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.
PRIVATE SECTOR ALLIANCES:
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How can engaging with diaspora communities assist the private sector in achieving its objectives and fulfilling commitments?
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What private sector practices are already contributing to enabling, engaging, and empowering diaspora engagement?
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Are there examples of the private sector successfully fostering horizontal partnerships with diaspora or migration origin organizations that can be scaled or replicated?
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How can the public sector facilitate inclusive partnerships with the private sector and civil society to empower diasporas as active contributors to development?
PARTNERS:
- Global Diaspora Confederation
- MYCP Migration Children and Youth Platform
- Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism (GRFDT)
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Time |
Activity |
Speakers |
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15.00 - 15.10 |
Opening Remarks |
Stephanie Dei Head of Private Sector Partnerships Division, IOM |
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15.10 - 15.20 |
Introduction of Speakers |
Mawloda Hassas Co-founder, Entrepreneurship Association of Afghan Women |
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15.20 - 16.05 |
Panel Discussion |
Moderated by Mawloda Hassas, Co-founder, Entrepreneurship Association of Afghan Women Panelists: - Salomon Raydan, Venezuela Migrant, Ashoka Fellow, Catalyst 2030 LATAM Coordinator - Dr. Mollynn Mugisha-Otim, Managing Director, Africa Cultural Promotion Center - Walter May, Founder&CEO, Global Welsh
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16.05 - 16.50 |
Open Discussion and Q&A |
Moderated by Mawloda Hassas, Co-founder, Entrepreneurship Association of Afghan Women |
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16.50 - 17.00 |
Closing Remarks |
Hector Poveda, Climate Mobility Lead, MYC |
Opening Remarks
Stephanie Dei
Stephanie is the Head of Private Sector Partnerships Division at the United Nations - International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Geneva Switzerland, Stephanie leads the implementation of the private sector engagement across the organization's 150+ offices. Stephanie is also an Advisor to the CEO of the Canadian Academy of Film and Television on all matters concerning diversity, equity and inclusion. Previously, Stephanie was the Director of Research Partnerships at Toronto Metropolitan University in Canada where she focused on women’s entrepreneurship and diversity and inclusion. Stephanie previously led UN Women’s - women’s economic empowerment programme in Canada which forged deeper collaboration between the private and public sector to advance women’s economic empowerment in Canada and throughout the G7.
Stephanie’s early career was built at IKEA, Rogers Communications and the Government of Canada – Foreign Affairs and International Trade Department. Stephanie is the Co-Founder of the African Development Forum at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in the United Kingdom. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Canada to African migrants, Stephanie holds a BA Honors in Political Science and Law from Carleton University, Canada, and a MA in International Studies and Diplomacy from SOAS, University of London, UK. Stephanie is married with children.
Moderator
Mawloda Hassas
I’m Mawloda Hassas, Co-founder of Entrepreneurship association of afghan women (EAAW) in Afghanistan. To begin with, I have a bachelor's degree in Administrative and Diplomacy faculty of Political science and international Relations from Balkh university, Afghanistan. Currently I’m studying at Asian University for women as a fellow student.
During the high school and university lessons, I actively participated in political, socio-economic, and cultural programs and conferences . I obtain medals, awards, international and national certificates. Apart from that, I have some experiences on volunteering, ambassadorship, fellowship, and internships where I can share my experiences and exchange my ideas in upcoming workshops with other young generations. For instance; I am working as a youth peace ambassador of ICESCO, award fellow of Quest entrepreneurship fellowship, fellow of awareness360, young leader of Student Energy Summit 2023, young leader of Women deliver conference 2023, and young leader of Food System in Asia Pacific countries 2024.
As an individual, I view myself as an organised, committed, active and friendly person who is open minded to new ideas and influence. These qualities are very crucial in helping me. I like organising my days well in advance so that I can accomplish all tasks on time. My intention is to utilise my analytical problem solving, and interpersonal skills to an optimal level. And my purpose is to learn communication skills, get more experience and gather up to date information. Beside my academic life, I can speak English, Turkish, Uzbek, Pashto and Persian languages fluently and I can communicate with others easily.
Speakers
Salomon Raydan
Venezuelan social entrepreneur, internationally acclaimed for co-creating the innovative financial education model "Bankomunales" and spearheading the movement known as "The Other Microfinance" (Saving Revolution). He holds a degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of Caracas and a master’s degree in Sociology from the London School of Economics.
With extensive experience in financial and microenterprise training across various countries, he has served as an advisor and executor of numerous social projects in Spain, Senegal, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Italy, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. A member of the well-known ASHOKA Social Entrepreneurs Network, he currently serves as the coordinator of the Latin American chapter for Catalyst2030.
Recipient of several international accolades, including the "Entrepreneur of the Year" award by UNIVISION in 2013 and a finalist in the prestigious "Entrepreneurs of America" competition in 2014. Since 2015, he has resided in Colombia where, along with other members of his country, he has worked to provide support to the millions of Venezuelans who have migrated to Colombia.
Dr. Mollynn Mugisha-Otim
Dr. Mollynn Mugisha is a social entrepreneur, a speaker and author of books promoting culture to people of African descent living in The Netherlands.
She was born and raised in Uganda and after living and working in The Netherlands for over 15 years, she realized the need for African in the diaspora to work together to solve their shared social and economic challenges. She founded the Africa cultural promotion Center. This is a hub that promotes African people and their culture, enhancing their strength together. This is done through services and events that enable people to focus on the positive strengths and aspects of their culture. The mission is for this to be a center for African cultural education and identity.
Walter May
Walter has held senior business leadership roles in a range of companies from IBM through to Start-Ups in Manufacturing, Financial Services and the Veterinary industry. He lived outside Wales for 20 years and since returning has involved himself in all aspects of entrepreneurship, as well as being a coach and mentor to many, high growth potential, Welsh businesses. He organised the inaugural Welsh Entrepreneurs conference in 2012, followed by a series of five university based events in 2013/14. He has written and lectured extensively on business and the game changing potential of the Welsh diaspora. He is the Founder and CEO of GlobalWelsh, a grass roots, evidenced based and private sector funded organisation, whose origins are within the Welsh entrepreneur community.
He holds an M.Sc in Engineering from Cranfield University and an MBA from the Open Business School.
Closing Remarks
Hector Poveda
Originally from Colombia, Hector Poveda is the Climate Mobility Lead at the Migration Youth and Children Platform (MYCP). His work revolves around the intersection of climate change, environmental degradation, and human rights, focusing on the challenges faced by children and youth on the move and Indigenous Communities around the world. His current line of research lies in shedding light on the non-economic losses and damages (NELD) experienced by Indigenous Communities of the Pacific Islands due to climate-induced displacements.
