Notes From the Field | |
The African Diaspora in the U.S. and its Interaction with Biodiversity Conservation in Africa
by Yemeserach Tessema and Babacar Mbow
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The financial power of the African Diaspora community in the United States is evident through remittances, private and institutional philanthropy, investment projects, and private equity funds. Diaspora communities are articulate advocates for change in their countries of origin across generations. There is, however, little information on the linkages between Diaspora individuals/communities and natural resources conservation in Africa. USAID's Bureau for Africa and its conservation partners have cooperated in this study to identify existing collaboration between US-based and international conservation groups and the Diaspora, as well as the Diaspora and biodiversity conservation initiatives in their countries of origin. Based on the findings, the partners made preliminary recommendations for expanding these linkages for increased conservation and development impact in Africa.
To the USAID Africa Bureau's Biodiversity Analysis and Technical Support partners [1], this diaspora "represents a potentially powerful communication vehicle for advocacy, funding, and organizational resource for effecting lasting change on behalf of biodiversity conservation and natural resources management in Africa." [2]
The study was conducted in two parts: - A baseline survey to understand the nature, aims, and actions of African Diaspora communities in the United States, the range and diversity of organizations and activities they engage in, the various tools they use, their institutions and methods currently deployed, and how they align their interests with the conservation community.
- To use this understanding in conjunction with ideas and input from a focus group to produce a White Paper that will identify, recommend and analyze appropriate actions for USAID and its conservation partners to act as facilitators or catalysts for interaction within an emerging community of practice.
This White Paper aims at understanding the knowledge needs for USAID and its conservation partners to engage the African Diaspora in biodiversity conservation efforts in Africa. The findings and recommendations in this paper support the contention that engaging the African Diaspora more effectively in biodiversity conservation represents a timely and innovative approach. The White Paper will be an information resource to provide perspective for policy-makers, advisors, directors, and managers, and also government and non-governmental organization (NGO) personnel engaged in biodiversity conservation programs in Africa. The White Paper suggests promoting synergies and complementarities between USAID and its partners, the African Diaspora communities in the US, and between these, their non-governmental partners on the continent and African State institutions. ___________ [1] The current BATS team consists of the US Forest Service's International Programs office, the Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group (ABCG), the Environmental Law Institute, Development Alternatives, Inc. (CK2C project) and International Resources Group (IRG). ABCG is comprised of the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Conservation International (CI), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). [2] International Resources Group Statement of Work, Work Order No.1 CA-USG1, December 2011 |
Discussion Spotlight
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Here are some of the issues FRAMEweb members are talking about:Is it necessary to integrate tangible economic benefits from WASH and biodiversity (BD) conservation for a project to be sustainable?
Integrating WASH and BD conservation is great, but does the integration go far enough? What about integrating the economic angle? In other words, if there are not tangible economic benefits from WASH and/or BD conservation, are you still optimistic that the project will be sustainable in the long term? If so, are there examples of this being implemented? And if not necessarily, are there examples of implementing projects without direct economic benefits? (This was a follow-up question to the webinar Linking Health and Conservation). Click here to respond.
Does anyone know of a serious effort to promote the use of insect protein as an alternative to bush meat? Does anyone know of a serious effort to promote the use of insect protein as an alternative to bush meat? I know that entomophagy is in the buzz but what about serious activity for conservation and development? if you have program sites, in particular where insects are raised for protein, please share them. Click here to respond Have you been involved with, or know of examples of REDD-related processes which have successfully engaged a diverse range of stakeholders at the national and sub-national levels? The USAID-funded Forest Carbon, Communities and Markets Project is particularly interested in: (a) National-level processes, including consultations, committees, and capacity building, (b) National-level processes linked to sub-national consultations, committees or capacity building activities (so-called "nested" approaches to stakeholder engagement), or (c) Other types of stakeholder engagement activities related to REDD. While stakeholder engagement is routinely mentioned and promoted, descriptions of stakeholder engagement are often lacking in details about what was specifically done and why, as well as examples of how plans, strategies or projects were changed by stakeholder perspectives. What stakeholder engagement strategies were most effective and why? Click here to respond Do you have a question or comment you want to post on FRAMEweb? Sign-in, click on a Community Topic or Partner Page and click on the ask button or icon:  
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| Take A Look |
Expand your knowledge on diasporas, conservation, and development with these helpful resources . Developing a Road Map for Engaging Diasporas in Development: A Handbook for Policymakers and Practitioners in Home and Host Countries  A project of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), this publication offers policymakers and practitioners a user-friendly and practical guide on the state of the art in governmental diaspora initiatives. The handbook presents a carefully selected menu of viable policy and program options based on actual experiences from around the world. The handbook, which draws from an original survey answered by 62 national governments as well as in-depth interviews with government officials and non-governmental actors, aims to highlight good practices, challenges, lessons learned, and promising cases that can be refined and adapted to suit local contexts. It also outlines a strategic "road map" for successful diaspora engagement; reviews the legal and institutional frameworks that governments have established to facilitate relations; and examines key areas in which diasporas have played positive roles in development: remittances, direct investment, human capital transfer, philanthropy, capital market investment, and tourism.
In 2009, USAID commissioned studies conducted by the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) to analyze diaspora engagement in areas such as entrepreneurship, philanthropy, capital markets, nostalgic trade and tourism, volunteerism and advocacy. In November 2010, MPI released the six studies in a book titled "Diasporas: New Partners in Global Development Policy". The USAID Diaspora Engagement Mini-Series was launched in May 2011 with the aim of delving into each of the six thematic areas in the book through monthly seminars. The seminars allowed USAID to engage with both diaspora communities and USAID missions and created a platform for future collaboration.
Click here to visit the Micorlinks page
Diasporas: New Partners in Global Development Policy
Diasporas play an increasingly prominent role in discussions on foreign assistance and development policy. Governments of migrant-sending countries are working to attract both the talents and resources of emigrants and their descendants while governments of aid-sending countries hope to improve the outcomes of development assistance by engaging the talents and expertise of diasporas. Independently of governments, many diaspora groups or individuals recognize profitable opportunities in their homelands, or contribute their time, talents, and resources to improving the quality of life there. This volume examines the development impact of diasporas in six critical areas: entrepreneurship, capital markets, "nostalgia" trade and "heritage" tourism, philanthropy, volunteerism, and advocacy. It is the result of research commissioned from the Migration Policy Institute by the US Agency for International Development's (USAID) Office of Poverty Reduction, Diaspora Networks Alliance.
Check out the book on MPI's page
World Bank African Diaspora Program
ADP seeks to further enable and enhance the human and financial capital contributions of African Diasporas to the economic development of their home countries. The program was launched in September 2007 and focuses on strengthening policy, financial, and human capital development in Africa through a portfolio of activities and support in partnership with the African Union (AU), partner countries, partner donors, and African Diaspora Professional Networks and Hometown Associations.
Click here to visit the program page
Kokolopori Falls Church Sister City Partnership
 The Kokolopori Falls Church Sister City Partnership is a voluntary citizen-led initiative in the DRC, funded mainly through grants and donations, to support the people of Kokolopori in their globally significant conservation work through friendship and cultural exchange, and to help residents of Kokolopori find support for their most urgent community development needs, including health, economic growth, and education. The sister city partnership was established as a program of the Bonobo Conservation Initiative. U.S. volunteers can contribute to ongoing projects sponsored by BCI and partner Vie Sauvage in the areas of education, health, agriculture and micro-enterprise development, and also have the opportunity to initiate new projects with Kokolopori.
Click here to learn more
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New on FRAMEweb
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USAID is proud to announce the upcoming workshop, Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM): contributions to multiple development objectives, January 16-17, 2013 in Washington, DC.
In addition to NRM professionals, this workshop targets international development professionals with expertise in global climate change, food security, economic development, democracy, conflict, and humanitarian assistance to enhance learning on how CBNRM can contribute to achieving their goals.
Find out more on FRAMEweb, and look out for updates in your inbox.
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Experts on FRAMEweb
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Find a colleague who shares an interest in diasporas and conservation and learn more about your network.
Log-in to FRAMEweb and click on the link below to find 1 expert on FRAMEweb related to health.
Diaspora and Conservation Experts
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| Featured Member | 
FRAMEgram features a member in the newsletter who has been exceptionally active! This section will also give you a chance to learn more about other FRAMEweb members. This Edition's Featured Member is...
 Noel Painter
I was born and raised in California; this is where my love and passion for the environment stems. I learned from an early age to be very environmentally conscious and want to spend my adult life helping spread these ideals across the world. I am a second year student at Harvard University studying Environmental Science and Public Policy and I hope to take my degree into the field and make a difference in the world. I am interested in using FRAME to keep up to date with current and interesting events centering around the environment worldwide as well as to keep a blog on articles that I have come across.
* Follow Noel's blog here, and remember to see Noel's profile, login at the prompt first.
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