Working Group 11: Security – Diaspora Nexus
Chair: Prof. Liisa Laakso (liisa.laakso[at]yfi.jyu.fi)
Coordinator: Ms. Päivi Pirkkalainen (paivi.pirkkalainen[at]jyu.fi)
This working group discussed a phenomenon of diaspora engagement with the countries of origin with a view of prospects and challenges. As most of the papers presented in the working group were on the empirical case of Somali diaspora engagement, the discussion was mostly framed around this one empirical case. The diaspora activities at the financial, political, social and civil society levels are important for the development of the countries of origin. In conflict settings, the engagement however becomes challenging. In general, in the surrounding literature it has been claimed that the diaspora may aggravate conflicts by for example funding warring parties. But it is also acknowledged that due to the heterogeneity of diasporas they also hold opportunities for conflict resolution and peacebuilding. This complex issue was discussed in the working group. Moreover, the issue of the role of development aid/ cooperation and humanitarian aid in conflict settings was explored, and it was generally agreed that the complex interlinkages between diaspora engagement through development cooperation in conflict settings and its peace uilding potential needs to be further analysed through specific empirical cases, as these engagements are very context specific.
- Proceedings by Päivi Pirkkalainen