Many countries with significant number of Diaspora populations abroad have recognized the importance of maintaining connections with the Diaspora community- the second-generation Diaspora with the aim to strengthen ties and to support young people understand about the historical and cultural identity of their parents and grandparents thereby enhance their involvement in countries of their origin.
It is clear that, these children and younger individuals often have a more tenuous link to their ancestral homeland, yet represent a crucial bridge to the global Diaspora community. As a result, numerous countries are implementing targeted initiatives to strengthen ties with children and youth Diaspora with their countries of origin, and support them understand about countries of their parents and grandparents.
For instance, India has made concerted efforts to reach out to its sizeable second-generation Diaspora. It organizes annual conferences that bring together younger members of the Indian Diaspora. The government also offers special programs and visas to make it easier for the second-generation Indians to visit, invest, and participate in the development of the country.
China also launched initiatives like the “Overseas Chinese Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Competition” to attract young Diaspora talent. The government provides fund, arranges mentorship programs and other resources to support the second-generation Chinese looking to start businesses or get involved in the country’s tech ecosystem.
Israel has gone to great lengths to solidify ties with the children of Jewish emigrants through programs like “Birthright Israel.” This initiative organizes free educational trips to Israel for young Diaspora Jews, with the goal of strengthening their connection to the Jewish homeland.
In Africa, countries like Ethiopia, Ghana, and Rwanda have ramped up outreach to their second-generation Diaspora populations. This includes hosting cultural events, offering investment incentives, and facilitating volunteering opportunities that allow younger Diaspora members to engage with their ancestral countries.
To bring the aforementioned benefits to the ground lately, a meeting was conducted with the Ethiopian missions and embassies and stakeholders to address the challenges of organizing the travel of second-generation Ethiopian Diaspora returning home to reconnect with their roots.
Speaking during a virtual meeting held with heads and representatives of Ethiopian missions worldwide this week, Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of the National Committee for the Call of Second Generation Ethiopians Amb. Nassise Chali, said that the third phase of the second-generation Ethiopian Diasporas’ homecoming seeks to reconnect them with their culture and history, while also encouraging their participation in charity activities.
To successfully accomplish this, the National Committee is collaborating with states and city administrations, as well as federal government and private institutions, Amb. Nassise added.
Mentioning that the third round of the Ethiopian Diasporas’ homecoming program is set to take place from the onset of the Ethiopian rainy season from June 18 to September 30, 2024 under the theme “Leave your Legacy, savor your holiday”, the Minister urged the missions to continue their coordinated efforts to realize the desired objectives.
Ethiopian Diaspora Service, Deputy Director General Belayneh Aknaw, stated that various events have been designed to closely link members of the second-generation Ethiopian Diaspora who are returning to the country and make a lasting impact.
The third phase, “Leave Your Legacy, Savor Your Holiday,” aims to involve second-generation Diaspora in the national volunteerism initiative. Participants can participate in the green legacy program, assist those in need by building houses, make donations to vulnerable communities, and share their experiences with Ethiopians at home while enjoying their vacations.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Ustaz Abubeker Ahmed shared his insights on the initiative of calling the second generation home.
According to him, this part of the community is missed for a number of reasons; thus, it is very important to let them connect with their origin. Because the calling engages this cohort, it has crucial importance as they represent a powerful bridge between cultures and economies. The invitation made by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) to the second-generation foreigners of Ethiopian origin to visit their home country is vital to enable them explore the vast existing opportunities in the country, and learn what is going on in person rather than hearsays, he remarked.
The invitation also could help to revamp the influx of tourists letting the nation generates income, he underlined.
He further noted that second-generation Diaspora possesses a unique blend of skills and perspectives, and the connections can be leveraged to drive sustained development and innovation. In this regard, both the origin nation and the Diaspora can benefit meaningfully.
He also noted that, because the second-generation Diaspora community is well educated, and even some are entrepreneurs as well as technologically advanced; there must be platforms that could let them obtain first-hand information on what kind of role they could play.
As they are exposed to dynamic globalized environments, they are well-equipped to identify emerging opportunities and trends. Owing to this, it will become pool of talent, which could help Ethiopia to harness the innovative capacity.
“I hope through specialties’ exchange programs, entrepreneurship accelerators, and Diaspora networking events should be organized in a bid to foster a sense of belonging and galvanize the second-generation’s commitment.”
These efforts must go beyond symbolic gestures and provide tangible avenues to strengthen collaboration and bring about constructive impact, he added.
It is to be recalled that the homecoming call to the second-generation Ethiopian Diaspora was proposed late last year by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, which has been executed in three phases between December 2023 and September 2024. Each phase focuses on a distinct thematic area that complements the overarching theme, “Back to You Origin.”
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 4 JULY 2024
