Chasaya Sichilima invited to World Bank Diaspora Forum

This is to announce that Mr. Chasaya Sichilima, in his capacity as Zambia Diaspora Connect (ZDC) Business and Government Liaison Officer has been invited to attend and represent the Zambian Diaspora at the World Bank’s Second African Diaspora Open House. The event will take place in Washington DC, on February 25, 2010. This follows collaborations in a variety of areas in which ZDC has engaged several International organisations on matters of Zambian Diaspora involvement in national development. The Open House is targeted to share progress on the African Diaspora Program (ADP). The ADP is a World Bank initiative to implement a number of specific activities which would affect directly and positively the African Diaspora and their activities in the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative was launched in November 2007.

Following this invitation, Zambia Diaspora Connect Chairman, Mr. Musaba Chailunga was happy to note that these things do not just happen but progress from work behind the scenes. He alluded to the leadership role ZDC has assumed to continue pursuing avenues in which the Zambian Diaspora can have a real voice on the international stage. He is confident that Mr. Sichilima’s participation will not only help set the stage but will also help bring about positive change in the way international organisations work with the Zambian Diaspora.

Mr. Sichilima and other participants will join Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, World Bank Managing Director, and Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, World Bank Vice President for the Africa Region. The Second African Diaspora Open House is an opportunity to share information on progress made to date with the ADP, as well as to reflect on and seek advice on areas where progress has been less than anticipated. The Bank will also seek ideas and inputs on specific elements of the ADP. Consultation will cover:

· Diaspora Engagement Policy i.e. what African governments can do to encourage and facilitate Diaspora participation in development activities

· Remittances, especially how these can be leveraged for development

· Brain Gain, specifically how African Diaspora Professional Networks and organisations can contribute to brain gain in home countries using ICT and other virtual platforms

· Hometown Associations and the mainstreaming of their contributions to the development priorities of African governments.

Ideas will also be sought on broader African development challenges and opportunities. Discussion will be initiated on issues of:

· governance and capacity development

· private sector development

· youth and employment

· women’s empowerment, information and communications technology

· delivery of services such as health, education, and social protection.