Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ The global diaspora has emerged as a significant factor in the development agenda of many nations. Recognizing this, the Dublin Declaration was endorsed during the Global Diaspora Summit 2022. Diasporas play a crucial role in connecting countries, facilitating immigrant integration, promoting knowledge exchange, fostering commercial ties, and creating investment opportunities.
Diaspora policies encompass various government measures to engage, sustain, or enhance relations with the diaspora abroad. These policies aim to protect diaspora rights, reinforce national identity, nurture relations, and leverage diaspora contributions for social and economic development. The impact of diasporas on national economies includes remittances, foreign direct investments, entrepreneurial initiatives, trade facilitation, and knowledge/skill transfers.
Bangladeshi diasporas worldwide contribute financially, leveraging specialized skills, knowledge, and technical capabilities for the development of communities in Bangladesh and beyond. Their potential can significantly impact economic and social dimensions, enhancing Bangladesh’s global position through country-branding, diaspora diplomacy, trade, diaspora tourism, and network establishment.
The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment is finalizing the Bangladesh National Diaspora Policy 2023, defining the diaspora as Bangladeshi citizens in other countries or those born/raised abroad with Bangladeshi heritage. The policy aims for inclusive and strategic diaspora engagement, focusing on diplomacy, socio-cultural capital, human capital, and economic capital.
The policy envisions mutual development, with measures to enhance diaspora diplomacy, mobilize socio-cultural capital, promote human capital, and facilitate economic capital. However, challenges include gaps in understanding diaspora needs, limited acknowledgment of their efforts, and the absence of coordinated institutional mechanisms. Sustainable mobilization of diaspora capital requires addressing these challenges and establishing responsive mechanisms to support diaspora endeavors effectively.
Institutional challenges include the lack of a guiding mechanism for diaspora-centric efforts, inadequate systems for diaspora return and reintegration, and the need for a well-coordinated institutional mechanism. Adequate funding, public-private sector collaboration, legislative reforms, and diaspora engagement are essential for effective policy implementation. The Bangladeshi government must design a comprehensive plan for sustainable diaspora engagement, incorporating strategic planning and action at domestic and global levels to address capacity and institutional arrangements.
