The vision of the late Prime Minister, David Thompson, will be realised once again this year, when the upcoming Barbados Network Consultation 2012 (BNC 2012), more commonly known as the Barbados Diaspora Conference, will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre from August 7 to 10.
For the late Prime Minister, this biennial conference was an essential activity that could deepen the relationship between Barbadians at home and abroad.
Now in its second year, it is being organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, in collaboration with various government departments and Barbadian Diaspora organisations.??
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, indicated that consulting with the Barbadian diaspora was a critical aspect of preparation.????
"Every attempt will be made to ensure that the diaspora and its recommendations are incorporated into the conference’s programme," she affirmed, adding this was vital to the staging of an informative, interesting and mutually beneficial event.
??Following recommendations from the inaugural conference that was held in 2010, the BNC 2012 would take a youth focused approach.????
One of the primary objectives is to ensure Barbadian diaspora youth maintain and remain "in touch" with Barbados and things Barbadian.??
Consequently, a number of presentations in addition to social and cultural activities have been planned to attract and increase the interest of first, second and third generation Barbadian youth.