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Public Dialogue

Innovations in Poverty Reduction and Economic Development

Dialogue Purpose

This dialogue is part of an ongoing public engagement series that examines the unique role of the diaspora resident in Vancouver who are committed financially and personally to development activities in the global south. Diaspora-driven development efforts have a powerful impact in the global south that reverberates here in Metro Vancouver. While often informal or grassroots, these initiatives demonstrate the benefits and unique strengths of the diaspora – cultural awareness of communities of origin and residence, fluency working in dual cultures, awareness of local issues and concerns (trans-local), and long-term personal commitment to projects and communities.

This dialogue foregrounds the innovative ways diaspora-driven initiatives are contributing to poverty reduction and economic development.

Presentations & audio recordings

Welcome, Setting the Stage for Dialogue on Diaspora in Development	Moderator: Margaret Gallagher, CBC Radio
Welcome	James Busumtwi-Sam, Associate Professor of Political Science, Simon Fraser University
Welcome	Joanna Ashworth & Shaheen Nanji, Project Co-Directors, Simon Fraser University
*Dialogue: What brings you here?*
Session 1: Responding to Basic Needs through Grassroots Mobilizations	Moderator: Margaret Gallagher, CBC Radio
Emergency response in Haiti	Kaye Kerlande, Hearts Hands Minds for Haiti
Grassroots Community Development in Sri Lanka	Sumana Wijeratna, VanLanka Community Foundation
Housing in the Philippines	Lorie Corcuera, Enspire Foundation
*Dialogue: Sharing Experiences of Diaspora in Development; What is the unique position of the diaspora to engage in innovative poverty reduction initiatives?*	Respondent: June Francis, Associate Professor, Faculty of Business Administration, Simon Fraser University
Session 2: Business as Economic Development	Moderator: Margaret Gallagher, CBC Radio
Investing in Small Business in Northern Uganda	Miriam Megwalu
Connecting Across Sectors and Networks in Latin America	Antonio Arreaga
*Dialogue: What are the potential benefits of diaspora business ventures in the economic well-being of Canada and communities in the Global South?*
Session 3: Final Reflections: Tapping the Potential: Learning from the Diaspora	Respondent: Alexander Dawson, Associate Professor, Department of History and Director, Latin American Studies, Simon Fraser University
Closing Remarks
Adjourn

Public Dialogue

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