Government Engagement of Diaspora

Immediate Release : Government Engagement of Diaspora

31st March 2009 : Zambia Diaspora Connect has been successful in its discussions with government on the Diaspora contributing to the National Indaba to take place on 4-5th April 2009 in Lusaka. The Indaba's theme is "Global Economic Crisis, a Wake-up Call for Transformation". The government has responded positively and in a serious sign of intent with regard to Diaspora engagement, has invited the Diaspora to participate in the Indaba. Zambia Diaspora Connect will lead this team to be headed by Mr. Chasaya Sichilima (our Business and Government Liaison Officer) from Canada and Mr. Paul Lupunga from Australia.

They will be accompanied by Mr. Simon Sakala from Japan, Ms. Ing'utu Palmer from England and Mr. Kazhila Chinsembu from Namibia. Zambia Diaspora Connect included Zambians from other networks in the Diaspora to broaden inclusiveness of the contribution. This opportunity will also be used to present the government with the paper resulting from the Diaspora e-Conference held in October of last year. It is intended that the report will be made available to everyone by the end of this week.

Mr Chasaya Sichilima hailed the development as “a marked positive shift in government and shows that whatever efforts all of us in the Diaspora have been making to ensure our voice is heard in the country's development are beginning to bear fruit”. Zambia Diaspora Connect considers this first step as vital to surmounting the challenges of our beloved nation.

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Notes to Editors

The Zambia Diaspora Connect advocates closer engagement between Zambia and its Diaspora for mutual benefit in five ways:

• Provide a vehicle for the Diaspora to leverage their human and physical resources in order to contribute towards Zambia 's social and economical development;
• Provide a framework for the Diaspora to engage Government on matters affecting the Diaspora, in order to further their interests and those at home ;
• Provide Government and other Zambian institutions a single point of reference for engaging the Diaspora on policies, programmes and other issues that may affect the Diaspora or where the Diaspora may add value;
• Promote sharing of knowledge, skills and information among the Diaspora;
• Undertake and support specific Diaspora led projects in Zambia in the areas of human capital; land and housing; commerce and investment; and, culture and identity.
  Together, these goals form the basis of Zambia Diaspora Connect's approach to attaining the vision of a better and effective relationship between Zambia and its Diaspora.

Zambia Diaspora Connect is a non governmental organisation. It works in partnership with Zambia Diaspora organisations across the globe, Government, civil society, the private sector and others. It also works with multilateral institutions, including the World Bank, United Nations agencies, and the African Union.

The Executive Committee of Zambia Diaspora Connect is made up of Mr. Paul Lupunga (Canberra-Australia), Ms. Tchiyiwe Chihana (Sheffield-UK), Mr. Chola Mukanga (London-UK), Mr. Chasaya Sichilima (London-Canada), Mr. Bright Chinganya (Melbourne-Australia) and Mr. Musaba Chailunga (Toronto-Canada).