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Diaspora Partnerships: An Irish Experience

Diaspora Partnerships: An Irish Experience. Karl Gardner Deputy Director, Irish Abroad Unit Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade of Ireland Riga, 17 December, 2012. Why Diaspora Matter. 1 out of every 33 people in the world are migrants (IOM)

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Diaspora Partnerships: An Irish Experience

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  1. Diaspora Partnerships: An Irish Experience Karl Gardner Deputy Director, Irish Abroad Unit Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade of Ireland Riga, 17 December, 2012

  2. Why Diaspora Matter • 1 out of every 33 people in the world are migrants (IOM) • Migrant remittances are 3 times the amount of official development aid (World Bank) • At current rates, there could be 405 million international migrants by 2050 (IOM)

  3. The Irish Emigration Experience • Part our “National Psyche” • Regular movements of people throughout history • The Great Famine of 1840s – • 1 million died & 2 million emigrated < 20 years. • 350,000 left between 1846 and 1847 • Population: 6.5m in 1841 – 3m in 1926 • Global Irish Diaspora of some 70 million • Assimilating in a new land

  4. Critical Roles Played by Diasporas • Delivering Peace • Building Economic Development • Raise Awareness of Culture of the Homeland • Create a Positive Brand in their Adopted Land • Leverage High Level Influence and Access

  5. Defining a Diaspora • Broad Definition as our Diasporas are Broad • “Being Irish” is a powerful identity that people are proud of • Engagement requires a cross generational and multi faceted policy

  6. The Irish Abroad Unit I • Operation underpinned by • Our Constitution • The 2002 Taskforce on Emigrants Report • Responsibility for Diaspora engagement centralised in DFAT in 2004. • Provided a home and ministerial competence for a wide range of issues of concern to the Irish abroad • Greater structure to the engagement by Embassies and other agencies • A framework for the establishment of a funding mechanism to support communities overseas

  7. The Irish Abroad Unit II • Our mission is to maintain and strengthen links with Irish communities abroad • Key issues • Supporting the most vulnerable of our emigrants • Pursuing appropriate legal avenues for emigration • Supporting Irish Immigration centres and new arrivals • Address issues which facilitate assimilation in new home • Manage our Diaspora Recognition Programmes • Engaging the key influencers and leverage their experience and expertise as we work towards economic recovery

  8. The Emigrant Support Programme • Supports Irish communities overseas and encourages closer links between these communities and Ireland • Over €100m in grants has been allocated since 2004 • The emphasis is on frontline services, targeted at the most vulnerable • Other areas include: • information and immigration advisory services • cultural and heritage programmes and capital support • projects that support the our economic renewal • Significant geographical spread mirrors our Diaspora • A flexible programme – able to adapt

  9. The Global Irish Network • A network of the most influential Irish and Irish-connected individuals abroad • 350 members based in almost 40 countries covering a diversity of sectors • Greater strategic direction and coherence to the manner in which the Government engages with our most senior Irish contacts around the world • The Network has proved to be particularly effective: • as a source of structured advice • facilitating high level access to decision makers • a direct role in job creation • support and assistance in our work to build a strong international reputation • participation in a number of new initiatives

  10. Projects undertaken in conjunction with the Global Irish • The Global Irish Economic Forum 2009 and 2011 • Invest in Ireland Fora • The Gathering • Global Irish Contacts Programme • Philanthropy • Advocates for Ireland • New Generation and Sector Specific Projects • Irish Technology Leadership Group • IN-USA • Wild Geese • Farmleigh Fellowship • Food Networks • Education Initiatives – Affinity Diaspora • Ireland Reaching Out – Reverse Diaspora

  11. Lessons Learned • Diasporas are not homogeneous groups - a range of different strategies is required • Government should be a facilitator rather than sole implementer • Diaspora Engagement is a process not an outcome • Engagement does not automatically happen and we must work at it • Essential to maintain and build connections; • Regular and relevant meetings in the home and host countries • Must be clear asks and tasks • A two way partnership • Be attentive to the concerns and issues that impact your communities abroad • Connect leaders and organisers within the diaspora to similar people at home • Use technology- portals, social media • Engage the next generation • Diaspora play crucial role in developing a country’s brand abroad

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