World Bank Bank to Host Second African Diaspora Open House 2010
Press Release No:2010/262/AFR
Contact:
Beldina Auma
Tel: (202) 458-7307 Cell: 202-390-2181
E-mail: [email protected]
The Second African Diaspora Open House, which will take place on February 25, 2010, at the World Bank in Washington, DC., will be a sequel to the one held in November 2007. The African Diaspora Program (ADP), formerly known as the “Mobilizing the African Diaspora for Development” initiative, was launched by the World Bank in September 2007, and introduced to the wider public during the first African Diaspora Open House at the World Bank in November 2007.
Under the African Diaspora Program, the World Bank’s Africa region has set out to implement in partnership with African governments, the African Union Commission, other development donors, and the Diaspora, a number of specific activities aimed to affect directly and positively the African Diaspora and their activities in Sub-Saharan African countries.
This Second African Diaspora Open House is an opportunity to share information on progress made to date with the ADP, and as well, to reflect on and seek advice on areas where progress has been less than anticipated. The Bank will also seek ideas and inputs on specific elements of the ADP. Consultation will cover 
iaspora Engagement Policy i.e. what African governments can do to encourage and facilitate Diaspora participation in development activities; Remittances, especially how these can be leveraged for development; Brain Gain, specifically how African Diaspora Professional Networks and organizations can contribute to brain gain in home countries using ICT and other virtual platforms; and Hometown Associations and the mainstreaming of their contributions to the development priorities of African governments.
Ideas will also be sought on broader African development challenges and opportunities. Discussion will be initiated on issues of Governance and capacity development; private sector development; youth and employment, women’s empowerment, information communications technology; and the delivery of services such as health, education, and social protection.
Every effort will be made to ensure that these initial consultations with the African Diaspora in North America, will be followed-up, and similar conversations started with the African Diaspora located in Europe and other regions.
WHO:
· Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director, World Bank
· Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President, Africa Region, World Bank
· Members of the African Diaspora Community in North America and Europe
· Members of the African Diplomatic Community in Washington D.C
· Officials of African Governments
WHAT: Second African Diaspora Open House
WHEN: Thursday, February 25, 2010 – 8:00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
WHERE: Preston Auditorium, The World Bank, 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20433
