The World Bank Africa Region has hosted its second Diaspora Open House as part of its efforts to continue harnessing the strengths of the Diaspora community for development in Africa. The day long event which was themed " Mobilizing the African Diaspora for Development" was attended by some 250 participants from public, private and non-profit sectors, diplomatic corps and other constituencies within the Diaspora community.
There to Address the opening ceremony were the Bank's Vice President for the Africa Region (Oby Ezekwesili), Managing Director (Ngozi Okonjo-Iwaela), Sierra Leone Ambassador to the United States (H.E. Bockari Kortu Stevens), Director, Citizens & Diaspora Directorate, African Union Commission (Dr. Jinmi Adisa) and African Diaspora Program (ADP)Adviser (Richard Cambridge).
During her opening remarks Ms. Ezekwesili reported on the progress made and challenges encountered in the implementation of ADP programs like the Africa Remittances Institute (Addis Ababa), Africa Diaspora Health Initiative, Institutional Development Fund and Diaspora Organization Grant Service. She was candid about areas where the Bank had been unable to achieve her goals and provided good reasons.
Ms. Okonjo-Iwaela used her speaking opportunity to clarify the Bank's reason for engaging the Diaspora community explaining that ADP was not about opportunities for individuals but rather about mobilizing resources for development in Africa. She requested specific input from participants in creating safety nets and assistance programs for the most vulnerable communities in Africa during crisis periods.
Afternoon panel sessions were held under themes like Micro-finance and Diaspora Engagement in home countries (DMADE Experience), the evolving World Bank Strategy in Africa and remittances.
The Africa Region of the World Bank launched the African Diaspora Program in September 2007 with three main objectives.
i. Diaspora engagement policy development and implementation
ii. Finance, particularly leveraging of remittances for development
iii. Human capital development for "brian gain"
Welcome Remarks
Oby Ezekwesili, Vice President, Africa Region (World Bank)
Special Remarks
Ngozi Okonjo-Iwaela, Managing Director (World Bank)
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