Paper short abstract:

This presentation will will argue, ‘small is significant’ and expand on the notion of partnerships, the role of grassroot organisation and the place of the diaspora community. Drawing on specific examples it highlights the untapped potential for building on existing local efforts to effect impact.

Paper long abstract:

Drawing on the Ethiopian diaspora recent engagement following the Covid-19 pandemic I argue for an increased engagement with diaspora community and to unleash their potentials. Recognising the resource constraints in our home country health systems and the shared concerns about Ethiopia’s capacity to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, there has been considerable efforts by her diaspora offering help. I draw the Ethiopian diaspora based in the UK, USA and China and the collective swift response to the pandemic by taking a range of roles to source and ship the much needed ventilators to the ministry of health in Ethiopia in record time as an example. I will argue a diaspora community can capitalise on its unique positionality in the Western society as academics, medical professionals, development practitioners and diplomatic staff to successfully enlist the support of other citizens to help on logistics to implement a timely and targeted intervention. While these are small in monitory terms compared to large development interventions, this example and the ongoing involvement of diaspora based initiatives to meet global challenges strengthens existing evidence on the role of diaspora as a force for change in African continent. It also opens a space to theorise the notion of relatedness, ‘ubuntu’ as well as the effectiveness and impact of common values. As a pracademic that uses my research to inform practice on the ground, I will argue for expanded spaces to recognise and connect the work of diaspora, small NGOs and CSOs for sustainable and appropriate development.