USA Africa Dialogue Series - TERRIFIC THURSDAY PROGRESS REPORT ON THE AUGUST ACTION: The National Summit on The Transformative Capacity of Africa Diaspora; Showcase Africa; and the African Union Diaspora Legacy Gala: August 4, 2014

Hello Africa Diaspora in the Big Tent, Greetings:

This communication is centered on the response to Dr. Jimni Adisa's request for a proposed Africa Diaspora program alongside the US-Africa Summit.  Dr. Adisa is the Director of the Citizens and Diaspora Organizations Directorate, the competent department of  the African Union Commission  with the responsibility to address Diaspora  aspirations. Please find the correspondence attached.

In spirit of harmony and collaboration, this is a due diligent outreach. You are receiving this mail as a blind copy because your  address or organization's email contact was  included in mails on Africa Diaspora and the African Union. 

Without fear of contradiction, we can document that the volunteer organizers from different associations are reaching  out to all the Africa Diaspora groups that have been involved with the AU. Outreach is also conducted with Continental African organizations that have no idea of  any development or meetings with the AU.  If we missed any group because the contacts are not listed,  please call or send a email. Notably, this is the first time that established Continental, African American and Caribbean entities and constituents would be working together on  common denominators, which are the AU Legacy Projects and generating goodwill through the complementary events with added-value. By the way, let us paint America with Africa! Smiles.

The choice to sensitize Africa Diaspora on the AU Diaspora Legacy Projects is based on the fact that they are the only adopted vehicles by the AU to engage  all Africa Diaspora  in African developments. The Projects  are devoid of clashing philosophies or dysfunctional squabbling on who is the Diaspora chief above all. There is no need for the small-minded obsession. The Projects unite through your participation in any Project of preference. We have an opportunity to be informed, knowledgeable, network and engage  in civil and civilized discussions, solutions and implementations for a stronger and prosperous Africa.....moving forward.

In the update on Terrific Thursday:  Downtown Silver Spring will be buzzing....Africa! It is hearty to note the self-reliant approach of having  the professional manpower or woman-power if you will (lol),  the  organizational competence and prerequisite financial capacity to deliver an effective, solution-oriented  program before responding to CIDO's request for a proposed program.  No fund is coming from the AU or African governments,  external corporate ideological/partisan entities. Please send the information to your network. It would be nice to complete registrations six weeks before D-Day. It is better to do your part if you are interested because too much talk is a waste of everyone's time and what apparently happened in the past.   

Please see the agenda below. The African Union Diaspora Legacy Projects Workshop and the Vital and Vibrant Africa Showcase will be more suitably held at the Silver Spring Civic Building and the Veteran Plaza. All the African Embassies will get the information by close of business day on Friday June 20, 2014.  The Showcase is coordinated by African state organizations  in partnership with the Liaison Office of the African Advisory Group of Montgomery County. We welcome the participation of the Maryland Sixth Region Caucus  on the grounds.  We can get an AMEN from Brother Cliff. A big hug.

In speaking with seasoned minds and elders like Nana Farika Berhane, Vice President of WADU and others,  it is clearer that two of the Legacy Projects are of particular interests to African American groups in the Sixth Region: The Africa Market Place Development and the African Volunteers Corps. Nana Farika is co-chairing the African Volunteers Corps Workshop on August 4. Based on the survey of about 1500 respondents since April 2014, Continental Africans are interested in all five Projects. Continental African Coordinators will competently oversee the participation of constituents from the five regions with ECOWAS, EAC, CEMAC, SADC, Maghreb citizens. Jesmed Suma, Tegi Obanda, Jennifer Gray-Brumskine, Jean Galvanis M'Gassiyombo stepped up with incredible talents.  More committed coordinators are enrolling.

So dear Sisters, brothers and elders, it is an unprecedented and inclusive Africa Diaspora program.

If anyone knows what more they can do on August 5 to 6, that would be fine and mindful of the need to  avoid clashes. Beyond the Summit, President Obama will be entertaining African Heads of State on August 5.  It is helpful to check with the Embassies and AU Ambassador Amina on what  programs, if any,  are planned. An updated Calendar:  Africa Diaspora August Action will keep all abreast and hopefully on your toes....:-))

Note: If a program is not organized by Africa Diaspora entities on AU-related event, the AU or African Embassies, it is not a clash because of the  audience participation would be different.  This is a feedback from about 75 community leaders who participated in a meeting on June 16, 2014.

Wait for the Friday Flourish e-Newsletter on the August Action.  Meanwhile,  Stay Blessed.

Best,

MsJoe

NATIONAL SUMMIT  The Transformative Capacity of the African Diaspora in African Development  Alongside the US-Africa Summit   A Historic Opportunity for African Diaspora to develop leadership in African Development   Monday August 4th, 2014  8:30 AM to 4:00 PM  Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza  Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland      View    AFRICAN UNION DIASPORA LEGACY WORKSHOPS General Assembly and Break-out Sessions 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM  with LUNCHEON Conversation on US-Africa Summit 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Cost $35 includes buffet lunch. Make your reservation:  Reserve   VIBRANT AND VITAL AFRICA SHOWCASE 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM   Free event outdoors at the Veteran Plaza.Open to the public. In partnership with the African Affairs Advisory Group, Montgomery  County and Montgomery County Government, Maryland.  Africa's diverse and unique resources, from Algeria to Zimbabwe, showcase Africa of socioeconomic opportunities, touristic destinations, educational excellence, civilizations, cultural enrichment, and global partnerships. In this enlightening and innovative exposition, you will interact and learn from each national exhibition the vibrancy and vitality of Africa in the global society and the resilience her people.     AFRICAN UNION DIASPORA LEGACY BANQUET GALA, CONCERT 7:30PM to 1:30PM Hyatt Regency, Bethesda, Maryland  Featuring  Tribute to the Congressional Black Caucus  Posthumous  Award and Honoring to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Africa on the Runway; Musical Presentation by Africa  and African Footsteps of Tomorrow Make your reservation: Reserve     Background Information on the African Union Diaspora Legacy Projects:   On May 25, 2012, in South Africa, the Global African Diaspora Summit concluded with African governments adopting a set of flagship projects aimed at strengthening the contributions of the Diaspora to the continent.    The five Projects are  explained in this email. In summary, they provide unprecedented opportunities for Africa Diaspora to be a vital, innovative, and active sector in Africa's developments at local, national, regional and continental levels.   The African Union's Citizens and Diaspora Organizations (CIDO) department is reaching out and has requested a proposal for a program with the Diaspora alongside the US-Africa Summit between the White House and African Heads of State on August 5-6, 2014.         The National Summit on the African Union Diaspora Legacy Projects is a civil society and collaborative initiative, which is  an outcome of the preliminary African Union Diaspora Legacy Forum held at the Nigerian Embassy on March 29, 2014.  CLICK         The African Union Diaspora Legacy Projects Workshop is a substantive forum to sensitize the respective flagship projects, exchange reliable information, build connections, learn about the opportunities, and for stakeholders to become informed and engaged in Africa's development.    The five African Union Diaspora Legacy Projects are:    1) African Diaspora Skills Database, 2) Africa Diaspora Development Market  for African Development, 3) African Institute for Remittances, 4) African Diaspora Investment Fund and 5, African Diaspora Volunteer Corps. The African Diaspora  Skills Database   Africa needs to prioritize African Professional Expertise                 Generally, Continental Africans migrate as students seeking higher education and, subsequently, doors to  socioeconomic opportunities. The expatriate population is pulled to the Diaspora for the economic incentives while those who migrate as refugees are pushed out, escaping war and instability. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: Migration of skills and knowledge without reversing incentives, is a net loss to Africa in what  is generally referred to as "brain drain," which perpetuates  African dependencies on non-African know-how. No geopolitical region manages its development through dependency.   AIMS student Kidist wants to end the brain drain from Africa     Numerous and current research indicates that Continental Africans  are the most educated population in the United States. This fact is backed by the US Census. Similar finding has been made in the United Kingdom, which was published by the Economist.    The dynamics of globalization and instant technology have added to the ease with which skills can be deployed. Therefore, Africa can transform brain gain to brain circulation and reverse the net loss by using Continental  Africa Diaspora  expertise, especially in areas of high demand across African nations. The African Diaspora Skills Database involves the systematic identification, compilation, and Cataloging of the professional expertise of individuals.   The Data is most useful when specifically documented to facilitate targeted developments. For examples, Heath: Epidemiology, Pediatrics, Emergency care, Oncology, Public Health; Information Technology: Infrastructure, security, communication; Agriculture: Agronomy, Animal Husbandry, Marine Acqua-culture; Education: Special Education; Management, Curriculum development. Cataloging skills by disciplines and sub-specialties prevents generalizations that  provide information of little practical use.   In order to map, match, and apply skills, targeted regions, countries or institutions may have to identify the sectors where the professional skills are in demand. The approach is cost effective because it ensures that there is demand for a defined expertise and for specified development before the mobilization of the brain gained.  This tailored approach to data collection, which is linked to specific sectors, is more valuable than generic mapping.   African Diaspora Development Market Place for African Development   African Diaspora Development Market Place focuses on Entrepreneurship and Innovations.  The Project enables Africa Diaspora business owners to seize opportunities to competitively improve the quality of life in African communities through profitable businesses by introducing new, innovating products and services into the markets; creating jobs, and boosting the economy.      Development Market Place facilitates financing for the  business community, from start-ups to small and medium sized enterprises, industries with high impacts, to social entrepreneurs. The business owners must demonstrate their relationship  to Africa.       The market includes all  sectors: from the Agro-industry/food security; Manufacturing; Construction; Transportation; Biotech; Information, Communications Technologies; to  social sectors such as Education; Water; Energy, Sanitation; Health, etc. as long as they are sustainable and profitable or with potentials for profitability.   African Institute for Remittances Click on:  AU Document on AIR   The African Institute for Remittances (AIR) is scheduled to go into full operations in 2015 and hosted in Kenya. In addition to  reduced costs, the fees can be used to support developments in Africa.    Studies show that  African migrant Remittances to African countries are second only to foreign direct investment and surpass all official development aid. Beyond Remittances, the migrant wealth of Continental Africans has enormous potentials for funding large scale development projects.   Remittances to Africa has grown remarkably in recent years, estimated at $60 billion annually, which is a conservative estimate and perhaps half of the actual amount as noted by analysts who compiled the official report.   The magnitude of the Remittances, which is more than the combined cash flow from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to Africa, has gained  the attention of the international development community due to the positive impacts on the standard of living of the beneficiaries.    However, the transfer cost remains unacceptably high by international standards. One of the consequences is that the full  potential for economic and social development is largely unrealized. For example, while South Asians pay an average of US$6 for every $100 they send home, Africans often pay more than twice that  amount. Using South Africa as a citation, which has the highest remittance costs on the continent, nearly 21 percent of money designated for the needs of families back home is spent on the cost of the money getting there. With an estimated millions of Africans depending on Remittances from family members abroad for their economic survival, health, and education, the high cost of transactions undercuts the impact Remittances can have on poverty reduction.    How can AIR be operated more effectively and efficiently as an African-owned entity in the public sector? What are the means through which members of the community can send money through AIR? What are the advantages, which include reduced cost of transactions and using Remittance fees as development tools for poverty reduction?   Continental Africans as Financiers of Africa's Growth: The Africa Diaspora Bond        Beyond Remittances, the migrant wealth of Continental Africans has enormous potentials for funding large scale projects in the public sector.   This brings us to the African Diaspora Bond. This is a sovereign bond that can be issued by the country to its Diaspora members as an alternative to borrowing from the international capital market, multilateral finance institutions or bilaterally from  non-African governments.    Based on a report published by the African Development Bank Group entitled: Diaspora  Bonds in an African Context,  Continental Africans save up to an annual estimated  of $53 billion in  destination countries. It is estimated that Diaspora Bonds can produce $17 billion a year of Continental African financing.    With a sense of patriotism,  directs ties in Africa, and the incentive of  reasonable rates,  African Diaspora Bonds can attract sufficient investors. The proceeds of the Africa Diaspora Bonds can also be used to develop projects that are popular in the Diaspora. African Diaspora Investment Fund  Non-Profits    Arguably, Africa Diaspora constitutes the greatest Africa's offshore asset. The capacity is  crucial catalyst in accelerating development of African countries because the stakeholders have permanent, vested interests in the welfare of their localities, countries and regions.    Hometown, Alumni and Professional Networks (HAPN) create and perpetuate a new community among people of similar immigrant-oriented backgrounds.   They  represent a transnational identity rooted in their country's or region of origin with influence  in both the local and international contexts.   In addition promoting African ethnic culture and heritage, HAPNs  are platforms for diaspora philanthropyas they help to fund projects that range from micro-enterprise, social infrastructure development providing through the construction of clinics, water projects, libraries, classrooms, donating money for special projects to scholarship programs for students.     The African Union and governments can  prioritize and maximize the expertise of HAPNs African by supporting and viable programs, especially for  services that  combat the ills of poverty, circle of unemployment, and currents of underdevelopment. These projects are having social, economic and technological transformations that benefit low-income populations in Africa.      I'm an African in New York.     The African Diaspora Development Fund addresses the financial and operational capacities of organizations in order to enable Diaspora development practitioners to increase their by effectiveness, reduce informal practices, and maximize the impacts of development projects they are implementing on the ground. These projects are having social, economic and technological transformations that benefit low-income populations in Africa.    The  fund will provide a platform through which the African Union Commission can engage  Africa Diaspora on the Continent's development.      African Diaspora Volunteer Corps     Not everything that counts can be counted. And not everything that can be counted, counts." - Albert Einstein          The compassion and commitment to serve are priceless. Make Africa your Choice and you can create invaluable enormous impact on the social vitality, economic vibrancy  and health of a community in Africa based on your skills and interests.   The African Volunteer Corps also provides opportunities for aspiring professionals and youths to gain hands-on practical training while improving their kills and knowledge.   Volunteers can be deployed on short and medium missions in Africa where they can share and  transmit their knowledge, experiences in the communities. In deed,  African Diaspora volunteerism positions stakeholders to master the development of the continent in unique and innovative ways.           The Formats: The interactive formats will include Presentations; Handouts; Question & Answers; Illustrations of Best Practice;  Break-out sessions on each Legacy Project; Luncheon Networking; Post-workshop feedback.   The Goals:    The goals of the  African Union Diaspora LEGACY PROJECT Workshops are:      1) Provide reliable information on the 5 African Union  Diaspora Legacy Projects to a diverse stakeholder community.     2) Identify incentives and opportunities for stakeholders.    3) Document Diaspora capacities on the 5 African Union Diaspora Legacy Projects. 4)) Identify constraints or access barriers that hinder effective participation by stakeholders.  5) Explore viable solutions, including policies, that may facilitate the implementation of the respective African Union Diaspora Legacy Projects at local, state, regional and continental levels.    6) Identify key enablers in order to facilitate outreach to stakeholder groups  7) Promote  exchange of good practices.     The specific objectives are to:   Improve awareness on the respective Africa Union Diaspora Legacy Projects in order for stakeholders to take advantage of timely opportunities.   Strengthen the organizational capacity of organizations to deliver programs that achieve positive impact through competent support services.   Improve the ability of Diaspora-owned small and medium enterprises to spur entrepreneurial innovations in Africa through equitable access to information and services.      Enhance the organized and coordinated abilities ofAfrica Diaspora to take leadership on African development and policies.   Recommend to the African Union solutions, ideas, policies that reduce or remove constraints on the ability of Diaspora organizations and businesses to have timely access information, courtesy services and assistance in implementing projects at local, state, regional and continental levels.    Improve the use Africa Diaspora capacities to inform evidence-based policies in US-Africa developments.   Improve stakeholders'  knowledge on critical instruments for implementing each of the Legacy Projects such as government policies, financing frameworks,  incentives.     Develop baseline data, benchmark and targets that measure the progress of Africa Diaspora organizations and businesses in achieving positive impacts in Africa's development.     Support for the African Union Diaspora Legacy Gala and Awards will provide resources for capacity building, policy-relevant research, outreach education and engagement on the  analysis, advocacy and publication on the African Union Diaspora Legacy Projects.     For more information on the the programs, please call:  240-706-6885 or email:africanservices@aol.com   STAY CONNECTED

Forward this email This email was sent to spotlightlesa@ymail.com by africanservices@aol.com |   Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Indigenous Continental African Network - Diaspora Organizations: I CAN DO | 7915 24th Place | Hyattsville | MD | 20783

THIS IS A TEST EMAIL ONLY.
This email was sent by the author for the sole purpose of testing a draft message. If you believe you have received the message in error, please contact the author by replying to this message. Constant Contact takes reports of abuse very seriously. If you wish to report abuse, please forward this message to abuse@constantcontact.com.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "USA Africa Dialogue Series" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to usaafricadialogue+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.