Connecting Diaspora

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On the 30th of March 2023, we celebrated the achievements of the second phase of the Connecting Diaspora for Development project. Since 2019, diaspora experts completed 212 assignments in Afghanistan (until August 2021), Iraq, Nigeria, and Somalia. Besides, internships by local students led to jobs at host institutions, organizations developed cross-continental partnerships, and the diaspora impact became more and more visible.

IOM colleague Ayan Hassan Rabi and CD4D Ambassador Zuhur Mohamed having a conversation at the event.

During the conference representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and involved embassies, partners, participants, colleagues and representatives of host institutions in the target countries came together to celebrate project achievements and discuss the future of diaspora engagement.

Antonio Polosa and Marriët Schuurman kicked of the conference with inspiring words about diaspora engagement.

The day started with inspiring words from Chief of Mission Antonio Polosa and Marriët Schuurman, Director of the Department of Stability and Humanitarian Aid at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They highlighted the important role diaspora can play in the development of their countries of origin. Afterward, programme coordinator Nina Staal presented the results of CD4D2, and panelists spoke about diaspora engagement and experiences with CD4D2 during two insightful panel discussions. Through new partnerships and long-term initiatives, CD4D2 diaspora experts show that the diaspora can contribute to development cooperation in many ways and in various sectors.

The first panel discussed global developments on diaspora engagement and the overall value of connecting diaspora to development initiatives. (From left to right: Kiza Magendane, Paola Alvarez, Dr. Michaella Vanore, and Deqa Mohamed Yusuf Bashir.) The second panel elaborated on the long-term impact of CD4D assignments. (From left to right: Agnes Ebenberger, Dr. Mustapha Gidado, Yasin Mohamed Abdi, and Chinedu Atumonye.)

In the afternoon, guests were invited to join various workshops facilitated by Currents Facilitation, The Hague Academy of Local Governance, Maastricht University, Pimp My Village and representatives of host institutions and colleagues from the target countries. These sessions allowed for in-depth conversations about advocacy, visibility, preparedness, and other themes relevant to diaspora engagement.

The Hague Academy of Local Governance facilitated one of the workshops.

We would like to thank the diaspora experts, partners and colleagues who have contributed to diaspora engagement over the past four years. We also thank the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for facilitating the implementation of the CD4D2 project.