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2. Philip Aliker spoke first, to a PowerPoint presentation
(pdf file). He began by emphasising
that there was not one diaspora, but many. For example, the
African diaspora included Africans of different racial backgrounds,
African Americans, and also the greater world community of
Afrophiles. There were different groupings and perspectives
within each of these categories. There was also a large literature
on the diaspora. He mentioned particularly the Report of the
International Development Committee ( http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmintdev/79/79.pdf)
3. The various diaspora groups acted in different ways, channelling
financial resources, providing a forum for the exchange of
skills, knowledge and technology, and playing a role in peace-building
and democratisation. Many examples of successful diaspora
activity could be cited: a recent example was the mobilisation
of the West Indian diaspora following the hurricanes in 2004.
4. It was necessary to note, however, that there was a complex
pattern of over-lapping and sometimes divergent interests.
This was true between communities (for example, the Buganda,
the Buyoro and the Acholi in Uganda), within regions (for
example between countries in the Nile Basin) and across national
borders.
5. In order to maximise the potential of the diaspora, it
would be useful to think about the who, where, what, why,
and when of diaspora networks, both in home and host states.
There were interventions that could be introduced on both
sides - for example, tax benefits, seed money, logistic and
legal support, insurance of various kinds. The overarching
idea was to "establish a culture of accepted transnationalism".
6. Again, there were many good examples: the Indian diaspora
creating a register, the Philippines creating a credit card
to facilitate remittances, Eritrea introducing compulsory
taxation, and so on.
7. Dr Titi Banjoko also spoke to a PowerPoint presentation
(pdf file). Her starting point was
that African leaders and countries were now reaching out to
the diaspora. They were emphasising not the negative aspects
of capital flight, but rather the need to capture potential
benefits. They were doing this by changing laws, by facilitating
and enabling remittances, and also by setting up diaspora
departments within governments.
8. Titi Banjoko emphasised that the diaspora was one of Africa's
greatest offshore assets. There were at least 3.8 million
Africans living outside Africa, mainly in Europe and North
America. Over half held tertiary or postgraduate qualifications.
Remittances were important, amounting to something like US$12
billion in 2002. However, there were many other benefits,
particularly through opportunities to tap the creativity,
innovation, knowledge and links of members of the diaspora.
Titi Banjoko described the diaspora as "cost effective,
passionate consultants" for Africa.
9. She then focused on two key aspects, human capital and
financial capital. On the side of human capital, she again
emphasised the skill sets available. Africarecruit had been
effective in enabling recruitment into Africa. There were,
however, many challenges, not least legal barriers like problems
of dual nationality, national service and long drawn out recruitment
processes.
10. On the financial side, a survey undertaken by Africarecruit
showed that remittances were often used for setting up businesses.
Official data probably underestimated the scale of remittances,
since Africans placed high reliance on community mechanisms,
not captured by official data, and also sometimes on direct
barter.
11. Concluding, Titi Banjoko emphasised that increasing numbers
of Africans were engaged in Africa at various levels. Much
remained to be done, however, if the barriers were to be lifted
with respect to both human capital and financial capital.
It was necessary to work both in Africa and outside, using
instruments such as road shows and information and communication
technology. New partnerships were needed in both the private
and public sectors. It was important to find good stories
and disseminate them.
12. All this generated a lively discussion. In general, participants
very much welcomed the analytical tenor of the discussion
and the emphasis on the variety of benefits that could accrue
from more effective links between Africa and its diaspora.
It was true that there were many barriers (including issues
of security, corruption and good governance, not much discussed
by the speakers). At the same time, there was more that could
be done by way of policy. The meeting spent some time discussing
specific suggestions for the Africa Commission: for example,
setting up diaspora units in every department of governments
in rich countries, or strengthening disapora work within the
aid agencies like DFID.
13. Representing the Secretariat of the Africa Commission,
Andrew Jackson drew attention to the opportunities for consultation
available on the Africa Commission website. He said there
would also be consultations in Manchester and Cardiff, as
well as further meetings in London. He emphasised the need
for concrete suggestions to help the Africa Commission in
its work.
Simon Maxwell
17 November 2004
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