The Editor, Sir:

The idea of a biennial diaspora conference, is as far-fetched as playing with a make-believe doll's house. With participants and delegates from around the globe, they organise themselves into this useless social under the pretence of networking. Instead of all this talk, if they are so keen, and so inclined, they really ought to return to their roots, as in relocating, in order to make their organisation, efforts and networking meaningful, worth-while and practical.

Instead, they operate from a far distance, returning for a brief visit, biennially, to participate in these conferences. I can't even imagine delegates, walking around wearing buttons of identity, showing off the various countries they migrated to, and where they choose to continue to live. They suddenly have specialised areas of expertise, offering solutions to the myriad problems facing Jamaica. Why are Jamaicans like this?

Nothing wrong

No other country I know of, in the Caribbean or elsewhere, organises the any international diaspora conference of its nationals who, for one reason or other, choose to migrate.

There's nothing wrong with migration, it's a natural way of balancing and dispersing a population and skills. So why would this Jamaican diaspora even want 'a seat' in any Jamaican Parliament now?

There are far more effective ways to 'help', rather than organising useless international conferences for those who have migrated. For starters, they could increase their foreign remittances or support local charities, instead of spending money on hosting these useless inter-national conferences!

I urge all participants of this useless conference to stop idling, get out of the confines of the walls of the Conference Centre and put their words into actions via meaningful projects. Last thing Jamaica needs is more idle talk and fancy speeches.

I am, etc.,

P. CHIN

chin_p@yahoo.com

Canada