Twin Cities to Host First DIASPORAS@ Conference on
Minnesota Diaspora Philanthropy and Service
(July 9, 2012 - Minneapolis, MN) - On July 25, 2012, the Diaspora African Women's Network (DAWN) and the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs will host the first DIASPORAS@MSP conference in Minneapolis. The day-long event is a satellite conference held in conjunction with the second annual Global Diaspora Forum (GDF), convened by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and hosted by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). As the first official global launch of DIASPORAS@, the conference will solidify Minneapolis/St. Paul as a leading national hub for diaspora communities and international exchange.
Minnesota-based diaspora delegates, nonprofit leaders, and business and community leaders will discuss the theme "Moving Forward By Giving Back." Attendees will explore the role of Minnesota's diaspora communities in philanthropy, leadership, and service.
"Minnesota is home to many refugee and immigrant communities, including large diaspora communities from Africa and Southeast Asia," says Humphrey School Dean Eric Schwartz, who previously was U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration. "The Humphrey School is excited to be a partner in this important effort to promote the meaningful exchange of ideas and cross-cultural dialogue among Minnesota's various diaspora communities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and foundations."
"Minnesota is rich with community leaders, nonprofit organizations, and diaspora representatives who embody the principles of giving, generosity, and service-learning every day," says Semhar Araia, executive director of DAWN, the Diaspora African Women's Network. "We are delighted to host this landmark event and celebrate the state's diversity and shared values for the greater good."
DIASPORAS@MSP is free and open to the public. Registration is at diasporasmsp.eventbrite.com. Powered by the International diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA), DIASPORAS@ is a global dialogue platform designed to facilitate community-led conversations among diaspora communities and organizations. Its goal is to help foster discussion of issues related to diaspora communities and their contributions to diplomacy and sustainable development in their countries of origin. For more information, visit www.diasporasmsp.com.
The Diaspora African Women's Network (DAWN) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop and support women of the African diaspora focused on African affairs. DAWN provides its members with various Africa-related resources and member events, including private monthly dinners, mentorship opportunities, career development workshops, Africa networking events, and job announcements. DAWN has more than 200 members, with chapters in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Washington, New York, and San Francisco. Its members represent 28 African countries, the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, South America, and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.dawners.org.
The University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs ranks among the top professional schools of public affairs at public universities in the country. The School is widely recognized for its role in examining public issues and shaping policy and planning at the local, state, national, and international levels, as well as for providing leadership and management expertise to public and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.hhh.umn.edu.
The International diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA) promotes and supports diaspora-centered initiatives in entrepreneurship, volunteerism, philanthropy, diplomacy, and social innovation in countries and regions of diaspora origin. IdEA is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization that engages global diaspora communities, the private sector, civil society, and public institutions in collaborative efforts to support economic and social development. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton launched IdEA at the inaugural Global Diaspora Forum in May 2011. IdEA is managed via a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) as a Knowledge Partner. For more information, visit www.diasporaidea.org.
