The Migration & Diaspora Podcast Loksan Harley

Hello and welcome to Episode 55 of the Migration & Diaspora Podcast, a show about anything and everything to do with migration and diaspora engagement. 

I’m delighted to be joined today by Linda Oucho, Executive Director of the African Migration and Development Policy Centre (AMADPOC), who shares her insights into African migrant decision-making.

About Linda

Linda is an established migration expert with over a decade of experience leading AMADPOC – a research think tank based in Nairobi, Kenya. Linda returned to Kenya after 16 years studying abroad in Ghana, Botswana and the UK. She draws from her experience as a migrant to understand the dynamic nature of migration to, from and within Africa.

Linda has undertaken consultancies with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), the African Union Commission, among other intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations. She works closely with African governments, including Kenya where she serves as an active member of the National Coordination Mechanism for Migration (NCM) advocating for the use of research to inform migration decision-making, policy design and implementation. 

What we talk about

Today, Linda shares a range of insights on migrant decision making, drawing from emerging findings of DYNAMIG, a three-year project that aims to create a more thorough understanding of how people make decisions on whether and how to migrate. We talk about:


How the DYNAMIG project functions and how they’re conducting their research.


The factors that contribute to Africans’ decisions to migrate. 


Whether or not policies to deter migration actually work. 


African migrants’ increasing awareness of protection issues (or their lack of protection).



As always, lots of links in the show notes so be sure to find this episode at homelandsadvisory.com/podcast. If you enjoy this episode, I invite you to leave a review via your preferred podcasting platform and to share the podcast with your migration-enthusiast friends. 

Links


DYNAMIG: https://dynamig.org/



LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamig/


X: https://x.com/_DYNAMIG 



AMADPOC: https://amadpoc.org/


Connect with Linda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindaoucho/


MIGNEX: https://www.mignex.org/ 


Migrating Out of Poverty: http://www.migratingoutofpoverty.org/ 


JLMP: https://au.int/en/jlmp 


All episodes of the MDPcast: https://homelandsadvisory.com/podcast 

Hello and welcome again to yet another episode of the Migration & Diaspora Podcast, where we showcase projects and people from the field of migration and diaspora engagement. I’m your host Loksan Harley from Homelands Advisory, your independent migration and diaspora agency.

India is one of the most interesting countries to study when it comes to migration. When I think of Indian migration, my mind jumps to the large Indian diaspora community in the UK, the migrant workers in the Gulf, historical indentured servitude in Africa, and Indian tech founders in Silicon Valley. One thing I don’t think much about is India-EU migration. So I’m delighted to have Naozad Hodiwala on the show to tell us all about the emerging trends and growing potential of the India-EU migration relationship. 

About Naozad

Naozad Hodiwala is the International Centre for Migration Policy Development’s (ICMPD) Country Coordinator for India at the South and West Asia Regional Office. Since 2017, in this role, Naozad has been helping ICMPD to co-implement a project (the EU-India Cooperation and Dialogue on Migration and Mobility (EU-India CDMM) project) that supports the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility (CAMM). 

Through the dialogue support initiative, Naozad has facilitated several high-level meetings on migration governance, including on migration data, remittances, student mobility, and welfare of Indians in the EU. And all this is part of his more than 17 years of experience in migration management across Asia and Africa. It comes as no surprise to me that, in 2020, Naozad was recognised as a Top 40 under 40 Leader by the Europe-India Centre for Business Industry (EICBI). When not jetting across the globe, he is an avid tennis fan, enjoys walks with his dog, and is a proud husband and father of two girls. Which is lovely to hear and you’ll also learn more about his own fascinating migration and diaspora story in a moment.

The ICMPD is an international organisation, with 20 Member States and working in more than 90 countries worldwide. Contributing to the development of better and safer migration policies and programmes, ICMPD takes a holistic approach to migration: structurally linking policy and research, cooperation, community outreach, and capacity development. With over 500 staff members, it takes a regional approach in its work towards efficient cooperation and partnerships along key migration routes, with a focus on Africa, Central and South Asia, Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.

Founded in 1993 with headquarters in Vienna and a liaison office in Brussels, ICMPD holds UN observer status and cooperates with more than 200 partners including EU institutions, UN agencies, Member States, and several countries. ICMPD receives contributions from its Member States and bilateral donors, the European Commission, UN partners, and other multilateral institutions.

What we talk about

In today’s episode, we’re talking EU-India migration, including: 


The migration trends between the two superpowers. 


The potential that migration holds for both sides in helping balance labour supply and demand. 


How that potential can be maximised through measures to facilitate and support migration in a way that can benefit Europe, India and those who choose to move. 


The EU-India Cooperation and Dialogue on Migration and Mobility project. 



And if your interest in India has been piqued by this episode,  you can check out related Episode 29 on South Asian migration mega-trends with ILO’s Shabari Nair. 

Links


Episode 29 on South Asian migration mega-trends with ILO’s Shabari Nair




India-EU Cooperation and Dialogue on Migration and Mobility Phase II 


EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility Declaration


Follow Naozad and ICMPD on Twitter: 



@NaozadH  


@BudapestProcess 


@icmpd


@ICMPD_PolRes



Connect with Naozad and ICMPD on LinkedIn:



Naozad


IC

Hello and welcome again to yet another episode of the Migration & Diaspora Podcast, where we showcase projects and people from the field of migration and diaspora engagement. I’m your host Loksan Harley from Homelands Advisory, your independent migration and diaspora agency. 

Now, it’s been a while since we talked about Latin America on this podcast, so I’m very excited to present to you a conversation with Mara Tissera Luna, one of the region’s preeminent experts on migration and especially children on the move in displacement situations, which is precisely the topic of the day. 

About Mara

Mara is an international consultant focusing on displacement and protection responses in Latin America and the Caribbean. She’s a fellow at the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues at Georgetown University and has provided technical advice and applied research to UNICEF, the University of Edinburgh, Refugees International, and International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) in 14 countries, contributing to 25+ reports, handbooks, and short articles.

What we talk about

In today’s episode, we talk all about the rather harrowing protection issues faced by children in situations of displacement in Latin America, including: 


The state of play of forced displacement in the region. 


Specific trends in the displacement of children.


Solutions to address these very pressing needs.



Mara draws both from her recent research on very young children in Guatemala, as well wider research on the topic. We’ve included some links to some of these sources in the show notes as there is a lot to know and we couldn’t cover anything in a 45-minute podcast. 

Anyway, without further ado, I’d like to thank you again for tuning in and we hope you enjoy the show.

Links


Connect with Mara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maratisseraluna/


Mara’s website and newsletter sign-up:  https://latinamerica.website/maratisseraluna




Georgetown University's programme "Promoting Early Childhood Development for Young Children on the Move in Northern Central America,": https://globalchildren.georgetown.edu/posts/innovations-to-support-early-childhood-development-and-protection-for-young-displaced-children-in-guatemala 


Mini-guide "Research for Advocacy & Systemic Change: A Ridiculously Simplified Guide to Intersectional & Decolonial Research + examples.": https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FK-wuDhJ3bHsvb85U_crh-M5Y51l66-O/view 


Background Paper "Protecting Children in Escalating Conflict and Crises: Armed Violence, Climate Shocks, and Displacement", Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action: https://alliancecpha.org/en/annual-meeting-2024/background-paper 


ODI and UNICEF’s “Children on the move in Latin America and the Caribbean: Review of evidence”: https://www.unicef.org/lac/en/reports/children-on-the-move-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean 


An in-depth, graphical overview of what’s happening at the U.S.-Mexico border right now, from the Washington Office on Latin America’s Adam Isacson: https://vimeo.com/918977850


The world's most neglected displacement crises in 2022: https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/the-worlds-most-neglected-displacement-crises-in-2022/




The MDPcast Ep22: Latin America's migration mega-trends: https://www.homelandsadvisory.com/podcast/episode/2790db1d/episode-22-latin-americas-migration-mega-trends-with-felipe-munoz-from-the-inter-american-development-bank 


The MPDcast Ep5: Chlidren on the move in West and Central Africa: https://www.homelandsadvisory.com/podcast/episode/20c80d46/episode-5-children-on-the-move-in-west-and-central-africa-context-vulnerabilities-and-protection-needs 

Hello and welcome to a very special episode of the Migration & Diaspora Podcast, in which we have our first-ever repeat guest. Great friend of Homelands Advisory and star guest of episode 2, Dr Martin Russell, AKA Doctor Diaspora, is back on the show to talk about the state of the diaspora engagement sector now four years on from that first interview.

 

About Martin

Everyone who works on diaspora engagement is more than familiar with Martin but for those of you who aren’t, Martin is the founder of the Global Diaspora Insights (GDI), a consulting firm. He completed his PhD at the Clinton Institute (University College Dublin) where his research focused on the role of the Irish diaspora in the Northern Ireland Peace Process specifically looking at diaspora media, diaspora philanthropy, and diaspora politics.

What we talk about

In today’s episode, we both reflect on our collective experience working on diaspora engagement in more than 50 countries, including: 


The evolving differences between migration and diaspora. 


The state of the diaspora engagement sector (progress made and opportunities missed). 


Diaspora diplomacy as an outsized opportunity area for governments. 



It’s a bit of a “no holds barred” talk in which we try not to pull any punches. We’d like to thank you for tuning in and we hope you enjoy the show.

Links


Global Diaspora Insights: https://www.globaldiasporainsights.com/ 


Connect with Martin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-russell-0530131a5/ 


MDPcast Ep2: https://www.homelandsadvisory.com/podcast/episode/f9e3585d/episode-2-doing-diaspora-lessons-learned-from-dr-martin-russells-diaspora-engagement-work-worldwide 


Ireland’s Emigrant Support Programme: https://www.dfa.ie/global-irish/support-overseas/emigrant-support-programme/


Kingsley Aikins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kingsleyaikins/ 


Global Diaspora Strategies Toolkit: https://thenetworkinginstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Diaspora-Toolkit-Book.pdf 


European Union Global Diaspora Facility (EUDiF): https://diasporafordevelopment.eu/ 


Global Citizens 2030 - Ireland’s Talent and Innovation Strategy https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/012d7-global-citizens-2030-irelands-talent-and-innovation-strategy/#:~:text=Global%20Citizens%202030%20is%20Ireland's,and%20research%20and%20innovation%20systems. 


HBR article on diaspora marketing: https://hbr.org/2013/10/diaspora-marketing  


John Hume Novel Lecture: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1998/hume/lecture/


Routledge International Handbook of Diaspora Diplomacy: https://www.routledge.com/Routledge-International-Handbook-of-Diaspora-Diplomacy/Kennedy/p/book/9781032080567 


Paul Quinn obituary: https://www.irishtimes.com/obituaries/2023/11/11/paul-quinn-obituary-pioneer-of-peace-process-who-did-not-seek-plaudits/


President Biden’s African Diaspora Advisory Council: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/26/president-biden-announces-the-inaugural-members-of-the-presidents-advisory-council-on-african-diaspora-engagement-in-the-united-states/#:~:text=In%20accordance%20with%20Executive%20Order,the%20continent%20and%20the%20Caribbean. 


Ghana Year of Return: https://www.yearofreturn.com/ 

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Migration & Diaspora Podcast, produced by Homelands Advisory, your independent migration agency. In case this is your first time tuning in, we spotlight projects, research and stories related to people on-the-move.

Today, we’ve got a heavyweight of the migration world, Rob McNeil from the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, on the show to get his take on contemporary public debate on migration.

About Rob

Rob is the Deputy Director and Head of Media and Communications at the Migration Observatory, where he leads on public relations strategy, parliamentary and community outreach and news and commentary work. Rob was actually part of the team who launched the Observatory in 2011 and, since then, has been working to embed its analysis in public debates. Rob also participates in Oxford University and the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society’s (COMPAS) research projects, examining the social environments from which news stories and narratives about migration and migrants emerge, how media debate affects migration policy decisions (and vice versa), and how information gaps affect how these issues are discussed. Rob is a former journalist and previously served as Media Director for the US environmental organisation Conservation International, PR manager for Oxfam GB, Senior Press Officer for WWF-UK, and as a journalist for the Evening Standard, The Daily Mirror, Time Out and BBC Wildlife, among other publications.

What we talk about

That’s quite the track record. In today’s far-reaching, perhaps meandering, interview, I learn from Rob’s extensive media and academic experience studying migration narratives and debates, especially in the UK and Europe (though parallelling discourse in many other countries). We discuss the nature of these migration debates and, in particular, which factors seem to lead to more balanced and less toxic debates on migration. I’m sure you’ll agree this is a very timely conversation. 

I thoroughly enjoyed having Rob on the show because he not only speaks from his eminent position at the Observatory, but also draws from his experience working on different topics in different countries. I’d like to thank Rob for coming on the show and thank you for listening. And without further ado, please sit back and enjoy the episode.



Links


Migration Oxford Podcast: https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/series/migration-oxford-podcast  


MDPcast Ep37: Communicating migration with Marco Ricorda:  https://www.homelandsadvisory.com/podcast/episode/52bc36f7/episode-37-communicating-migration-with-marco-ricorda 


Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-mcneil-060b1822/ 


Is it time to turn down the volume on the migration debate?: https://feps-europe.eu/is-it-time-to-turn-down-the-volume-on-the-migration-debate/ 


Communicating on migration (policy brief series): https://feps-europe.eu/publication/communicating-on-migration/ 


Reporting migration: A handbook on migration reporting for journalists: https://www.icmpd.org/file/download/50559/file/Handbook0on0Reporting0Migration0EN.pdf#page=39 


Unpicking the notion of ‘safe and legal’ routes: https://mixedmigration.org/unpicking-the-notion-of-safe-and-legal-routes/ 

Hello and you’re listening to the Migration & Diaspora Podcast, a show that shines light on some of the most impactful trends, projects and people working in the field of migration and diaspora engagement. And I’m your host, Loksan Harley, Executive Director of Homelands Advisory - your independent migration agency specialised in research, policy development and trainings. 

About Bashàïr

Today, I’m joined by Dr Bashàïr Ahmed, CEO of Shabaka, a diaspora-led organisation specialised in research, policy and practice contributing to the role of diaspora and migrants in humanitarian preparedness, response, and recovery. Based in Brighton, UK, Bashàïr has over 20 years’ experience working with United Nations agencies and international organisations focused on fragile and conflict-affected countries. Bashàïr has consulted on a wide range of migration and diaspora initiatives, including the protection of irregular migrants, the development of e-trainings on humanitarian principles for diaspora organisations, and providing guidance on diaspora engagement in development and humanitarian response. Bashàïr holds a doctorate in Migration Studies from the University of Sussex, where she also serves as a Research Associate; her academic interests include humanitarianism, diasporas, migration and development, and intergenerational engagement.

What we talk about 


The state of play of diaspora engagement in humanitarianism. 


How diasporas contribute to response to and recovery from different forms of crisis. 


How traditional humanitarian organisations currently work with diaspora organisations. 


Constraints on diaspora groups’ humanitarian involvement. 


The shifts required to amplify diaspora groups’ impact in humanitarian contexts as well as their critical role in localising aid and humanitarian responses. 



For those of you whose interest in the topic is piqued by this conversation, I recommend tuning into Episode 12 on the same topic, which you can find on homelandsadvisory.com/podcast where you’ll also see a form at the top of the page allowing you to subscribe to the podcast to never miss an episode. 

Anyway, without further ado, I’d like to thank Bashàïr very much for coming on the show and I very much hope that you enjoy our conversation.




Cluster system: According to UN OCHA, the humanitarian cluster system is a coordination mechanism used by the UN and other humanitarian organizations to respond to crises. It is designed to organize humanitarian actors into core sectors, such as water, health and food security. 


Shabaka’s website: https://shabaka.org/about-shabaka/our-team/ 


Connect with Bashàïr on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bashair-ahmed/ 


Twitter: @Shabaka_org


MDPcast Episode 12 with Daniela Villacrez: https://www.homelandsadvisory.com/podcast/episode/2a7391e0/episode-12-how-to-engage-diasporas-in-humanitarian-assistance  


British Red Cross Diaspora Humanitarian Programme: https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/diaspora-humanitarian-partnership-programme-grants#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20Diaspora%20Humanitarian,at%20engaging%20with%20diaspora%20communities. 


“The switchboard”:  https://shabaka.org/about-switchboard/ 


Why these 10 humanitarian crises demand your attention now: https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2024/01/08/why-these-10-humanitarian-crises-demand-your-attention-now 

All the MDPcast episodes: https://homelandsadvisory.com/podcast