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| A screen capture of the website??for BNC 2012.?? |
Less talk and more action! That is what patrons will get when they attend the upcoming Barbados Network Consultation (BNC) 2012, this island’s biennial Diaspora Conference.
That assurance has come from Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Coordinator of BNC 2012, David Bulbulia.
He stressed: "Unlike 2010, we will have a number of innovative programmes, less formal sit down sessions, and more activities that titillate the sights and other senses."
Explaining that the official dates were August 7 to 10, the BNC 2012 Coordinator pointed out: "Nonetheless, we will unofficially kick off on August 2 with community, educational, social and cultural activities, which would include an Ole Time Bajan Excursion."
Mr. Bulbulia told the Barbados Government Information Service that the activities planned for this country’s second Diaspora Conference were designed based on the BNC 2012 theme: Linking Generations, Embracing Our Youth.
According to him, while the conference was primarily targeted at Barbadians overseas and those who had just returned home, it was open to everyone, but specifically those persons who wished to connect with Barbadians in the diaspora.??
Tuesday, August 7 is the official start of the four-day conference and patrons could expect to enjoy a wide array of activities, several of which will take place at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC).
Mr. Bulbulia said the event will feature an exhibition showcasing Barbadian-made products and services each day.???? He added: "We are going to have an Innovation Room, where a select number of young entrepreneurs with fresh ideas, [products and services] will be on exhibit."
Outlining that every day there would also be road tennis demonstrations, he continued: "BNC 2012 is going to have an ancestry [research] event organised by the Barbados Department of Archives where persons could trace their family genealogy."????
Other activities taking place over the four days will include a Hospice Fundraising Boat Ride; an activity hosted by the National Association of Barbados Organisations and the Barbados Cancer Association (USA, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, NULL, NULL, 0); a Creative Economy Showcase, which will feature photography, fashion designers, dancers, singers, visual artists and other art forms; and a Career Forum, hosted in collaboration with the Young Barbadian Professionals Society (YBPS).
The YBPS is an association of young Barbadian professionals who live in the USA, Canada and the UK.?? The members of this group will share their career experiences through one-on-one discussions and by showcasing a range of local and international careers to Barbadian youth.
Moreover, Barbadians living at home and abroad will get the opportunity to participate in the Bajan Cultural Immersion – an activity which will teach persons how to cook the Bajan way.
Scheduled for August 9 at the LESC, this interactive culinary experience will be hosted by renowned Barbadian chef, Peter Edey and will take the format of a televised cooking show.??
There will be six mobile kitchens in place and some lucky participants will be selected to interact with the chefs when they prepare dishes that highlight cultural retentions of Barbados in cuisine from South Carolina, Panama, and Cuba, as well as to a lesser extent the US, UK and Canada.?? Persons should come prepared to sample some of the delicious dishes that will be available.??
Mr. Bulbulia also shared that the BNC 2012 would feature Speed Networking sessions. ??"This is a great opportunity for persons to come and exchange information on their careers, businesses and interests, and [get the opportunity to] connect with Barbadians overseas who may want their services or products," he explained, further stating that there would also be a Resettling workshop which would be particularly helpful for any Barbadians who wished to return home.
While entry to the exhibition of this island’s 2nd Diaspora Conference is free, there will be a nominal charge for some activities.?? Persons who wish to register for the BNC 2012 should contact the LESC at (246) 467-8200 or visit the website www.foreign.gov.bb/barbadosnetwork to complete the entry form.