BACKGROUND
Since 2020, the Global Diaspora Virtual Exchanges stand as a unique and crucial platform, facilitating the global convergence of diasporas to exchange best practices and collaboratively enhance their engagement, empowerment, and enablement. This initiative serves as a catalyst, empowering diaspora leaders and organizations to actively contribute to development endeavors.
In the past three editions, the Global Diaspora Virtual Exchanges have underscored the increasingly crucial role of diaspora leaders and organizations as pivotal contributors to development and humanitarian efforts. In 2020, diasporas demonstrated their swift and effective response to the pandemic. Shifting focus in 2021, their efforts centered on providing concrete advice to address three key challenges: building trust, mobilizing resources, and ensuring sustainability. The dialogue in 2023 revolved around discussing strategies to enhance communication skills in project management.
These dialogues, engaging diaspora leaders, policymakers, academics, and youth, have been instrumental in establishing an ecosystem aimed at maximizing diaspora engagement. Partnerships forged during these exchanges have facilitated the sharing of best practices, the provision of specific guidance, the expansion of impact through connections, and the amplification of voices for diaspora initiatives, including the founding of the Global Diaspora Confederation (GDC). Nonetheless, the importance of further strengthening and deepening partnerships between diasporas and other key actors continues to recur as key element in the evolution of diaspora engagement globally.
The establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform aligns closely with the foundational principles outlined in the Dublin Declaration, the outcome document of the Global Diaspora Summit, as well as the insights gathered from the discussions during the Global Diaspora Week 2023, organized by the GDC, and focused on diaspora partnerships. Building on these conversations and conclusions, the Global Diaspora Virtual Exchanges will delve deeper into partnerships between diaspora leaders and various key stakeholder groups. These groups include the public sector, both at national and local levels, the private sector, and collaborations among diaspora organizations. Each session is designed to explore effective and ineffective aspects of collaboration within each type, aiming to unlock the full potential of diaspora contributions to development and humanitarian efforts. The objective is to align seamlessly with the vision outlined in the Dublin Declaration, striving for impactful and sustainable outcomes. This alignment is achieved through the strategic harnessing of collective diaspora strength and expertise.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF THE THREE 2024 GLOBAL EXCHANGES
- Continue fostering the self-mobilization and empowerment of diasporas by providing a dedicated space for the exchange, coordination, and collaboration among diverse diaspora communities worldwide.
- Articulate the value added of collaboration between diasporas and the other stakeholder groups.
- Identify effective modalities of partnership and collaboration, as well as lessons learned from those that have not succeeded, through the sharing of best practices.
- Inform the strategies for engaging diaspora organizations within the frameworks of the upcoming Global Diaspora Policy Alliance.
Diaspora to Diaspora Collaboration
- What benefits arise from collaboration among diaspora organizations, particularly those representing diverse diaspora communities?
- Can you provide specific examples of successful collaborative projects that have yielded tangible benefits for diverse diaspora communities?
- What have been the main challenges in establishing and maintaining such partnerships?
- What tools could enhance the strengthening of collaboration and cooperation among diaspora organizations?
PARTNERS
- Global Diaspora Confederation
- MYCP Migration Children and Youth Platform
- Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism (GRFDT)
| Time | Activity | Speakers |
|
15.00 - 15.10 |
Opening Remarks |
Binod Khadria, President Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism (GRFDT) |
|
15.10 - 15.20 |
Introduction of Speakers |
Elnura Omurkulova-Ozierska Global Secretariat team member of the Global Diaspora Confederation (GDC) |
|
15.20 - 16.05 |
Panel Discussion |
Panelists:
|
|
16.05 - 16.45 |
Open Discussion and Q&A |
Moderated by Elnura Omurkulova-Ozierska, Global Secretariat team member of the Global Diaspora Confederation (GDC) |
|
16.45 - 17.00 |
Closing Remarks |
Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General, International Organization for Migration (IOM) |
Opening Remarks
Prof Binod Khadria
Professor Binod Khadria is currently the President of the think tank Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism (GRFDT). An author, editor and former Professor of Economics, Education and International Migration, he was also the Chairperson of the Zakir Husain Centre for Educational Studies, School of Social Sciences, as well as the Director of International Migration and Diaspora Studies (IMDS) Project at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He earned his BA Econ (Hons) from Cotton College, Guwahati and PhD from JNU. Among many positions held at leading institutions in different countries, he was a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at University of Sussex, a Times of India Fellow at the Teen Murti House at New Delhi, a Fulbright Senior Scholar at Boston University, and a Senior Research Fellow at National University of Singapore. In 2017-18, he held the inaugural Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Chair Professorship at Rutgers University, USA.
Moderator
Elnura Omurkulova-Ozierska
Elnura Omurkulova-Ozierska is a Global Secretariat team member at the Global Diaspora Confederation (GDC). She joined the GDC two years ago and has since been actively involved in the development of the Global Diaspora Humanitarian Hub. Additionally, she has significantly contributed to the organization and execution of GDWeek 2022 and GDWeek 2023. Beyond her commitments with GDC, she is engaged with two research institutions in Kyrgyzstan. With over a decade of experience, she has worked across various international, governmental, and non-governmental organizations. Her expertise spans several key areas including migration, elections, gender equality, reproductive health, climate change, among others.
Speakers
Ana Maria Diez
Ana Maria Diez is co-founder and President of the Coalicion por Venezuela, the largest network of Venezuelan civil society organizations, led-by migrants, and refugees, spanning 23 countries and +106 NGO members. The Coalition strives to promote and defend human rights, coordinating a comprehensive response to the complex humanitarian emergency emanating from Venezuela. A lawyer by profession, Ms. Diez holds a master’s degree in public management, as well as several studies in Migration and Human Rights. Ana Maria has 9 years’ experience in the humanitarian field, she worked with indigenous communities in southern Venezuela, people with disabilities and elders. Former Humanitarian Protection Manager for HelpAge International for Latin America and the Caribbean region, leading programs in Haiti, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela. Throughout her tenure with the Coalition, she has held various leadership positions, including Country Coordinator in Venezuela, Vice President, and President-elect for 2022-2024. Ana Maria leads the representation in the Refugee Advisory Group for Resettlement and Complementary Pathways in UNHCR, also represents Coalición por Venezuela in UNHCR's Global Advisory Board and is Refugees International's fellow. Award winning as Young Social Entrepreneur Leader 2022 for Ernst & Young firm and 2024 McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award
David Kpondehou
Mr. David Kpondehou is an entrepreneur from the Republic of Benin. He is the President and founder of the Africa Diaspora Network Japan (ADNJ) and Executive Board member of the High Council of the Beninese Community in Japan (HCBE). As part of Africa Diaspora Network Japan's activities to foster Africa-Japan business relationships and youth employment opportunities, David organizes with his team, every year Osaka Africa Business Forum in partnership with Higashi-Osaka City, the organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation of Japan, the Osaka Chamber of Commerce, Osaka Prefectural Government, Osaka EXPO Organization, JICA and JETRO, UNDP Japan, UNIDO, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, African Embassies in Japan and several sponsors.
He is currently working with the Japanese youth organization, Asia Africa Youth Nest (AAYN), UNDP Japan, and JICA on youth-led policy proposals to impact TICAD, youths in Africa, Japan, and youths around the World.
David is also the founder of Africa Samurai Consulting (ASC) based in Benin which, supports Japanese companies for business expansion in the African market and provides IT training with job opportunities to youth in Africa. This is an NHK TV station Documentary about Africa Samurai activities supporting employment with IT training in Africa.
Lastly, he works for one of the leading Japanese human Resources companies Pasona Group as a business developer and coordinator at the Awaji Youth Federation (AYF) fellowship program and Pasona Natureverse Institute.
Aitolgon Boronbaeva
Aitolgon is a Kyrgyz native with a global perspective. Originally from Kyrgyzstan, living abroad for 10 years. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in International Relations from the University of Warsaw, Poland. Currently, Aitolgon is pursuing a PhD in Political Science at the same university. She is a junior expert in International Migration, Modern Slavery, and Human Trafficking. Beyond academia, she gained practical experience through Erasmus Internships across Finland, Denmark, and Norway in the area of human rights and migration. Her dedication extends beyond academia. As the Public Representative of the Council for Migration under the Speaker of the parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic in Poland, she works to foster positive change. Additionally, she is the Founder of the "Danaker" diaspora of women from Kyrgyzstan in Poland (NGO) and has become Executive Director of the association, an endeavor to empower women from Kyrgyzstan in Poland. Her multifaceted roles reflect the commitment to making a lasting impact on both academic research and the lives of those she engages with. She is the winner of the Diaspora Youth Pitch Competition in Future Forum 2023, organized by EUDIF which is implemented by ICMPD. She is also one of the initiators of the "First European Forum of Women from Kyrgyzstan in Poland that took place on 9th of March 2024 in Warsaw, Poland bringing women diaspora leaders from Kyrgyzstan in Europe, representatives of international organizations such ICMPD, MYCP and IOM, parliamentarians of Kyrgyzstan and Poland.
Closing Remarks
Ugochi Daniels
Ms. Ugochi Daniels was appointed as IOM's Deputy Director General of Operations, taking office on September 1, 2021. Prior to joining IOM, Ugochi Daniels was the Chief of Staff at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), covering Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. She was also the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Designated Official for Security in the Islamic Republic of Iran from 2018 to 2020. From 2013 to 2018, Ugochi Daniels was the Chief of the Humanitarian and Fragile Contexts Branch at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Headquarters, covering over seventy countries where UNFPA was responding to emergencies. Her stint at UNFPA includes assignments in the Philippines (Country Representative, 2010–2013) and Nepal (Deputy Representative, 2007–2010).
Ms. Daniels joined the UNFPA in 2002 as the Deputy Program Manager for Africa Youth Alliance (2002–2007), covering Ghana, Tanzania, Botswana, and Uganda. Prior to joining the UN, Ms. Daniels was the Monitoring and Evaluation Information Specialist of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Nigeria from 1999 to 2002. Ms. Daniels also has private sector experience, having worked in the information technology, manufacturing, and financial services industries from 1992 to 1999.
Ms. Daniels is recognized as a UN (S)hero for her advocacy of women's health in humanitarian emergencies and her commitment to protecting human rights and promoting peace. She is dedicated to solving global problems through peace and development partnerships and emphasizes justice, equality, and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Geography, a Post-graduate Diploma in Information Management for Business Decisions and is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.
