Call to make Barbados more appealing to diaspora

by SAVANAH ROBINSON

in LONDON

THE INCREASING BRAIN DRAIN in Barbados, and what can be done to promote remigration of Bajan youth to the island, was brought into focus when members of the diaspora in England congregated at St John Divine Community Centre in Southwest London last Monday.

Entitled Routes To Bim – Engaging Diaspora Youth In The Development Of Barbados, the panel discussion was hosted by social activist Marcia Weekes, of the Marcia Weekes Show.

The panel comprised of Ricardo Eversley, senior lecturer in digital innovation at London Metropolitan University; Wendy Cummins, founder of Radiate Festival in London, and Leah Affia, a vegan chef.

Panellists gave personal anecdotes while also answering queries from the audience.

Tourism experience

Eversley suggested merging Barbados’ tourism experience with VR technology to create an immersive experience for tourists and Bajans alike.

Cummins said that Visit Barbados needs to make Barbados more appealing to young Bajan citizens and descendants rather than only focusing on “white tourists”.

However, some members of the audience spoke of their hesitation to repatriate to Barbados, with most highlighting the high cost of living.

“I tried living there for six months and it was more expensive than living in London, so I had to come back to the UK,” one person said.

Another expressed disapproval of the medical system: “There are very little amenities provided to hospital patients. I had to send down pillowcases and sheets for my family member in the hospital as they were not provided.”

One person raised the issue of challenges in being an entrepreneur in Barbados, pointing out that there was little to no assistance or information from the Barbados High Commission in London or from the Government in Barbados pertaining to opening a business on the island.

On the other hand, some suggested opening up the job market in Barbados by expanding the technological and creative fields to accommodate the increasing advances in those spaces, as a way to lure more young people back home.

Savanah Robinson is a young student journalist currently based in the United Kingdom who has Barbadian parentage.

THE PANEL COMPRISED

(from left) Wendy Cummins, Marcia Weekes, Ricardo Eversley and Leah Affiah.

(Picture by Tyrone Roach.)