BACKGROUND PAPER
EU DIASPORA EXPERT MEETING TOWARDS BUILDING A EUROPEAN PLATFORM OF DIASPORA ORGANIZATIONS
26-28 FEBRUARY 2010 KONTAKT DER KONTINENTEN SOESTERBERG, NETHERLANDS
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Introduction The EU Diaspora Expert Meeting is convened by the Diaspora Forum for Development (DFD), a Netherlands-based platform of migrant organization that emerged after an expert meeting held on March 31 – April 1 2007. Since its creation, the organization has grown from the initial 32 member-organizations and 7 platforms from 20 countries to more than 40 organizations, 12 platforms, representing over 300 members from more than 20 countries and three continents (South America, Africa and Asia). DFD is engaged in various thematic areas such as peace building, gender mainstreaming, human and migrants’ rights, health and education, social and financial remittances, and information technology. It is in light of the strides made in the Netherlands in building a vibrant migrant constituency; DFD is convening this Europe-wide expert meeting to discuss the possibility of setting up a platform of migrant organizations from South America, Africa and Asia. As in the identification of three major tasks at the formation of DFD, we articulate the same three tasks for the emerging initiative we are now proposing: Migrant Constituency Building There is often the perception migrants lack political constituency to impact the policy debate and so excluded from the process. Over the last few years of its existence, DFD and other migrant organizations in Europe have played active roles in the policy debate on issues of their welfare in their countries of residence and origin. However, the fragmented and uncoordinated nature of these efforts hinders the effectiveness of their interventions in the policymaking process. There is therefore need for not only advancing the interlinkages between Diaspora communities in the residence countries but also with other Diaspora organizations across Europe. The European Diaspora Platform will provide a mechanism for increasing the visibility of migrant communities in the countries of residence as well as enhances the role they play as part of civil society. A broad-based platform will serve as a strong link in strengthening cooperation and partnerships with the civil society and governments in their regions of origin. In addition, the platform will enable the linking and engagement of other groups such as churches, political parties, hometown associations, local universities, etc. Context For more than two centuries most countries of Western Europe have primarily been countries of emigration. All countries of Western Europe have in the last 60 years gradually become destinations for international migrants and asylum seekers. 2
Today all West European countries and several new member states of the European Union (EU) have a positive migration balance. And it is very likely that sooner or later this will also be the case in other new EU member states and today's candidate countries.1 Migrants have been known to play an important role in the development of their host as well as sending countries. In the host countries generally help match shortages in labor and skill market by virtue of their qualification, experience and personal abilities. Migrant are known for sending large amounts of remittances to their home countries. These remittances serve as a source of foreign exchange for their countries of origin and also help to reduce poverty levels in various households. They are also known for their active engagement in development projects in their countries of origin. In spite of the contribution migrants make in especially their host countries, migrant faces a lot of challenges. Currently programs and policies in emigration countries often fall short of taking the perspective of migrants into consideration and also adequately addressing the rights and protection of migrants. Most countries are focused on regulating migration rather than respecting the rights of migrants. Currently there are about 192 million people living outside their place of birth, which is about three per cent of the world's population.2 Along with the US and Canada, Western Europe is one of the two most important destinations on the world map of international migration. Given foreseeable demographic and economic imbalances, it is likely that countries in Europe will remain on that map and continues to manage economically motivated migration for its own benefit. As currently witnessed future labor market needs will lead to increased competition among EU member states and between OECD countries as they will try to recruit attractive potential immigrants. Such a competition calls for policy co-ordination and for sustained efforts to ensure equal opportunities and rights for all actors involved. With this in mind and also with the emergence of migration and development as issues of political and academic discourse, several questions have been asked on the relationship that exists between migration and development and also what role migrants can play in development and policy discussions thus in their host countries as well as countries of origin. Because the perspectives of migrants is key to the success of development cooperation and that migrants can play a valuable role in building effective bridges between the Diaspora communities in Europe and between the host and home countries, there is the need for the creation of an EU-Wide Network of migrant 1
Rainer M. (2008). Migration, Labor Markets, and Integration of Migrants: An Overview for Europe. SP Discussion Paper NO. 0807, The World Bank Group. 2 http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/about-migration/lang/en
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organizations which will ensure that the perspectives of migrants are fully presented in policy discussions at national levels as well as at the EU level. Among others, the creation of an EU-wide Network will create an opportunity for migrants to give an input in policy matters related to circular migration and policy initiatives to promote the process of brain circulation. Also because migrants are actors in the policy making process on migration and development forming a network of migrants will make it easy in being identified as practitioners in country of both country of origin and operation. This will also lead to the identification and enhancement of the capacities of migrants on how they can contribute to the nexus of migrant and development in host as well as country of origin. Objectives The expert meeting has five interrelated core objectives: 1. To discuss how we can create an EU-wide Network among Diaspora organizations and institutions so as to establish viable contacts, learn from each others development related activities and exchange valuable information, share best practices and positive experiences. 2. To discuss how best Diaspora organizations can initiate feasible cooperation and act jointly on certain development issues and activities. 3. To discuss how best we can develop effective networks among Diaspora organizations which will enable them to enter into strategic alliances and initiate joint development projects across countries. 4. To draft recommendations that will ensure effective coordination among Diaspora organizations in the EU. 5. To draft recommendations on good practices that can be implemented by migrant and migrant organizations to enhance their involvement in development cooperation in Europe as well as in their countries of origin. Expected Outcomes 1. Identify the challenges migrants face in collaborating and articulating common positions on their welfare in Europe 2. Expected to reach agreement on setting up a European network of diaspora organizations operating as a platform serving the interests of its members within the EU and the rest of Europe 3. Select an interim steering committee aimed at coordinating the process of setting up the platform; designing the operational manual and statutes of the platform as well as consulting with partner organizations and Governments in the EU and the countries of origin of the participating organizations 4. Agree on a memorandum of understanding aimed at articulating a common position on setting up a European platform of diaspora organizations 5. Creating a secretariat for the platform 4
Structure The aims of the meeting will be achieved based on two perspectives: the thematic and structural. The objective is to provide, first and foremost, the context in which diaspora organizations operate in Europe and the thematic areas they focus on. In inviting network and individual organizations, we aim at sharing experiences on ket themes such as migrant rights, employment, and advancing the role of migrants in policy debate. Panel discussions Two panel discussions have been planned during the weekend meeting. Panel I will address the process and necessity of setting up a network of diaspora organizations. The panel examines the issues from the thematic perspective. Several diaspora organizations and networks of migrant organizations have exceptional track records in mobilizing their diaspora communities for engagement in development work. Our aim during the panel would be to share experiences, explore the benefits of diaspora inter-organizational networks and platforms. The themes to be examined include: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Linking and Partnerships Institutional Building The diasporas and policy dialogue Migrant Rights & Employment by
The second panel will provide a platform for experience sharing and set the context for network-building amongst migrants in Europe. From a structural, Diaspora organizations representing migrant communities from Asia, Africa and Latin America will share their experiences in network building, the challenges they face and some of the pitfalls to avoid. Roundtable discussions The roundtable discussions will provide opportunity for in-depth discussion on the four major themes (linking, institutional building, policy dialogue and migrant rights & employment). The roundtable on the third day will examine the specifics of the network. The four break out sessions planned include funding and finance, linking and partnerships, coordination & management and memorandum of understanding. Participants Participants to the expert meeting will be drawn mainly from migrant organizations in 16 different EU countries. These countries include the Netherlands, Belgium, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Ireland, Greece, Austria, Luxembourg and Denmark.
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Venue The meeting will be held at the Kontakt der Kontinenten, Soesterberg (The Netherlands). Organizer The Diaspora Forum for Development (DFD) is composed of approximately 40 organizations and 12 networks representing 20 countries and 3 continents (Latin America, Africa and Asia). DFD aims to engage and empower diasporas to be actively involved in the field of migration and development in the Netherlands and Netherlands and their countries of origin; encourage solidarity and collaboration among diaspora organizations within and beyond the Netherlands; engage in constructive dialogue with policy makers, development agencies, private sector and other stakeholders. Since its creation, DFD has made great strides in influencing policies and opinion through participation and active involvement with policy makers and civil society. Members of the organization have been represented at major global and national consultative processes. The thematic focus of the organization includes peace building; migration and violence against women; human and migrants rights; democracy and governance; health and education; economic empowerment and remittances; social investments and microfinance; information and technology. Benefits to membership in DFD include the possibility of resource sharing, expertise and knowledge embodied in the membership of the organization. This involves peer assistance and mutual support. Technical Assistance Technical assistance for the meeting was provided by the African Diaspora Policy Centre (ADPC), a non-government organization established in The Netherlands in 2006. ADPC provides a platform that enables African Diaspora in Europe to connect more closely with the continent as a collective force, pool their resources and proactively undertake initiatives for the promotion of peace, better governance and brain gain in Africa. ADPC pursues its goals by facilitating the effective harnessing of the considerable, and largely untapped, social capital of the huge African Diaspora population in Europe for the promotion of peace, better governance and brain gain in Africa.
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Contact African Diaspora Policy Centre Zeestraat 100 2518 AD The Hague The Netherlands Bruno Fon, MA Project Coordinator DFD Tel: +31(0)6 19 818 281 bruno@policyconsulting.nl Ayaan Abukar, BSc. Project Officer ADPC Tel: +31(0)6 50 744 206 ayaan@diaspora-centre.org Kwaku Afriyie, MSc Project Officer DFD / Policy Consulting Tel: +31(0)6 28 325 219 kwakuafriyie@policyconsulting.nl
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