The document discusses the role of diasporas in reducing armed violence in their homelands. It identifies four critical areas of influence: remittances and investment, political involvement, civic involvement, and lobbying in host countries. Some key lessons are that diasporas can be more constructive than destructive in resolving conflicts, as exposure to other political cultures teaches compromise. The document also notes that diasporas seek peacebuilding training and organize projects to contribute to conflict transformation in their home countries. However, there remains a need for greater recognition of diasporas, addressing information gaps, building skills, and forming partnerships.

1. The role of diasporas for the reduction and prevention of armed violence
Presentation By:
Abubakarr Bangura (Med)
Board Member
African Diaspora Policy Centre The Netherlands (APDC)
Tel: +31 20 4298785
Mob: +31-6-27284025
info@diaspora.nl
http://www.diaspora-centre.org

2. Added Value of Working with the
Diaspora in Peacebuilding in their
Homelands

3. Four Critical Areas
Our research has identified four critical areas through
which the long-distance activities undertaken by the
African diaspora make both positive and negative
contributions to the conflict dynamics in the homelands:
• Remittance and investment in the homeland
• Diaspora political involvement in the homeland
• Diaspora civic-oriented involvement in the homeland
• Diaspora lobbying in the host country

4. What are the key lessons to
be learned from experience so far
• Many African governments have initiated diaspora-friendly policies which are
creating an enabling environment on the ground
• More constructive than destructive in the resolution and transformation of
conflicts in their respective countries of origin
• Getting exposed to political cultures in which differences are resolved through
dialogue, compromise and concession
• Seeking capacity building training for peace and conflict transformation skills and
practices
• Organizing themselves as peace-oriented activists
• Setting up peace-building projects as one of their core activities (i.e. Burundi) to
contribute to the conflict transformation in their countries of origin.

5. What are the key gaps / needs for
action? The Way Forward
• Recognition
• Information gap
• Skilled gap
• Partnership gap

6. The power of
working
together