Ironically, with more and more people livingand working further and further from theirplace of birth the world is growing smallerand the sense of need for connecting andattaching to their native homelands increases.These bonds of ethnicity represent greatplatforms for increasing the influence ofcountries abroad and for developing supportfrom their successful expatriates. The potentialfor these flows of influence, information andincome are staggering. With 215 millionpeople living away from their home country,they represent very significant concentrationsof resources and advocacy.This has been the experience of TheWorldwide Ireland Funds. Over threedecades and across 12 countries, we haveraised over $350 million for projectssupporting peace and reconciliation, artsand culture, education and communitydevelopment. However we have realized,almost by default, that we are not just afundraising body. We are a movementwhose members are committed to improvingIreland and its communities through philan-thropy, access and advocacy.Of course, we are far from alone andhave learned a great deal from others.Indeed the purpose of this Toolkit is tocollate, analyze and learn from theexperience of diaspora organizationsaround the world. We hope that thisForewordiForewordToolkit  will  help  inform  and  promote discussion  on  a  fascinating  topic  which  will shape  politics  and  policies  across  the  world in  remarkable  ways. We  salute  the  United  States  Secretary of  State,  Hillary  Clinton,  for  the  focus and  attention  she  is  giving  to  this  topic and  for  organizing  the  most  extensive Forum  on  Global  Diaspora  Strategies  in May  2011.  We  are  most  grateful  to  all who  contributed  and  shaped  this  Toolkit and  helped  us  learn  through  their  insights and  experiences. The  mobilization  of  diasporic communities  can  be  an  immense  force for  good  in  terms  of  delivering  material and  moral  support  to  their  homes  and increasing  mutual  understanding.  We  hope this  Toolkit  will  inform  people’s understanding  of  that  potential.