MONTEGO BAY, St James — Pointing to the value of the personal touch, state minister in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Rhoda Moy Crawford has reminded members of the Diaspora that they do not need to go through formal government partnerships to help Jamaicans in need at home.

“Your help in the Diaspora, it doesn’t always have to be channelled through the structured systems of government,” she said Tuesday during a panel discussion as part of the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

The panel explored the theme ‘Connecting, Engaging and Empowering the Youth Diaspora for National Development’.