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Adopt a community. Adopt a family. These were two of several suggestions presented to the Grenadian Diaspora by Agency for Reconstruction and Development Inc. (ARD) Chief Executive Officer Richardson Andrews during a Public Forum in Washington under the theme Harnessing the power of the Diaspora for the sustainable recovery of Grenada. Hosted by the Embassy of Grenada on April 9, the Public Forum was jointly sponsored by the University of the District of Columbia and US Airways. Mr. Andrews said the ARD is prepared to facilitate Grenadians abroad who wish to share their expertise free for a given period in such areas as engineering, project planning and architectural design. If you are a trainer, let us structure a plan to allow you to do some modules of training, Mr. Andrews also suggested. The Embassy organised the Public Forum to engage public and private partners and the Diaspora in the reconstruction and development process underway in post-Ivan Grenada. Mr. Andrews made the keynote presentation, outlining the activities and the critical coordinating role of the ARD, as well as the opportunities for engagement by international partners and the Diaspora. Participating panelists at the Forum included Ambassador Denis Antoine, International Monetary Fund Mission Chief for Grenada Prakash Loungani, World Bank Economist and Urban Specialist Marc Forni and President of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce & Industry Roy Hastick. The Forum was moderated by Mr. Paul Nehru Tennessee, Director, Washington Liaison Office of the World Confederation of Labor and Education Chair of the National Coalition on Caribbean Affairs. The audience comprised representatives from international agencies, including the Organisation of American States, the Inter-American Development Bank, Institute for Caribbean Studies, Partners of the Americas, Pan American Health Organisation and CARANA, as well as members of local County Governments, the Diplomatic Corps, the private sector and Grenadian nationals. Participants praised the initiative as a step in the right direction towards strengthening the collaborative efforts between Grenada and its international partners. Strong support was pledged for the ARD, specifically in the areas of social development and housing. A videotape of the proceedings will be made available to the ARD in order to facilitate appropriate follow-up on pledges and new initiatives. The Forum was recognised by participants as a successful event in the Embassys ongoing efforts to establish an official link between the ARD and the Diaspora. The event concluded with an art exhibition and reception featuring the works of Ms. Devi McDonald, a Grenadian national from St. Davids, currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia.
April 15, 2005
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