diaspora african forum presentation

DIASPORA AFRICAN FORUM – “We are the World”DIASPORA AFRICAN FORUM – “We are the World”

THE 5th INTERNATIONAL TURKISH-AFRICAN CONGRESS

“CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION”PRESENTED BY: THE DIASPORA AFRICAN FORUM-November 20th 2009

[email protected]+1(678) 779-8407


CONTENTS• The African Diaspora and its Role• An Introduction to Africa• Facts about Africa• Defining Culture• The Connection between Africa and Turkey• The Role of Communication• The Engagement of Trade• Facilitating the Exchange


THE AFRICAN DIASPORA• The African Diaspora as defined by the African Union as:

– “Peoples of African origin whose ancestors within historical memory came from Africa, but who are currently domiciled in other countries outside the continent and claim citizenship of those countries.”

• There are now 6 regions of Africa:– Central– Northern– Eastern– Southern– Western– Diaspora

• It is apparent that when looking at Afro-Turk relations, one need not overlook the African Diaspora


THE DIASPORA AFRICAN FORUM

• The role of DAF• Highlights of Accomplishments

– Seat on the African Union– Annual Media Summit– Recognition by the Obama Administration

• Methods of Communication


GETTING TO KNOW AFRICA“The darkest thing about Africa has always

been our ignorance of it”

-George Kimble, Geographer


AN INTRODUCTION TO AFRICA


THE FACTS FAVOR AFRICA

1. Diverse population of over 900 million people – it is the second most populous continent in the world

2. In 2006, private capital flows to sub-Saharan Africa overtook official aid for the first time

3. Across Africa there is a growing middle class


THE SOUTH-SOUTH RELATIONSHIP


DEFINING CULTURE• DEFINITION OF CULTURE:

– “The set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization.”

• Interestingly and often overlooked is that culture also means: – “The act of developing the intellectual and moral faculties

especially by education.” – Therefore, as culture is relevant to groups within a group,

culture itself is driven by the dynamism of education of self and the surrounding environment.

– It is critical that all cultures utilize the medium of education and communication to further their own goals and objectives.


AFRICA AND TURKEY: Connection and Way Forward• Ottoman Empire

• Afro Turks• Cultural Diversity• Current Initiatives to Improve Collaboration

– Turkeys support of 2,000+ African Scholars– 2005 announcement of “The Year of Africa”– Communications exchange between African and Turkish

leadership– Turkey’s AU observer status– Turkey’s Pursuit of EU status

• We are writing the next chapter of our history today!!!


THE ROLE OF COMMUNICATION• Identifying the core competencies of each nation• Clarifying the geographic and cultural landscape of both nations• Engagement of key leadership and organizations that will

facilitate mutual exchange (Governments, CSO, Business Sector)• Identifying what each nation wants to achieve through the

collaboration• Development of a clear roadmap to success that is accepted and

supported by ALL key stakeholders• Making a commitment to the execution and achievement of the

initiatives• Establishing a legacy system that will ensure the sustainability of

the initiatives through the enlistment of members of the community on the collegiate and high school level

• HOSTING TASAM IN AFRICA!!!


THE ENGAGEMENT OF TRADE

The complexity of country based, regional, and continental trade agreements encourages a multilateral approach when engaging the Continent of Africa on trade and investment


FACILITATING THE EXCHANGE• Education• Business

– What Africa can learn from Turkey– What Turkey can learn from Africa

• Media: Looking beyond CNN• Role of Embassies:

– Exchange of information about the home country– Facilitating ease of travel– Stimulating business – Fostering of diplomatic relations– Cultural consulting

• Leveraging Technology via E-meetings

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