Exploring Diaspora Strategies

Jan 26th-28th 2009, NUI Maynooth

A diaspora strategy is an explicit policy initiative or series of policy initiatives enacted by a state, or its peoples, aimed at developing relationships with their diaspora and affinity diaspora populations. It is best thought of as an overarching framework for providing a level of coherence to the range of diaspora policies devised and implemented by a variety of agencies.

The Exploring Diaspora Strategies workshop brought together key policy makers and implementers from Ireland, Australia, Chile, India, Jamaica, Lithuania, New Zealand and Scotland, plus the World Bank, to share their experiences and to consider what constitutes best practice with respect to the development and rollout of diaspora strategies. In particular it focused on the different approaches countries have taken to issues such as oversees supports, philanthropy, returnee policy, and business networks vis-à-vis their diaspora populations.

The workshop was a highly successful event allowing each country to share their experiences and learn from each other. It is anticipated that it will be the first in a series of similar events.

Papers presented at the workshop included:

Mark Boyle/Rob Kitchin, NUI Maynooth: "Fostering Dialogue Between Diaspora Strategies"

Yevgeny Kuznetsov, World Bank: "How Can Talent Abroad Help Build Institutions at Home Lessons from Various Generations of Diaspora Initiatives"

Alan Gamlen, Oxford University: "Diaspora Engagement: what, how, why?"

Ray Bassett, Irish Abroad Unit: "Irish Abroad Unit"
 
Kingsley Aikens, Ireland Funds: "The Global Irish making a Difference Together" 
 
Stephen Hughes, Enterprise Ireland: "Enterprise Ireland and Networks"
 
Aine O’Neill, NUI Maynooth: "Diaspora Knowledge Networks"
 
Vida Bagdonaviciene, Lithuania: "Lithuanian Diaspora Policy Overview" 
 
Lincoln Downer, Jamaica: “Jamaican Diaspora Policy”
 
Lev Freinkman, World Bank: "Role of the Diasporas in Transition Economies: Lessons from Armenia" 
 
Tim Oberg, Advance, Australia: "Advance Australia" 
 
Molly Pollack, ChileGlobal; Marcelo Vesquez, Fundación Chile, Chile: "Talent Network for Innovation"
 
Gurucharan Gollerkeri, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, India: "Engaging the Diaspora for Development"
 
Anna Groot, KEA, New Zealand: "New Zealand Global Talent Community"
 
Irene Johnstone, GlobalScot, Scotland: "GlobalScot: Advice, Access, Aspiration"

An initial draft of a proposed Diaspora Strategy for Ireland, and the catalyst for this event, can be located at http://www.nuim.ie/nirsa/research/documents/WP37_BoyleandKitchin.pdf

Reports resulting from the Workshop (all authored by Delphine Ancien, Mark Boyle and Rob Kitchin)

Exploring Diaspora Strategies: An International Comparison

Exploring Diaspora Strategies: Lessons for Ireland

The NIRSA Diaspora Strategy Wheel and Ten Principles of Good Practice

The Scottish Diaspora and Diaspora Strategy: Insights and Lessons from Ireland

Newspaper coverage of the event can be found at:

New strategy can enrich relations with diaspora. Irish Times, 27th Jan, 2009

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2009/0127/1232923366914.html

Diaspora could be answer to economic crisis. Irish Post. 11^th Feb 2009 http://www.irishpost.co.uk/tabId/279/itemId/668/Diaspora-could-be-answer-to-economic-crisis.aspx

Contact rob.kitchin@nuim.ie

Last updated: June 2009