The University of Guyana (UG) will be hosting its Diaspora and Entrepreneurship Conference from July 21-25, 2019, under the theme, “Cultural Diversity and Innovation: Engaging the Diaspora for an Enhanced Caribbean Competitive Landscape”.
The event, scheduled to occur at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, will touch on many timely issues including best practices in leadership, technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, economic growth, diversity and inclusion and the role of the Caribbean Diaspora.
Participants are invited from Guyana and the Caribbean, the Guyanese and Caribbean Diaspora communities, and faculty and students of UG, to participate by: registering and attending, submitting proposals to be presenters and keynote speakers, and applying to showcase work and products. This conference will seek to generate new understanding about Diaspora engagement opportunities and to assist policymakers, NGOs, entrepreneurs and researchers to further integrate Diaspora voices in development conversations. Additionally, there will be opportunities for Hometown Associations and local businesses to showcase their work and products respectively, seek technical assistance and invite investment. This conference is a joint collaborative effort between the Guyanese and Caribbean Diaspora and UG with several members of the global Guyanese and Caribbean Diaspora playing leading roles on the conference planning committee.
In commenting on the conference, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, said that “The University of Guyana is committed to collaboration with the Guyanese Diaspora globally to implement programmes to facilitate engagement and entrepreneurship and to enhance our understanding of the ways in which skills within the Diaspora can contribute to the development of Guyana and the wider Caribbean.” The focus of the conference will be on entrepreneurial activity for youth, women, indigenous communities, and diaspora populations, whose ideas and initiatives will serve as the foundation for new ventures and innovations.
The conference is first and foremost about giving space for ideas to flow. Groups, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate. The opportunity for engagement will be available for persons working on projects and or have ideas which they believe could be usefully applied for community and national development. More details about the conference can be found on the conference website: https://diaspora-entrepreneurship.uog.edu.gy/.
