VSO. VSO s Diaspora Volunteering Initiative. Brian Rockliffe, Director of International Volunteering, VSO

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Thomasine Anissa Alexander
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1 VSO VSO s Diaspora Volunteering Initiative Brian Rockliffe, Director of International Volunteering, VSO

2 Who/What is Diaspora? Self definition people who see themselves as part of a Diaspora - not synonymous with BME De-territoriality must have current or distant origins in a country other than the ier country of residence Homogeneity relating to a group/organisation, not individuals. Not synonymous with ethnicity e.g. can have Asian Diaspora from East Africa. Hybridity emotional, family or financial links with country of origin

3 Context Diaspora in UK Alienated from both government and mainstream NGOs (seen as pursuing their own agendas and not inclusive of Diaspora voices) Particular alienation in context of UK as former colonial power and strong sense that Diaspora communities have distinctive understanding and contribution to make Diaspora communities often generous in financial support to countries of heritage both through remittances and through small local charities Intra Diaspora conflict over scarce resources

4 Why invest in Diaspora volunteering? Diaspora people and communities also motivated to fight poverty through volunteering Motivated to mobilise skills for international development Also wish to build real connections for young people with their heritage VSO wish to increase the overall impact of volunteering and make it more inclusive

5 VSO s Approach in UK Work in creative partnerships with Diaspora organisations to build capacity to run their own volunteering programmes Technical support and training in volunteer management skills Limited direct financial support ( 1/4m) but programme funding support and lobbying government for funding Facilitates learning and collaboration between Diaspora organisations

6 Criteria for Work Diaspora organisations (not individuals) Volunteer Focus challenges of interpretation Poverty focus and Synergy with VSO Goals Driven by UK Diaspora but based on needs overseas Operates in countries where VSO can provide support Can be groups of skilled people or separate placements

7 Diaspora Case Study - AFFORD AFFORD supports Entrepreneurs and Enterprise Development in Africa with a focus on job creation as a route out of poverty Programme: Volunteers provide business training and mentoring services Business development centres Targets disadvantaged communities increase access to financial services Diaspora investment club planned

8 Different Approach in Canada Very different context - large Guyanese community in Toronto happy to work in support of VSO s own programme in Guyana Pilot project matches the skills and experience in the Diaspora to the under-resourced social development sector in Guyana Includes both government and civil society organizations (CSOs) working on social development objectives related to improving public education, and strengthening health and human rights support for people with disabilities

9 UK Progress to Date Initial research with Diaspora community to shape VSO s engagement - > 50 organisations interested in participation Five organisations short listed for initial phase, over 100 Diaspora volunteers have completed placements (in Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and India) since 2005 Now working with 9 additional organisations to research or pilot programmes including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tanzania, Malawi, Nigeria and Rwanda Awareness raising events in UK communities

10 UK - Challenges Negotiating Diaspora sensitivities around working with large development organisations (fear VSO will take over ) Tensions between DVI programmes and VSO country programmes where both are working in same sector and sometimes with same partners Funding - though there is now DfID commitment to funding Encouraging partnership working between Diaspora organisations

E-Policy Brief Nr. 3:

E-Policy Brief Nr. 3: Good Practices in: Local Development, Entrepreneurship, Diaspora & Science November 2012 1 Table of contents Introduction 3 2. Local Development 5 2.1 Background 5 2.2 Good Practice