INAUGURAL VIRTUAL DIASPORA CONFERENCE 2021
On May 22, 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will host a virtual Diaspora Conference under the theme “A New Era of Engagement for the Guyanese Diaspora”. In keeping with the promise made by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, ‘to aggressively pursue the involvement of the Diaspora in national development’, the conference seeks to provide a platform of exchange between the Government and the Diaspora.
Context
The Government of Guyana is committed to strengthening relations with the Diaspora and is pursuing its involvement in the country’s transformational and developmental agenda.
It is well documented that the Guyanese Diaspora are highly skilled, patriotic, and have a great desire to contribute. The upcoming Inaugural Virtual Diaspora Conference concretises the Government’s efforts to strengthen ties and harness the expertise, talent, and investment resources within the global diaspora. The conference also serves to inform the Diaspora on a range of topics including remigration, tourism, trade and investment prospects, youth engagement opportunities, and philanthropy.
Through initiatives such as this conference and further thematic conferences, targeting particular geographical area the Government envisions facilitating constructive dialogue with its global Diaspora to firstly, promote the Government’s Diaspora development policies while simultaneously acknowledging issues and concerns raised. Already, consultations are being held by the Diaspora Unit with groups and associations globally to advance the Government’s Diaspora development agenda. The newly created Diaspora Unit, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, will be primarily responsible for implementing and monitoring Guyana’s Diaspora Policy.
Diaspora Consultation for Development
In his address at the Ceremonial Opening of the 12th Parliament, President Ali he revealed that all Ministers have been encouraged to establish consultative machinery with key stakeholders to inform decision-making. This mechanism, he stated would not be limited to representatives of the private sector, trade unions, religious bodies, and other civil society groups, but extended to the Diaspora as well.
“It is my intention to enhance the oversight of ‘diaspora’ affairs so that we can maintain meaningful links to the diaspora and for convening meetings with their organisations. “
The Government’s recommitment for effective diaspora engagement was further solidified in the 2021 National Budget which, was for the first time there was a budget allocation for specific activities and programmes directly related to the diaspora.
The Ministry has been working assiduously to develop the necessary framework to allow for structured and sustained engagement with the Diaspora. The Diaspora Conference, which is one example of such engagement, seeks to achieve the following objectives.
i. To introduce the Diaspora Unit;
ii. To provide a platform for the Government to garner feedback from the Diaspora on its plans for effective engagement;
iii. To enable and involve the Diaspora in the national developmental agenda; and
iv. To reassure the Diaspora of the Government’s commitment to fostering their participation in the process of national development.
These objectives will be realised through the two sessions as outlined below.
Session 1
In the opening session, His Excellency, the President, the Honourable Vice President, and Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will be invited to provide various policy perspectives of the Government regarding its commitment to the Diaspora, drawing the linkages between their areas of remit and how the Diaspora can be involved. As part of this session, there will also be a special briefing on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.
Session 2 (Break Outs)
Following the opening, there will be three breakout sessions that will occur simultaneously. These sessions are designed to be interactive and will be led by a subject minister aptly aided by technical officers. Following their respective presentations, there will be a Q&A section.
