What Development Means to Diaspora Communities

Both diaspora communities and INGOs want to create positive change in developing countries, but their priorities, strategies and ways of working differ substantively.

This report looks at how communication and engagement can help bring these two key development agents closer together to achieve mutual objectives.

It is imperative that INGOs develop new communication strategies to improve their engagement with diaspora communities. This will take decisive action and resources. Under the auspices of the European Year for Development, the authors of this report were asked to propose relevant recommendations for different stakeholders across the development sector.

The report concludes that priority actions should aim to:

• Acknowledge the contribution of diaspora communities as a valuable component of the UK’s overall international development offer.
• Commit to a trust-building strategy that listens to diasporas’ concerns and aims to address these as much as possible.
• Focus on common interest in fostering positive change in developing countries and identify specific initiatives on which to collaborate.
• Make an effort to refine development narratives so these can help break down negative stereotypes about developing countries.
• Take into account the crucial role of faith in the life of diaspora communities.