BEGINNING today, Jamaica will play host to delegates from 11 Caribbean states who are meeting in tourist resort Ocho Rios, St Ann at the 48th National Convention of Junior Chamber International (JCI) West Indies and the 43rd State Convention of Junior Chamber International Jamaica.

JCI counterparts are here from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis.

The former Jaycees will meet until October 19 at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Hotel under the theme "Strengthening our Membership for Sustainable Growth"

Organisers said the convention would be a milestone event, as for the first time in its history a JCI West Indies Senate Reunion themed "Friendship Forever 4" will be staged concurrently with these two conventions.

"The Friendship Forever Reunion is a coming together of the Senators (life members), early members of JCI and JCI graduates and Alumni over the years.

Among the main features of the convention will be training sessions for the delegates, who will also complete certificate courses from JCI University," a news release said.

The Convention will be declared open by the president of the Jamaican Senate, Dr Oswald Harding who is also a JCI Senator. JCI Hopewell is the host chapter for the convention under the Chairmanship of Convention Director, JCI Senator Roy H Tehfah.

JCI Jamaica, then Jaycees, is remembered for early projects such as the "Nuggets for the Needy", "Miss Jamaica Beauty Contest", "Youth Parliament" and "Operation Drug Alert".

JCI West Indies has produced two JCI International Presidents; JCI Senator Roy Barnarsee in 1973 (Jamaica) and JCI Senator Conrad O'Brien in 1964 (Trinidad).

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