The African Diaspora Policy Centre (ADPC) enables African Diaspora in Europe to
connect more closely with the continent as a collective force. The thematic areas are Peacebuilding, Better Governance, Migration & Development and Brain Gain
DIASPEACE seeks to generate policy-relevant, evidence-based knowledge on how exiled populations from conflict regions play into the dynamics of conflict and peace in their countries of origin. In a globalised world such diaspora have become new forces shaping the interactions between countries, regions and continents. In the mainstream literature, diaspora are often seen to fuel conflict and exacerbate tensions through radical mobilisation along ethnic and religious lines. New research findings, however, show that diaspora groups are playing an increasingly prominent role in peace and reconciliation processes. In DIASPEACE the focus is on positive initiatives, while keeping in mind also the non-intended and negative impacts.
The project has an empirical focus on diaspora networks operating in Europe, which extend their transnational activities to the Horn of Africa. This is a region where decades of violent conflict have resulted in state collapse and the dispersal of more than two million people. The project involves six partners from Europe and two from the Horn of Africa and will conduct field research in both Europe and Africa.
DIASPEACE aims to: a) devise and test methodologies of multi-sited comparative research and to develop the conceptual framework for researching migrant political transnationalism in a conflict context; b) facilitate interaction between diaspora and other stakeholders in the Europe and in the Horn of Africa; c) provide policy input on how to better involve diaspora in conflict resolution and peace-building interventions, and how to improve coherence between security, development and immigration policies.
DIASPEACE consists of five main research components:
• Defining joint analytical tools and research methodologies;
• Providing a comparative assessment of transnational diaspora networks from the Horn of Africa and their interfaces with European civil society and state institutions;
• Case studies of diaspora as agents of conflict and peace from the Horn of Africa;
• Interaction between European institutions and diasporas in conflict resolution and peace building;
• Synthesis and dissemination of the research findings and identification of further research directions.
The project will produce a wide range of deliverables, including working papers, articles in scientific journals and books, seminars and workshops, policy papers a data-base and a handbook/toolkit. The project also publishes a regular Newsletter in the Internet.
For more information on the project and the consortium, please click here.
Welcome!
to the African Diaspora Skills Database. This database was compiled to provide an overview of qualified African Diaspora professionals with varied areas of expertise and experience. The African diaspora contribute substantially to the social, economic and political development of Africa, and this database is set up to further mobilize this considerable potential. You also have access to numerous African diaspora organisations in the Netherlands and beyond whose transnational long-distance development related activities are having a positive impact on the development of the continent. This database is aimed to contribute to the efforts geared in mitigating the adverse effects of the brain drain
The problem of the ‘brain drain’ has affected Africa more severely than any other region. The flight of intellectual capital from Africa is alarming. The problem is now a matter of great concern, as the institutions of higher education and research in Africa face serious shortages of qualified academics and researchers. Thus, the brain drain is impeding potential economic growth, and remains a handicap for sustainable development in many countries in Africa. To lessen somewhat the problem of the shortfall of skilled personnel in Africa in the immediate future and the slightly longer term, there is now an urgent need to galvanise the intellectual capital ‘brain reserve’ of the African diaspora living in the West for ‘brain circulation’ purposes. This means purposefully and strategically harnessing the vast untapped human capital of the African diaspora in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe for the benefit of Africa. in Africa.
HOW IT WORKS
To acces the database
you need to log in first.
On the left menu, you can search the database for a professional or organisation, and/or region or field of expertise.
Professionals list view
Professionals are listed alphabetically. Upon selecting a field of expertise, the relevant professionals will be highlighted.
Organisation list view
Organisations are listed alphabetically. Upon selecting a field of expertise, the relevant organisations will be highlighted.