Global African Stakeholders Diaspora Convention, Washington DC, 19- 22 November 2015

Under the auspices of the AU ECOSOCC and the support of AU CIDO Secretariat, the Global Africa Diaspora Convention will take place in Washington, DC / Baltimore, Maryland on November 19-22, 2015. The Convention will focus on the role of Africa Diaspora in Africa's development on the most vital issues of identifying and applying capacities; sensitizing the shared values of the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the unique role of AU ECOSOCC in engaging the civil society as partners in development; and improving stakeholders' understanding and cooperation on common policies that are applicable to all constituencies, including Diaspora representation at the AU ECOSOCC.

After the Global Africa Diaspora Summit in 2012 and the AU Declaration, the Global Africa Diaspora Convention provides a common forum and unprecedented opportunity for diverse constituencies, including women and youth organizations, in the Diaspora to assess common developments and highlight innovative ways to improve outcomes that rely on system building and harmonized recommendations for evidence-based policies. The expected outcomes are enumerated in the concept and content of the program.

The Global Africa Diaspora Convention will bring heightened focus on the African Union 2015 Theme: Year of Women Empowerment and Development towards Agenda 2063 with innovative programs and support for the CIDO's implementation of the Africa Diaspora Volunteer Corps and other AU Diaspora Legacy Projects. Events in the Margin will include information on opportunities in member state and Diaspora participation in the NEPAD Africa Trade Fair on Indigenous Products and Services in May 2016.

Stakeholders will participate in various Roundtable and Plenary Sessions. Representatives of organizations, policy makers, the media, representatives of Historical Black Colleges and Universities, public and private sector leaders, are expected to attend. The Presiding Officer of the AU ECOSOCC is expected to address the joint assembly of stakeholders.

For further details, please visit www.globalafricadiaspora.org; Evelyn Joe at 1-240-706- 6885, Mr. Kyeretwie Osei: Oseik@africa-union.org and Ms. Eiman Kheir: KheirE@africa-union.org.