The reintegration of involuntary returned migrants and formerly in conflict with the law is the focus of the 10th annual best practice symposium. Watch live Tuesday January 27 and Wednesday January 28, 2026

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Speakers

KINGSTON, JAMAICA –January 7, 2026

The 10th staging of the Best Practice Symposium for Social and Community Development will focus on best practices in the critical issue of reintegration for involuntary returned migrants (IRMs) and also persons formerly in conflict with the law. The event will be held in Kingston on January 27 and 28 being rescheduled from November due to the impact of Hurricane Melissa in late October.

Theme and Dates

The theme “Reintegration for Sustainable Community Development: Bridging Gaps, Building Futures,” The aim is to thoroughly examine the current situation, explore viable solutions from local and international best practices, and chart a clear way forward for national development as it impacts the two key target audiences, IRMs and persons formerly in conflict with the law. 

Reintegration of Involuntary Returned Migrants

The Keynote speaker on January 27 is Senior Research Fellow at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), Dr Dacia L. Leslie whose research and practice focuses on correctional reform, victims’ rights and social inclusion that is specific to Jamaica. Senior Regional Migrant Protection Specialist IOM Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mr Tim Howe will bring perspectives on this topic.

Reintegration of persons formerly in conflict with the law

Reintegration of persons formerly in conflict with the law is the focus of the second day of the symposium, with the Commissioner of Corrections Brigadier (Ret’d) Radgh Mason highlighting Jamaica’s actions and areas to be addressed. Experiences of reintegrating in Jamaican society will be told through the testimonies of ex-offenders and returnees. Speakers include Retired Director General of Research and Statistics Branch for Corrections Canada and Chair of the Research and Development Network of the International Corrections and Prisons Association, psychologist Dr Frank Porporino and Executive Director of Canadian Families and Corrections Network Ms Louise Leonardi.  Consultant Psychiatrist to the Department of Correctional Services Dr Myo Kyaw Oo will deliver a presentation which will informed by his years as the Senior Medical Officer of the Bellevue Hospital, Jamaica’s specialist hospital for psychiatric care.

Experiences of reintegrating in Jamaican society will be told through the testimonies of persons who were formerly in conflict with the law and also involuntary returned migrants.

Local Economic Initiative

A special component of the symposium is the Local Economic Initiative (LEI), a marketplace showcasing high-quality products and services being offered by small businesses including those of persons seeking to be reintegrated into society. Members of the public are strongly encouraged to attend and support these entrepreneurs. The public can expect a diverse array of enterprises at the LEI, including agro-processing, manufacturing, health and wellness, art and craft and beauty.

The exposition of small businesses will be open on Tuesday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM and on Wednesday from 9AM to 6PM.

The public can follow all the presentations at the two-day event live on the PIOJ YouTube channel @ThePIOJ. The full agenda for the symposium is available on the front page of the PIOJ website: www.pioj.gov.jm.

Partner agencies are the Planning Institute of Jamaica Community Renewal Programme, Ministry of National Security and Peace (MNSP), UK Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) – Violence Prevention Partnership Programme (VPPP), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Basic Needs Trust Fund, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Department of Correctional Services (DCS), HEART/ NSTA Trust, Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), and the Social Development Commission (SDC).

The Best Practice Symposium is an annual event staged by development partners to maximize the impact of interventions by promoting collaboration.

END

Find innovative products and quality businesses at the
Local Economic Initiative Expo, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel
January 27 11 AM to 7 PM, January 28 9 AM to 6 PM.

Complimentary shuttle every 30 minutes starting 10AM from 

Total Energies Clock Tower (beside the HWT Post Office/York Pharmacy)
LAST TRIP FROM HWT AT 2PM,
LAST RETURN TRIP TO HWT 3PM

Every purchase strengthens a community.
Supported by Jampro, The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association, The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, and

The Small Business Association of Jamaica.
Elevating Businesses, Growing Communities