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MULTI-SECTORIAL TECHNICAL WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL POLICY ON NAMIBIAN DIASPORA

Swakopmund - From May 10-12, 2023, a Multi-Sectorial Technical Workshop is taking place in Swakopmund to develop the Implementation Plan for the draft National Policy on Namibian Diaspora. The event is hosted through a partnership between the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), within the framework of the European Union funded project “Southern Africa Migration Management (SAMM)” aimed at improving the management of migration in the SADC and IOC regions. 

The primary goal of the workshop is for the stakeholders in Namibia, the Heads of Namibian Missions abroad, and the Namibian Diaspora, to collaborate in reviewing the draft national policy on the diaspora and jointly create a multi-sectorial implementation plan for it. 

“The Namibian Government deserves commendation for its leadership in spearheading the drafting of the National Policy on Namibian Diaspora and now  the drafting of its implementation plan, particularly under the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation”, Mr. Ashraf El Nour, IOM Regional Director for Southern Africa remarked during the morning commencement of the workshop.

During the opening, Mr. Milner Mwanangombe, who serves as the Chairperson of the Board for the Lukopane Namibia Cultural Association based in Germany, emphasized the significance of collaborating with all parties involved to create a more inclusive and thriving Namibia. He urged stakeholders to recognize the potential of the diaspora and work together towards this important goal.

“A diaspora policy can provide a framework for engagement with the diaspora, facilitating the exchange of ideas and expertise, creating opportunities for investment, and fostering a sense of belonging and connection to the homeland”, he said.

Ambassador Penda Naanda, Executive Director in the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, opened the workshop by delivering a keynote address. He highlighted that the development of the Namibia Diaspora Policy represents a significant shift in the country's approach to engaging and involving the Diaspora community.

“Our wish is therefore, to have our Namibians in the diaspora become a potent force our socio-economic and cultural development through, not only their remittances, but through the promotion of trade, investment research, innovation, knowledge and technology transfer”, he said. 

The Executive Director used the opportunity to inform that Namibia will be hosting, in collaboration with IOM, the Regional Capacity Development Workshop on Diaspora Engagement, from 30 May to 1 June in Windhoek.

“The Workshop will contribute to building the technical and institutional mechanisms at national levels on diaspora engagement and ensure that Member States have the requisite capacity to engage their respective diaspora communities effectively”, he said.

Officials from various Offices, Ministries and Agencies as well as the IOM, the Heads of Namibian Missions abroad, the Namibian Diaspora, various Stakeholders in Namibia, are participating in the hybrid Multi-Sectorial Technical Workshop on the development of the Implementation Plan of the draft National Policy on the Namibian Diaspora.

For more information, please contact:
Florence Situmbeko, IOM Namibia Head of Office fsitumbeko@iom.int. 
Tunde Omoyeni, SAMM Regional Project Coordinator somoyeni@iom.int