In order to facilitate further involvement of Georgian diaspora in country’s development processes, and ensure achievement of greater impact of diaspora engagement, the Government of Georgia in close cooperation with ICMPD continues formation of diaspora engagement mechanisms.
On 19-20 April 2023, a workshop on diaspora policy and engagement practices was organised, with the close cooperation of ICMPD and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. The workshop was led by an international expert, founder of Global Diaspora Insights, Dr. Martin Russell. One of the aims of the workshop was to organise a multi-stakeholder exchange with the representatives of line state institutions such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, Ministry of Education and Science, Parliament of Georgia, and State Commission on Migration Issues. Throughout the workshop, participants have actively engaged in the discussion for the development of Georgia’s Draft Law on Compatriots Residing Abroad and Diaspora Organisations, as well as reviewed the variety of diaspora laws, policies, and strategies identifying optimal models. Consequently, participants have actively involved in the group-work aimed at developing the critical insights on how to design and deliver diaspora engagement programmes focusing on implementation design and techniques for the most positive outcome.
Throughout the workshop, readiness for the continuous involvement in a multi-stakeholder process aiming at developing tailored programmes for the engagement of diaspora members in the particularly important areas of Georgia’s development has been clearly confirmed by the parties.
The initiative is supported in frames of the EU-funded “Strengthening Development Impact of Migration in Georgia (STREAMinG)” project implemented by ICMPD.