Washington, DC

Monday, May 13th

Dear IdEA Subscriber,

We are excited to bring you a number of events for Monday, May 13^th – the official opening of the 2013 Global Diaspora Forum (GDF) in Washington, DC! We have listed below all of the GDF’s “unconference” events, spanning from 10:45 am to 9:00 pm on Monday, May 13, including time, location, event description, and RSVP information. Click here to download a pdf version of the event program. These events are all free and open to the public but require advanced registration with the event’s organizer.

Best wishes,
The IdEA Team

Events

Caring for Children at Home and Abroad: Partnership Opportunities with Children’s National Medical Center
Hosted by Children’s National Medical Center
Monday, May 13 | 10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Meridian Suites, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
Children’s National Medical Center is consistently ranked among the best pediatric hospitals in the United States. The International Program at Children’s National coordinates medical care for families from countries throughout the world; facilitates educational exchanges for medical professionals and other partnerships; and facilitates second opinion services. State-of-the-art telemedicine technology allows doctors in Washington to share information with more than 100 partnership sites in 14 countries, with many opportunities to expand. At this event, medical and partnership specialists from Children’s National will highlight their programs, with particular emphasis on the organization’s engagement with diaspora communities. The session will provide an opportunity to engage in dialogue and networking opportunities on ways to bolster engagement with diaspora communities and ways to expand the international program to impact children’s health worldwide.
Please RSVP to ltanner@cnmc.org

STEM Diasporas: Developing a Network and Sharing Success Stories
Hosted by Colorado State University, Harvard University and Northwestern University
Monday, May 13 | 10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Meridian Suites, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
Women in STEM scientific diasporas provide career development plus educational and training opportunities thus empowering participation in scientific endeavors through teaching, research, design, and development projects, service, and mentorship. Diasporas must connect women with local and international STEM mentors to promote networking and celebrate accomplishments.  Diasporas should increase engagement and networking, and provide leadership and entrepreneurship training.  This session will (1) explore the roles of mentoring and peer networks then discuss creating collaborative networks; (2) initiate a project that enables women to share success stories and start peer-to-peer mentoring networks; and (3) identify core topics and path for NODES to promote women in STEM diaspora networks.
Please RSVP to sbhatia@seas.harvard.edu

Igniting Global Technology Entrepreneurship
Hosted by CRDF Global
Monday, May 13 | 12:30-3:00 PM
Duques Hall Room 451, George Washington University, 2201 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
The Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Initiative, a partnership led by CRDF Global and the U.S. Department of State, invites you to join us for a lunchtime panel discussion on global innovation and technology entrepreneurship. This luncheon will provide an opportunity to celebrate successes achieved by entrepreneurs from emerging economies and hear from speakers who work to enhance entrepreneurial communities around the globe. With this interactive platform, participants will learn about innovation and entrepreneurship and how diaspora groups can take these tools to help bridge communities and create new opportunities. For more information about this event, including agenda and speaker line up, please click here.
Please register at http://gistunconference.eventbrite.com/

The Power of Communications to Connect the Diaspora
Hosted by FleishmanHillard International Communications
Monday, May 13 | 1:00-2:30 PM
Meridian Suites, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
FleishmanHillard will engage forum participants in a wide-ranging conversation about communications within and among diaspora communities. The panel discussion will include thought leaders from the communications and technology sectors, each of whom will provide insights into effective communications and best practices based on their experiences. Building on the results of a preconference survey, panelists will also provide actionable recommendations that diaspora groups of any size can use to connect their communities.
Please register at http://diasporacommunications.eventbrite.com

Building Bridges with the Afghan People:  Engagement for Prosperity in the New Afghanistan
Hosted by Afghan Trusted Network; Co-hosted by the Bayat Foundation, Roots of Peace, and League for Hope
Monday, May 13 | 1:00-3:00 PM
Meridian Suites, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
Round table participants and attendees, including Afghan diaspora, will highlight best practices to empower the people of Afghanistan, including youth, and to encourage people to work together.
Email rosaliejwyatt@gmail.com with “USAID Unconference Event Registration” in the subject line. Seating is limited.

Social Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy and the Chinese Diaspora
Hosted by China Impact Fund and TeaLeafNation.com
Monday, May 13 | 1:00-3:00 PM
Meridian Suites, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
TThis panel discussion with leaders in businesses, social innovation, and philanthropy sectors will discuss issues related to the bond between the U.S. and China, particularly how entrepreneurship and social innovation can inspire youth and how they can connect the U.S. with the Greater China Area. The group will also discuss the newest trends in youth entrepreneurship, philanthropy, social venture fund, and other innovation issues. Speakers include: Mr. Tao Zhang, Co-Founder and Managing Director of the China Impact Fund; Mr. Andrew Ho, Manager of Global Philanthropy at the Council on Foundations; Dr. Yukon Huang,  Senior associate of Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, former country director for the World Bank in China; Ms. Abby Flottemesch, Chief Development & Engagement Officer at Atlas Corps; and executive members from Harvard China Citizenship and Social Innovation SEED Camp. Visit http://www.strikingly.com/s/pages/chinesediaspora for more information.
Please RSVP to Mr. Yang Fan at hi.fanyang@gmail.com

Looking Ahead: The Next Generation of African Diaspora Leadership & Contributions
Hosted by Diaspora African Women’s Network
Monday, May 13 | 1:00-3:00 PM
Meridian Suites, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
This panel will explore the various ways next generation African diaspora organizations and leaders are working to support Africa’s long term development and prosperity.  As Africa faces a doubling of its population by 2040, the diaspora is simultaneously experiencing growing pains and finding new opportunities to engaging with the continent.  Speakers will share and discuss their best practices, lessons learned and current opportunities for next generation leadership.
Please register online at http://dawners.org/GDF2013

Solve for X @ Global Diaspora Forum
Hosted by Solve for X; in partnership with U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Science and Technology Adviser (STAS) and USAID’s Office of Innovation and Development Alliances (IDEA)
Monday, May 13 | 1:00-3:00 PM
Pavilion Room, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
Join this special MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 edition of Solve for X! SolveforX.com is a forum to encourage and amplify moonshots – radical technology-based proposals for solving global problems. Solve for X Global Partnerships and Community Development Lead, Karishma Shah, on the power of moonshot thinking, and Vaughan Turekian, Chief International Officer for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, will kick off the event speaking on the importance of science diasporas to solve the next great challenge. Three MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 will share their 8 minute moonshot proposals and share any roadblocks that they’ve encountered along the way. After the presentations, the Solve for X team will lead a session with attendees to brainstorm in roundtable groups on how the innovators can continue pushing forward their radical moonshot proposals.
Please register at https://services.google.com/fb/forms/solveforxGDF/

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Triangular Partnership Hosted by People to People Monday, May 13 | 2:00-4:00 PM Merkamo Restaurant, 7020 Commerce St., Springfield, VA 22150 As healthcare and medical education disparities grow in developing countries, global health programs in the western world are on the rise. The need for a structured, transparent and ethical platform to overcome these challenges is imperative. We propose an innovative triangular partnership between Western institutions, Institutions in developing countries, and a bridging diaspora network. People to People (P2P) is an NGO based in the US that has demonstrated success in creating and implementing such a model in Ethiopia. One of P2P’s fundamental beliefs is that poor countries may remain poor if their domestic ideas are not cultivated into capacity building projects. In fact, international aid can prevent countries from developing indigenous solutions. The triangular partnership will narrow the gap through research, education and training. Please RSVP to marakishimelis@gmail.com or info@peoplepeople.org

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Extending Diaspora Groups Engagement in Philanthropy
Hosted by Safe Bridge of Help and LPN Consulting
Monday, May 13 | 2:00-4:00 PM
UDC Community College, Room 711, 801 North Capital St, NE, Washington DC 20002
The roundtable discussion focuses on strategies for leveraging philanthropy to solve development problems. It is an interactive session that challenges the participants’ thinking and inspires: 1) New solutions for local to global collaborations; 2) An agenda for strengthening Diaspora efforts towards effective philanthropic resource mobilization; 3) Framework(s) for collaborative implementation strategies.  There will be opportunities to discuss obstacles to leveraging philanthropy and how those could be minimized. The participants will present their perspectives, engage in discussion and answer questions around the topic. Participants in this roundtable are expected to be catalysts of change and improvements relative to philanthropy for development.
Please register at http://www.lpnconsultingllc.com/gdf/

Spotlight Diplomacy: We All Shine
Hosted by The Karabakh Foundation
Monday, May 13 | 2:00-4:00 PM
Karabakh Foundation Headquarters, 1128 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
Cultural foundations provide an outstanding third partner in the relationship of diaspora communities with their countries of origin.  Skilled cultural facilitators shine light on traditions and heritage, illuminate and nurture grafting of old and new, and spark connections between practitioners and onlookers. The Karabakh Foundation describes the business of spotlighting displays and performances of native lands and immigrant communities.
“Spotlight diplomacy” builds on the intent of cultural diplomacy to generate a single shared and safe space in which multiple groups display their culture and interact. Spotlighting elevates all cultural expressions and eliminates obstacles caused by an “us and them” scenario.
Please register at http://spotlightdiplomacy.eventbrite.com

Diaspora Engagement: Bridge-Building in Southeast Europe
Hosted by the Southeast Europe Coalition, United Macedonian Diaspora, Heritage Foundation
Monday, May 13 | 2:00-6:00 PM
United Macedonian Diaspora, 1510 H Street, NW, Suite 900, Washington, D.C. 20005
Panel discussions followed by reception hosted by the Southeast Europe Coalition, the United Macedonian Diaspora, and the Heritage Foundation. This session will be attended by State Department officials, ambassador/embassy personnel, Hill staff, and diaspora representatives.
Please RSVP to Anna Milovanovic at amilovanovic@umdiaspora.org

Harnessing the Untapped Power of the Diaspora
Hosted by Aspen Institute
Monday, May 13 | 3:00-6:00 PM
Aspen Institute, One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036
This event will bring together diaspora members from PNB countries (Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, the Palestinian Territories, Turkey, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania) to discuss best practices to leverage the power of the diaspora for the economic advancement of these countries. The 3-hour event will include a panel discussion that will focus on effective policy engagement strategies for diaspora organizations and will be followed by two breakout sessions. The first breakout will explore the role of the diaspora in spurring technological innovation in local communities; the second on ways the diaspora can utilize remittances to maximize economic growth.
Please register at http://pnbdiaspora.eventbrite.com/

A Conversation on USAID’s Development Strategy in Asia
Hosted by USAID’s Asia Bureau
Monday, May 13 | 3:30-5:00 PM
Mezzanine Conference Room M17 and M18, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004Join this conversation with Asia Bureau Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator Denise Rollins, Deputy Assistant Administrator Greg Beck and Senior Policy Advisor Manpreet Anand about USAID’s priorities and initiatives in Asia for 2014, and share your thoughts about development in Asia with USAID and other members of the diaspora.
Please register at http://usaidasia.eventbrite.com

Beyond Remittances: Harnessing Trade and Investment from the African Diaspora
Hosted by: USAID Africa Bureau, Corporate Council on Africa, and Small Enterprise Assistance Funds
Monday, May 13 | 3:30-5:00 PM
USAID Room 2.12-82, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20523
The African Diaspora Marketplace (ADM) is the signature effort of USAID in the area of diaspora engagement.  SEAF is the implementing partner of the ADM, which has expanded in scope beyond a business plan competition.  The Corporate Council is a major collaborator with the ADM, given its nexus with the US and African corporate sectors.  This roundtable discussion will seek to gather further insights into the experiences of disapora members who have engagement with the families, associates, and communities in the home countries beyond remittances.  These discussions will inform future directions of the ADM and related activities, not only of USAID but also of other development and financial organizations.
Please RSVP to jtinsey@africacncl.org.

Connecting People Worldwide, Online and On Air
Hosted by Broadcasting Board of Governors and Voice of America
Monday, May 13 | 3:30-5:00 PM
Pavilion Room, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
The panel will focus on how working journalists cover events on a variety of media platforms using innovative programming. The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) is an independent federal government agency that oversees all U.S. civilian international broadcasting.  Its networks include the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio and TV Martí, Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa). Speakers include Lynne Weil, director of communications and external affairs of BBG; Jessica Beinecke, host of OMG! Meiyu; Golnaz Esfandiari, senior correspondent and editor of “Persian Letters” blog; Kyaw Kyaw Aung, senior editor of Radio Free Asia’s Burmese Service; and Bashar Jarrar, senior producer of Alhurra Television.
Please RSVP to smcginley@voanews.com

Diaspora Collaboration Among Early-Career Researchers
Hosted by National Academy of Sciences
Monday, May 13 | 3:30-5:00 PM
Meridian Suites, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
The postdoctoral community in the United States includes 90,000 individuals plus associations, research institution offices, and the National Postdoctoral Association.  Several diaspora communities and international organizations recognize the importance of postdoctoral researchers for their country of origin and seek to support them. This session will bring together postdoctoral and diaspora representatives, research institutions, and the international community to discuss the needs of international postdoctoral researchers, how organizations support these individuals, and ways that communities can collaborate in future to enhance the training experience for international postdoctoral researchers and thereby improve discovery and innovation outcomes for the global research enterprise.
Please RSVP to BeachySH@state.gov

Doing Business in Africa: U.S. Government Resources
Hosted by U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA)
Monday, May 13 | 3:30-5:00 PM
International Trade Center, Training Room A (Mezzanine Level), 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
Trade between the U.S. and sub-Saharan Africa has tripled over the past decade and U.S. exports now top $21 billion. Africa is home to 6 of the 10 fastest-growing countries in the world. Moderated by ITA, reps from Ex-Im Bank, OPIC, TDA and MBDA will highlight the Administration’s “Doing Business in Africa” campaign.
Please RSVP to dbiacomment@trade.gov

Latin American Diasporas: USAID Priorities and Engagement Opportunities
Hosted by USAID Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean
Monday, May 13 | 3:30-5:00 PM
Meridian Suites, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
The leadership of USAID’s Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean will provide an overview of President Obama’s second term development priorities for the region, and discuss opportunities for diaspora organizations to engage both in the U.S. and abroad.
Please RSVP to kbeeuwkes@usaid.gov

USAID in the Middle East: Working in a Region in Transition
Hosted by USAID Middle East Bureau
Monday, May 13 | 3:30-5:00 PM
Meridian Suites, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
Acting Assistant Administrator of the USAID Middle East Bureau Alina Romanowski will talk about USAID’s work in the region, its challenges, and its successes. She will be joined by the Deputy Assistant Administrators Chris Crowley and Hady Amr of the Middle East Bureau who will take part in the interactive Q&A session with the audience at the end.
Please register at  http://usaidmiddleeast.eventbrite.com

Beyond the MDGs: A Participatory Dialogue on Global Development Futures 2030
Hosted by Institute of Caribbean Studies and The Futures Forum
Monday, May 13 | 3:30-5:30 PM
Meridian Suites, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
This event will bridge the gap in stakeholder consultations by the UN High Level Committee on the post Millennium Development Goals targets.  Participants will exchange ideas on aspirations for Global Development in 2030; craft elements of a shared vision; and posit a role for Diasporas in development processes and agendas.  Invitations will be sent to various diaspora organizations in DC with hope of having broad participation from Asia, Africa, and the Latin America and Caribbean region. The outcome of this Dialogue will be prepared for submission to the UN-NGO consultative process and U.S. Representation to the United Nations. It is also hoped that this will result in agreement for diaspora engagement in this process.
Please register at www.beyond2015.eventbrite.com

Can You Go Home Again? Understanding the Diaspora
Hosted by Peace Corps and Phelps Stokes
Monday, May 13 | 4:00-5:30 PM
1111 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
Can You Go Home? Unpacking The Diaspora is an interactive panel that will attempt to unpack the term diaspora.  The event will focus on how and why diaspora communities engage with their communities of heritage through experience sharing and small group discussions. Featured panelists include Gabino Guerengomba (Founder, Integrated Solar Technology), Julian Kiganda (President, African Diaspora for Change), Paula Olson (Logistics Coordinator, Business Community Synergies), and Emira Woods (Co-Director, Foreign Policy in Focus). The session will be moderated by Pape Samb (President and CEO, Phelps Stokes).
Please RSVP to diversity@peacecorps.gov.

2013 VEGA Diaspora Volunteer Service Award Ceremony & Reception
Hosted by Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA)
Monday, May 13 | 4:30-6:30 PM
1726 M St NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036
VEGA is continuing the Diaspora Volunteer Service Awards as a way to recognize the outstanding work of diaspora volunteers, and to host a networking reception that will help facilitate collaboration between diaspora communities and VEGA’s volunteer-sending member organizations. The potential of diasporas to contribute to development through volunteerism is vast, and the power can be unlocked through coordination with partners that have extensive experience with international volunteering and can provide the necessary support to diasporas looking for ways to give back to their countries of heritage. Join VEGA in celebrating the impact of diaspora volunteerism and meet others who are interested in promoting economic growth around the world.
Please register at http://vegadiasporaaward2013.eventbrite.com

Next Generation Diasporans Networking Event
Hosted by IdEA, State Department, USAID, and the Migration Policy Institute with support from Atlas Corps and the Diaspora African Women’s Network (DAWN)
Monday, May 13 | 6:00-9:00pm
Busboys and Poets, 1025 5th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
Connect with other young diasporans committed to supporting diplomacy and development in their countries of origin or heritage. Learn more about how leading diplomacy and development organizations are partnering with diaspora organizations to create positive change that makes a real difference in people’s day-to-day lives.
Please register at https://diasporaidea.wufoo.com/forms/next-generation-diasporans-networking-event/

The GETHealth Summit aims to bridge the health workforce gap in developing countries through new partnerships between innovators in Global Health Education and Information Technology. The Summit will bring together leaders in health, education and IT to discuss and develop initiatives designed to empower providers in the most resource-limited communities in the world.

To learn more about this important event, visit :  GetHealthSummit.org

Global Thought Leaders Participate in Landmark, Full-Day Symposium on “Medical Education & Global Healthcare in Africa.”

LEXINGTON, KY. (Nov. 30, 2012) –   On Tuesday, November 27^th, leaders  from more than a dozen academic and international organizations held a one day symposium at the University of Kentucky to discuss the critical issues of healthcare development, the widening gaps in human resources, scientific, and medical knowledge prevailing in Africa.

Participating in this landmark symposium included Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, who is now the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eli Capilouto, DMD, Sc.D., President, University of Kentucky, Ambassador David Shinn, PhD former U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia as well as high-level administrators and officials from the Republic of Liberia, Mayo Clinic,  USAID, Albert Einstein School of Medicine, East Carolina University, George Washington University, Stanford University School of Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, West Virginia School of Medicine as well as representatives from the global non-profit organization, People to People, led by its Founder and President, Dr. Enawgaw Mehari.

The symposium, hosted on the grounds of the University of Kentucky Hospital, brought together academicians and clinicians both from the African Diaspora and non-Diaspora, to explore global partnerships focused on narrowing the knowledge gap and improving the global imbalance of healthcare and manpower development. Participants also discussed ideas for twinning and tele-medicine initiatives, international exchange programs involving students, faculty and program administrators, as well as case-based exchanges and e-mentoring. To stimulate the dialogue on these important issues, the University of Kentucky joined with People to People to organize and conduct this first symposium on medical education and global healthcare.

At the end of the full day symposium, participants affirmed their commitment to nurture and develop partnerships based on a Triangular Relationship. The triangular relationship involves P2P as an institution in charge of mobilizing and coordinating Diaspora resources, the US universities which are pools of medical and scientific knowledge and African Medical Institutions as beneficiaries of capacity building support.

Over the course of the past year, it has become increasingly evident that the global African Diaspora with its vast network of professionals and specialists is incredibly interested in supporting such important activities and has demonstrated its willingness to be fully engaged.  People to People is currently working tirelessly to coordinate and mobilize resources to support activities that strengthen global health and education initiatives, while consolidating the achievements of goals of Universities in Africa.

The list of institutions with which People to People has forged strong partnership is on the rise and includes:

1. World Bank
2. USAID
3. US State Department
4. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
5. Stanford University
6. Washington University
7. Wisconsin University
8. Morehouse University
9. Howard University
10. Temple University
11. Mayo Clinic
12. Toronto University, Canada
13. McGill University, Canada
14. University of Michigan
15. University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
16. St. Claire Regional Medical Center
17. Marshal University
18. Duke University
19. George Town University
20. Mekele University
21. Bahir Dar University
22. Ethiopian Ministry of Health
23. Liberian Diaspora Development Center
24. Addis Ababa University
25. Ethiopian Airlines

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This annual conference serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, resources, skills, and motivation to improve healthcare and education in Ethiopia, to expand crucial social services for vulnerable communities, to help the country achieve some of its most important development goals, and to broaden and strengthen the role of the diaspora in the entire process.

The 4th Annual Global Diaspora Conference on Health Care and Medical Education is scheduled for September 22, 2012 and promises to be our most productive to date.

When:   Saturday, September 22^nd, 2012  |   8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Where: Residence Inn Washington, DC / Capitol , 333 E St. SW , Washington, DC

2012 THEME :   “The Status and Future of Tertiary Hospitals in Ethiopia and the Role of the Diaspora.”

• REGISTER ONLINE
• DOWNLOAD PROGRAM AND AGENDA

Conference Contact:  info@peoplepeople.org

Besides regular schooling, the students are exposed to various activities such as farming, bee keeping, and grinding meal. The program has created a diverse interest in the students, while concurrently generating much needed income for the facility. By utilizing the already existing local schools, the boarding facility provides scholarship for outstanding AIDS orphans and assists them in reaching their life’s potential by providing for their needs, be they psychological, social, educational, medical, or other.

Please forward a link of this site to everyone in your personal and professional network. Help us spread the word about the People to People mission and encourage all who are so inclined to join us in building this bridge to Ethiopia.