Second Global African Diaspora Summit Kicks off at Ministerial Level Tomorrow in South Africa
Pretoria, South Africa 22 May 2012 – The
Second Global African Diaspora Summit opens tomorrow, Wednesday 23 May
2012 at the Ministerial level in the OR Tambo Conference Centre,
Department of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa. It
will be followed by the Summit on Friday, 25 May 2012 at the Sandton
Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Summit is organized
by the African Union (AU) in collaboration with the South African
Government. 
The
overall objective of the Summit is to discuss how best to harness
skills and energies within the continent and abroad for the
socio-economic development of Africa and boost synergies as well as
facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship through sustainable
partnerships with the African Diaspora.
The
Summit further aims to mobilize African Citizens within the continent
and in the Diaspora around the outcomes of the Summit to support the
acceleration of the agenda of integration and development on the
continent. By
building synergies between Africa and the Diaspora, the Summit intends
to ultimately lead to the global advancement and improvement of lives.
The reinforcing of the mechanisms for the advancement of the Diaspora
program will be mutually beneficial to the African population residing
within and out of the continent.
The
Global African Diaspora Summit will focus on the formulation of the
African Diaspora roadmap. It will provide a platform for the Diaspora to
address cross-sectoral issues and actively engage in areas of renewable
energy, technological transformation, food security, tourism, combating
HIV/AIDS, education, gender equality, among others.
Moreover,
the Summit will continue building upon the process of strong and
continued collaboration between Africa and its Diaspora, in the context
of South-South cooperation and Pan-African solidarity. One of the key
outcomes of this Summit will be the identification and implementation of
“bankable projects” through appropriate and effective implementation
plans or framework of action. These projects will focus on the thematic
areas of political, economic and social co-operation and are aimed at
fostering the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship between Africa
and its Diaspora.
The Summit will bring together leaders from over 60 countries comprising of AU Member States, Representatives of the National Conference of Black Mayors, South American countries, AU organs, various organizations working for the Diaspora, and other relevant guests.
