The High Commission for Grenada in the United Kingdom convened a Diaspora Youth Cultural and Professional Networking Evening on Saturday, as a follow-up to the successful first Diaspora Youth Forum (DYF) held in September.
The Networking session realised the establishment of a DYF Committee which would lead the way for programmes and events to take the group forward into the Diaspora International Conference in 2011.
The participants were eager to learn of their culture and expressed concern that some of the culture had been lost along the way.
Mr. Faithman Simon aka “Root Jackson”, originally from Carriacou and a member of the Diaspora Consultative Committee (DCC), was in attendance and offered his support to facilitate a special session on culture.
The group desires also to establish a partnership with youth in Grenada to exchange information and lend support, as well as to create a link with the first generation Grenadians. The DYF will work as a subsidiary of the DCC, UK.
A team of Facilitators including Margaret Noel, Carol Joseph, Laurice Matthew, Marsha Jackson and Roy McEwen who introduced the group to “A part of their culture”, lent support to the session, along with the High Commissioner Ruth Rouse and Staff.
Following the Preparatory Conference held in Grenada August 5-6, 2010, the High Commission held a formal meeting of the DCC, which is widely expected to find new and innovative ways to reach the Grenadian Diaspora throughout the United Kingdom, gather their views and interest them in participating in the Founding Conference, scheduled for Grenada August 2-3, 2011.
The future of the Diaspora would not be possible without the involvement of the second, third and later generation Grenadians, and hence the convening of the Youth Forum.
The role of the Forum was to provide an opportunity for young persons of Grenadian parentage, to explore their heritage, express their views and take steps towards making a positive and effective contribution towards Grenada.
The Young people discussed ways of getting more involved in Diaspora Activities; obstacles preventing them from getting involved; the impact they can make on Grenada; how they can promote Grenada in the UK; why their Heritage was so important, among other topics.
The DFY Committee comprises:
Alice Prince - Chair
Marsha Jackson - Vice Chair
Anthony Andrews - Secretary
Raedonna Griffith - Assistant Secretary
Shani Crawford - Events Co-ordinator
Thanee Brathwaite - Assistant Events Co-ordinator
Rodney Lendore - Chair – Reading Group
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