Fundraising for Diaspora Initiatives – Grants, Bids, and Crowdfunding

In an environment where there are increasing constraints on funding and resources, diaspora groups are having to work harder to raise funds and mobilise resources. ‘Brexit’ might exacerbate these trends as European Union funds may no longer be available for UK based civil society and diaspora groups. This practical event aims to showcase potential sources of funding to diaspora groups and how best to access these resources. You will be presented with the opportunity to meet leading UK funders and learn more about different approaches to fundraising and how to join the AFFORD-GlobalGiving Diaspora Crowdfunding Campaign. AFFORD has partnered with GlobalGiving, a leading global crowdfunding platform, to enable African diaspora organisations based in the UK to fundraise for their activities in Africa. We are inviting African diaspora organisations across the UK to mobilise their supporters to raise at least £5000 each for their community development or social enterprise projects in their countries of interest or heritage. Our Diaspora Crowdfunding Campaign will leverage an additional 25% in Gift Aid to all funds raised. Plus the 3 most successful campaigns will receive bonus prizes on top of their final amounts. Speakers: - Comfort Osilaja, Grants Manager at the Commonwealth Foundation - Comic Relief, Speaker to be confirmed - Eleanor Harrison OBE, CEO of GlobalGiving's UK office - Onyekachi Wambu, Director at AFFORD   This event is open to any African diaspora groups based in the UK and interested in accessing funds for their development activities. Unfortunately AFFORD is not able to sponsor participants travel. However, the event will be broadcast on Facebook Live for anyone outside of London wishing to follow the discussion.

The UN Global Compact on Migration (GCM) – How do we manage migration for the benefit of all?

The APPG DDM aims to promote parliamentary and public understanding of the key issues affecting diaspora communities in the UK, and to expand and enhance their contributions to the international development agenda. Due to the UK’s history as a country that has long welcomed refugees and migrants, and is home to long-standing and vibrant diaspora and migrant communities, the country has an important role to play in informing and shaping international agreements on how we manage migration better in the future. The APPG DDM is holding its first meeting of the 2017-2018 schedule to consider diaspora and migrant perspectives from the UK on the Global Compact on Migration (GCM).   Speakers include: - Erica Usher, Senior Policy Advisor on the GCM at IOM in Geneva - Mona Sadeq, Deputy Head of Mission to UK & Ireland at ICRC  - Onyekachi Wambu, Executive Director at AFFORD The meeting will be chaired by Jeremy Lefroy MP. Other speakers will include representatives of African, Asian, and Latin American diaspora and migrant organisations involved in development and humanitarian response.   The Secretariat of the APPG DDM is provided by AFFORD UK. For further information or in case of any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Paul Asquith by email at: paul@afford-uk.org  or by phone on +4407855036817.

Africa Tech Summit London

Africa Tech Summit London (ATSLDN) is a leading African tech event in Europe providing unrivaled insight and networking with the African tech ecosystem.

£126 – £245

From Locally Known to Global Brands

African Diaspora and Development Day (AD3) is now in its 18th year, with a reputation as the most prestigious event that brings together African Diasporas living in the UK.

Best of Nigeria Investment Expo 2018 (BONNIE 2018)

Theresa May’s recent visit to Nigeria and pledge to boost Britain’s investment in Africa after Brexit, along with the Nigerian governments promise to make Nigeria a global investment destination means that there is high demand for further ...

Rwandan Diaspora in the UK 2018 Study Presentation – London & Coventry

  The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the Rwanda High Commission (RHC) and the African Foundation for Development (AFFORD) are co-hosting two events in the UK for the Rwandan community to present findings and recommendations from a recent study of Rwandans in the UK and gather feedback and comments on the content; to provide an overview of Rwanda’s diaspora policies, initiatives and opportunities; and to showcase individual diaspora engagement experiences from Rwandans living in the UK. The events will also provide an opportunity for networking and wider discussions on diaspora engagement within the Rwandan community in the UK. The events are scheduled for 10th January in London and 11th January in Coventry. Register to attend the London event here Register to attend the Coventry event at https://rwandadiasporacoventry.eventbrite.co.uk Who Should Attend This event will be specifically about Rwanda and its diaspora and will be of particular interest to: Those from Rwanda Those interested in Rwanda or its diaspora The African diaspora community The Agenda 18:00 Doors open 18:30-18:40 Welcome and Introductions 18:40-18:55 Overview of Rwanda’s Diaspora Policies, Initiatives and Opportunities 18:55 -19:05 Introduction of IOM Project and Background to the Mapping Exercise 19:05- 19:20 Presentation of the mapping report ‘Rwandans in the UK: their skills base and engagement with Rwanda” 19:20-19:40 Question and Answer Session 19:40 -19:50 Insight and Response 19:45-20:00 Diaspora Experiences - diaspora speakers to give an overview of their respective diaspora initiatives in Rwanda and/or the UK 20:00-20:10 Diaspora professional skills and investment opportunities in Rwanda 20:10-20:15 Closing Remarks 20:15-21.00 Refreshments and Networking

Free

ABC Connect: Unlocking Women and Technology

We are very excited to present to you: ABC CONNECT: UNLOCKING WOMEN & TECHNOLOGY, the ABC’s partner event with iSpace Foundation and The Radical Leap Company. On Friday 28th March 2019, at the ABC offices, we are bringing together industry experts, successful entrepreneurs and tech professionals with insights on unlocking potential in and for women in the tech industry. You can expect: • Industry knowledge from experienced professionals • Real-life stories of successful entrepreneurs • Tips on access to finance opportunities for tech start ups • Networking with technology insiders Our guest speakers will include Abake Adenle of AJA.LA Studios, Noreen Makosewe of The Radical Leap Company and Kay Kukoyi Founder of Purposeful Products. This exclusive event is limited to 20 seats, click here to register now and don't miss out!

$10

IN CONVERSATION WITH ONYEKACHI WAMBU

The next big moment in the year of AFFORD@30 celebrations will be the In conversation with Onyekachi Wambu event at SOAS University of London on Friday 28 July from 5.30 to 8.00pm. Onyekachi is the former executive director of AFFORD, a celebrated diaspora transformer, journalist and writer. For 21 years, Onyekachi has worked with great vision, creativity and commitment for the African Foundation for Development (AFFORD) and for diaspora impact in Africa. This will be an intimate and illuminating evening with the former executive director of AFFORD, covering his journey from journalist and writer, to diaspora and development, and culture and restitution. Onyekachi has recently published the second edition of Empire Windrush - reflections of 75 years and more of the Black British experience. In this newly-published, ground-breaking anthology, Onyekachi collates some of the best and most significant writing from the 75 years following the arrival of Empire Windrush. Featuring a preface by Margaret Busby and new writing from Bernardine Evaristo, Mike Philips and Dan Hicks, Empire Windrush conjures a unique journey through the British past, present and future, via the prism of the Black imagination. Several chapters tackle issues of restitution. Copies of Empire Windrush will be on sale at the venue, courtesy of Round Table Books. In conversation with Onyekachi Wambu will be moderated by AFFORD chair Ndidi Njoku and Professor Gibril Faal of LSE. Onyekachi will be introduced by Ra Hendricks, founder of Jazzzmo’thology, a platform promoting and staging live events to illustrate the breadth of music created and performed by African peoples. Download Programme: IN CONVERSATION WITH ONYEKACHI WAMBU

The Inaugural UK Reparations Conference 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE 12 October 2023 REPORT EMBARGOED – 18 October 2023 – At a press conference by the main entrance of the British Museum, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Streatham MP and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Afrikan Reparations (APPG-AR), will launch a week of reparations themed events and activities organised by APPG-AR. These include: The publication of a summary briefing report: Hearings of the APPG-AR on the Restitution of Stolen African Artefacts and Human Remains. An Early day Motion (EDM) and lobby in Parliament on the restitution of stolen African artefacts and ancestral remains The Inaugural UK Reparations Conference 2023 from Saturday 21st - Sunday 22nd October 2023 at Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Afrikan Reparations (APPG-AR) brings together parliamentarians, campaigners, communities and other stakeholders to examine issues of African reparations and the restitution of cultural artefacts and ancestral remains. APPG-AR explores policy proposals on reparations and development and how best to redress the legacies of African enslavement and colonialism. The kick-off press conference outside the main British Museum entrance launches the summary briefing report of two APPG-AR hearings and a policy roundtable over 2022-2023, bringing together diverse perspectives from parliamentarians, senior museum experts, lawyers, academia and diaspora heritage practitioners, on the legal and global best practice on restitution. The experts highlighted the need for proactive measures and collaboration to address the challenges associated with restitution, such as the lack of a proper audit or cataloguing of collections, exposed by the recent scandalous theft and sale of classical items at the British Museum. Expert recommendations in the report include: The Department of Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) should provide resources for provenance research, negotiation of claims and cost of return; enhanced guidelines for the treatment and restitution of ancestral human remains within heritage/museum settings in England; The CMS Committee should undertake an urgent and comprehensive hearing into provenance and restitution; and Parliamentarians should consider proposing new legislation that applies similar provisions of the 2009 Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) to stolen African artefacts and human remains in UK collections In response to the report Bell Rebeiro-Addy, APPG-AR Chair, noted: ‘in supporting restitution efforts and implementing necessary changes to legislation and museum practices, the UK government can take significant steps towards rectifying historical injustices and fostering a more equitable and inclusive approach to cultural heritage.’ She continued: ‘The hearings and the roundtable further underscored the urgency of the issue, emphasising that the countries of origin must be given the opportunity to care for their own cultural heritage, which requires a comprehensive understanding of what items are in possession, especially when after recent events we take note of the questionable safety record at the British Museum. I will be launching an Early Day Motion on this subject and we will be exploring broader issues of reparatory justice at our 2 day conference on 21-22 October at Friends House in Euston.’ Ends For media inquiries, please contact: Bell Ribeiro-Addy - bell.ribeiroaddy.mp@parliament.uk or APPG co-Secretariat Onyekachi Wambu – onyekachi@afford-uk.org NOTES 1. The summary report is available for free download on the APPG-AR website, UK Reparations Conference 2023 — APPG for Afrikan Reparations (appg-ar.org), ensuring accessibility to a global audience. It is also available on the AFFORD website – www.Afford-uk.org. APPG-AR acknowledges that this summary report is part of an ongoing process, and it does not provide definitive answers to the complex issues it explores. Instead, it serves as a catalyst for further research, dialogue, and collaboration among museums, source communities, and relevant stakeholders. APPG-AR invites scholars, museum professionals, policymakers, and the public to engage with the findings and participate in the ongoing conversation regarding the restitution and reparations of cultural objects. 2. Other events following the press conference and publication launch include: the APPG-AR organised UK Reparations Conference 2023 from Saturday 21st - Sunday 22nd October 2023 at Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ. The conference brings together campaigns, institutions, and individuals to discuss the issue of reparations for colonisation, the transatlantic kidnap, trafficking and enslavement of Africans, theft of looted artefacts and ancestral remains, and continued exploitation of peoples of African descent across the world. The conference will be free to attend and will feature sessions on a range of policy issues as they relate to reparatory justice - from the restitution of artefacts to land rights, education, employment, environmental justice, economics, law, culture, and many other areas beside. Speakers include international government representatives, national and international dignitaries, Independent UN experts, campaigners, academics, Members of Parliament, legal experts, and youth voices. To register and for further information please go to. UK Reparations Conference 2023 — APPG for Afrikan Reparations (appg-ar.org) 3.The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Afrikan Reparations (APPG-AR) brings together parliamentarians, campaigners, communities and other stakeholders to examine issues of African reparations and the restitution of cultural artefacts and ancestral remains. APPG-AR explores policy proposals on reparations and development and how best to redress the legacies of African enslavement and colonialism. The APPG-AR seeks to continue the work of honourable Bernie Grant MP (1944-2000) on the restitution of African artefacts and ancestral remains to enable the restitution of stolen African artefacts and human remains. We look forward to exploring new ways to progress the restitution dialogue we hope to contribute to a constructive and informed global dialogue 4. The African Foundation for Development (AFFORD) is an international organisation established in 1994, with a mission ‘to expand and enhance the contributions Africans in the diaspora make to African development’. AFFORD’s mission is achieved through programmes and projects within the following overlapping themes: enterprise and employment, diaspora remittances and investments, diaspora engagement and capacity and action research, policy and practice. AFFORD acts as a co-secretariat for the APPG-AR, and complied this report through its Return of the Icons programme which focuses on restitution of looted African artefacts and human remains to their country of heritage. Website: African Foundation for Development - African Foundation for Development (AFFORD) (afford-uk.org)

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