development

ABC Connects Fashion With Africa

ABC Connect is the AFFORD Business Club’s monthly networking event. It is an opportunity to network with members and gain some insight from experts in various fields. ABC Connect in January 2019 will be a roundtable discussion focusing on the business of fashion in Africa and reaching wider markets. We will be hearing from industry experts, successful designers and those with the finance to provide necessary insight to fashion entrepreneurs with their eye on Africa! Our guest speakers will include Jacqueline Shaw Director of Africa Fashion Guide, Yemisi Mokuolu CEO of Hatch Africa and Aji Ayorinde Founder and Creative Director of MIA London. Topics covered will include:– Testimony from industry experts– Experience of successful designers– Access to finance opportunities– Networking with fashion insiders This exclusive event is limited to 20 seats, so register now and don’t miss out!

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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

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Diaspora Professionals in Development and Humanitarian Spaces

  Join us on Tuesday 12 February 2019 at the Connecting Diaspora UK Networking Event “Diaspora professionals in development and humanitarian spaces” co-hosted by Shabaka, the African Foundation for Development (AFFORD) and Centre of African Studies SOAS, University of London. Connecting Diaspora UK is a networking event for diaspora professionals working in the development and humanitarian sectors. The aim is to build a constituency of African and Middle Eastern diaspora professionals to increase diversity in these sectors and facilitate collaborations between international organisations and the diaspora. If you are: – Diaspora/migrant from Africa, Near and the Middle East regions – Working or interested in international development and humanitarian sectors – Seeking to connect with those with similar interests in international development and humanitarian response – Seeking to gain an insight into the role and potential of diaspora communities in peace, development and humanitarian response Then join us for this informal network event and build and strengthen new relationships! Register here

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UK Visa Refusals for African Visitors

Chi Onwurah MP, Chair of the APPG for Africa, invites you to a parliamentary meeting to discuss UK visa refusals for African visitors. On Tuesday 22nd January from 6pm until 7.30pm in the Grimond Room, Portcullis House, House of Commons The meeting provides an opportunity for guests from a diversity of sectors including academic, cultural, NGO , health and business to share evidence with parliamentarians on the consistency and quality of the decision making of UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) for visa applications. Evidence will be presented to a panel of parliamentarians to feed into a policy brief in advance of APPG for Africa roundtable meeting with the UK Immigration Minister, Caroline Nokes MP, two weeks later. Some guests will be invited to formally present their evidence to the panel and advance notice will be given. Those not presenting to the panel will have the opportunity to submit written statements in advance of the meeting and to ask questions during the Q&A if time allows. Written statements should be submitted as soon as possible to Hetty Bailey on baileyh@parliament.uk but no later than Tuesday 8th January. (NB- Statements should be succinct, refer to the questions below, be no longer than 1500 words and in Word document format).   This meeting hopes to gather evidence and information from participants on the following questions: 1) What is your experience of supporting African nationals in applying for visas for African nationals to conferences / events / business meetings/ training sessions in the UK? 2) How many times have you supported African nationals to apply for a UK visa, of whatever type? 3) How many were rejected or approved? What were the most common grounds for refusal given? How many were granted, but too late to allow the participant to attend? 4) For those that reapplied, how many were granted visas? What circumstances changed in their application? Did they resubmit with additional information? And did the visa arrive in time for them to attend the event? 6) Have you seen any evidence of inconsistency in decision-making regarding visa applications? 7) What do you understand to be the main barriers to submitting successful visa applications for African nationals? And can you estimate how many might have decided not to visit the UK because of the difficulty of obtaining a visa? NB- Please note that numerically presented evidence is particularly valuable. Guests are actively encouraged to invite their local Members of Parliament to attend the meeting and listen to the evidence.   A guest list will be in operation. If you are interested in participating please e-mail the APPG for Africa at baileyh@parliament.uk with your name, role and organisation. This meeting in being held in a collaboration between the APPG for Africa, The Royal African Society, AFFORD and the APPG for Malawi.

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#DiasporaTransformers- Facebook live discussion celebrating the impact of African diaspora entrepreneurs

This year we are celebrating Global Entrepreneurship week #GEW2018 from 12th-18th November 2018 by showcasing the impact that diaspora entrepreneurs have towards development in Africa on all our social media channels. Follow #diasporatransformers to get updates and join the conversation on the importance of African diaspora entrepreneurship. We are also hosting a series of Facebook Live roundtable discussions which will take place from Wednesday 14th November 2018 at 1:30pm. The discussions will focus on exploring the impact diaspora entrepreneurs are making towards development in Africa and provide up and coming entrepreneurs with advice on how to start and maintain a successful diaspora business. Special guests include:  Bashair Ahmed, Founder of Shabaka Enteprise  Annette Fisher, Partner at FA Global  Yasmin Botchway, Blogger & YouTuber  Mariatu Turay, Founder of Gitas Portal   Tobi Oludayomi, Co-founder of Studio 14 Like and Follow us on Facebook to join!  

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