October 19, 2012
As the map shows, there is a vast population  of the African Diaspora in Brazil and the Caribbean Islands. The recent invitation from the AU to Haiti, is timely and notable. Given the economic temperature in the USA and around the world, the notion of mobilizing willing persons from within the African Diaspora  to assist AU Nations via small business advisory boards would also be timely and quit notable! The question has always been, "how"? The framework for the "how" , was spelled out in the official declaration made during the May 25th Diaspora Summit which  included a commitment to a list of "Programs of Action". Here is the link to the entire May 25th Declaration of the Global African Diaspora Summit.


October 1, 2012

What are the roadblocks to the initiative for a viable program promoting knowledge transfer and skills mobilization as laid out in the Summit held earlier this year?
"Promote the utilization of African and Diaspora expertise on economic
development issues at regional and continental levels, and explore the
possibility of creating a Diaspora Advisory Board(s)."

Globally, economic challenges face every nation. Perhaps, this is the time to look towards micro-business and small business initiatives to allow the African Diaspora to participate at the community level and grow innovation and mentorship when it is needed most of all. The stronger the family and small business community, the stronger the community as a whole will be. And we must be aware and inclusive of the young adult and senior populations. Our future and our most valued assets. 
June 2, 2012

On May 25th, the Global African Diaspora Summit was held. The Summit began with welcome remarks by the Host, President Jacob Zuma. In his opening Statement, President Zuma expressed the gratitude of his Government and the people of South Africa to Heads of States and Governments representing  54 Member States of the Union, the Caribbean Community, South and Latin America. He acknowledged the vision and commitment of the first generation of African leaders and their vision to see Africa take its rightful place, with respect and dignity in global affairs.

The official declaration made during the Summit included a commitment to a list of Programs of Action. The complete document can be read at the following link:
Declaration of the Global African Diaspora Summit.

Here is a brief list of some of the areas of focus:

Intergovernmental Cooperation
"Encourage and support the development of an African Union Diaspora
Volunteer programme as a framework for associating the Diaspora directly
with the development of the continent."

"Encourage the Diaspora to organize themselves in regional networks and
establish appropriate mechanisms that will enable their increasing
participation in the affairs of the African Union as observers and eventually, in
the future, as a sixth region of the continent that would contribute substantially
to the implementation of policies and programmes."

"Support efforts by the AU to accelerate the process of issuing the African
Union passport, in order to facilitate the development of a transnational and
transcontinental identity."

Mobilization of Support
"Encourage the full implementation of United Nations General Assembly
resolutions on the Permanent Memorial to and remembrance of the victims of
slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, express appreciation for
contributions made to the Trust Fund in this regard and urge other countries
to contribute to the Fund."

"Encourage Africans in the Diaspora to campaign against the proliferation of
small arms and light weapons in Africa especially in countries where they are
domiciled and in those that are arms producers."

Knowledge Transfer and Skills Mobilization
"Promote the utilization of African and Diaspora expertise on economic
development issues at regional and continental levels, and explore the
possibility of creating a Diaspora Advisory Board(s)."

"Promote the establishment of a comprehensive and all-inclusive database
that will match the expertise of African professionals in Africa and its
Diaspora to African developmental needs."

Here is the link to the entire May 25th Declaration of the Global African Diaspora Summit

May 24, 2012

A Ministerial Meeting of the Global African Diaspora was held yesterday in Pretoria, South Africa, as part of a series of activities building up to the Global African Diaspora Summit, which takes place on tomorrow on Africa Day, May 25th, 2012. In a written statement following the meeting yesterday, the African Union Commission pronounced,  "We are mindful of the fact that unifying Africa’s people is a process; and we are of the view that this Summit marks a significant milestone in this process of unifying Africa and her Diaspora." Tomorrow marks Africa Day.  Lets look to the adoption of "Legacy Projects" during the summit, to mark the beginning of a new era of prosperity for Africa and her Diaspora.

May 23, 2012

A public document prepared by the African Union, in advance of the May 25th, Global African Diaspora Summit, reads that  . . . "The African Union recognizes the fact that the African Diaspora, found in North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and various parts of the world are an integral part of the continent. The Diaspora are part and parcel of the African continent."  The declaration proceeds the positive intent to attract members of the Diaspora that are "willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union.” There is much work to be done. It is estimated that the African continent will require about US$60 billion over the next 10 years to meet its infrastructure needs. Nevertheless,  tangible initiatives  are being proposed within the AU, such as the Skills Database, African Diaspora Volunteer Corps, African Diaspora Investment Fund and business networks to link Africa with the Diaspora. What we see is a new culture of cooperation forming that will  "foster a more conducive business environment within the continent which will stimulate interest among its Diaspora." These are all positive steps towards building a more prosperous African economy. A direction that will attract the talent pool of the African Diaspora just as  intended. So we look to the upcoming events this week for more initiatives birthed from unity, purpose and vision.

Sandton Convention Centre,  Johannesburg  South Africa

May 22, 2012

In three days The Sandton Convention Centre will be the focus of world attention as the 19th Global African Diaspora Summit meets in South Africa. According to BuaNews ,"the summit intends to create sustainable partnerships between the African Diaspora and the African continent through a realisable Programme of Action; create sustainable dialogue partnerships for a better Africa and its diaspora; and the promotion of South-South cooperation in the betterment of the African continent and its diaspora." The goals of the summit are attainable and hold the keys to unlocking the potential of  attracting the enormous pool of creativity, talent, and skills inherent in the African Diaspora by initiating tangible and bankable projects throughout the Ancestral  Continent via the AU member nations.

May 21, 2012
The significance of building a stronger bridge between AU members and the Diaspora is clearly seen in  remittance flows and technological transfers. Over 25 million African citizens receive an estimated $40 Billion Dollars annually in the form of remittances from their relatives abroad. By framing a mechanism to encourage tourism, business cooperation and supporting "bankable" projects such as the "Green Technology Outreach Program" (GTOP), a renewable energy training program, Aquaponics, Hydropincs, Sustainable Housing and Medical Exchange Tours the Diaspora can and will contribute and participate in a tangible way. The African Union has defined the African Diaspora as "consisting of people of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union." The African Diaspora is looking to the development within the AU for guidance and opportunities to "rediscover, participate and assist in the growth and prosperity of their ancestral continent.

May 17, 2012
The Global African Diaspora Summit will be held under the theme, "Towards the Realisation of a United and Prosperous Africa and its Diaspora", and will take place in Sandton on May 25th, African Day." It will devise strategies on how to deal with skills development, boost African trade and investment in infrastructure development whilst strengthening the Pan-African agenda," Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi said on Thursday.


______________________________________________________________________________

Diaspora News
The African diaspora was the historic movement of Africans and their descendants to locations throughout the world, predominantly to the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Brazil. There is substance to the view that social entrepreneurship is a tool to be used by the African diaspora to improve themselves and their ancestral continent. Diaspora News is a social platform created to provide news, commentary, and information useful to anyone interested in rediscovering the wonders and beauty of Africa for business, tourism or education. 

African Union
"The advent of the African Union (AU) can be described as an event of great magnitude in the institutional evolution of the continent. On September 9th.1999, the Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African Unity issued a Declaration (the Sirte Declaration) calling for the establishment of an African Union, with a view, to accelerate the process of integration in the continent to enable it to play its rightful role in the global economy while addressing multifaceted social, economic and political problems compounded as they are by certain negative aspects of globalization."

By the dissemination of relevant information, it is our hope to encourage input, participation and action by members of the Diaspora in global affairs including international business, tourism, energy, technology, housing and medical care and their effects on building a positive future for our ancestral continent.

The  Specialized Technical Committees
There are 7 Committees formed to address important issues that effect the positive growth of Africa and the members of the AU. The following Specialized Technical Committees are meant to address sectoral  issues and are at Ministerial Level.

The Committee on Rural Economy and Agricultural Matters; 
The Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs; 
The Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters; 
The Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment; 
The Committee on Transport, Communications and Tourism; 
The Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs; and 
The Committee on Education, Culture and Human Resources



What is NEPAD?
NEPAD is a vision and strategic framework for Africa's renewal. NEPAD is a program of the African Union (AU), adopted in 2001 by African leaders, with the primary objectives of poverty eradication, promotion of sustainable growth and development, and the empowerment of women through building genuine partnerships at country, regional and global levels.

NEPAD is a blueprint for Africa's development in the 21st century and provides unique opportunities for Africa to address the critical challenges facing the continent, including the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other continental and international agreed upon goals.

What are NEPAD's Primary Objectives?
- To eradicate poverty;
- To place African countries, both individually and collectively, on a path of sustainable growth and development;
- To halt the marginalisation of Africa in the globalisation process;
- To accelerate the empowerment of women; and
- To fully integrate Africa into the global economy.


Tourism & Chambers of Commerce
In this section we will post links and information from official government Tourism sites and Chambers of Commerce, in the African Union member countries.  Beginning July 2012, you will be able to access  content from this blog including photos, videos and commentaries  from "App's" on your mobile device.


People's Democratic Republic of Algeria || Ghana Tourism Office