, we can’t see this contract. In the first place if this was made with the highest person in the land who has absolute power, then we can only move our mouths like we’re circulating saliva but can’t do anything to change the course of action weighing on this impending industry, positively or not. An industry that some at the conference, I couldn’t help noticing seemed entirely assured would bring great wealth to the nation. It seemed too that this industry would be so economically transforming for Guyana that we might as well get rid of bauxite, sugar and rice. There is a despairing sense that this winding down of same has already begun. I can’t see when disclosure would come since the border issue with Venezuela has been long. It’s being put before the international community at the end of this year, in any case. 

We were further told about the 50/50% division of profits from oil revenues with the stomach churning caveat that this would be after the cost of investment had been accounted for. In other words, it would really be (if I understood the thing properly) 75/25% initially. How long this would last I didn’t hear. I hope at heart many of us were concerned about Guyana's sovereignty and its development otherwise the blades of grass Venuezla claims will pale beside the probable ravages multinationals like Exxon Mobil are capable of imposing on 'small' countries.

Where were the Young People?

Any major gripe I have with the conference is that there wasn’t a contingent of young people present. I didn’t see any from the University doing a presentation or from the wider community. I communicated with a young man, who was a Civil Engineer teacher at UG who had brought a few of his students to the conference. I would have liked to see a panel discussion, chaired by and comprised of young people. This issue was raised on the last day and hopefully the feedback was noted along with others for organising future conferences. Importantly, there was a suggestion to develop a diaspora conference for young people. Perhaps the cost was prohibitive, if students were encouraged to attend, at $US50.

However, the Conference did offer an opportunity to engage with the community, including young people. This was the day to ‘give back,’ where delegates could take on a volunteering activity within the community. I went to a Youth Volunteering Day, held at Umana Yana. It was great to see young people engaged in development efforts aimed at supporting educational and social needs of other young people. There were groups pitching their ideas for development to a panel of judges. The winner was one that had developed an app called Maths Guru. I met some Youth Ambassadors. They were sponsored by the US Embassy to go to the United States for three weeks, take part in youth projects which they would return to Guyana and repackage in some form to offer to Guyanese youth. Most of the ambassadors were selected from Queens College. One, Visharnie, a previous QC student, bright and focused worked for the Guyana Chronicle and invited me to do an interview for the paper. This interview focused on culture, its lack, its potential in Guyana. She surprised me (pleasantly) and reinforced why I thought we needed the presence of our young people at the conference, by cutting to the chase and asking about the impact of cultural imperialism on the way we do or do not embed/institutionalise initiatives to promote, advance and centralise Guyanese cultural identity.

Cultural diversity?

At some point the fact that the majority of attendees were African Guyanese was made. It is a disgusting, shameful reality that events initiated to encourage wide participation when lead by an African Guyanese often results in a lack of involvement by Indian Guyanese. This has been my experience for years. I can’t speak to the ravages of the 1960s when the mud and blood were slinging both ways but in my lifetime I’ve observed efforts by African lead organisations to be inclusive of all the ethnicities. One of these is the Guyana UK Sports and Development Association, which organises a folk festival every year (for the last 20). This is for all Guyanese to take part in. But Indian Guyanese stay away. This has been the case no matter which administration is running the country or the ethnicity in the UK’s case of the High Commissioner. Of course, I can’t speak to events organised by Indian Guyanese or other groups where Africans are actively sought to attend? How would one know in a divisive society as ours? I know that I’d sooner see African Guyanese participating in the variety of festivals, donning clothes to reflect than I would the other way around. But that story is tired. A refresher to this came at an Emancipation event (I’ll blog separately on this) where Prime Minister Nagamootoo wore a dashiki, so too all his body guards. 

An article by a Guyanese of Indian heritage suggesting that those Indian Guyanese who attended the conference were there for cronyish benefit was stupid for too many obvious reasons. The writer was there – looking, she suggests for her mattie and when seeing few, thought she was in the wrong place. Her comments remind me of a forefinger straining forward, an action which forces the thumb to invert backwards. The lack of representation by Indian Guyanese has nothing to do with the University since it’s an institution for all Guyanese, neighbours and international community. Invitations were far reaching for this reason. 

If that writer’s comments can be described as stupid, John Mair’s comments (in an article he wrote about the conference) were insensitive and equally foolish. Firstly, he bemoaned being a ‘token white’ – if that’s how he chose to self-identify that’s his shame. In truth, did he expect organisers to rally minority numbers of ‘white’ (European/English/Spanish/Portuguese) Guyanese to satisfy some quota? As for renaming the ‘diaspora’ – ‘dire-spora’ – this suggests he really is ‘token’ that he is not one of us – however way we want to identify our connectedness with Guyana. When he referred to the President’s attendance with his ‘gang’ I was reminded of his paper (he presented same time as I) on the so-called ‘Guyanese Mafia’ a term he wants to have on record as his. Baroness Amos beamed one morning of the conference from a pre-recorded video and said Prince Charles had coined the term. I can’t stand it. Worse than this, however, and snakey too was his comment that the conference was a ‘coronation for the Vice Chancellor.’ The Vice Chancellor was hands on, but he didn’t ‘chair’ everything as Mair reported. This was a disgusting exaggeration. The Vice Chancellor tried to attend as many of the panels as possible, moving from room to room as we, the delegates were. Mair got personal about the VCs bowties too, though I couldn’t work out whether it was an endearment or slight. He might reflect (?) on his own curious eccentricity of writing as a pseudonym as well as in his own name in the same article; in other words referring to himself in the third person. He might chew on the hating notes in his paper, which probably have more to do with punctured privilege and realisation that when he's in Guyana, he is a minority than anything else. 

The cultural finale on the last night was disappointing. There was an attempt to be inclusive here too – something East Indian, Chinese, Indigenous and well – Dave Martins! We only live in some fickle hope that ‘inclusion’ might mean we don’t separate like this but revere and creatively demonstrate our coming together, attempting to ‘one people’ in a way I've observed Surimamese handle the diversity issue. Keith Waithe, the University’s Artiste in Residence had promised us something special, that we’d get the chance to dance and do weself. He would give us, one supposed a bit of something we might connect with African Guyanese. That didn’t happen. Unfortunately, the group of musicians he’d organised (comprising Rukiza Okera, Larry Bartley, Chris, Buxton Fusion and Helen McDonald) didn’t pull it off or even together and appeared to be rehearsing. I think it was unnecessarily elaborate, in any case. What would have worked in my humblish view is an array of drums. This would have sounded a timely note for emancipation, which was three days after the conference ended. The might of the drums would also have been appropriate to follow Dave Martins house tearing down act which had overrun and preceded Keith Waithe et al. And yet here too there were some comments about a lack of diversity on this night. And on and on the racist bile prevails.

The Investiture – of the Vice Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith

I thought I could have ducked this programming of the conference. I didn’t know how ‘formal’ the thing was, didn’t know what an 'investiture' was. I went and it really was pomp, as I now realise these things are. Felt woefully underdressed in my newly purchased UG and DEC tee - merchandise I was glad to support. The President, Prime Minister, other Ministers, UG Chancellor, UG faculty members and Deputy Vice Chancellors (I was surprised that there were more than one); guests from different parts of the world and their respective universities all there to see the installation of the 10th Vice Chancellor to the University of Guyana. I can (outside and inside the event itself) see and hear the cries about it because it is change. What I can’t witness more directly are the sneers by those who think the diaspora (Professor Griffith representing) are taking over. I’d have to be resident proper to appreciate that aspect and the quarters whence it cometh. For whatever reason and however it was made possible, who can really envy the Vice Chancellor the role he accepted? Anyone who merely dreams, I suppose.

Building bridges

Finally, I had to acknowledge it was worth being present at the conference because it gave the occasion to get to know other Guyanese living outside. Whatever the reasons they attended the conference I got a sense that there was a serious commitment to helping Guyana to develop. We have between us earned extensive skills in all fields that can contribute to this process. And many have been trying for years to find ways to ‘give back.’ We could all lament the seemingly deliberate closed doors and bureaucratic instruments that have stopped our collective/individual efforts – be they to return and teach, set up sports clubs, contribute hospital supplies, rebuilding schools, supplying schools with computers/books, facilitating literacy initiatives, wide ranging business enterprises (using local produce/services), helping to alleviate mental health and other medical issues, domestic violence, particularly against women and so on. It was noted that many of us (I am one) who left Guyana didn’t do so by choice. The sense that when we come back we’re seen as ‘stepping on toes’ is something we learn to live with. At least I have. The conference organisers didn’t consciously enable those present to make connections with each other, by say making it part of a programme/morning or afternoon; that had to be organic. It would have been good to have a sense of who was in the room, but with our last minuteness (mine included) that might be a stretched expectation. The chance to get to know Guyana was programmed, I’ll write on this in another post. But this would have served as an opportunity to connect.

We can measure the success of the conference in so many ways. I choose simply to refer to its inception. It had to be dreamed up, in the first place. Then believed possible. Who would dream only and not attempt the practical steps to realise their vision? So although the theme appeared philosophically fluffy to my ear and mouthing and laughter at times I fully appreciate what has been achieved by this initiative, which began with a dream or vision. One of the outcomes was the launch of the Centre for Caribbean Diaspora Engagement. Another was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Guyana and University of the West Indies. The Investiture, too, set a new standard, like it or not. The conference brought together people who would otherwise never be seen together because of our respective interests. And we don’t have to like each other, nor share the same ideology. We need as a start to recognise that the University has attempted in this initiative to be a mobilising force, and its new Vice Chancellor seems serious about the business of running it with the necessary contribution of key players, just as elsewhere Universities are developed, maintained and become important instruments through which the moral, philosophical, political, social, economic and cultural values of a nation are progressed. Many of the delegates are the University of Guyana Alumni, perhaps attesting to their interest and genuine desires to give back. Success then is what we make of it – and my gratitude to the Vice Chancellor and team for organising this first Diaspora Conference is fully expressed here.

Article adapted from: http://waywivewordzspiritualcreative.blogspot.com/2017/08/guyana-trip-july-2017-i-diaspora.html

UG must become tech incubator for green development

In its quest to drive the “intellectual processes of green development,” the University of Guyana (UG) must become an incubator of technology, President David Granger said yesterday at the opening ceremony for the inaugural Diaspora Engagement Conference.

Under the theme “Dreaming Diaspora Engagement, Doing Diaspora Engagement,” the five-day conference, which opened at the Ramada Princess Hotel, East Bank Demerara, will see over 200 stakeholders and leaders in the diaspora engage in various forums and symposiums towards the strengthening of partnerships with overseas organisations.

“The university is central to fulfilling the scientific and technological objective which the green state requires. The university must drive intellectual processes of green development by becoming an incubator of technology and the nurturer of skills and talents,” Granger said in his keynote address.

While Granger noted the strides UG has made in several fields, he stated, “This country needs biologists, botanists, zoologists to document and study its unique and unmatched biodiversity. It needs engineers to erect infrastructure in the hinterland.”

Also giving brief remarks was UG Vice-Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith, who sought to give a framework of some of the unstated objectives that he hopes will be achieved at the end of the conference.

Alluding to the economic gains expected to come out of the conference, Griffith said that “another unstated goal is to use the conference to inject into our economy some badly needed finances to help with job creation.”

He added that it is hoped that the university will become a neutral zone “that irrespective of your political apprehension or your racially-driven or other related apprehensions, you should feel comfortable working with the University of Guyana….”

Griffith, in a statement last month, had said that 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.

UG had also said that the conference will comprise three components – an academic symposium, a business forum and community engagement. While the community engagement dimension will focus on building relationships with key stakeholders, such as diaspora community leaders, the business forum will consider the process for facilitating investment, trade and enterprise development.

Meanwhile, during a roundtable session, several ministers also engaged the conference on how the various ministries can aid in effectively engage the diaspora.

For his part, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin told the gathering that he would like to see the diaspora invest in and visit Guyana. “Our domestic laws do not discriminate… there is plenty of space for the diaspora to insert itself into the national economy,” he said.

Speaking to the development in the infrastructural arena, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson said that the arrival of passengers in Guyana is up 14%, when compared to the same period last year. “The reason why this may sound like a really good thing for tourism… I am about to complete a terminal at the airport which was developed as a project in 2011… At those initial projections in 2011, the projected growth for passenger growth was 4% per annum. So you understand… that if the current passenger arrival and departure continues, it will be over capacity in 2019,” he explained.

The conference also saw the launch of the 2017/2018 edition of the Invest Guyana Magazine, by publisher Lokesh Singh, a businessman and Guyana’s consul to St Lucia.

He said that for the magazine, which was launched some five years ago with an aim of attracting investment into Guyana, they partnered with Go-Invest two years ago. “We signed a long-term agreement where this magazine is the official magazine of the Guyana Office of Investment and by extension the Ministry of Business and government of Guyana,” he noted.

Article adapted from: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2017/news/stories/07/25/ug-must-become-tech-incubator-for-green-development/

More policies, systems needed for diaspora to return

Describing the diaspora as a “sleeping giant,” Professor Dhanpaul Narine of New York (NY) says more systems and policies need to be put in place to encourage overseas-based Guyanese to return home to invest.

On the second day of the five-day Diaspora Engagement Conference that is being held at the  Ramada Princess Hotel, East Bank Demerara, he said that politicians are not doing enough to tap the enormous resource of Guyanese living abroad.

The conference, organized by the University of Guyana (UG) is being held under the theme: “Dreaming Diaspora Engagement, Doing Diaspora Engagement.”

Over 200 stakeholders and leaders in the diaspora are engaging in various forums and symposiums towards the strengthening of partnerships with overseas organisations.

Dr. Narine said that the Guyanese diaspora feel like “outsiders trying to get in but are being pushed out.”

He said too that the politicians would only contact the diaspora about returning home during elections time. He hopes that the conference would bring about some changes in that regard.

Dr. Narine told Stabroek News (SN) that “there is a lot of talk about investing but we still have to wait and see,” noting that people “are not going to come and invest unless the ‘climate’ is right.”

He was referring to the benefits of serving for several years in the diaspora and then returning to serve locally and about the rights of the children of Guyanese parentage who may want to here.

He said Guyana should take note of the way the diaspora is being treated in Jamaica and Haiti.

According to Dr. Narine, Jamaica has a very robust diaspora policy with a minister and the diaspora is seen as an extension of the Jamaican society.

In Haiti, which is poorer than Guyana there is a ministry for Haitians abroad. In Guyana, though the diaspora is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs programmes, the subject minister could not make it to address them on the first day of the conference, he lamented.

Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge was expected to outline “what Guyana aims to do to engage its Diaspora in the most meaningful way as the world undergoes severe global changes.”

Dr. Narine pointed out that he writes a lot of recommendations for skilled young people to volunteer their services in the Dominican Republic and places in Africa but they have never been here.

When he inquired why they were not doing the same for Guyana they responded that no one was telling them much about here. They also said that they have written letters seeking permission to come and volunteer here but nobody responded.

Dr. Narine said since he has been living  in NY he has always taken an active role in the life of Richmond Hill, which has an unofficial population of 250,000 Guyanese and is dubbed ‘Little Guyana.’ The population is second to the Chinese.

He said in the greater NY area, the “Guyanese population is number seven and we are making tremendous progress in all different fields; medical, accountancy, real estate and construction” while “the children are performing well at schools.”

He, along with other professors, has gotten an offer from the UG Vice Chancellor, Dr. Ivelaw Griffith, to become an ambassador of UG. Living in NY, he said, he cannot do that but be can “help to raise funds for special projects and spreading good words…”

“The conference is testimony to the good vision of the vice-chancellor because governments in this country have been talking about involving the diaspora for years but with very little being shown,” he told this newspaper.

Global diaspora

Another Professor, Naresh Singh who has lived in Ottawa, Canada for 20 years, considers himself a global citizen having lived in NY for 10 years, St. Lucia for seven years, India for two years and Jamaica for four years.

He said he attended the conference “to get a sense of the thinking” and because of his interest in helping UG. He has been a visiting Professor at many universities, including Harvard and McGill in Canada.

His vision is to reinstate the Institute for Development Studies at UG, which he believes is really needed because of the discipline and good academic training it would provide. But beyond that, he said, it is critical for the development of the country.

He said they have heard a little about the challenges of returning and although he has worked at many universities, “it keeps tugging at my heartstring about why I can’t come back and do something for UG.”

Jocelyn Marshall of New Jersey left Guyana 28 years ago and is interested in investing here. Her “aim is to come to understand the climate and the policies, learn from other people’s experience and see where I would feel comfortable in investing.”

She said through the presentations on Monday, from the government officials and others, she got information on their policies and about diaspora programmes in other countries.

On Monday, she saw a business opportunity from one of the presentations but said her challenge may be getting the immediate relevant information to get started.

Marshall, a personal empowerment coach and a former project programme manager at a bank, feels that the conference was “well put together and it was what the participants wanted. The presenters were very appropriate…”

Dr. Lear Matthews of New York City said the conference created an opportunity for frank dialogue between the diaspora and Guyana.

He hopes that it deals with some of the tensions that exist between the diaspora and local communities as well as the diaspora and government and that they can work together for the benefit of developing communities in Guyana.

A Professor of the State University of NY, he is part of the editorial planning committee for the conference.

He presented on Hometown Associations in Guyanese Organisations in North America and the connections with Guyana, the extent to which they send remittances and help communities in Guyana.

Radio broadcaster in Florida, Ron Bobb-Semple, who left Guyana 45 years ago found the conference extremely informative. He said it was “long overdue because the Guyanese diaspora has contributed so much to this nation over the years…”

He too said that the “diaspora has to be recognized. A lot of us left the country for various reasons; to improve ourselves or because of family ties… and now there is a lot of concern with a lot of Guyanese and expatriates because of what is happening…” here.

Mentality

He recalled that in a television interview in May, he had said that “the mentality of the Guyanese people has got to change; with the way you drive, the way you express yourself, how you treat others, it has got to change.”

He said the cleaning up of the city has to be continuous and not just what was done for special occasions like in the case of “the 50th celebration and then everything is back to square one.”

He gave kudos to Dr. Griffith for his initiative and his impetus to bring this conference to fruition and he glad he was able to make it.

He has made a promise to visit places in Guyana that he has never been to so as to experience its beauty.

Asked about his interest in returning, he responded that when “one has first-hand experience of the beauty of the country, one may be encouraged to come back and invest.” He is looking into various possibilities.

Bobb-Semple’s visit to Guyana is two-fold; to attend the conference and for his performance at the Theatre Guild on August 18, in celebration of Marcus Garvey’s birthday. The cultural entertainment included drama, poetry and comedy.

Meanwhile, during a session about ‘Doing Business in Guyana,’ hosted by Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Owen Verwey, a participant asked about plans to establish an abattoir of international standard.

Verwey responded that an abattoir is scheduled for completion within the next 12 months in Region 9.

He said Go-Invest, together with the Livestock Development Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture visited Boa Vista in Brazil a few weeks ago to look at abattoir operations.

He said one of the largest abattoirs in the American region that has the capacity to slaughter one cow every 30 seconds, is being built in Boa Vista.

Glen Khan, the Laparkan Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, delivered the keynote address and recalled his humble days growing up in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Even though he had dropped out of school for a year that did not prevent him from attaining 13 subjects later. Ten months later he was able to get a job at an accounting firm.

Khan, a Certified Accountant, entrepreneur and philanthropist, established Laparkan Investments Limited in 1982 in the Channel Islands, with initial operations out of Toronto, Canada and later, Laparkan Trading.

That was after he recognized the need to provide West Indians with a reliable channel to send supplies, gifts and other personal effects back home to their families in the Caribbean.

In 1983, Laparkan opened its doors in Toronto, Canada and was an instant success. Word quickly spread and within 12 months fully functional Laparkan offices and warehouses were set up in New York, Miami, London and Georgetown, Guyana.

Prominent

His address came after video messages from two prominent Guyanese living in Britain; Gina Miller and Baroness Valerie Amos, who shared their experiences.

Miller was recognized last year for forcing the British government to have a parliamentary vote on the British exit from the European Union – Brexit. She objected to no Parliamentary discussion and won her case at the Supreme Court.

She grew up on the East Coast of Demerara and attended St Gabriel’s Primary in Georgetown. Her parents: Doodnauth and Savitri Singh taught discipline and the virtue of hard work. At the age of 13 they sent her to Britain to join her older brother, Gary, where she attended boarding school.

Miller is an investment manager and philanthropist and co-founded the investment firm in 2009. She launched True and Fair with her hedge fund manager husband, Alan, which campaigns against mis-selling and hidden fund charges in the City of London’s fund management industry.

Baroness Amos in her video message, spoke about growing up in Wakenaam and having the freedom to run around and of her mother tutoring her. Sadly, she recalled the tough time her family faced when her mother died on the morning of her father’s funeral.

Coming from a family of teachers, it was no surprise that she decided to offer support to young black men such as with university scholarships, after data proved that they had the highest dropout rate. She is proud that they started with nine young men and now have over 90. “Seeing them stand up and say how they did it, is incredible,” she said.

Baroness Amos who has lived in Britain since the age of nine, said she thinks of herself as a Guyanese, from the Caribbean and from Britain.

From 2010, she served as Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the UN. She served in a number of roles in the public sector including in local government and as Chief Executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission.

She was an adviser to the Mandela Government on leadership, change, management and strategy issues between 1994 and 1998.

She was appointed a Labour Life Peer in 1997 and became a member of the Government in 1998. She was a Foreign Office Minister, Secretary of State for International Development, Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council. She also served as UK High Commissioner to Australia before joining the UN. In June 2016, she was made a Companion of Honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Article adapted from: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2017/news/stories/07/27/more-policies-systems-needed-for-diaspora-to-return/

UG Vice-Chancellor welcomes delegates to Diaspora conference

Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, used the words of a Guyanese folk song which translates: “if you didn’t come you wouldn’t know”— to encourage Guyanese at home and abroad, to rediscover their homeland, and make use of the opportunities available to them, during his welcome on Sunday, July 23, to unveil the historic Diaspora Engagement Conference at the Ramada Georgetown Princess.

Griffith told the audience of academics, politicians, professionals, civic society, as well as non-Guyanese, that they should get to know the wisdom and worth of each other, and maximize the opportunity to “come and know,” pointing out that many Guyanese at home do not know much about their country.

Under the theme, “Dreaming Diaspora Engagement, Doing Diaspora Engagement,” the vice chancellor encouraged attendees to engross themselves in the country’s tourism mecca, by visiting tourist sites.

Minister of Public Telecommunication, Cathy Hughes, in turn thanked members of the Diaspora for their commitment to Guyana’s development, stating that the UG Diaspora Engagement conference gives them an opportunity to help to transcend and transform Guyana, calling on the Diaspora to use the easy connectivity to give back to their communities.

She promised to navigate the challenges of Guyana and called on visitors to be patient with the government as it repositions itself to engage Guyanese who would like to return to serve their homeland.

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Cui Jianchun, CEO of Roraima Airways Gerry Gouvier, and consultant from Canada Jillian Williams, Director of Roraima Institute, Paul Tennassee, and others, shared their insights and hopes for a successful Diaspora engagement.

More than 200 delegates attended the conference, while many others delivered keynote addresses and presented papers from various professions.

Spoken word poet, Keon Heywood, celebrated Guyana’s beauty with a poem, while London-based award-winning flautist and composer, Keith Waithe and the Macusi Players delighted the gathering.

Article adapted from: http://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/stories/2017/8/2017-07-28-tc-guyana-diaspora-conference-cl.html

Economic gains anticipated from UG's Diaspora Conference - Vice Chancellor

Any university that has suffered the kind of neglect that the University of Guyana [UG] has experienced needs not only money to recover, but other support as well. This assertion was made during the past week by UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith. It was with this, among other things, in mind, that the University has collaborated with key stakeholders to organise a Diaspora Engagement Conference [DEC] which is slated for July 23 – 28, 2017 at the Ramada Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

At a recent press conference held at the Mexico Embassy – which is also collaborating with UG to convene the DEC – Professor Griffith said, “we will be asking, and have been asking Diaspora Guyanese and non-Guyanese, not only to give money. We are not only looking for help in monetary ways, but we are also looking for people to open doors…part of it is monetary; part of it is non-monetary.”

As such, the intent of the Conference, is to ascertain, “how Diaspora Guyanese and non-Guyanese can help to give not only financially, but time, treasure, talent and open doors to help us connect, to help our students, help our faculty, help our university overall”. According to Professor Griffith, the week-long Conference, which was in the making for just under one year, will not take on a traditional form.\

“We are spending a week doing a variety of things; only two days of which are the traditional conversations, but those conversations are not only by academics…we have businessmen, we have civic society, we have diplomats, we have government officials as part of the conversation mix,” Professor Griffith noted. The DEC will see Guyanese participants travelling from as far as Nigeria, Russia, the United States, Jamaica, Trinidad and other countries. In fact, the event is even slated to be attended by the President of the Caribbean Development Bank.

President David Granger is scheduled to host the welcome reception and deliver a keynote address to declare the conference officially opened. Speakers will include: People’s Progressive Party Chief Whip, Ms. Gail Teixeira, several ministers of Government, and it is expected that there will be video messages from Baroness Valerie Amos, Director of the School of Oriental and African Studies in the United Kingdom and Gina Mille, the founding partner of Spencer Churchill Miller, an investment company of Brexit fame.

Other speakers will include Mexican Ambassador, Mr. Ivan Roberto Sierra Medel; Mr. Glen Khan, Chairman of LAPARKAN and Mr. David Lammy, British Member of Parliament. And since Guyana’s Diaspora and Guyana’s homeland have a wonderful cultural diversity, the Vice Chancellor added that “we want to end the conference by showcasing some of the cultural diversity, that mix of music, and dance and culture.” This will translate to a cultural extravaganza also on the last day of the conference which is being organised by renowned flautist Keith Waithe.

Waithe, who is one of Guyana’s musical icons, resides in London. According to Professor Griffith, he had a hand in including Waithe in the Conference, “to be our distinguished artist and resident. He will be coming back in that role. He will be organising Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora for that extravaganza that showcases the right talent of our races, culture, our sports.”

Tasked with the role of being Chairman of the Planning Committee of the entire conference is Dr. Fitzgerald Yaw, UG’s Director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives. Dr. Yaw returned to Guyana last year August to take up the appointment at UG. According to him, he has returned to work with the University and help the Vice Chancellor with the project of rebuilding and restoring UG to the place it has to hold in the development of Guyana.

As such, the Conference is expected to play an integral role in this regard. Dr. Yaw has been working with a diverse group both in Guyana and other parts of the world, helping to organise the Conference.
“Working in Guyana and seeing the challenges directly, living in it really just reinforces for me the importance of the Diaspora in the rebuilding of Guyana…” Dr. Yaw noted, even as he disclosed that the Conference is one that is expected to lead to the establishment of a Diaspora Centre at UG, that will help to deepen and strengthen the engagement of the Diaspora with Guyana and the Caribbean too.

As such, the Conference is expected to play an integral role in this regard. Dr. Yaw has been working with a diverse group both in Guyana and other parts of the world, helping to organise the Conference.
“Working in Guyana and seeing the challenges directly, living in it really just reinforces for me the importance of the Diaspora in the rebuilding of Guyana…” Dr. Yaw noted, even as he disclosed that the Conference is one that is expected to lead to the establishment of a Diaspora Centre at UG, that will help to deepen and strengthen the engagement of the Diaspora with Guyana and the Caribbean too.

“We are not saying that the Diaspora is not being engaged… we all know that it is. It is just a matter that we want to deepen and enhance it,” related Dr. Yaw. Persons locally and broad, including students, business persons, among others are encouraged to register to participate in the Conference. Registration is being done at varying costs to the participants. But according to Professor Griffith, the hosting of the Conference will have significant economic benefit for Guyana as a whole. “Think of what this week – even if we have only 200 people come to this Conference, think of what that does to an economy. Each of those people who comes for the investiture from abroad, paying an airfare, part of it comes to this country, staying at a hotel, part of it comes here, taking the taxi around, buying souvenirs…there is economic value added,” Professor Griffith asserted.

Article adapted from: http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2017/06/26/economic-gains-anticipated-from-ugs-diaspora-conference-vice-chancellor/

UG to set up diaspora centre, upbeat about upcoming conference

AS the University of Guyana (UG) prepares to host a major inaugural diaspora engagement conference, plans are in train for the launch of a Diaspora Engagement Centre in December this year.

The initiative was announced by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ivelaw Griffith, who along with Mexico’s Ambassador to Guyana , Ivan Robero Sierra Medel and other university officials, briefed the media at the Mexican Embassy on Brickdam on Thursday of UG’s upcoming diaspora conference . The event is slated for July 23-28 at the Ramada Georgetown Princess on the East Bank of Demerara.

According to Dr Griffith, the diaspora centre is being pursued as an avenue to assist the university in working with persons in the diaspora. He said the idea of the establishment of the centre is to enable a permanent entity to facilitate a variety of events over time. These include facilitation of linkages between the university and the diaspora, ”Guyana beyond the university “ and he noted that it is expected that the centre will undertake conferences and hold a talent databank. “One of the things we will be asking the centre to do is to manage that,” he said of the talent database of Guyanese persons.

Griffith said that one of the outcomes of the conference is a discussion of a concept paper that will advance dialogue on the centre. He said several organisations have been engaged on funding of the facility, noting that the idea presents an opportunity to UG to extend its partnerships beyond Guyana. He said that physical location of the centre has to be decided.” I’m excited about the centre”, Griffith noted.

Griffith said he anticipates, as part of the diaspora conference, that there will be structured guidance about the timeline leading to the opening of the centre, noting that the facility will be established in a phased process commencing this September.

As regards the conference, UG is looking to host at 100-150 participants at the event which will be held under the theme, “Dreaming Diaspora Engagement, Doing Diaspora Engagement.” Griffith noted that while persons may not be able to attend, the interest in participation is there. “For me participation in the conference is only a small proportion of interest,” he said.

The objectives of the conference include engagement of the diaspora in facilitating the pursuit of entrepreneurship, innovations and social and human capital opportunities. In addition, the event will be used to discuss global best practices in diaspora-engagement policies and strengthen partnerships with organisations overseas.

Griffith said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been engaged in many areas in terms of the partnership with the university in the lead-up to the conference. Dr Fitzgerald Yaw, Director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives at UG, noted that the Government of Guyana is reviewing its diaspora-engagement strategy and the university plans to ask the government to launch or discuss the strategy at the conference in July. As regards the Mexican Embassy’s participation in the event, Ambassador Medel noted that he has a good relationship with the university and as such, the embassy is in conversation with the institution as regards the hosting of the event. “We are open to this very important potential area”, he said. Ambassador Medel is among a list of persons who are expected to speak at the conference.

As part of the calendar of events, President David Granger is expected to host the welcoming reception on the opening day of the event and he is also expected to deliver the keynote address the following day. Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, will also speak during the early days of the event, while several government ministers have confirmed their participation.

In addition, British Member of Parliament, David Lammy, is expected to speak during the conference, while academics, civic leaders, businesspersons and members of the diplomatic community are also expected to participate in the inaugural event. Meanwhile, the conference will see the investiture of Dr Griffith as UG’s 10th Vice-Chancellor on the last day of the event. It is the first time a VC will be officially installed as head of the university. The event’s last day will also be highlighted by a cultural extravaganza and will be organised by London –based musician Keith Waite.

Article adapted from: http://guyanachronicle.com/2017/06/22/ug-to-set-up-diaspora-centre-upbeat-about-upcoming-conference

 

 

President David Granger and Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira to speak at the UG inaugural Diaspora Engagement Conference

The University of Guyana (UG) will host the historic inaugural Diaspora Engagement Conference (DEC 2017) from July 23 to 28, 2017, at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, under the theme: Dreaming Diaspora Engagement, Doing Diaspora Engagement. The Conference is expected to attract over one hundred participants from within and outside Guyana.

His Excellency President David Granger will host the Welcome Reception on Sunday, July 23 and deliver the keynote address to declare the conference open on Monday, July 24, 2017, while the Opposition Chief Whip, Hon. Gail Teixeira, will deliver the luncheon address on Tuesday, July 25. Additionally, several government ministers, including those for Business, Public Telecommunications, Finance, and Public Health, have confirmed their participation. Video messages also will be coming from Baroness Valerie Amos, director of the School of Oriental and African Studies in the UK, and Ms Gina Miller, founding partner of Spencer Churchill Miller (SCM) Direct, of Brexit fame.

Additionally, Mr Glen Khan, Chairman of LAPARKAN; Mr David Lammy, British MP; and Mexican Ambassador to Guyana Mr Ivan Roberto Sierra Medel will speak at the conference, along with 40 other keynote speakers and presenters. The Indian High Commission will also share India’s experience in engaging its Diaspora. Guyanese businessmen, academics, and civic leaders scheduled to speak and chair sessions at the conference will be coming from the United States of America, Nigeria, the British Virgin Islands, the United Kingdom, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Canada, and Russia. They will join local civic and business leaders, government officials, diplomats, and academics in discussions on the various panels, the ministerial roundtables, and the business dinner.

Hosted by the University of Guyana with planning input from local and Diaspora stakeholders, DEC 2017 is organised around two overarching pillars: human, social and entrepreneurship development, and Diaspora philanthropy, diplomacy, and educational engagement. It is expected to provide the platform for developing a diaspora engagement strategy to inform the work of the first Caribbean Diaspora Engagement Center. The launch of the Center is expected to be a major highlight of the six-day conference. According to UG’s Vice-Chancellor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, “the conference will contribute to the development of a mechanism to effectively attract diaspora social and economic investment and engage the diaspora in educational and economic development.”

Brain-child of the Vice-Chancellor, the conference has several components, including academic and policy conversations, community engagement, a Know Guyana Day where local and international attendees will have an opportunity to make day visits to various parts of the country, and the second meeting of UG’s Education Resource Ambassadors. The academic conversations will focus on issues such as international and regional migration policies and experiences, cultural identity dynamics, financial transfers and remittances, role and contribution of hometown associations, diaspora trade and investments, and tourism.

The historic event will end on Friday, July 28 with two highlights. The first is the Investiture of Professor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith as UG’s Tenth Vice-Chancellor, the first time a UG Vice-Chancellor will be officially installed as Chief Executive and Chief Academic Officer. The second highlight will be a cultural extravaganza that will be free of cost to conference registrants. The extravaganza is being organised by London-based music icon Mr Keith Waite, and it will spotlight Guyana’s rich cultural diversity at home and abroad. Performers will be coming from Ghana and the UK, and Mr Waithe will be returning to Guyana to serve a second stint as Visiting Distinguished Artiste-in-Residence at the University.

The period for submission of abstracts has ended. Registration, however, is still open, and can be done online at http://diasporaconference.uog.edu.gy/. Conference participants in Guyana can pay for their registration at Citizen’s Bank locations and at the Bursary at the Turkeyen or the Tain campus. Persons registering now will catch the ‘Early Bird’ rate, which ends on July 1.

The university appreciates the sponsorship received so far from LAPARKAN, Movie Towne, the Ministry of the Presidency, Fly Jamaica, the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, Caribbean Airlines, Roraima Airways, Metro, Republic Bank, GBTI, ENetworks, Slingshot, Go-Invest,  the Ministries of Business and Public Telecommunications, E.C. Vieira Investments Ltd. Guyana, and the Guyana Tourism Authority.

###

For more information contact:

Dr Fitzgerald (Gerry) Yaw

Director, Office of Strategic Initiatives

Vice-Chancellery,

The University of Guyana

Tel: 592 222 8063

E-mail: ugdiaspora@uog.edu.gy

http://diasporaconference.uog.edu.gy

                          or

Mr Wayne Forde

Florida-based member of the Conference Planning Committee

Wforde94@gmail.com

 

UG IN BRIEF

With a current enrollment of some 8,000 students, The University of Guyana (UG) has graduated more than 20,000 students who have gone on to successful careers locally, regionally and internationally. The University is also a major contributor to the national economy and to business and industry. Established in 1963 on a part-time basis with shared space at Queens College, UG moved to its own campus at Turkeyen in 1970 and expanded in 2000 with the addition of the Tain Campus. It now offers more than 60 Under-graduate and Post-graduate Programmes including Engineering, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Urban Planning and Management, Tourism Studies, Education, Creative Arts, Economics, Law, Medicine, Optometry and Nursing. Several online programmes are available and The UG also offers extra-mural classes at four locations through its Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE). The UG also offers the opportunity for student engagement in debating, sports, and cultural, religious and professional activities.

 

Public Relations Division

June 22, 2017

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President David Granger and Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo invited to the first Diaspora Engagement Conference to be convened in Guyana

The University of Guyana (UG) will host its inaugural Diaspora Engagement Conference from July 23 to 28, 2017, in Georgetown, Guyana, under the theme: Dreaming Diaspora Engagement, Doing Diaspora Engagement. The Conference is expected to attract several hundred participants.

Hosted by the University of Guyana with support from a team of leaders in the diaspora and other stakeholders, the Conference is organised around two overarching pillars: human, social and entrepreneurship development, and diaspora philanthropy and diplomacy.

The conference is expected to provide the platform for developing a diaspora engagement strategy that would inform the work of the first Caribbean Diaspora Engagement Center. The launch of the Center is expected to be a major highlight of the six-day conference. According to UG’s Vice-Chancellor 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.”

His Excellency President David Granger has been invited to deliver the keynote address and to declare the conference open on Monday, July 24, 2017, while the Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo was invited to deliver the luncheon address on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. Additionally, Hon. Carl Greenidge, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will make a presentation at the conference, along with other keynote speakers and presenters.

The conference has three components namely; an academic symposium, a business forum, and community engagement. The symposium will receive academic presentations on key issues such as international and regional migration policies, cultural identities and the Diasporas, financial transfers and remittances, social remittances, tourism, diaspora trade and investments, among other areas.

Members of the large Caribbean diaspora in New York, Canada, and the U.K. are expected to attend and provide input, match skills and create trans-national networks to build a robust diaspora engagement and productive partnerships.

The highpoints of the conference include a cultural night which would see conference registrants enjoying a night of cultural extravaganza free of cost; and a number of Guyana tour options will be available to registrants to enjoy on Thursday, July 27, 2017.

The period for submission of abstracts has ended and a number of submissions were received on a wide range of topic areas. Registration, however, is still open. Registration can be done online at http://diasporaconference.uog.edu.gy/. Conference participants in Guyana can pay for their registration at Citizen’s Bank locations and at the Bursary on Turkeyen or Tain Campuses. Persons registering now will catch the ‘Early Bird’ fees.

Click here to download the PDF file.