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Preface to TMG 2007 Conference Proceedings (contact TMG to purchase a copy)
- Keynote 1: Sustainable Development: Africa needs another model – let a thousand flowers bloom – and its Experienced Diaspora –
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- Keynote 2: Sustainable Financing of Projects in Africa: A Diaspora Perspective
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- Dr. Asa’ah Nkohkwo
- Ms. K Patel
- Mr. Ralph Tanyi
- Workshop 1: The Role of Umbrella Diaspora Groups: What, How and some Emerging Case Studies,
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- Facilitator: Dr. Ben Page (UCL, Univ. of London);
- Rapporteur: Dr. Charles Nche (TMG)
- Expert: Dr Carol Tah (TMG)
- Workshop 2: Electronic Technologies to Facilitate Diaspora Knowledge Sharing and Building Communities,
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- Facilitator: Dr Forba Ngemoh (TMG)
- Rapporteur: Mr Fidelis Ngede (Strategium Group);
- Expert: Dr. Shiyghan Navti (IBM)
- Workshop 3: The Pros and Cons of Setting up as a Registered Charity,
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- Facilitator: Dr. Linus Etube
- Rapporteur: Ms Beatrice Njindou (YPCN)
- Expert: Dr. Jey Ngole (TMG)
- Workshop 4: Core Leadership and Capacity-Building Skills Required by Diaspora for African Sustainable Development,
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- Facilitator: Dr Linda Deigh (University of Bedfordshire);
- Rapporteurs: Dr. Montio Morgan/Ms Pam Njawe (LESA-UK);
- Expert: Professor Sama Nwana (TMG)
General Information
Following the acclaimed first African Diaspora Conference on Sustainable Development [TMG-2006] in July 2006, there emerged, from the sessions, a clear need that the 150 participants wanted more time to "workshop" and share ideas and Case Studies in more detail on African Sustainable Development. TMG-2007 is a response to this cry.
To register your interest, please click here or
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Attendance fee is £20 per delegate. There is a limited number places for this event so allocation will be on a first come first served basis.
Dr Jey Ngole
TMG Foundation
Registered Charity No. 1114694
Tel: +44 (0) 7740093303
Sustainable Development: Africa needs another model – let a thousand flowers bloom - and its Experienced Diaspora
Hyacinth Sama Nwana
TMG Foundation
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Abstract
In this paper, I outline why TMG – as an African Diaspora group in the UK - came to the realization that African Sustainable Development is not only the responsibility of many African stakeholders groups, of course, – but why we have particularly singled out the African Diaspora as key to its resolution! The reasons – we believe – are truly worth re-iterating to African Diaspora. This is a key contribution of this brief paper.
The lack of sustainability is such a problem on our continent. However, as a group, we believe time for discussions and forensic analyses of the issues is well past. It is time to act. Indeed, this conference is just one of those “actions” which TMG is engaged in, and some of the papers, including this one, detail some of what we and others are practically doing on the ground – and not just discussing.
We contend the lessons we report from some of our evolving “grassroots-based”, “micro projects-driven”, “stakeholder community-involving” and “diaspora-supporting” initiatives bode much better for sustainability than “Western-driven” and “donor-led” models. We hope some of the examples we cover convince you of this other key contribution.
Sustainable Financing of Projects in Africa: A Diaspora Perspective
Asa’ah T. Nkohkwo
TMG Foundation
& K Patel (Sickle Cell Society) & Ralph Tanyi (Cameroon Forum)
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Abstract
The diaspora Africans in Europe & America have the unique and largely under-harnessed potential of catalysing sustainable development initiatives in homeland Africa. TMG 2006 highlighted this (ref. reports on the Proceedings of TMG 2006 www.tmg-foundation.org; Reconnect Africa 2006, Lerewa YPCN Journal 2006).
This tutorial will focus on the various ways diasporans can leverage their connections, savoir-faire and access to the vast reservoir of philanthropic funds and goodwill out here to support the initiation and sustainability of social enterprise in Africa.
An initial appraisal will be made of the range of sources for “good causes” funding, including: restricted & unrestricted income streams; community fundraising; corporate social responsibility, affinity & sponsorships; legacies & venture philanthropy; investments and merchandising.
The importance of sustainable philanthropy through endowment or trust funds raised previously (ref. Proceedings of TMG 2006) is exemplified by the work of ETAYA/PFP, a possible goal for a diaspora intiated social security fund . The micro-credit model is not only to ensure that the users who are predominantly rural dwellers access funds, but to engage in some form of income yielding activity and a culture of savings and investments in order to participate sustainably in their self-development (including market linkages). The role of women (the backbone of rural communities) and that of the diaspora (a major source of remittances) will be highlighted.
The tutorial will then consider the potential challenges of adapting and extrapolating charitable income generation, the UK 3rd Sector way, into the African NGO sector. As much as possible the tutorial shall draw on case-based exemplars, such as the ETAYA model, although the aim of the lecture shall be largely to ‘swish’ the audience onto an hour of can-do thinking. We hope thereby to inform and inspire many into exploring the vast untapped catalytic potential that they represent for sustainable development of their native land and Africa in general. They could thus ably serve as consultants in fundraising, management and PR for various outfits.
Finally, it must be stated that, rather than an erudite academic appraisal of the topic, this tutorial will draw, largely and pragmatically so, from the practical experiences of the presenters. Although those interested in further reading will be signposted accordingly.
Umbrella Diaspora Group
TMG 2007 Workshop Position Paper
Charles Nche & Sama Nwana
Trustees
TMG Foundation
118 Roman Road, Basingstoke
RG23 8HF
UK
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Abstract
At last year’s TMG 2006 African Diaspora Conference on Sustainable Development there were many suggestions that an Umbrella Diaspora for the UK Cameroonian Community emerge. Indeed this idea was also reflected by other nationals who attended the conference as well as emerged as a core theme from many post-conference feedback questionnaires. Furthermore, there were several suggestions that The Millennium Group (TMG) emerges as such as umbrella Diaspora Group.
However, it was not clear what role(s) such a group should play. For reasons of both the demand from TMG 2006 conference and because TMG may be fumbling its way towards such an umbrella Diaspora group, we decided it was a good topic for a workshop session at TMG 2007.
In this brief position paper to introduce this TMG 2007 Workshop, we attempt define the need and the key roles of such a group as well as a possible scope of the workshop. In this vein, we have solicited, gained and reflect the views of other Diaspora Groups including YPCN , FOC-UK and SHESA-UK . This position paper draws largely from Cameroonian voices but we believe that views will “translate” to other African countries too.
We use our Charity – TMG Foundation , as well as Cameroon Forum as emerging illustrative case studies.
The Pros and Cons of a UK Registered Charity Status
TMG-2007 Workshop Position Paper
Jey Ngole & Sama Nwana
Trustees
The Millennium Group (TMG) Foundation
118 Roman Road, Basingstoke
RG23 8HF
UK
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Abstract
At last year’s TMG 2006 African Diaspora Conference on Sustainable Development (see www.tmg-foundation.org), several presentations and papers suggested or extolled the virtues of organizations registering with the Charity Commission.
It is widely believed that registration with the UK Charity Commission can facilitate access, by the registered organisation, to the pool of funds, here in the UK and elsewhere, which is earmarked for philanthropic purposes. However, this school of thought hardly goes without awakening serious reservations. Other concerns include the unavoidable administrative burden, on charity Trustees, to meet the significant number of restrictions and rules laid down by the Charity Commission.
In this brief position paper, we define the scope of this TMG-2007 workshop and summarise some key pros and cons to acquiring a UK charity status. We use our Charity – TMG Foundation – to illustrate. We hope it provides a good aide-memoire to the workshop.
Diaspora Core Leadership and Capacity-Building Skills Workshop for Sustainable Development
TMG 2007 Workshop Position Paper
Hyacinth Sama Nwana
Trustee
TMG Foundation
118 Roman Road, Basingstoke
RG23 8HF
UK
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Abstract
At last year’s TMG 2006 African Diaspora Conference on Sustainable Development (www.tmg-foundation.org) many suggestions were raised which resulted in their incorporation at the TMG 2007 as workshops: the roles of Diaspora Umbrella Groups; the pros and cons of UK Charity registration for sustainable development; and the role of electronic technologies for Diaspora Sustainable Development.
However, underlying all these good suggestions, participants also correctly realized the absolute primary necessity for “Core Leadership and Capacity-Building Skills Required by African Diaspora” for realizing such African Sustainable Development. For this reason, it is also a workshop at TMG 2007, and it is perhaps arguably the most important of them all.
In this brief position paper to introduce this most important TMG 2007 Workshop, we attempt to introduce this important subject as well as a possible scope of the workshop. In this vein, we have solicited, gained and reflect the views of other Diaspora Groups including YPCN , FOC-UK and SHESA-UK . This position paper draws largely from Cameroonian voices but we believe that views will “translate” to other African countries too.
We use some of the activities we have carried out in our Charity – TMG Foundation , for illustration.
Electronic Technologies to Facilitate Diaspora Knowledge Sharing and Building Communities
TMG 2007 Workshop Position Paper
Forba Ngemoh
Trustee
TMG Foundation
118 Roman Road, Basingstoke
RG23 8HF
UK
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Abstract
Following on from TMG 2006 African Diaspora Conference on Sustainable Development where the role of infrastructure in development was extensively explored in both work shops and key articles, many participants expressed the need to focus on a narrower area of technology to permit a fuller and more meaningful exploration of its contribution and potential contribution within the Diaspora agenda
Electronic technologies standout as one major area of technology with vast potentials for facilitating Diaspora Knowledge sharing, Community building and development within the home communities. This TMG 2007 workshop provides the forum for participants to share and explore knowledge in this are of technology.
This brief paper outlines the scope of the work shop and provides some background into the various technology solutions available for Diaspora knowledge sharing, community building and sustainable development. It examines the delivery and access requirements for those solutions and the capability of the Diaspora and home communities for leveraging those solutions. It further outlines real life examples where such technologies are being used or have been attempted and presents the key issues for the workshop to address.
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Revisit 2007 Workshop Abtracts
