black diaspora

The Strategic War that is Killing Africa and its Diaspora

Posted on by Dr. Ro H.


Through my experience dealing with diasporas across the globe (e.g. https://www.DiasporaEngager.com/map), I have learned something very shocking about Africa and America that I would like to share with you today. I noticed that some diaspora groups and countries are very connected and as tightly knit as a sweater. When I realized that these groups were successful in helping their diaspora and home country, I thought to myself: why isn’t this the case for Africa?

 

For many years, I used to think that the African leaders, politicians, and intellectuals were the main cause of the African problem. In 2008, I  published a book in France titled “La Faillite des Cadres et Intellectuels Africains (The Failure of the African Intellectuals). After being recently involved in several diaspora initiatives, I realized that what causes the African leaders to cling to power and ignore their own intellectuals who, in the end, are leaving Africa to go abroad, is also causing the African Diaspora to fight among each other, and wanting to raise themselves above each other in a way that most of the African diaspora initiatives are not in sync. The Africans tend to always put themselves first, and in the process, they discourage and put down anyone who may dare to do something similar. While other nations are fighting the ideologies that should free Africa, the Africans themselves keep creating and worsening divisions they have been subjected to by colonial powers. African efforts lack coordination and cooperation at many levels. The African Diaspora and African leaders are not ready to engage with one another in a realistic way that can overcome 21st century global mindsets and customs that still try to hold back the Black community, despite having a Black President at the White House.

 

The mentality that caused the Europeans to go to Africa to divide it, to catch our grandfathers and force them into slavery (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_slave_trade), is sadly still within many of our own African leaders and the African Diaspora. That evil spirit is causing many Africans to sabotage one another, and to refuse to collaborate with or help each other. That is why Africa is unable to unite and use its rich lands and resources to develop. I found it fascinating that some Africans born in Africa do not even consider African Americans (descendants of former slaves) to be a part of the African diaspora. Sometimes, I am shocked that while talking about race in America, there is a difference between African, Black, African American, Afrodescendant, and Negro. Yet, they are the same people who are struggling to free their brothers and sisters from some historical strongholds.

 

During the building of the global diaspora database (www.DiasporaEngager.com/directory and https://www.DiasporaEngager.com/map), I engaged with several diaspora associations across the globe. I noticed that there are many African diaspora clubs. The Africans gather themselves in groups that discuss diverse forms of doctrines without truly thinking about how to help others even their own people. In those diaspora groups or networks, some Africans surround themselves with people who can help them to find a piece of the pie and eat it together. After being involved in decision making at the highest level, I found it amazing that in America, many of the African Diaspora’s initiatives by Africans from Africa are not welcomed by some leaders in the African American communities (https://www.diasporaengager.com/American), and vice versa. The Africans need to learn to work more cooperatively and to stop to be victims of their past historical wounds. The African Diasporas are so dispersed and divided that IF they cannot learn HOW to better work with one another in the midst of their divergences and geographical constraints, they can never sustainably improve their situation.

 

There is hope for Africa

An African Market.

The most developed countries do NOT like each other, BUT they know how to meet in their clubs of G7, G10, G20, Gxyz, etc. to work together and push their agenda forward. While the African Nations are trying hard to be included in these clubs, they have refused for more than 50 years to unite themselves to form a realistic African Union. Similarly, some African leaders tend to reject the potential of their diaspora intellectuals in order to focus on their own selfish agendas that help them acquire money; create projects and/or get consulting fees, or keep their power until they die on their throne before their children take over by picking up the leadership heritage. Though certain African Leaders cite the western countries as the root of their poverty, they crush their own people with policies, sometimes in the name of democracy that some people think is sufficient to develop Africa https://DiasporaEngager.com/extPage/DemocracyGovernance!

 

Likewise, the African diasporas “ignore” one another just as some developed countries technically overlook Africa’s best interests. For instance, Benin Republic—my country of origin—is among the smallest countries in the world. We have more than 150 political parties in Benin and there are several diaspora associations from Benin in America; however, they are NOT working together. Everybody wants to be the Boss and at the same time some western powers have put Africa in a big box that it is struggling to escape. This backward mentality is everywhere amongst most African nations and diasporas. As if this mentality is not enough, the African leaders are not listening to the intellectuals they have at their own universities. Indeed, they have chased away many professionals https://www.diasporaengager.com/BrainDrain and imprisoned those they do not like. Africa claims that it wants to reverse the brain drain; however, it forgets that the migration of these brains is feeding the economy and the technology of western countries that Africa asks to fund the African projects where money is spoiled and wasted as if it was the sand of the seashore. Are the Africans implying that the World Bank was right when it argued for many years that Africa does not need University Intellectuals? For instance, the African Leaders need to understand that listening to their own intellectuals and investing in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics … must be the first priority in their budget. Otherwise, we are just programming and prolonging poverty in Africa, although some people use statistics to show that Africa is prospering. Money-oriented conferences organized on behalf of Africa will not improve the African situation. Indeed, if we cannot change the mentality of the African Leaders, we cannot win this battle. African leaders need to follow the example of the African intellectuals who are making positive difference such as Prof Brice Sinsin (http://www.BriceSinsin.com)

 

Furthermore, we need to be more honest with Africa and with one another. For instance, members of the African Diasporas (https://www.diasporaengager.com/Africa) are very smart, but NOT very rich. Yet, when they go to Africa, they behave as if they are billionaires abroad. This behavior ignites excitement and adventure in the minds of talented Africans, who then leave Africa only to realize that life abroad is not always easy, nor the heaven that some people describe. We need to start being honest with our people in Africa. When we want to talk about African Diaspora Engagement, let’s not think too much about MONEY, and let’s refrain from turning to BIG financial institutions for funding. Money has never been Africa’s problem and it will never be the solution. If the African Diaspora can help one another without spreading abroad their backward mentality—which is not different from the mindset of the nations that try to oppress them—, I (www.RolandHolou.com) believe we can better forge strong coalitions that can help free Africa, the poor, the needy, and the afflicted from being controlled by the power of other nations who are trying to develop themselves as well.

 

Some people may wonder why I am speaking as if I hate Africa. The fact of the matter is that I love Africa very much and I still have brothers and sisters on the Black continent who cannot even comprehend the reality of life abroad even if I risk my life to tell them the truth. I was born and raised in the Benin Republic (West Africa) before I moved to the USA many years ago. I am privileged to have tasted life in Africa before migrating to the USA, where I got my PhD in Plant, Insect and Microbial Sciences. I have been working and publishing books and articles about Africa for more than 15 years. It is my love for Africa and the global diaspora that caused me to create DiasporaEngager, the International Diaspora Engagement Platform www.DiasporaEngager.com. Today, I am pleased to inform you that the platform is growing quickly and is being used in many countries. We also completed the most comprehensive diaspora database and diaspora map, which anyone can access by creating a free account at www.DiasporaEngager.com/miniRegister and then visit at https://diasporaengager.com/map/. DiasporaEngager is helping people and nations to address some of the problems mentioned above https://diasporasnews.com/how-does-diasporaengager-help-individuals-organizations-and-nations/.

 May God bless Africa and its Diasporas.



Why does Africa Weep and Deteriorate? Real Causes and Solutions to African Impoverishment

Posted on by Dr. Ro H.


After decades of independence, economic development in African countries continues to lag behind. However, several models and ideologies of development have been applied. Are these ideologies and models inadequate in Africa’s specific case or are the real causes of Africa’s failures due to different factors? Considering the complex process of development, the answer to this question is not simple. In trying to find the real solution to the problem, the importance of identifying the source of poverty in Africa is very relevant.

 

In his latest book (A continent in tears: The origin of Africa’s collapse and how to reverse it), Dr Roland Holou thoroughly analyzed the real evils that undermine development in African countries. After reviewing the literature on Africa’s development and the misconduct of African officials, the importance of human resource and knowledge in the process of Africa’s development has been revealed. The in-depth analysis focused on the failures of the education systems, lack of thought, problems with intelligence and creativity, scientific research, negativity, rote learning (mechanically memorizing information without truly learning how to apply it), corruption, the mismanagement of Africa’s natural resources, reproduction, witchcraft, politics, trade unionism, ignorance, the African mentality, accountability, the awareness of Africans, corruption of foreign powers, the brain drain, and so on. Examples of elites that Africa needs are included as well.

 

Why does Africa Weep and Deteriorate?

Why does Africa Weep and Deteriorate?

Indeed, Africa suffers from an intellectual, demographic, and spiritual crisis. The decline of Africa is due not only to its poor management and governance, but also to the acts of evil inflicted upon the continent. From households to the very top of the state, Africans are faced with major challenges. Many Africans are afraid to think or do not want to think; many are afraid to speak, do not want to speak, or cannot speak; many are afraid to act or do not want to act; many leaders are corrupt and/or do not want to learn; many have knowledge but do not want to or cannot apply their knowledge; many religious figures are so attached to narrow visions that they have disregarded the management of cities and politics. Above all else, intellectuals are often spurned by those in charge. When certain individuals want to contribute to society or become something, they are suppressed and rejected. Many skills are scorned; great minds are rarely encouraged or heard. Though several politicians do have some skilled knowledge, recognized experts and skilled workers generally do not want to get involved in politics.

When dictators come to power, they do as they please; when politicians have power, they hardly listen to skilled workers; when skilled workers take power, they act as if everything is technical. Moreover, radical trade unionism and political opposition are destroying Africa. Many do not want to contribute to successful initiatives, preferring instead to advance their own interests. What’s worse is the erroneous African mentality that makes development and progress impossible. While skilled, able workers who could make a difference are out of work, lazy and unqualified individuals are promoted to important positions by their relatives in power. Meanwhile, the expenses of the “great” have robbed Africa of the little that is available, all to the detriment of the poor, “innocent” farmers who are dying under the afternoon sun. With the help of foreign powers and politicians, African officials have effectively beaten Africa down.

 

Moreover, in many education systems, diplomas are not always symbols of knowledge that will lead to positive action toward development. Indeed, Africans distribute and collect many useless degrees. Many graduates claim to be educated when in reality their credentials are a sham. Africa trains too many scholars—parrots whose heads are filled with useless theories and words—who are unproductive and ultimately do not contribute anything of value to society. There are very few exceptions to this rule. Meanwhile, uncontrolled reproduction is enhancing poverty and other problems pertaining to underdevelopment at a faster rate than preexisting problems can be solved. Indeed, polygamy and certain sexual perversions not only contribute to underdevelopment in Africa, but also to the culture of African destitution.

 

Additionally, African intellectuals are under the influence of spiritual factions that often impede efforts toward development. Unfortunately, the classic debates surrounding underdevelopment in Africa have always ignored the spiritual dimension of the problem. Undoubtedly, developed countries had advantages and other assets that aided them in their growth. These countries have had their Enlightenment period; great minds have worked to put these nations on the right path. Today, Africa’s best minds are afraid to even remain on the continent. Due to this massive brain drain, there are real problems pertaining to coordination, awareness, accountability, and intelligent, rational application of development strategies in African nations.

 

Real Causes and Solutions to African Impoverishment

Real Causes and Solutions to African Impoverishment

In an attempt to find a lasting solution to the impoverishment of Africa and to put the continent on the path to prosperity, Dr. Roland Holou (www.RolandHolou.com) has suggested pertinent and practical reforms in his book that should be initiated. This book provides anyone who is concerned with development in Africa valuable information and instruction on how to take action. The ideas proposed in this book could be applied to other continents as well, as these same issues occur outside of Africa.

 

Dual citizen of the USA and Benin Republic, Dr. Roland Holou has a doctorate in plant sciences, entomology, and microbiology. He is an agricultural engineer and a specialist in environmental development and management. He also holds a diploma in Rural Development and is the Founder and CEO of DiasporaEngager (www.DiasporaEngager.com), the world’s #1 diaspora engagement platform. To learn more about Dr Roland Holou and his books, or to contact him, please write to: [email protected] and [email protected]



ABCs of a Realistic African Diaspora Engagement

Posted on by Dr. Ro H.


Almost every African country is trying to engage with its diaspora. However, in general, when it comes to how to convince the African diaspora to work with their country of origin, most of the methods used are not working. One of the first things that comes to the mind of most Africans living in Africa is to ask the diaspora to help them, forgetting that no one is helping the diaspora for free. In contrast, the first thing that enters the mind of most diasporas is not how to help Africa, but whether Africa knows why they have left the continent and what they are doing/facing abroad!

 

Do I need to underline that many African immigrants have left the Black Continent because they were chased away by some leaders and sorcerers who, today, are begging them to invest back home? What can’t I say about the massive and forced migration of Africans to America during one of the darkest and wicked ages of human history a few centuries ago? I even wonder how many people realize that the largest African diaspora population is in Brazil! Most Africans leaders are not trying to better know and understand their diaspora before asking them to come invest their money in Africa. Sometimes, I even wonder how many African Professionals in the Diaspora are richer than the African leaders who are begging them for money. Worst, some African leaders act as if their diaspora have forgotten the wounds they have suffered in Africa before finding a way to flee the continent of Kwame Nkrumah. Undoubtedly, a lot of basic first steps needs to be addressed in order to start aligning the mentality of Africa with that of its diaspora. Otherwise, the synergistic coalition needed for African Diaspora Engagement (www.DiasporaEngager.com/Africa) will continue lacking!

 

The migration of the diasporas from their home country to their new country of residence is a kind of “divorce or break up” with their roots. Some Africans have had some bad experiences with their own people that they do not even want to reverse their “divorce” with the continent of Nelson Mandela and of Prof Brice Sinsin. Other immigrants have been highly afflicted by the people in their home country that they do not want to hear any request coming from them. No intelligible man dates a woman by starting to ask about anything that is supposed to be last. Moreover, no reasonable man can win back his ex-wife or ex-girlfriend, and vice versa, by starting the conversation with a list of requests or a list of things that the ex must do. Sadly, certain political leaders who orchestrated the migration of their own people cling to power and then, ask their diaspora that they and their ancestors have hunted to come and invest in their country. These types of diaspora engagement cannot work, particularly in the African context where people seem to pull each other toward the bottom of the misery pit. At the same time, many foreign countries are taking advantage of the divergences among the Africans!

African Diaspora Engagement Must be like a Love Story. Why? check out www.DiasporasNews.com.

African Diaspora Engagement Must be like a Love Story. Why? Check out www.DiasporaEngager.com/Africa

 

The involvement of the diaspora in the development of their home country must follow certain basic rules of courtesy. I believe that Africa and its diaspora need to start “dating” each other in a format similar to that of a man trying to win back his ex-wife or ex-girlfriend, and vice versa. However, while some people that have broken up can easily find new loves, it is not easy for most diaspora to quickly forget their roots and embrace the culture of their new country. This implies that many opportunities still exist to start engaging the African Diasporas in a dialogue with their homeland which dearly needs them. For this dialog to succeed, it must not begin with begging the diaspora to come back to Africa or to invest in Africa. Similarly, the diaspora should not inaugurate this dialog by requesting that the African political leaders change overnight. The African Diasporas need to know that, though their new life abroad has changed the way they used to think, many of their brothers and sisters in Africa still act as if they have no brain or if they cannot get rid of the legacy of the colonial ignorance and slavery. Therefore, the African Diaspora must be tolerant with their own people who need to be willing to realign and renew their mentality so that synergistic coalitions can be fostered in a win-win framework for the advancement of our dear Africa rather than allowing the so-called super powers to continue poaching their rich lands and mines like the cake of their grandmother or like their heritage or like the field of their slaves that they are still trying to enslave with diverse model of modern technology, negotiation, aids, partnership, and legislation!!!

 

Please, don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that every African diaspora engagement effort has failed. Indeed, several people and organizations have successfully engaged with Africa and its diaspora in a positive way. Many Africans living in Africa and in the diaspora have also contributed to the development of their homeland. We take advantage of this opportunity to thank those Africans, African diasporas, their friends, partners and stakeholders who have made a positive difference in Africa.

However, after spending years working on the African problems and writing books on African Development, I can conclude that, when it comes to engaging the African diaspora in the development of Africa, ten questions need to be asked first:

  1. Who are the African Diaspora?
  2. Who is who among the African Diaspora?
  3. Where are they living?
  4. What are they doing?
  5. What problems are they facing?
  6. Why did they leave Africa?
  7. How can Africa help them to heal some of their wounds?
  8. What can we do to forgive each other and embrace a new journey of partnership?
  9. How can we partner rather than how can they help us?
  10. How can we initiate this partnership without bringing up money as the first issue?

 

And these questions must be answered without forgetting the millions of African-Americans, (descendants of the slaves or African Descent individuals of descendants of former slaves), whom some stupid and/or naive Leaders think are not worthy to be called African Diaspora! It is after these questions are sincerely addressed that Africa and its Diaspora can start talking about who can do what for who? Without following these simple strategic steps, the African diaspora will just keep creating thousands of African Diaspora Associations, while the African Political Leaders will keep creating more Political Parties in Africa, yet, sinking Africa, remaining at odds and, therefore, unable to work together to create positive change. If you like this article, you will be also interested in joining the Global Diaspora Engagement Platform and the African Diaspora Platform at http://DiasporaEngager.com/miniRegister. Anyway, I, Dr Roland Holou www.RolandHolou.com would like to hear from you.

God bless Africa and its People!!!

 

How to Engage the African Diaspora in the Development of Africa?

How to Engage the African Diaspora in the Development of Africa?



Involving the International Diaspora in Education, Research, and the Development of their Countries

Posted on by Dr. Ro H.


Nations develop themselves because of the research, innovation, invention, and creativity of their people. Consequently, the poverty of certain nations can be linked to the education of their citizens. For instance, the gap of knowledge and development between universities in developed countries and those in developing countries is very huge because of the quality of their research, the environment, and the lack of resources. Even within any country, significant differences are found between the services provided at different educational institutions.

 

If the developing countries must invest in their research institutions to reach the level of the research being done in certain developed countries, they must allocate a significant amount of their national budget. Unfortunately, due to their economy, most developing countries cannot afford that kind of spending. To resolve some of the challenging problems affecting education today, collaborative efforts must be strategically made. For instance, many governmental and private institutions are increasingly requiring universities to collaborate regionally or worldwide before winning certain grants and fellowships. While the under-developed educational institutions have several collaboration opportunities, they lack the information to find the right collaborators. Similarly, numerous institutions in developed countries can provide their expertise to others, but the connection is missing. When brain drain is added to the equation, the solution is more difficult for the countries that are negatively affected.

 

Involving students, staff, and faculty in diaspora engagement.

Helping students, staff, and faculty to easily find peers and schools that have opportunities for them.

Because they better know the context of their home countries than the foreigners, the global diaspora must play a key role in helping their country of origin to alleviate some of their educational problems. Without a doubt, the potential of many educated people of most developing countries is not being well used abroad, while their native countries are neither crafting strategies to harvest that potential for their benefit. As an example, someone who obtained a doctorate in the USA or in the UK, is likely to have some advanced technological knowledge and tools than someone who got the same degree in Africa or in other third world countries. Usually, most of the top scientists from the developing countries that are trained abroad do not want to return back to their native countries to use their skills and knowledge to advance their people and their nations. While many developing countries are begging their brains to return home to build their nations, several developed countries where those brains live are also forging much more powerful strategies to encourage brain drain. Knowing that it is very difficult, even sometimes impossible, to force people to move to a new place, including going abroad or returning back home, a new type of strategy is very much needed to solve the educational problems of the global diaspora in a sustainable way. Many institutions are trying to tackle this issue, but most of them appear to be advancing agendas that conflict with the real solution! Global and unselfish efforts that are not solely based on monetary transactions are much needed to fully help the international immigrants to properly develop themselves and in return help their country of origin to improve their scholastic services.

 

DiasporaEngager is addressing this complex challenge related to the international diaspora engagement in education, research, development and much more. To overcome this international challenge, DiasporaEngager does not focus only of higher education, but on many levels of education (post graduate, graduate, undergraduate, high school, place of apprenticeship, vocational education, etc.) where knowledge is dispensed. DiasporaEngager is a global network platform that links educational and research institutions to educational needs and opportunities related to: collaboration, consultation or consulting, economic development, employment, endowment, extension, grant, library services, outreach, philanthropy, research partnership, pen pal, study abroad, student exchange, teaching, tourism, and partnership, etc.

 

DiasporaEngager helps establish and strengthen collaboration between laboratories and research centers in developing and developed countries in order to solve professional needs. DiasporaEngager facilitates networking between universities across the globe so that they use advanced technologies to innovate, create, and invent while addressing the crucial research and development problems. This global platform allows students, staff, and faculty to easily find peers and schools that have opportunities matching their educational interests or needs and vice versa. DiasporaEngager is a global channel through which people and resources can be transferred between educational institutions according to the institutions developmental gap.

 

Partnership opportunities with DiasporaEngager for Diaspora Engagement

Contact DiasporaEngager to explore partnership/collaborative opportunities!

The international diaspora and the people and organizations in their country of origin and in their country of residence can use this platform to quickly inform each other about the path and means to get a better education to improve lives and develop nations. By doing so, DiasporaEngager acts as a liaison between the global diaspora and their home countries to transfer resources required to develop or reform their educational system and a whole lot more.

 

All it takes so start using that global platform is to create a free account at www.DiasporaEngager.com/miniRegister. The registration and the use of the platform are free. If you are already a user of DiasporaEngager, please log into your account today and post your needs/offers related to education or anything else so that others can find and respond to them. As of today, people and organizations from more than 80 countries are already using that platform. Why not register today and see what is awaiting you!  Together with their diasporas, each country can better handle their educational and developmental problems while fully engaging with the complex problems of their international diaspora associations and people.

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14 Top Secrets That You May Not Fully Know or Understand About The Global Diaspora! – Part 1

Posted on by Dr. Ro H.


Greetings from DiasporaEngager, www.DiasporaEngager.com, the world’s #1 and largest diaspora engagement network platform!

Today, we would like to share with you some of the secrets that many individuals and nations do not know or understand about the global diaspora that they dearly want to give back to their home country! Before we start diving into strategies and ways to finally engage the international diaspora with the development of their nations, we feel like it is very important that we  shed light on some of top secrets regarding this issue! The french people will say “secret de  polichinelle”. Here it is:

Based on a massive data collection and painful diagnostics, here are the dilemmas that most diasporas, their home countries, and their country of residence find themselves in:

  1. For many reasons, most people leave their country of origin to go into adventure hoping for a better life that, unfortunately, they don’t usually find as originally planned.

 

  1. For most people living in the diaspora, getting better opportunities to solve their problems and achieve their adventure dream is their main priority.

 

  1. People and organizations in the country of origin of the diasporas (particularly developing countries) address most of their needs for assistance to their relatives in the diaspora, thinking that all of those relatives are really having a better life abroad.

 

  1. Some people in the country of origin of the diaspora are mostly interested in receiving free gifts back from the international diaspora regardless of their success or not.

 

  1. At the same time, nothing is that free for the diaspora in the foreign countries they find themselves in. Most of the free things the diasporas get abroad are not enough to really help them find a sustainable way of success. Therefore, to really succeed abroad, most diasporas have to pay a high price.

 

  1. Usually, at their turn, most people living in the diaspora (at least the newcomers/migrants and those who are struggling to succeed) tend to ask the people in their host country to help them.

 

  1. Not only are native individuals, organizations, and businesses in the diaspora country of residence overloaded with requests for free help, but also, they would prefer the diaspora members (who are living by them) to buy their professional services and products rather than just ask for free help.

 

  1. Usually, most diasporas are not well understood for instance because of the language and cultural barriers, but also because of a lack of integration into their new environment where sometimes, the autochthonous are barely making it in this global economy in decadence!

 

  1. As the diasporas have their problems that they cannot solve, so the people and organizations in the diasporas’ host country have their own that they cannot or they do not want to solve free of charge those of the diaspora.

 

  1. Meanwhile, certain organizations and governmental institutions strategically take advantage of this situation that many people and nations do not and/or can not fully understand or share.

 

  1. Because of the problems mentioned above, it generally takes too long for most diaspora members to achieve their goals and succeed. Nevertheless, many diaspora members behave like if  life abroad is a paradise or the “Eldorado”. Therefore, instead of telling the truth to their people so brain drain and immigration can be slightly reduced at the profit of many nations which are sinking, many people lie and/or prefer to believe in lies!

 

  1. The diaspora members who succeed, or who we think succeed, do not usually reach their full potential, and if they do, it takes too long to get there.

 

  1. By the time they succeed, most diaspora members incur a lot of debt, frustrations, and other problems that cause them to focus on themselves rather than really thinking about helping those in their country of origin as the latter wish in their claim of “diaspora give back”.

 

  1. Some of those who succeed and who want to give back do not know where the real needs are and how they can engage themselves and others. Unfortunately, when some give back, many corruptible systems poison their good will! And a whole lot more!!!

 

To solve these problems, DiasporaEngager was invented. DiasporaEngager aims at being the premier provider of liaisons and strategies between all Diasporas, people and organizations in their home country as well as in their host countries, to set the developmental and global environment to detect, harvest, and transfer resources, services, and opportunities between people, organizations, and nations in a win-win framework, and much more.

This platform can benefit yourself or someone you know.

To register to DiasporaEngager in order to start using the platform to address your problems or help others, please click here: https://diasporaengager.com/miniRegister.php.

 

 

Stay tuned! We have a lot more to say. It is very important we understand the complexity of the problem related with immigration, diaspora international problems/opportunities, etc., before we start talking about ways to engage with the global diaspora!

 

For any questions, feel free to contact us.

The DiasporaEngager Team!

 



Why the Global Diaspora Engagement Platform was Created? – Part 1

Posted on by Dr. Ro H.


What is DiasporaEngager?

DiasporaEngager is the world’s premier and largest Diaspora network that addresses problems related to brain drain, education, business, philanthropy, traveling, immigration, volunteering, and much more. Usually, Diaspora refers to people who are living in a country or town that is not their place of origin/ancestry or the place they call home. Most people can be remotely linked to a country of ancestry, and because our services relate to everybody, “Diaspora” as used here applies to any human being.

 

Why the Global Diaspora Engagement Platform was created?

Millions of people are leaving their home country to go to others countries each year. Even within a country, many people are moving all the time, seeking better opportunities, or trying to adjust to life’s challenges and solicitations. The situation has been worsening in developing countries in a way that the brain drain is seen as one of the greatest threats against their development. Nevertheless, some developed countries are promoting policies and immigration laws that encourage foreign educated pundits or talented graduate students to leave their home country and come to those developed countries where they are “maintained” after graduation. So far, the efforts to stop or properly manage brain drain have been unsuccessful.

 

Unfortunately, many people are usually disappointed by what they see after moving, and others are disconnected from people and opportunities in their home country as well as in their host country. In other situations, people travel to new places without having a contact that can assist or mentor them if a need arises. Because of a lack of information or right connections, several aliens and travelers do not produce the best of themselves or successfully integrate to their new environment. Those who succeed often don’t collaborate/network with the newly arriving immigrants or with those who are not reaching their dreams.

 

Besides money they send back to their relatives, the global Diasporas do not contribute to the development of their country of origin as wished. Those who want to engage in humanitarian, fundraising, or philanthropy activities to give back don’t know how, where, and whom to contact to reach the real needy or to solve the real problems. At the same time, the Diasporas are usually unknown by many businesses, nonprofits and other organizations that can help them in their country of residence. This global problem impoverishes nations and deprives many organizations from reaching most of their potential market, clients, and customers.

 

With the increasing rise of crises, wars, and catastrophic events around the globe, human migration will keep growing and its corresponding problems will get worse if appropriate actions are not taken now. To sustainably solve this problem, a global system must be built where the Diaspora, the people and organizations in their country of origin and in their host country can work together to help each other mutually. That’s what DiasporaEngager was created for!

To register to DiasporaEngager in order to start using the platform to address your problems or help others, please click here: https://diasporaengager.com/miniRegister.php.

 

About the Founder of DiasporaEngager

 

DiasporaEngager was founded by Roland Holou, a dual citizen of the US and Benin (West Africa). Prior to founding this company, Roland worked as a Plant Biotechnology Research Scientist in the USA. He also served as the International Chair of the “Sweet Sorghum Ethanol Association”. He also chaired the “International Service in Agronomy Award Committee” at the American Society of Agronomy. Roland Holou obtained his Ph.D. in Plant, Insect and Microbial Sciences at the University of Missouri in Columbia (USA), where he graduated as the Doctoral Marshal. He also holds a Bachelor Degree in Agronomy and a Master of Science Degree in Agricultural Engineering. He authored several books related to Sociology, Leadership, Education, Development, Politics, and Economics. Roland is available for interviews, consultations, and conferences related to his area of expertise including the international diaspora engagement and brain drain management.

 

Thank you very much for taking your time to read us.

 

In our next blog, we will share with you how DiasporaEngager can help individuals, organizations, and nations.

Stay tuned.



5

What is our Definition of Diaspora?

Posted on by Dr. Ro H.


Welcome to Diaspora Engagement Blog !

We are very excited you chose to visit our blog.

On this blog, powered by Diaspora Engagement ® (aka DiasporaEngager), you will learn about and interact with the international Diasporas.

Before we start blogging about more serious topics, let’s make sure that we all have the same understanding of the term “Diaspora”.

 

Our Definition of Diaspora

In our context, the word Diaspora is referring to anyone who, for any reasons, is living in a country or town that is not his or her place of origin or ancestry or the place s/he calls home. Some people may call them an immigrant, a stranger, or an alien. Some may argue that, most individuals can be remotely linked to a country of origin different than their current country of residence, and therefore, most of us are an alien, immigrant, or a Diaspora of somewhere. In the US for instance, except the native Indians, everyone else can be considered an alien or immigrant. Even in that case, the Indians themselves have had to migrate from somewhere before reaching the US. The longer the duration of the stay of someone in a foreign land, the higher the likelihood that his or her descendants think that they (the descendants) are native of that place that their ancestry moved to long ago. That’s why, because they are not first, second, or third generation immigrant, many people easily forget that they are a stranger of what they call “our land”, and unfortunately treat the new immigrants like the “bad people” or like “those who are taking our lands or our country”, or like “those who don’t even speak our language well”, or like “those who don’t behave like us”. In reality, those new immigrants (new arrivals) are usually just trying to go through the obligatory survival and integration steps that the ancestors of those who are calling them “strangers” and who think they are native did long ago. Therefore, without entering into any political and demographic debates, the word “Diaspora” as used in our context can be applied to any human being.

In our future posts, we will give you more details about who we are and what we do, and how we may help you.  The Diaspora Engagement platform, DiasporaEngager.com, allow you to learn about the international diaspora and ways you can engage with them locally or worldwide.

 

To register to DiasporaEngager in order to start using the platform to address your problems or help others, please click here: https://diasporaengager.com/miniRegister.php.

 

For any question related to this blog or to the Diaspora Engagement services, please contact us at [email protected].

 

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please stay tuned.