GERMIN, a non-profit organization focused on promoting diaspora engagement and development, has announced the third edition of the biggest Albanian Diaspora Conference – “Diaspora Flet” in Prishtina, Kosova on May 18-20, 2023. This year’s theme is “How can we co-create?” with the aim of exploring and inciting ways of co-creation for the progress of our homelands.
The conference will bring together hundreds of professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders from the diaspora and the homelands to discuss, present, exhibit, and exchange information, experiences, and ideas. Diaspora Flet is a powerful convener for diaspora engagement that takes place biannually, promoting a two-way dialogue between home countries and the Albanian Diaspora.
“I have been engaged ever since the early days of Germin on advisory role capacity and this journey with Germin has reawakened my love and connection with Kosova. Apart from that it has presented me with an opportunity to meet some truly inspiring changemakers that I continue working to this day,” said Indira Kartallozi, founder of Sustainability Leadership Kosovoa, who lives in the UK.
The objectives of the conference are to enhance a structured dialogue between diaspora members, policymakers, and civil society concerning critical topics and priorities, inspire action that produces specific programs, projects and policies, incentivize co-creation among individuals, organizations, businesses, and institutions, and serve as a platform for networking and exchanges that strengthen bonds between the diaspora and the homeland.
The conference program will include dedicated spaces for professional networking, headhunting, and exchanges. Businesses to businesses (B2B) and business to customers (B2C) meetings will be organized. A fair area will showcase Kosova’s women entrepreneurs, their products and services, and a B2B with Kosova’s top producers from the ICT and Wood Processing sectors will be organized.
The conference will also feature matchmaking and market linkages space, presentations and lightning talks, and a working visit to the parliament of Kosova. Three international keynote speakers, experts on the diaspora engagement industry, will present their views on better engaging the diaspora for development. These sessions will be interactive, engaging participants in specific conference topics, aiming to address opportunities and challenges of diaspora engagement issues and share best practices for advancing co-creation between diaspora and home countries.
The conference has garnered the support of relevant stakeholders, partners, and donors such as the President of the Republic of Kosova, the President of the Republic of Albania, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosova, USAID Kosovo Compete Activity, USAID Private Sector-Led Workforce Development Activity, CARITAS Switzerland, USAID Citizen Engagement Activity, National Endowment for Democracy (NED), German Agency for International Development (GIZ), Programme for Migration and Diaspora in Kosovo and Albania, Swiss Cooperation Office Kosovo, and municipalities of Prishtina, Prizren, Ferizaj, and Gjilan. The conference has also garnered support from diaspora organizations such as the Global Albanians Foundation, ODA Hamburg e.V., URA Cult, Albanian Diaspora Business Chamber, Union of Albanian-German Businesses, and Albanian Diaspora Business Network.
GERMIN is committed to fostering a vibrant and sustainable diaspora engagement ecosystem, and the ‘Diaspora Flet’ Conference is a flagship event demonstrating our dedication to achieving this goal. Since 2014, the organization’s tireless efforts in working with the Albanian diaspora have not only strengthened the bonds between communities but also created a ripple effect of positive change in the home countries.
Kingsley Aikins, CEO of the Networking Institute, Ireland said, “Germin in Kosovo is a really good example of such an organisation who are perfectly placed to turn brain drain into brain gain and brain exchange. Made up of talented and passionate professionals who have researched the potential and identified key Kosovans overseas they have put in place the building blocks and structures to convert sentiment and goodwill into practical projects which will benefit their homeland. Germin have identified global best practice in Diaspora engagement and can become one of the leaders in this field.”
Speakers will include Avni Mustafaj, Anila Hyka Smograv, Hilmi Gashi and Mike Bailey. The event takes place over three days and is free to attend. You can sign up here.
The third edition of Diaspora Flet is set to be the biggest and most impactful yet, bringing together diverse voices and perspectives to explore ways of co-creation for the progress of our homelands. It will be an excellent opportunity for professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to network, exchange ideas, and find ways to work together to promote positive change.
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