The past CD4D year flew by! With only a few operational months left in the project, this newsletter reflects on activities in the past few months.
Diaspora experts have made an incredible impact in target countries Somalia, Nigeria, and Iraq through 188 assignments. 90 Assignments were executed in Somalia, followed by 56 assignments in Nigeria and 42 assignments in Iraq. The diaspora is versatile: from improving digitalization processes to developing new policies, the CD4D experts have contributed across many selected sectors.
|
| |
|
In 25% of the assignments, we managed to successfully connect women to the development of their countries of origin, as one out of four assignments was completed by a female diaspora expert. Moreover, we have facilitated a few assignments dedicated to promoting gender equality. |
|
|
Sustainable Knowledge Transfer |
Collaboration between diaspora experts and host institutions often results in sustainable partnerships and new initiatives. Do you remember the exchange visits from a few months ago?
In this article and this article, you can read more about the visits of delegations from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and Nigeria to exchange knowledge on agricultural innovation and fighting the spread of tuberculosis. In the meantime, three diaspora experts have managed to follow up on the exchange visits. Farzan Najmeddin travelled to the KRI recently to support the setup of a pilot project to implement sustainable agricultural innovations. He works closely together with the delegation we welcomed in the Netherlands in July. They are now exploring which Dutch techniques work in the KRI as well, and methods to prepare for an even dryer future. The Nigerian delegation also started to implement the knowledge gained in the Netherlands. Two colleagues from the KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, who we worked together with to facilitate the exchange visit, support the delegation in the process. Besides many online meetings, they also visited the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) in Nigeria recently.
Keep an eye on our website and LinkedIn page to stay updated about these interesting developments. |
|
|
This photo was made by Farzan during his follow-up assignment in Sulaymaniyah |
|
|
The Sixth Taskforce Meeting |
The sixth taskforce meeting took place on the 18th of October. We welcomed our partners at the IOM the Netherlands office in the Hague to discuss project activities, progress and challenges. Moreover, the taskforce shared updates on their activities related to diaspora engagement.
CD4D Ambassador Ayalew Kassahun joined us to share his ideas on the long-term impact of CD4D. Ayalew went to Ethiopia under the CD4D project in 2028, and is still in touch with Wollo University, where he currently develops new university curricula. Read more abour Ayalew’s new initiative in Ethiopia here.
We would like to thank the taskforce for their valuable contributions and look forward to future engagements.
|
Nina Staal, Zia Gulam and Ayalew Kassahun during the Taskforce meeting |
|
|
Our colleagues Nina Staal and Zia Gulam traveled to Somaliland to visit partner organizations, IOM colleagues and diaspora experts on duty. The organizations were very satisfied with the contributions of diaspora experts. Many of them have created a sustainable impact in Somaliland, for example by supporting the setup of a new ICT department at Berbera Municipality. One of the interns supervised by a CD4D diaspora expert is currently even head of the ICT department! Moreover, some former participants stayed in Somaliland and established farms to provide healthy food and job opportunities for the local community.
Read more about the monitoring visit to Somaliland here. |
Zia and Nina meet IOM colleagues in Somaliland |
|
|
Verhalen van de diaspora-experts |
Many diaspora experts keep us informed about their follow-up activities in the Netherlands and countries of origin. The CD4D team collects these stories to post them on the website regularly.
In the past year, Samira Hussein provided legal advice to the Minister of Justice of Somaliland, thereby also putting the position of women on the organization’s agenda. Moreover, interns in Somaliland learned a lot this year about the daily activities of the host institutions, CD4D Ambassador Ayalew Kassahun made a sustainable impact in Ethiopia, and CD4D Ambassador Nasir Ali managed to do the same in Somaliland. Lastly, communications advisor Georgina Kwakye told us more about her experiences and motivation to work with the diaspora.
We will share more stories about the diaspora experts in the upcoming year on our website and LinkedIn page, so stay tuned for more! |
Mohamed Yusuf and Nasir Ali during Nasir’s assignment at the Ministry of Interior of Somaliland |
|
|
Other Projects of IOM the Netherlands |
Besides CD4D, IOM the Netherlands implements many more projects to improve the position of people with a migrant background in society.
Have you heard about the MATCH project already? MATCH is a circular migration project which aims to address labour market shortages in Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. MATCH thereby shows the great potential that comes with recruiting Nigerian and Senegalese talent. The project is funded by the European Union and is approaching its end date. Some interesting final conferences were organized to discuss lessons learned and foster new partnerships. Find more information about MATCH here.
Furthermore, IOM the Netherlands recently launched two new projects. LEARN aims to improve the position of permit holders on the Dutch labour market, and SAMEN prevents and combats sexual, gender-based and domestic violence experiences by migrant communities in the Netherlands. SAMEN connects healthcare professionals to cultural mediators to tailor care to the needs of the target group. Follow IOM the Netherlands on social media for updates on these and other project activities.
|
The MATCH final event in the Hague |
|
|
The CD4D team wishes you happy holidays and looks forward to more knowledge transfer in the new year! |
|
|
IOM the Netherlands
P.O.Box 10796, 2501 HT Den Haag +31 70 318 15 00 |
| |
|
|
