Overview
Together the world is better
4th Diaspora International Conference
Hilton London Canary Wharf
London, UK, 8 July 2017
Sustainable development (SD) is a multidisciplinary process that requires the integrative engagement of all disciplines and stakeholders. Therefore, collaboration between the Diaspora and those working within the country of origin offers several opportunities and contributes to increase productivity towards sustainable and inclusive knowledge-based growth. Building constructive relationships between the Diasporas and countries of origin require that Diasporas be treated not as a mere resource, but as partners and investors with mutual benefits. It has long been argued that Diasporas will be most interested in contributing to SD efforts when they have a sense of belonging in relation to their country of origin. Therefore it is very important to establish trust between Diasporas and governments in the country of origin. In doing so, governments need to invest in identifying their Diasporas abroad and in understanding their skills and interests.
It is hoped that the conference will be a good opportunity for students, researchers, practitioners, policy-makers, knowledge managers and the public to reflect on their use and management of knowledge. New perspectives on how these can be improved to better serve their goals will be developed. The conference also aims to learn lessons from the successful communities across the world.
Similar to all pervious conferences organised by WASD, the event also aims to discuss a range of questions relating to strengthening the linkages between industry, universities and research institutions as well as reconnecting these institutions to the SD discourse by exploring the role of professionals, universities and research institutions in achieving SD.
International Partners and Network
- Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex, UK
- Middle Eastern Knowledge Economy Institute (MEKEI), UK
- Emerald Group Publishing, UK
- Greenleaf Publishing, UK
- Palgrave Macmillan, UK
- Sudan Knowledge, UK
Diaspora
The collaboration between the Diaspora and those working within the country of origin offers several opportunities and contributes to increase productivity towards sustainable and inclusive knowledge-based growth. Building constructive relationships between the Diasporas and countries of origin require that Diasporas be treated not as a mere resource, but as partners and investors with mutual benefits.
It has long been argued that Diasporas will be most interested in contributing to SD efforts when they have a sense of belonging in relation to their country of origin. Therefore, it is very important to establish trust between Diasporas and governments in the country of origin. In doing so, governments need to invest in identifying their Diasporas abroad and in understanding their skills and interests.
Many sustainability problems can only be tackled by connecting the diaspora with those working within the country of origin, for example combating the results of climate change, diseases such as malaria, reservation of natural resources, fighting land degradation or limiting the loss of biodiversity and many other problems. Moreover, knowledge or evidence-based policymaking is indispensable if gaps in living standards are to be narrowed. Therefore, building capacity in country of origin is necessary for competing in the global arena and there it is critical to turn the diaspora into a positive tool for SD as well as serving as role models for the youth in the country of origin.
Location
Hilton Canary Confirence Hall, London, England E14 9XL, United Kingdom
Team
The conference is organised by several committees from WASD and under close supervision of WASD Advisory Board.
WASD Team
- Prof. Allam Ahmed: Co-Chair and President WASD
- Janet Snow: International Coordinator and Editor
- N. Joseph Navinraj: Publishing
- Mhdi Safe Aldeen Ibrahim: Webmaster
- Joseph Adamson: Video Production
- Moniem Ibrahim: Video Production
- Vicky Trainer: Graphic Designer