<<< Back to News
IDPC announces the launch of a unique Public-Private and civic society Diaspora partnership
Nairobi June 2009:
IDPC has a basic belief that development in sub Sahara Africa requires a rethinking of current developmental methodologies or orthodoxies and the provision of alternative paradigms and narratives. This is more apparent now than at any other time especially given that current recessionary times will most likely lead to a re-prioritization of Western aid flows into Africa.
In recognition of this and the important role an organised African Diaspora can play in any new thinking on development across the continent, IDPC announces the launch of a unique Public-Private public and civic society Diaspora partnership in Nairobi next month. The partnership is fundamental to answering the question of how greater Diaspora engagements with developments at home can be achieved for tangible economic and social welfare gains. It is a unique partnership that brings together major stakeholders into a formalised independent, transparent and accountable umbrella body which allows each one to pursue their own independent Diaspora agenda yet come together for common causes for common good.
In this way, the initiative addresses one of the key problems that often limit attempts at harnessing the promise of Diaspora capabilities for development in sub Saharan Africa, i.e., the lack of a body that acts as an independent liaison between all the main Diaspora stakeholders. The umbrella body will also address a number of welfare issues facing Kenya’s Diaspora in relation to their individual and business development.
The initiative, which results from wide ranging consultative discussions with Kenyans abroad, government, private sector and civic society, will be launched by senior government officials and private sector officials on the 14th July 2009.
