Conference Background
The International Conference on the Future Agenda of Action for Global Diaspora Engagement is to bring together the supporters of the Dublin Declaration to glean insights from leading-edge practices in diaspora engagement. Additionally, the conference seeks to inaugurate the Global Diaspora Policy Alliance. This alliance is envisioned as a pivotal foundation for crafting the future roadmap of global diaspora engagement initiatives.
Panel Introduction
Diasporas are vital bridges that connect host and home communities. For decades, diasporas have played pivotal roles in driving economic growth, fostering innovation and facilitating cross-cultural exchange. Their efforts are geared towards reducing gaps and bridging distances, while also capitalizing on social and cultural connections to foster meaningful partnerships with various sectors and efficiently mobilize resources. Leveraging their abundant knowledge and resources, diaspora communities are progressively acknowledged as valuable assets by governments, as well as by private and academic sectors, both within the countries they reside in and their countries of origin.
An emerging consensus among diaspora communities and relevant stakeholders underscores the imperative of cultivating an integrated diaspora engagement ecosystem that promotes cross-sectoral collaboration and knowledge exchange. Vital to this endeavor is the nurturing of a vibrant and dynamic diaspora engagement that involves multiple stakeholders working seamlessly to create an enabling environment, governed by a structure that facilitates collaboration, coordination and mutual support between diaspora communities and stakeholders.
At the heart of our dialogue lies a fundamental question: How can we effectively leverage diaspora partnerships to enhance global governance and cultivate an inclusive, sustainable ecosystem that maximizes the impact of diaspora engagement? To achieve this vision, it is crucial for stakeholders to establish effective communication and engagement channels with diasporas, thereby enhancing the efficiency of governance processes, institutional practices, and mechanisms for integrating diaspora perspectives. This comprehensive approach not only mainstreams but also expands the exploration of initiatives from local to global levels, amplifying the impact of diasporas as key development actors.
Governments play a pivotal role in creating ecosystems that maximize the impact of diaspora engagement, acting as facilitators and accelerators. By creating an enabling environment, governments empower diaspora communities to thrive and contribute meaningfully to development agendas. Building robust and enduring partnerships requires the fostering of open, transparent, and institutionalized communication channels among diverse stakeholders.
This session will delve into the dynamic interplay among key stakeholders driving sustainable diaspora engagement ecosystems - including diasporas, governments, the private sector, youth, and academia. Discussions will further explore strategies to amplify and scale the impact of diasporas, fostering even greater contributions to global development and nurturing inclusive partnerships.
Panel Objectives
Key objectives of this session include:
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Illustrate the transformative potential of diaspora engagement in catalyzing positive changes and advancements in global governance.
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Identify actionable approaches to enhance governance processes and institutional practices that integrate diaspora perspectives effectively.
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Promote initiatives and best practices for mainstreaming diaspora contributions and amplify their impact as development actors.
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Explore mechanisms and strategies for effectively leveraging diaspora partnerships to enhance global governance and foster diaspora engagement ecosystems.
Guiding Questions
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How can diaspora partnerships be effectively leveraged to enhance governance and cultivate inclusive and resilient diaspora engagement ecosystems?
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How can diasporas and relevant stakeholders collaborate more effectively to build robust partnerships and ecosystems for diaspora engagement?
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How can a global diaspora engagement ecosystem contribute to the creation of transnational governance structures that acknowledge diasporas as key stakeholders in organizational and societal decision-making processes?
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What are the governance structures that have proven effective in facilitation sustainable partnerships with diaspora communities?
Session Structure
The session will open with a scene setting from the moderator to provide an overview of the session topic, issues to be addressed, expected outcomes, and key stakeholders involved. The moderator will then introduce each of the panelists and invite them to address the guiding questions. The panelists will take turns sharing their knowledge and experience on both good practices and lessons learnt, providing concrete recommendations for different stakeholder groups.
After hearing from the panelists, the floor will open for discussion and online/in-person participants will be invited to intervene with questions and/or comments. The outcomes resulting from the panel discussion and participants' contributions will be documented in a final report of the event, providing valuable insights that will inform the implementation of the Global Diaspora Policy Alliance.
The Session will have the following time allocation: The moderator will pose questions, share their own views and best practices, and each speaker will have 3 minutes to share their insights and knowledge.
Moderator & Speakers
Moderator - Kingsley Aikins
Kingsley Aikins is founder and CEO of The Networking Institute, a Dublin based consultancy company. He is a recognised expert on Networking and has written and spoken extensively on the topic and has run workshops and online/offline Networking Training Programmes for major corporates in Ireland and overseas.. He is an Economics and Politics graduate of Trinity College Dublin . In his career he worked for 10 years for the Irish Trade Board and IDA Ireland and was based in Sydney. He then led the Ireland Funds for 21 years, mostly based in Boston. In his time with the Funds over a quarter of a billion dollars was raised for projects in Ireland. He was awarded a CBE for his work on British-Irish issues. He represented Trinity College, Irish Universities, Vichy (France) and Leinster at rugby. He is married with 3 children and lives in Dublin.
Panelist 1 - Rose Kobusinge
Rose Kobusinge is a Ugandan advocate on Migration, Environment, and Climate Change (MECC). She holds a master’s degree in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford. Rose is currently pursuing a doctorate in ‘Sustainable Energy Futures in Displacement Settings’ at Coventry University aiming to ensure displaced people are not left behind in the just energy transition. She also works directly with migrants, refugees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), focusing on forging solutions and amplifying voices for inclusive policies and climate and development solutions. Rose also initiated the YOUNGO Climate and Migration working group and serves as an IOM-AU Youth Migration, Environment, and Climate Change ambassador.
Panelist 2 - Peter Kwok
Peter Kwok is the Founding Chair of Global Diaspora Confederation (GDC), which convenes and empowers diaspora organizations globally. Peter led GDC to launch the world’s first annual Global Diaspora Week and Assembly with the support of IOM and partners. Since then, diaspora organizations from over 100 countries that positively impact millions of diasporas have come together to share innovative ideas, challenges and best practices. This collective success has holistically advanced the global diaspora community on sustainable development, humanitarian assistance, and the Global Compact for Migration.
Peter is Advisory Board Member for the Global Diaspora Summit and Founding Member of the UK Young Academy. Prior to that, he supported 10 diaspora organizations in senior roles including four he founded. He was awarded the British Empire Medal at Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee for his service to East and Southeast Asian communities in the UK. He was also nominated as finalist for the UK Charity Chair of the Year by the Third Sector Awards.
Panelist 3 - Dr. Jorge Carlos Fonseca
Dr. Jorge Carlos Fonseca was President and Professor of the Higher Institute of Legal and Social Sciences in Cabo Verde, and President of the Foundation <<Law and Justice>>, being, at the same time, one of its main founders. He participated in drafting the Constitution of Cabo Verde (1992) and as Legal Advisor and Researcher, he was the author of several draft legislation that shape the outlines of the new Cabo Verdean legal order, including the Projects of the new Penal and Criminal Procedural Codes, the Law on Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions, the Draft Law in Support of Victims of Violent Crimes and the Customs Tax Infringements Act. He directed and coordinated the "Study on the State of Justice in Cabo Verde" (2001).
As an expert hired by the United Nations, he participated in drafting the Constitution of East Timor (2001 and 2002). In August 2011, he was elected President of the Republic of Cabo Verde and re-elected President in October of 2016, for a second mandate. He is a literary essayist and columnist, and lecturer on legal, cultural, and political themes in Cabo Verde, Portugal, Brazil, and many other countries.
Panelist 4 - Eiman Kheir
Eiman Kheir is a seasoned Public Policy Manager at Meta, where she strategically oversees initiatives targeting migrants and diasporas across Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey. Her role is crucial in empowering diaspora communities to harness Meta's platforms for sustainable development, educational advancements, and effective crisis response.
Eiman's work is deeply rooted in a commitment to combat human exploitation issues, including labor exploitation and smuggling. Her profound understanding and proactive approach are key in addressing and mitigating the complex challenges faced by migrants and diaspora communities. She is particularly adept at leveraging cutting-edge technology to amplify the developmental impact and self-sufficiency of these communities, enhancing their contributions to their home countries and regions.
Prior to her i work at Meta, Eiman led the Diaspora Division at the African Union Commission. This role built on her extensive experience with various United Nations agencies and peacekeeping operations, where she focused on peacebuilding and governance. Her background in Engineering and International Development has endowed her with a unique perspective and a versatile skill set that drives her current endeavors.
Eiman Kheir's career is distinguished by her dedication to public service and her visionary approach to using technology as a force for social good. Her leadership continues to make a significant difference, inspiring diaspora communities to engage in transformative actions that benefit both their countries of residence and their countries of origin.
