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Message From
The Most Honourable P.J. Patterson, ON, PC, QC, MP Prime Minister
of Jamaica
 It
has been my duty, privilege and pleasure as Prime Minister to be
closely associated with events that define our nation's history.
Without a doubt this inaugural Conference of the Jamaican Diaspora
is one such occasion.
I wish to congratulate the private sector sponsors whose farsightedness
and commitment have made this Conference possible and, indeed, all
those who have played a role in making the event a reality.
Jamaica's relationship with her widely dispersed Diaspora is well-founded
in mutual appreciation and regard. Jamaicans at home and abroad
garner in many ways the benefits of this positive connection. We
recognize, however, that we exist in a time when familiar relationships
and societal bonds are beset by the challenges of an increasingly
globalized international and, indeed, national environment. It obliges
us, therefore, to create opportunities to reinforce our fraternal
and familial bonds, to engage in structured dialogue that will assist
us in assessing our situation and discover together the best way
forward.
I welcome and recognize the many Jamaican overseas delegates from
Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, whose
participation in this Conference is a testament to individual as
well as community commitment to nation and country.
A platform is being created for collaboration in the shaping of
national policy and I urge the Conference to grasp this opportunity,
and in so doing utilize the full potential of the Diaspora Conference
2004 as a significant step in the process of closer engagement.
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