At a time when issues surrounding migration and its role in development have taken on primary importance to the survival of developing nations, the Ramphal Commission on Migration & Development, an arm of the Ramphal Centre, and the University of the West Indies (UWI) have come together to host a convention at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge and Conference Centre at UWI, Mona from February 21 - 25. The Convention will feature a Symposium open to the public on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 starting at 9:30 am at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge and Conference Centre, UWI, Mona.

 The symposium will feature presentations and discussions on a range of issues related to Migration and Development led by authorities in the area from the academic, public and private sectors. Presenters from the UWI community will include:—Professor Verene Shepherd, Professor of Social History & University Director, Institute for Gender Studies, Regional Unit; Dr. Matthew Smith Lecturer in the Department of History and Archaeology; Dr. Leith Dunn, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Institute for Gender and Development Studies, Mona Unit, Professor Neville Ying, Executive Director, Jamaica Diaspora Institute, Professor Bernard Headley, Professor of Criminology, Professor Claremont Kirton, Professor of Economics, Professor Anthony Clayton, Alcan Professor of Caribbean Sustainable Development, Ms. Suzanne Charles, Research Fellow, IGDS Regional Coordinating Unit and Dr. Keith Nurse, Director, Shirdath Ramphal Centre, UWI, Cave Hill Campus.  Other presenters include: Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Mr. Easton Williams, Acting Director, Social Policy and Research Division, PIOJ, Ms. Keisha Livermore, Head of Office, International Organisation on Migration, Mr. Richard Troupe, Executive Director of Hope for Children Development Company Limited and Mr. Earl Jarrett, General Manager of Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), and Chairman of the Jamaican Diaspora Institute.

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