News & Events
Global Somali Diaspora International Conference 2023
The GSD’s international conference aims to create a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among members of the Somali diaspora, scholars, practitioners, international communities and policymakers. The conference will focus on the critical nexus between peace building and economic development within the Somali diaspora context, exploring how these two aspects can mutually reinforce each other for the advancement of both the diaspora community and Somalia as a whole. Conference Objectives · Knowledge Sharing and Learning: To facilitate the exchange of experiences, best practices, and lessons learned in both peace building and economic development within the Somali diaspora and Somalia, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual learning. · Inspiring innovation and creativity: To enable members of the Somali diaspora with critical thinking, self-reflection, tools, and knowledge necessary to actively and effectively contribute to peace building and sustainable economic development initiatives within diaspora and in Somalia. · Strengthening Networks: To provide a space for networking and collaboration among Somali diaspora individuals, organizations, academic institutions, and developmental agencies interested in advancing peace and economic growth. · Policy Dialogue: To engage policymakers, academics, and practitioners in discussions on effective policy frameworks that can support peace building and economic development initiatives within the Somali diaspora and Somalia, nurturing a supportive environment for sustainable change. Conference Themes: 1. Leveraging the Diaspora's Role in Peacebuilding: This theme explores the various ways the diaspora community can contribute to peacebuilding efforts in Somalia. It will focus on initiatives such as traditional mediation and reconciliation processes, conflict resolution programs within grassroot level, and community centred peacebuilding initiatives led by diaspora and local members. The discussions will also address the challenges and opportunities of diaspora engagement in peacebuilding and identify best practices. 2. Promoting Economic Development through Diaspora Investments: This theme will explore the potential for diaspora investments to drive economic development in Somalia. It will discuss strategies to mobilize financial resources, knowledge transfer, and technology exchange from the diaspora community to support entrepreneurship, job creation, and the growth of local industries. The discussions will also address the importance of fostering a conducive business environment and strengthening public-private partnerships to attract diaspora investments. 3. Innovation and Technology for Economic Growth: This theme will focus on harnessing the power of innovation and technology to promote economic growth within Somalia. It will examine success stories of diaspora-led startups, showcase innovative solutions for agriculture, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure, and discuss ways to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive growth. The discussions will also address the challenges and opportunities of leveraging technology for economic development in Somalia. 4. Strengthening Collaboration between Diaspora, local community, government and international communities: This theme will highlight the importance of collaboration between diaspora members and local community in advancing peacebuilding and economic development efforts. It will explore mechanisms for partnership building, knowledge sharing, and capacity development between diaspora organizations, local communities, international communities and government institutions. The discussions will also address how to create an enabling environment that fosters trust, collaboration, mutual understanding and common goals. 5. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion: Examining the importance of gender equality and social inclusion in promoting peace and economic development, and exploring strategies to ensure that these principles are integrated into all initiatives. 6. Cultural Preservation and Identity: Recognizing the significance of Somali cultural heritage preservation and identity in promoting a sense of belonging among the Somali diaspora and how these elements can contribute to peace building and economic progress through the cultural exhibition and continues dialogue. Photo credit: Ismail Salad Osman Hajji dirir/Unsplash
DEMAC at the Global Diaspora Week
The Global Diaspora Week features the 3rd Humanitarian Meeting on December 13. DEMAC is delighted to be part of this meeting and will contribute with a session on the Diaspora Humanitarian Training Course. What is the Global Diaspora Week? The Global Diaspora Confederation sets the stage for annual events that serve as pillars of inspiration and collaboration. The Global Diaspora Week and Global Diaspora Assembly provide unique platforms for DOs to engage, exchange ideas, and showcase their initiatives, further solidifying the sense of unity and collective purpose within the diaspora community. What is the Diaspora Humanitarian Training Course? DEMAC has designed this course in cooperation with the Humanitarian Leadership Academy for diaspora responders as well as project managers, managers, volunteers, local responders and anyone wanting entry level insight into the humanitarian sector. It will therefore cover all relevant areas of humanitarian response, such as The Humanitarian Principles, Needs Assessments, Safety & Security, Accountability & Transparency, Organizational Development, Advocacy and Policy, Project Development, Bid Writing, Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation, Risk Management and Corruption. Join our session Date: 13 December Time: 4:50 pm – 5:20 pm CET Photo Credit: Annie Spratt (c) Unsplash
Navigating Sudan’s crisis: Insights into Diaspora-Led Humanitarian Efforts
DEMAC releases new report on Sudanese Diaspora Response
FEATURED DIASPORA
How an earthquake unites the Caribbean Diaspora
Ten years ago, when Dr. Magalie Emile-Backer co-founded the diaspora organization HRA – Haiti Renewal Alliance in the US, she had not imagined the scale of disaster her country of birth would be facing. Originally established as a platform to mobilise diaspora skills and resources for development and entrepreneurship in Haiti, the organization has quickly adapted their operations to humanitarian relief, following emergencies such as the 2021 earthquake.When history strikes againA decade ago, an earthquake struck just outside Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince, leaving hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced.On Saturday August 14, 2021, the island was hit again, by a temblor two times larger than the one in 2010. It took only 30 seconds for this 7.2 magnitude earthquake to devastate the Southwest Region of Haiti. Latest figures estimate that 800,000 people, including 340,000 children, have been affected by the earthquake which has left more than 2,200 dead and over 12,000 injured.The earthquake could not have come at a worst time for Haiti, which is still reeling from the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on 7 July 2021. Combined with escalating gang violence this has resulted in the internal displacement of around 19,000 Haitians, while 4.4 million people were already in need of humanitarian assistance prior to the earthquake, half of them children. Coordinating disaster response across an umbrella HRA activated its Haitian Diaspora Emergency Response Unit (HDERU) via www.onediaspora.org shortly after the earthquake and managed to streamline humanitarian response efforts. First, it launched a diaspora fundraising campaign in partnership with its Haitian diaspora platform www.onediaspora.org, where within few weeks, more than 60 diaspora groups raised 1.5 million USD through a collective fundraiser.Secondly, Haiti Renewal Alliance oversaw and coordinated the relief efforts of members in the US as an umbrella organization. They organized regular online member meetings to discuss needs on the ground in Haiti and aligned their humanitarian activities. Instant sharing of information helped to overcome logistical barriers and HRA could identify and fill gaps in providing aid to affected, local communities.Some numbers & facts: More than 60 diaspora groups raised 1.5 million USD. Over 200 organizations, government officials and health care workers participated in situational briefings HRA sourced local supplies by connecting local companies with the Haitian government’s needs assessment report team. HRA could deliver and distribute 2000 units of 5 gallons water, 500 tents and tarps, and containers filled with medical and hygiene supplies towards affected Haitian communities. This was only possible, because members of HRA were agile and utilized relationships with local civil society groups. In addition, they coordinated with institutional partners like USAID to mobilize additional diaspora financial resources and expertise. Building back better togetherBy September 30 2021, HRA deactivated its Haitian Diaspora Emergency Response Unit (HDERU). However, relief and long-term recovery efforts will continue for affected people via www.onediaspora.org. OneDiaspora's mission is to maximize support of Haiti’s private sector, particularly small and medium enterprises, to ensure the local economy is not disrupted.Like HRA, several diaspora organizations involved in humanitarian response engage in humanitarian action before, during and after crises occur, meaning that they can draw on networks and expertise to identify needs, mobilize resources and respond to crises across the so called humanitarian-development nexus. This agility ensures that diaspora's often can shift relatively easily from a development to a humanitarian focus (or vice versa). A quality, which not only helps to save lives immediately, but ensures a long-term engagement in building back a country together. Photo Credit: Heater Suggitt, Bill Hamway Goha & Zach Vessel on unsplash.com
Building A Better Response: New E-Learning Platform
The new Building A Better Response (BBR) e-learning platform is here! Launched in 2022, the platform features updated learning modules, new avatars, an updated color palette, and new case study assessments. Humanitarians in focus Since 2012, BBR has been used as an onboarding tool for new humanitarian professions across a range of local and international NGOs. BBR's key objectives are to train new humanitarian actors and to refresh the knowledge of experienced humanitarian actors. BBR has improved knowledge of the humanitarian system for close to 90,000 learners based in 224 countries and territories around the world. Available in several languages The course is available in 4 languages: English, Arabic, French, and Spanish. Voiceover options are also available in Polish and Ukrainian. Transcript translations are available in Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Dari, and Urdu. Who is behind the E-Learning Platform Funded by the US Agency for International Development Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance, the project is being implemented through a consortium that brings together a combination of operational and technical expertise, spearheaded by International Medical Corps in collaboration with Concern Worldwide and the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. Enroll HERE and contribute to a better response in humanitarian assistance
Powerful flood response by Pakistan's diaspora
Fighting the water crisis with local partners on the ground
DIASPORA RESPONSE MAP
Get an instant overview of where diaspora organizations respond
LATEST TOOLS & REPORTS
Find relevant publications & training materials for diasporas
